Wise Men Still Seek Him

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you:  You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and living in a manger."  Luke 2:9-12 NIV  

He came to fulfill a promise "For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."  Isaiah.9:2  

Today we celebrate the birth of that child, that Son of God, our Savior.  May you see and find the true meaning of Christmas.  Have a Blessed Christmas.

Unexpected Joy-filled Day!

It's been a wild weekend!  Our son unexpectedly asked if we could watch the girls for a couple of hours on Saturday.  It turned into an all day event!!  We've been striving to get stuff done well in advance of the holiday so we could relax as the days get closer, and a good thing we were too!  Having them over yesterday was good for the heart!  It was loud, it was busy, it was messy, but it was so much fun!  And because we weren't under any pressure, it was an amazing day!  

I finally got to make some ornaments that Robin in Virginia suggested I make with Little Miss Sassy Pants.  

I'll admit, I'm a perfectionist and have a wee bit of OCD, but I decided it's no fun being a Gigi if you can't let loose with a 4 yr old and just be spontaneous.  Now I wish we had dough ready to make cookies too.  Poor little Miss thought these were going to be cookies...haha. 

But she forgave me when I brought out some Oreos we had stashed in the pantry.  (Good thing Pappy has a sweet tooth!!).  

Miss Q was a happy camper, and the two of them played so well together.  Miss Q napped the entire time we were making the ornaments so that went well.  It doesn't show in the picture, but we set up a race car track for Miss Sassy Pants and she played with that for a good long while.  The kids brought pizza and salads for dinner and stayed to chat for a while.  I think we'll all sleep well tonight!  

It was an exhausting day, but it wasn't complete until I put a few stitches in something.  I make it a point to stitch at least 30 minutes a day.  It turns off my brain and relaxes me before bed...and with only less than 300 stitches to go, I was able to finish Cardinal Couple by My Lovely Embroidery.  This is stitched on 32 count light blue over one.  I have stitched this pattern before but on 30 count over one.  I love how tiny this turned out.  

Hopefully I will have a finishing day today and get a few more things fully finished.  Sadly our printer, which has been having connecting issues and other things, went belly up yesterday and stopped printing in the middle of a print job. Guess we'll have to shop for something in the new year.  We'll see.  Well I'm off to the craft room to decide on my next stitching project, maybe line up some goals for next year, and do a wee bit of finishing.  I'll have to see what sparks my interest.  If all goes well I'll have another "finishing" post to share next time.  In the meanwhile, make space in your life for the little unexpected joys in your life.  While it was exhausting, it was a day full of memory making and fun!  Happy Stitching!

Running in Circles

Hi Fellow Stitchers!  Tis the season to be running in circles, am I right?  I can't seem to get my act together.  

I'm sitting here watching the weather is it continues to get darker with rain clouds rolling in.  The temperatures are dropping...it's getting colder in the house.  The winds are picking up, I really should go rescue the garbage cans before they begin a tour of the neighborhood.  Instead I'm sitting here in my pjs sipping chamomile tea...haha.  This weather is making what is already sore ache more.  Life...eh?  

Well I had a great day yesterday as I picked up my friend and started the last minute stocking stuffer shopping.  I hope I'm done.  While my friend and I were pretty jovial (Ms M always makes me laugh...we have the same sense of humor) most other folks were not having a good day.  I really do feel for the sales reps out there...it's a busy time of year and I'm sure they are tired.  

Even with all the hustle and bustle, I really believe I'm a bit ahead of the game, or at least I hope so.  Today I spent the morning wrapping DH's gifts and fully finishing a couple of things.  I still have one more I really want to finish, but I'm still contemplating how I'm going to go about that.  I have a Christmas ornament I really want to finish today but I really needed a little lunch and some chamomile tea.  I'll see what happens after lunch.  

So let me show you what I've finished in the past few days.  First up is the letter T from the Owl Forest Embroidery Merry Christmas letters.  I still have 3 more to finish, but they will have to wait until next year I guess.  That's ok, they will be fresh for the new year!  Stitched on 32 Summer Khaki over two.  I love these letters!  

Next is Nordic Yuletide by Quaternion Creations from the 2024 JCS Ornament issue, stitched on 36 count Twilight over two.  I didn't stitch the whole pattern, I really didn't care for the rest, plus it fit perfectly in this little frame I found at Hobby Lobby...win, win!  

Next is Cozy Into Winter stitched on 32 count Mad Hatter's Tea Party over two.  I love Jeannette Douglas designs and I've had this sitting in my to do pile for a while.  I love that it's framed and ready for display for this Christmas!  

Last is Christmas Manor by Shannon Christine Designs.  It's stitched on 30 count Vintage Country Mocha over one.  I'll be honest and say I wish it were on a little darker fabric but it's not too bad.  The last two frames were found at Hobby Lobby...they have a lot of lovely frames out there this year.  

Ok so that's all that I have for my show and tell.  I hope all of you out there have a wonderful Christmas and many blessings in the coming New Year!  I'm not sure if I'll have another post before the holidays, but if I get a chance I will.  I'll have the grandkids here tomorrow....I need to get some meatballs made for the Christmas Eve party and I need to seriously think about what I'll serve for Christmas dinner.  I'm not sure what's happening on that day, but hopefully the kids will stop in.  It will be pure chaos I'm sure.  Take care, and Happy Stitching!

Moving slowly...

Goodness it's been a little crazy around here lately!  Between Physical Therapy twice a week, watching Miss Q once a week, snow days with hubby home, and trying to get gifts sorted and ordered, there isn't much time left for stitching.  I did finally get another page finish of Let Freedom Ring.  Only the top row and the 5 pages that includes to go!  Unless the time space continuum opens up and gives me more time, I'm setting it aside until 2026.  Goodness, it's getting close.  I usually say things will slow down then, but I know better haha.  Here is an updated picture.  

When I decided to put it aside for a bit, I picked up the final ornament for the challenge I participate in.  I still need to fully finish the ornament from last month, but until my head clears I'm just going to stitch the next suggestion.  This one is Nordic Yuletide by Quaternion Creations from the 2024 JCS Ornament Issue.  I'm stitching this one on 36 count Twilight two over two and love how it looks so far.  I've decided I'm not going to stitch the whole thing, and will stop after I stitch the red bow.  Not too much farther!  Then I think I'll finish it as an oval.  I will work those details out later.  Hopefully by the next update I'll have fully finished this one and the one from November.  Fingers crossed I get the time.  

I have to say I had a frustrated long weekend.  Hubby decided to stay home from work and we would go Christmas shopping.  Well we got some significant snow for Maryland, so instead we set up our tree, decorated the mantel, wrote our Christmas newsletter, printed it out, addressed the Christmas cards  AND THEN I was allowed to stitch...lol.  Saturday led to more decorating and the start of the new ornament.  Sunday was ordering pictures for a Christmas gift and then arranging and assembling the gift.  That literally took most of the day and two trips to Walgreens to pick up the prints....haha.  Today I'm off to the Physical Therapist.  We will see how much stitching I get done today.  Tomorrow hubby is home again so hopefully we can get our shopping done then...Wednesday I get my hair done, and Thursday is Physical Therapy, and Miss Q is here Friday.  No rest for the wicked, they say....I must have been really bad somewhere along the way!  LOL  

Ok I'm off to get my ankle twisted into knots then massaged.  Sounds heavenly doesn't it?  haha  NOT!  I will say I'm getting pretty good a toe yoga!  But picking up marbles with my toes isn't going too well.  I hope all is well in your neck of the woods.  Happy Stitching!

December has arrived!

I won't deny that December is my second favorite month.  (October is my favorite but only because I love fall...not because I was born in October).  What's not to like?  Ok, it does get cold, the days are short and not as bright....but all the excitment that leads up to Christmas and the promise of a New Year are exciting right?  I love hanging my advent ornaments each year!  I love looking at them!  So here they are for today.  

So I've been incredibly busy the past week or so.  I have started physical therapy for my foot (ouch!!) along with watching Miss Q and all the other stuff that comes with getting ready for the season.  I still have to take my fall decorations down and start sorting through the winter decorations, but that will have to wait for a bit until I can walk a little better.  UGH what a crazy time of year for an injury.  

Miss Q was here yesterday.  She was so much fun yesterday.  I remember Miss Sassy Pants at this age, and how much fun it was to play peek a boo, and with the toys that made music and flashed lights.  She is so inquisitive and fun!  A week seems a long time between visits.  We had Miss Sassy Pants overnight on the weekend.  She is a whirlwind of activity, but also so much fun.  And she has quite a sense of humor.  I can't remember life being so much fun without them in it!    

Because of all the busyness I haven't had much time for stitching/finishing.  I have things lined up that I want to do, I just haven't found the time to get things done.  I did finish stitching the November ornament...and I love it.  My head is spinning with ideas how to fully finish it, but I think I've come up with a plan.  I hope I can get started on that this afternoon...we'll see.  

I did get to fully finish a Mill Hill kit that I stitched for a friend's Nephew.  This is Fishing Penguin stitched on 32 count Cornflower fabric over two instead of the perforated paper included in the kit.  

It has been sent off to my friend in NY along with this one I stitched for her.  I hope she likes them.  

I also had fully finished this ornament that I had finished stitching back in 2022.  It's called O Little Town of Bethlehem by Saving Graces Fine Needlearts from the 2021 JCS Ornament Issue.  It has been given to my DIL's Mother.  

I've fallen behind in plans for Let Freedom Ring.  I was hoping to get two pages stitched a month but was only able to get one page stitched in November.  I think I'll still be able to reach my goal to have it framed by July 4th 2026 in time for the 250th celebration.  I have a feeling it won't see much love this month either, but I'm about halfway finished with one page for this month.  If I can do that I'll be happy.  Here it is so far... 

I guess that's all the news for this post.  I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you are able to enjoy all the excitement leading up to Christmas and the New Year.  Soon I'll be posting my goals for next year.  I rarely get everything done I hope to do, but I have an idea to change things up this year.  Hopefully I'll get that all down on paper soon...so watch this space!  Happy Stitching! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate!   

I had plans to visit with our son's in-laws as we usually do for Thanksgiving, but I've been a little under the weather.  So I think I'll just stay put for today.  I did have a little finish last night as I've been working on Christmas Morning by Mr. Stitch and Mrs. Needles from the 2024 Just Cross Stitch Ornament Issue.  I knew I wanted to stitch it from the moment I saw it in the magazine last year!  It's hard to tell from this picture the lovely gold metallic thread running through it.  I'm thinking of a way to fully finish it now, but that may have to wait.  This was stitched on 28 count tea dyed mystery fabric over two.  I really do love how it turned out.  

I had a couple more ornaments I wanted to finish so I could give them out at the dinner today, but it just wasn't meant to be.  Maybe I can get them fully finished today, we'll see.

  Right now I think I'll crawl back in bed...haha.  Mr. Max (our cat) was relentless this morning and wanted to be fed at 6:30.  UGH!  I do love him but he can be so demanding...haha.  Here is where I left off in the finishing process last night.  Let's hope I can fully finish things before the end of the month.  

Here's hoping you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and that we all count our blessings as we reflect on the past year and hope for the future.  

ICE!!

Hi Fellow Stitchers!  No, we are not having an ICE storm...haha.  Though it does look cold and blustery out there today.  For years we have been going to see the ICE exhibit at the Gaylord Hotel at the National Harbor in DC.  We have seen Rudolph, Charlie Brown, The Grinch and The Christmas Story to name a few.  This year the theme was The Polar Express.  Little Miss Sassy Pants enjoyed all the "eye candy" and had fun on the ice slide.  Seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child brings back all the wonderment and excitement.  We had a lovely day having lunch and dinner as well as taking in all the sights at the Gaylord.  Little Miss Q was another story...haha.  She fell asleep for most of the exhibit.  Here are a few of the things we saw...  

I saved this picture for last...on the left you will see Little Miss Sassy Pants looking at the trumpeter.  I know it's hard to see, but the look on her face was precious.  She was in awe...this was one of my favorite pictures!  I didn't notice her there until after I took the picture...

On the stitching front, I still haven't found time for finishing but hopefully today and tomorrow I'll roll up my sleeves and get to work.  I have been working on another "ornament" from the 2024 JCS Ornament Issue...here is where I am so far with Christmas Morning.  Hopefully I'll get a wee bit more done before Thanksgiving.  

For those who have been praying for Little Miss Q, she had her final check-up for the surgery yesterday... and the doctors discovered the bump on her forehead had disappeared!  I'm calling it a miracle, and I'm thrilled she doesn't have to have surgery at such a young age.  After I had asked for prayers for her, it started to recede, and by the time they did her final check-up it had disappeared.  Thank you, Lord!  The Dr. said that sometimes that happens, but she had never seen it herself.  It truly will be a blessed Thanksgiving this year.  Not only because the wee little girl won't have the trauma of surgery, but it will put less of a strain on the kid's finances.  A double blessing considering all the strain the government shut down put on them.  I'm so very thankful!  

So...that's all the news I have for today!  I hope all is well with all of you...Happy Stitching and may you all who celebrate have a truly Blessed Thanksgiving!        

Furious Flying Fingers

I'm not sure why I do this to myself every year...haha...but I'm always stitching and finishing just before Thanksgiving.  Usually it's ornaments I forgot I needed to stitch.  I still have quite a bit of finishing I have to do, but I've had this pattern in my stash for ages and I knew I just had to stitch it for this Christmas.  This is called Believe by Erin Elizabeth Designs.  It's stitched on 36 count Twilight over two with one strand of DMC B5200.  I love the stark contrast and the color of the fabric!  

Since I like to decorate the day after Thanksgiving, I'm in a last minute rush finishing up things I can decorate with...haha.  Earlier this year I found a clock that was abandoned at a local thrift store.  I loved the shape and knew exactly what I wanted to use it for.  I took out the hands and mechanism and I hope to get it painted in a few days.  I can't wait to show you what I'm going to do with it, and hope it matches what I'm picturing in my head.  LOL  We will see!  

I also finished this Mill Hill kit.  This is called Fishing Penguin.  I used Cornflower blue 32 count fabric to stitch it on.  I'm hoping to finish it in a white tart pan.  I hope it comes out like I'm thinking it will.  

I wish I could stay home and get some crafting done, but I'm off to see ICE! at the National Harbor today with the family.  It had been an annual tradition for us until last year when they repeated a theme.  This year the theme is The Polar Express.  I'm excited to see how Little Miss Sassy Pants reacts to this.  She loved the Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer theme two years ago...but she's older now.  Ok, I'm off to get ready!  Watch this space!  If all goes well tomorrow, I'll have an update on finishes, and perhaps some ICE! pictures.  Have a great weekend!

Christmas Manor

I had a little finish today!  I started this pattern for a retreat two weekends ago.  I haven't had much time for stitching lately, so it took me a while to get it done.  This is Christmas Manor by Shannon Christine Designs.  As I was stitching on it I was trying to think how I would fully finish it.  I'll have to go for a dive in my items I've been saving for finishing.  Decisions, decisions...haha.  It's stitched on 30 count Vintage Country Mocha over one.  While at the retreat I was thoroughly chastised for not initialing my work...so take a look and see if you can see my "mark".  Haha.  

And now for the personal news...we celebrated our youngest granddaughter's first birthday over the weekend.  I really wish I could share videos on my blog, I still haven't figured that one out...lol.  She had fun digging into her "smash" cake, a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, a nod to our family as her middle name was my Grandmother's name and that was a favorite cake in our family.  I had said one time she is a wild child...so that was the theme of her party.  (As a little reminder, her older sister's party them was "One"der Woman.  LOL ) Now I have to think of a special Christmas ornament commemorating her Wild Child theme.  Any ideas?  Here are a few pictures of the event.  

I've finally found out the cause of my aching foot.  I have tendonitis and a bond spur on my heel.  Let me tell you, it's pretty painful.  I'm on a course of anti-inflammatory drugs and will soon start physical therapy.  As if I wasn't busy enough, now I have to fit some therapy into my schedule...no rest for the wicked I suppose...haha.  

My apologies to Robin, as I still haven't sent her giveaway out yet.  Hopefully it will be in the mail soon, I'll let you know when I get to the post office.  I was in Ocean City for nearly a week while we had a little R&R while the madness was going on with the government shutdown.  It was a vacation we had already planned months ago but was the perfect timing for us.  Mike worked most of the shutdown without pay so we don't feel too guilty about taking off for a few days.  We played a few games of mini-golf, walked along the boardwalk, had pictures taken, shopped a couple of LNS, and saw some lovely sunrises and sunsets.  It was just what we needed.  

Ok, I'm off to see about starting another little project and contemplate some finishing I need to do.  I hope wherever you are you are safe, healthy and happily stitching!

Tiny Town Nativity

Whew...I was hoping to get this finished sooner, I have so many things I need to get done!!  But at least I can say this one is in the books.  Now to find time to fully finish...but that will have to wait a bit I'm afraid.  This coming week is chock fully of "stuff to do".  Anyway, here is Tiny Town Nativity by Heart in Hand stitched.  

I used 40 count Legacy over two with DMC floss.  I love how it turned out, now to get it finished into a drum.  I have a couple of drums I would love to fully finish.  I need to start dragging out my box of finished items waiting to be fully finished.   A friend of mine asked me to stitch up some ornaments to put in her booth when she does her Arts and Crafts shows.  I do have tons that have been stitched but not fully finished.  What do you think?  I'm not sure what the rules are on that kind of thing?  And...do you think my work is good enough to sell?  So much to do, so little time.  

I'm barely dashing this down as my youngest granddaughter is napping.  According to her Dad she was up at 4 AM this morning.  I know I couldn't handle being a Mom to a little one right now.  Goodness, I'd be a walking zombie.  When she arrived at 7:30 she was already half asleep.  A quick bottle, diaper change and snuggle and she was in dreamland.  If only I could count on her sleeping for a couple of hours.  LOL  We'll see what else I can get done while she naps.  Here's hoping we all have a productive day!  Happy Stitching! 

Giveaway Reveal!

Here it is, the moment you've all been waiting for!  First I want to thank all who participated in the giveaway.  I hope you were inspired to get your exams!  Congratulations to Robin in Virginia for winning the giveaway!  I'll be sending it out to you soon!  I'll let you know when I drop it in the mail.  Thanks again to all who participated!  

We had a visit from the grand kids on Halloween, I thought maybe you'd like to see their costumes.  Little Miss Sassy Pants was a unicorn, and her dress lit up the night!  

Little Miss Q was a Narwhal.  Someone mentioned she looked like she'd seen a ghost...hahaha.  How true is that?  

Miss Sassy was excited to go trick or treating and came back with a bag full of goodies!  Miss Q was content to sit in the stroller and watch in amazement as costumes of all makes and models went parading by.  I think my favorite was a little 3 yr old who was dressed as a dinosaur rider.  He was so proud to show off his tail...what a cutie!!  

Since my last post I've finished stitching a few more ornaments, and I really need to have another finishing day.  I did finish the second Snow Friends by Shannon Christine stitched on 32 count natural opalescent over two.  I really love her designs!  

I also stitch The First Noel by A New Creation Studio stitched on 32 count black over two.  I love how this one turned out...I just need to find time to fully finish it.  

I've been working on Tiny Town Nativity by Heart in Hand.  This one is finally for ME!  Haha.  I have loved all the others, and maybe one day will stitch them for myself, but I'm really looking forward to placing this on my mantle when it's fully finished!  

Ok, I guess that's all the news for now.  I'm off to get something done.  I'm resting my foot as we went to a craft fair yesterday and my ankle/heel is screaming today.  It's been a busy weekend and I think I deserve a rest.  Happy Stitching...and a special thank you to all who have commented!