First Post of January!

Well, it's the middle of January and I am finally posting.  I've wanted to post on a number of occasions but in between packing, working, horrific indigestion, a bought of flu, I haven't had the oomph to do so.  Let's see, I had my birthday on the 3rd, which was quiet as usual, Christmas on the 7th, also quiet since I wasn't feeling all too well, and my third ultrasound, baby is beautiful and healthy so far.  Lots to celebrate and be thankful for amidst the turmoil of our house.  I packed a lot of my stitching stuff away, and am now regretting that since I've wanted to start so many things, but I do have my current projects out so I've been working on those when I can.  

January is one of those months that I begin to feel the first sprout of glee at the prospect of Spring.  I saw the teeniest buds of snowdrops poking through here and there which means crocuses will be on its way soon too.  There's always a sense of awakening with the coming of Spring and of course this year, it'll be a big awakening...possibly keeping me awake all night! I look forward to the birth of our child.  Not the actual birth, but the after part of course! 

Now I do have a few things to share with you all.  Back in November, I finished a little BBD pillow for dear Jo as a little thank you for the fertility gift she sent to me way back in April.  When I was prepping the package for Jo, I heard Titus leaping onto the pillow and rolling around onto the package.  Uh oh! There were three pins in the pillow and then there were two! I couldn't find the third pin which freaked me out.  I checked Titus all over to see if a pin was sticking in him and thank goodness, there wasn't one.  He seemed fine and not like he just ate a pin, plus that would be very out of character for him to do that.  He does like to eat toilet paper, but not pins.  Anyways, a few weeks ago as we were packing, I moved some books over and found the pin! Phew...what a relief to me!  Silly cat!

I also received two amazing gifts from two amazing ladies, Melissa and Vickie. Vickie is so sweet to have sent me yet another lovely little ornament to celebrate our new family. 

We will be putting this on our tree for this year's Christmas.  Thank you my dear friend, we will treasure this ornament for many years!!

Then I had the unexpected pleasure of having a tunic made to fit for me by the creative seamstress Melissa, from Words and Blooms. Other than my mom, no one has made clothes for me before and I have to say, Melissa, you did an amazing job!! I love my tunic and it looks great on me with room to grow too! The fabric is a pretty sky blue with whimsical blossoms falling all over.  Very comfy too!

I did make one new start this year.  It's the BBD freebie "Souvenir de France" for one of our French immersion teachers who will be retiring this year.  I chose a scrap of linen and GAST Blue Jay to make it with.  I hope she will like it!

A Sarah Chapple update.  I stitched a lot on the borders and just started the second vase last night.  Instead of pulling her off the qsnaps to show the border, here's just the vase.

I'm really loving stitching on Sarah as I know I won't get much of a chance once Bean arrives.  As for Bean, I've been thinking of making things for him/her but have held off because I don't have a baby room yet, so no clue how to decorate it.  I thought about making some bright coloured Granny square bunting triangles to string up in the room for a burst of colour.  I think I'm going to start some tonight and see how it fairs.  All my yarn is in a plastic bin which I've kept out so I can still craft.  Maybe starting with the bunting will inspire me to make more things for Bean.  I'm just not good at making clothes and stuff like that.  I so wish I mastered knitting ages ago!!

I borrowed Lucy's photo of her granny bunting triangles to show you what I mean.

Not my photo...Lucy's from Attic 24

I hope you have enjoyed this little update from me.  I wish it was more packed full of stitching but there you have it.  I also felt guilty for posting as I have been so behind in blog commenting it's not funny.  I did spend some time last weekend going through and reading/commenting and it was fun! I'm amazed at all of you who have been keeping up with the 15-30 starts this month in honor of Debbie.  She was such a lovely lady who has inspired us to continue making new starts!!

Hugs to you all!!

This photo I took makes me think of an inky watercolour

January Celebrations and a New Year of Stitching

The past week and a bit has been full of wonderful celebrations.  On the 3rd I celebrated my birthday with my wonderful family and friends.  Usually I don't do much for my birthday other than a quiet dinner, however, this year I felt it would be good to get everyone together to celebrate. It actually became a joint birthday party with one of my hubby's friend from elementary school.  His friends and my friends were a bit too encouraging with the drinks.  At one point in the evening, I suppose I decided to sing La Bamba.  I don't remember this!! Oh dear!

My auntie and me

Then we celebrated Christmas on the 7th.  We had a lovely service then ate lots of turkey and all the trimmings.  That first week of January always goes so quickly yet it is nice for things to get back to normal so to speak.  We still need to take down our Christmas tree but we are both dreading the process. Going back to work was a bit of an adjustment.  I enjoyed seeing the children but didn't like getting up at 5:30am again.  I am not a morning person, whatsoever!! 

On the stitching front, I started my new sampler, worked on WIP's and started a few little stitches. I also received a few gifts from Nia, Shirlee, and Vickie.  Shirlee made me the most darling little PS ornament.  She finished it perfectly and I placed it on my tree right away so I could enjoy it for a little while.  Thank you so much Shirlee! I will treasure it always.  This is my first stitched Christmas ornament from a friend.  A very special gift indeed!!

 Dear Nia sent to me a sweet little chart to stitch called Love Birds by Crescent Colours as a thank you for sending her a Tatty Teddy chart.  It included the luscious Belle Soie silks! I had never tried these silks before. I am now quite the fan!! Thank you sweetie!! I'm so excited for her baby Lourenco to be born.  He's going to be one well dressed baby!!

I started stitching it on Friday night on 32ct Platinum Belfast linen.

Vickie sent me some lovely homemade pins and a beautiful card.  I forgot to take a photo of the card! Oops!  Thank you my dear.  I will use these in my finishes this year!!

I also sent Vickie a little gift too.  I stitched it awhile ago when I saw the pattern and thought of her.  We have become sisters in Christ so I thought it fitting to stitch her this.  It's a freebie from Feathers in the Nest.  I stitched it on 40 ct. legacy linen with various silks. (I will have to email Jennifer for the link as it seems to have disappeared).

For one of my oldest and dearest friends, I made a Blackbird Designs Box for her.  Since she has received it I can show it now.  I used a pattern from BBD's Flowers of the Field book using the recommended threads and a mystery linen.  I painted the box a pretty robin's egg blue and finished it with Victorian Motto's chenille trim.  I am glad she loves her box!!

Another Christmas gift I stitched up was for my sister.  She requested a monogram awhile back and am happy that she loves her "C"! This is for you my darling sister!! I stitched it on dove grey 32 ct linen with DMC ecru using a pattern from Sajou. 

Now onto my new start, JCS 1707 from the Scarlet Letter.  I started it on New Year's Day, made a mistake, frogged it, then restarted again last night.  Not much to show though.  I am using NPI, DMC and AVAS threads on 36 ct. Newcastle linen in cream, the same as Hannah Brassington.  I just love that linen so why not stitch on it again!!

Teeny tiny start from the upper left hand corner.

I also made some progress on my WIP's.  I stitched a beet on Shakespeare's Peddlar's Magic Garden 5 stitches off so I hope I can fudge the rest of the pattern. I just don't have the heart to rip out the beet.

A wee bit of progress on Knotgarden and Teabath fairy.  I didn't take a photo of TBF for the progress is barely visible.  

If you got this far, congrats!! Thank you all for your wonderful comments on my 2013 stitching.  I haven't responded to all of your comments nor visited all of your blogs but I hope to make that happen soon.  I have a wee bit of work to do for school so that will have to be finished first.  I have noticed lots of people posting daily with their crazy challenges and WIP's.  I decided to not be a participant in any of the challenges this year.  The reason being is I have a hard time committing when I'm working plus all the health issues we are trying to deal with.  My hubby had a test on Friday so we are waiting for the results tomorrow.  I am praying everything will be ok.  Please send a few our way as I know you all will.

Take care!

Anne

Oh, here's a foggy photo of our New Year's Eve walk to the river.  It was so magical and romantic since we were the only ones by the river!