It's Nearly 2012

Nearly time for my stitch from my chart stash and I'm going to start it with a determination to make it through until at least July!

I've been busy stitching away since my last post and spending time with my DH and girls. We've had lots of lovely festive food and a little bit to drink ( spiced rum- yum! ) but first of all I'd like to show you the two gifts I stitched.

First off is what I stitched for my surrogate sis Lisa. We've both had a rough year this year and sometimes we both need a reminder that it is a wonderful life for all the crap it sometimes deals us so I stitched this for her.

The Sampler Girl Wonderful Life

Can't remember the fabric

DMC 

Started 24th November 2011

Finished 3rd December 2011

Christmas Gift for Lisa.

I also stitched a little something for Michelle

Little House Needlworks Thankful

25 count fabric

DMC and Crescent Colours.

Started 4th December 2011

Finished 9th December 2011

Christmas Gift for Michelle

Now you will have to please excuse the following photos as I've taken them using this, which was one of my Christmas presents,

and am trying to get used to it. I usually use my DH's DSLR camera but fancied something of my own that I can pop in my pocket when I'm going out for a walk and also use for my stitchy pictures. Although the colours of the threads are as near as the fabric isn't but I might have been better using the flash! It's trial and error at the moment. I will say that for an inexpensive camera it takes some good photos as I took it out with me the other day and got some good ones.

Anyway we had a lovely Christmas dinner with my Dad, my sister, her partner and DH's Dad here. It went much better than I expected and everyone enjoyed themselves. My sister and her partner even played with us on the Wii at Mario Kart Wii and it was hilarious! I am, however, rather cross with myself that I let myself get so worked up and stressed over it as it totally spoiled the run up to Christmas for me. However I seem to look on the black side these days rather than the bright which is not good.

I did get some nice stitchy stash for Christmas. DH's Dad, auntie and my Dad give us money for when we go Christmas shopping and we buy gifts for each other from our lists. This is what I got from DH's Dad.

And this is what I received from my surrogate sis Lisa. Thank you so much {{{{hugs}}}} I did confess to Lisa yesterday though that I have two of these as I very naughtily ordered it in the JJ's End of year sale not thinking that someone would buy me it but I have plans for both of them!

And this is what I received from Michelle. Isn't it gorgeous? Thank you so much Michelle {{{{hugs}}}}

So Christmas Day evening was the start of my SAL with Michelle so with a cup of "Christmas Tea" and my fabric and threads I made a start. The tea cup and saucer was a Christmas gift, amongst other things, from my DH.

This is where I'm at as of Tuesday afternoon. Michelle's needle has well and truly been smoking as she is almost finished and it looks gorgeous!

Of course on a wet and windy afternoon there is nothing better than a cup of Twinings Lady Grey and a cinnamon cookie:)

Tuesday evening I decided it was time I picked up CCN Snowflake Serenade. I'd stitched on it on Christmas Eve as well.

Wednesday as usual is my SAL night with Lisa although from 2012 we are moving it to Tuesdays. I finished stitching the wording across the top and the bird house. The fabby colour is definitely not right on this one!

Last night I decided to pick up Tra La La Snowman my December SAL with Chris and Lesleyanne. As I'm so close to finishing it I think I shall stitch on this tonight as well.

I don't know if I will stitch at all tomorrow evening but if I do it'll probably be on Christmas Tea. On New Years Day Lisa and I are having our New Years Day new start as we did last year and we're both looking forward to it. Here is what we are stitching along with the thread I have chosen. I just need to sort a small piece of 32 count fabric and I'd ready to go!

Well if you've got this far thank you for reading! I'll be back more regularly in the New Year. Happy 2012 to you all. I hope it is Happy, Healthly, Prosperous and Stitch filled. Thank you all for your friendship in 2011 and I will see you in 2012! I have some photos from Christmas but will leave those for another time as I need to make them smaller yet! I must apologise as I've been mostly marking blogs as read in my reader as I just haven't had time to read and comment but normal service will, hopefully, resume next week!

With much love

Sally

xxxxx