Tuesday 3 December 2013

Welcome December......

My favourite month of the year! It is just so magical.
My DH was off last week and we were out every day doing the festive thing! We had a lovely day at Meadowhall in Sheffield with both girls and also went to MacAthur Glen Outlet near York then into York with Abi which was manic!
I didn't stitch at all on Wednesday evening as by the time we got home, had something to eat and settled down I was too tired to pick it up which is very unusual for me! So no progress on Little House Needleworks Song of the Seasons. So much so for getting it finished by the end of November so I'll now try and ain for the end of the year! If I don't get into the parlour this week over at Needlecraft Haven they will be locking the door and not letting me in again! Lol!
So what I have been stitching.
Part 3 of Holly and Hearts Christmas Sampler is going very well and I hope to be almost done by the time I put it away on Saturday night. I just love this and really want to leave it up all year. It's too pretty to be put away.

Cottage Garden Samplings February's Primrose made an appearance again and I just have the border to do now :). Next year I want to make a journal or see if I can find a suitable one ready made to put these in. I now have July, August and September in my stash so just 3 more to get.
Barb and I have been carrying on with our sweet little sheep and here's my progress on Wisdom. Once this is finished we can start Friendship and we also have the next one at last but I won't be able to start that one until after Christmas providing Father Christmas is kind enough to bring me more of the fabric I'm using :). Just two more to get now!
I have made a bit more progress on my November ornament for the Christmas All Year Round SAL. I would like to get this finished this week so I can start on my December one . I've got rather behind but not to worry. Hopefully they'll both be on my tree by Christmas!
The 4th part of the Jardin Prive SAL is out now so as soon as I get an extension lead out so I can plug the printer in I'll have it printed ready for Barb and I to start on Friday. I still have to stitch the border on Plum Street Samplers Mary's Sampler. I managed to get caught up before the final part came out. I have so much I want to finish this month!
Chris and I started our annual December SAL on Sunday. We chose Country Cottage Needleworks Silent Night this year. Here is my start. I'm using an unknown colour of 32 count Belfast linen that I bought in the Viking Loom at York and DMC. I was going to use the hand dyed threads used in the chart but I decided it was just more expense. I'm going to use good old DMC as much as I can next year rather than hand dyes unless I already have them in my stash.
My Christmas ornament for the exchange on Needlecraft Haven has been received and opening day was 1st December but I can't show it as partners have not been revealed yet because some people are still waiting for theirs. Of course I messed up on mine as it's a secret exchange and I put names on the back lol! Christine please don't shout at me! Lol! Mine arrived today and look how lovely it is! My partner clearly knows me well and I have a sneaking suspicion I know who it is! Thank you so much whoever you are :) Here's the front.
And here's the back.

We put our Christmas decorations up on Sunday. I shed a few tears as we were doing them. I miss my Dad so much.  My stitched ornament tree is looking lovely now with a few more ornaments on. In fact I now have 3 shoe boxes full and need to start on another one. The pictures is not brilliant but will try and get a better one. I have a lovely selection of ornaments both stitched by myself, received in exchanges and stitched by friends for me.
That's it for today. Have wonderful week everyone. It's going to get colder again here later this week. Our temps are up and down like I don't know what! Wish they'd just stay down!
With much love,
Sally xxxx

34 comments:

Vickie said...

I stick with good old DMC too. ;)
Your secret gift is beautiful for you and perfect.
Your tree looks fabulous.

Barb said...

Hi Sally lots of things to drool over here on your blog. I am about the same place as you with wisdom. Done the white framing but not started the brown yet. Love the ornament you had what a nice idea to put another on the back. Just off to print the new Jardin out. Will be in touch soon take care and keeeep stitching.

Shirlee said...

The tears will come, my friend. Many hugs to you this first Christmas without your dad. Your stitching looks wonderful & wow, your stitching tree looks fabulous!

Sue said...

Love your tree with all your stitched ornaments on Sally. The exchange gift is lovely as is the rest of your stitching.

Mary said...

Lovely stitching, Sally.
Your tree is precious with all of your stitched treasures on it!

Carol said...

Such beautiful work you do, Sally! And your stitchy tree is wonderful--looks like you may need a bigger tree soon :)

Clare-Aimetu said...

Hugs Sally - Christmas is a time for love be that past, present or future - raise a glass and enjoy the memories of Christmas past whilst making memories in Christmas present.

Your stitching is so beautiful, lovely exchange gift and a great tree :-)

Lesleyanne said...

Beautiful stitching Sally. I love all of your projects. I prefer DMC too. Your tree is gorgeous.

Tricia T said...

I sure wish we lived closer! I would love to be stitching along with you on most of these projects! I really like how Wisdom is turning out. That is such a pretty stitch!

{{HUGS}} as you miss your Dad. My Dad and I are meeting with hospice for my mom today, as she is still declining after her stroke. It is hard as our parents get older... But Christmas helps us remember the One who can carry our sorrows.

Thinking of you!

Tricia

butterfly said...

Lovely stitching, and your tree looks fab.
Yes it is sad when our family have passed , but it's also a lovely time to think back , I always light a candle for all my lost love ones on Christmas Eve and say a special prayer , big hugs

Dani - tkdchick said...

Wow Sally, you've been working on a lot of fabulous projects.

I would say your ornament partner knows you well.

Linda said...

Wonderful post Sally. All your stitching is looking awesome. What a wonderful ornament tree. Looks fantastic.

Linda

Simply Victoria said...

Sound like you had a nice family week last week.
Your stitching is all looking great. And a pretty new ornament for your tree too.
Hugs to you in the season of family and special times as you miss your dad.

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Oh my goodness Sally you get so much done, I don't know how you do it! I love your L*K Sampler. I didn't buy into that one, but I'm hoping to maybe score the patterns before years out....maybe. Hopefully :)
Your tree is gorgeous! I'd like to see the ornaments up close!

Julie said...

I think you accomplished a lot considering hubby was home all week, it all looks lovely.
The tree looks very pretty with handmade ornaments on it.

Emma/Itzy said...

All your stitching looks lovely, as does the tree! I don't have enough to have a whole tree just yet...maybe next year ;) x

Ellen said...

Beautiful progress on your wips! Your ornaments tree is gorgeous! I have yet to put up my tree ha ha!

Your exchange piece is beautiful, SB is one of my favorite designers!

Hugs,

Margaret said...

Love seeing all you are stitching! Your tree looks fabulous too!

Kate said...

Complete drool fest post Sally - love all the pieces today, love the fabric you are using for Silent Night. Your tree looks fab and the ornament you received in the exchange is lovely - great idea to have two designs.

Christine said...

I would never shout at you Sally.
Loads of wonderful stitching there, I don't know how you fit it all in

Jane said...

Lovely stitching Sally, all the colours are so pretty and muted!
Your ornament tree is stunning and every piece hanging on it must have a special meaning, I'd like to do the same but I have a feeling 2 little long-eared bundles of fur would have a feast on it!
Sad times, festive occasions for the first time without loved ones but you must have some lovely treasured memories of past Christmases and now you have your lovely new kitchen so I think you will feel a great presence this year so be happy too, I'm sure that's what your Dad would want.
Have a good stitchy week xxx

Chris said...

So glad that you have been enjoying the season! Your ornament tree is gorgeous.
All of your projects are looking lovely too!

Mii Stitch said...

Yes, you can't beat the good old DMC, my favourite to work with ;) Your tree is lovely & sparkly, I'm sure Santa will leave plenty of presents on the 25th...

Giovanna said...

Lots of lovely stitching, and what a beautiful ornament you received

Petites xxx et Cie said...

What a nice post! your Christmas tree is wonderful.
Bisxxx

Kay said...

Such a lot of beautiful sewing, your special tree looks incredible. Enjoy the season!

Michelle said...

Im a DMC girl too - beautiful stitching Sally and your tree is simply stunning xx

Myra said...

Gorgeous stitching Sally. Your tree is pretty - I enjoy all my stitched ornaments too.

Catherine said...

Love seeing your stitches and your tree looks fabulous! Hugs to you...

Andrea said...

Lots of lovely stitchy things to enjoy. Some great projects you are working on. I love the L*K piece, so pretty. Your tree is just fabulous. I'm going to have to get an extra tree nest year, my garland is just not big enough!

Brigitte said...

You were stitching on a lot of projects, Sally, and they are all beautiful. Your stitchy tree looks gorgeous.

Karoline said...

Nice progress on all your projects, they are looking lovely.

Both your tree & the exchange gift are gorgeous.

Have you had any flooding round Bridlington?

Anne said...

Wonderful stitching Sally! I love this time of year too as everything feels magical. The tree looks gorgeous! Sending you hugs from afar!

Annette-California said...

Sally your LK sampler is beautiful! All your stitching projects are so lovely. great exchanges and your tree is Gorgeous!
Happy Holidays, love Annette