Goodbye 2018

Here we are on the last day of the year.  I say each year that it has flown by, but this year it really does seem to have been like a Formula 1 racing car and whizzed along at break neck speed.   It doesn't help that I loose my Mondays now with being in bed all day due to the medications, so in effect I only have a 6 day week!

There have been ups and downs for us as a family and we have suffered the loss of family members.  Many online friends have also seen sadness, but there have been many times I have read of great happiness too.  I do enjoy reading your news and seeing all your lovely craftwork.  Being part of the online community is such a boost and I have learnt so much from overseas friends and reading of their experiences and travels as well as seeing their beautiful work and their sharing of skills. 

End of the month usually sees me doing a roundup post, you've all seen my crafting for December in previous posts so I wont duplicate them again. 

I'll just say, I've looked back and there were 50 craft finishes in 2018.  25 cross stitch/embroidery, many of them small ornament size designs and no real big things this year.  There have been 25 knitting finishes, a few school cardigans and plenty of socks - do 2 socks count as 1 finish or 2? that would bump up the total wouldn't it counting them as 2 LOL.   Almost one finish a week, so a good year all things considered.  

I take into the new year just 1 stitching WIP.  Just Nan - High Hopes is half stitched, that needs to be a finish by the end of January, its been sitting there for such a long time with no attention.  Knitting there is 1 WIP, I've started something with the 'Dennis sheep' wool I showed last time. 

Decembers reads were :-

I  was recommended Barbara Erskine a few years ago by Barb and have to admit to really enjoying her stories.

 

A couple of very easy read Christmas books in the run up to the festive season.  Easy to dip into when you have a spare minute or two.

 

This one was a bit twee ..... 

 

 

We played the left/right game at the Book Borrowers Christmas party with a variety of pre-loved Christmas books all wrapped and passed round according to the left/right story - have you ever played it?  Such fun. 

 

I unwrapped this one.  Debbie Macomber never fails to be a simple and enjoyable quick read.

 

 

These three bring my total to 50 books read in 2018. 

Thank you for your continued support, friendship and visits here during this past year.  There have been new people stopping by which is always nice to see.  

I'm going into the new year with a more positive attitude than I faced the beginning of the 2018 with.  Things have definitely changed around here over the year and lifes pathway is trodden more of a steady slower wander than a sprint or jog.  Whatever the year holds, we will face it with laughter and love and make the best of it.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year in 2019, I hope it brings many good things your way

 

Love and blessings

Julie x

Christmas gifts

We enjoyed a lovely Christmas, just the right amount of family time and then quiet time just the two of us. 

My Christmas socks were finished.   The kitchener stitch to the toe was sewn up on Boxing Day so technically finished in time for the festive season - photographed on our finished Christmas puzzle :-) 
  
Wool by West Yorkshire Spinners, Christmas 2018 colour - Fairy Lights

 

I received some lovely gifts from online friends.

 

Clare made this sweet felt stocking and it came with instructions to open it on Christmas Eve, which I did, then hung it on my friendship tree.  The Christmas Spice smelling candles were opened Christmas Day  -  thank you Clare x

 

 

 

Christine sent some gingerbread chocolate and CCN Gingerbread House chart - thank you Christine x

 

 

 

Gill (no blog) was kind enough to include a 16 month calendar with her card - thank you Gill x

 

These socks were from my granddaughter.... she thought they were perfect for her nanny LOL

 

 

DH was kind enough to buy me some wool when we visited a yarn sale earlier in the month. 

These two brightly coloured from Snuggly Stars Yarns

 

 

These two hanks are from Hooligan Yarns.  The sheep are all rescued and each hank is from that one sheep only.  They have many different sheep, and many different colours.  But as DH's 'official' Christian name is Dennis he thought he might like me to knit something for him using 'Dennis' wool, there were only a few hanks from this handsome chap on the table at the sale.

 

 

This ornament I sent to Clare

 

 

 

This one is the challenge from NH for December.  I used it for a raffle gift at my knitting group. 

 

 

 

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas with lots of enjoyable time spent with those you love and hold dear.

 

Love and Blessings

 

Julie 

 

 Merry Christmas

 

 

 

 

Special thoughts are being sent to those who like myself have an angel child or parent and to those that are having a Christmas celebration for the first year without a loved one be that friend or family.

 

Love and blessings to you all

 

Julie x

 

Gifted Gorgeousness - December

Time for another Gifted Gorgeousness post, the last of the year. 

Thanks to Jo for organising this for us all.  It's a time to share things you have been gifted and ones you have gifted to others.

Of course this time of year there are lots of gifts being given and mailed out.

I've received ....

A stunning little angel from Chris at the blog Always Smiling

 

I've put her on my tree right next to the special Holmsey Hare Christmas ornament that was stitched as a gift for me a couple of years ago by Gaynor at Stitchers Anon.  Of course, this year, she too is an angel as she lost her battle with cancer in September.  She is sorely missed by lots of friends and her family are in my thoughts this festive season. 

 

 

 

 

Kathy (no blog) has been busy with needle and thread for the card and the sewing machine making this sweet  Santa ornament.   Thank you Kathy x

 

 

June our dear Butterfly included a book for knitting phone sox in with her card.  What a great gift for a sock knitter.   Thank you June x

 

 

Gill (no blog, a forum friend) sent a very stunning and creative handmade card.  Thank you Gill x

Mary stitched this delightful ornament.  Thank you Mary x

It arrived the day after DH and I had nipped into the garden centre.  I was stroking the real reindeer they have there when I heard a jingle of bells, turned round and there, was the most fabulous Father Christmas, he waved and said 'Merry Christmas to you'.  I turned to tell DH and in that split second we turned round and he was gone .... a magical moment even for a nanny!

 

 

 

The local craft group had a Christmas party and secret santa.  I received this from June.  Going to be fun having a go at this.

 

 

I've gifted these ornaments .....

 

 

 

 

 

This year we haven't put up the 'big tree' we have a tall slimline one and it is filled with ornaments made by friends with a few I have stitched myself - we've called it my 'Friendship Tree'

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love and Blessings to all

 

Julie

 

Christmas Ornament Exchange

I love the secret Christmas ornament exchange at Needlecraft Haven.  Most of the group take part in this one. 

We have been doing it for many years and over time I have been partnered with different people and sometimes I have sent to the same person a number of times.   This has been the case with Christine and myself.  She must be able to fill a small tree with ones I have sent to her in the past!

Stitched on mustard yellow, not a colour that is used a lot, I liked the red wording and Christmas bird of this design from 2015 JCS ornament edition by Samplers Not Forgotten.

 

Popping into the supermarket I spotted these penguin biscuits and knowing Christines love for penguins they seemed ideal to go into the parcel instead of a chocolate treat.  Anyone know what penguin tastes like?

 

The envelope that arrived with me in plenty of time for opening day contained this lovely package.  A beautiful sparkly snowman finished exquisitely, and in such a different shape.  He's fabulous and not one but two sweet treats, unfortunately the snow bites are no more :-)   Also included was a handmade card.

 

Thank you Gill (no blog) xx

 

A successful exchange.  Fabulous selection of ornaments sent and received.  Perfect for the festive season with lots of happy stitchers exchanging something they have in common with online friends.

  

Love and blessings

 

Julie

We begin advent (and Nov round up)

The first day of December, advent had arrived, and we drove the 15 miles to a church Christmas tree festival that we have wanted to visit for the past couple of years but didn't as other things got in the way.

Not this year they didn't ....

The lovely church of St Marys

There were 1340 trees on display - from the many schools, support groups within the community, social groups, businesses, tiny, young and older childrens groups, elderly and disabled, quite a few Womens Institutes from the local area.  Each tree a joy to see, the planning, time and effort put into making them happen was evident and it was amazing.

I tried to get some pics without too many people in them, but there were so many attendees and at £2 per person entrance fee each, a lot of money will be raised for the church.  The festival is on for 5 days, 2 more days to go for visitors.  We will certainly add this to our annual calendar for next year.

A few pictures of what we saw ....

This chap welcomed us into the church, he's made of flowers

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Grinch  

 

 

The sugarcraft evening class 

 

Model railwayers .....

 

The local police force! 

 

 

The simple tree on the altar had been carved from a tree that had stood in the church previously  

 
I loved this one made by the knit and natter group, even the tree was knitted 

 

 

 

 

 

A parlour scene from days gone by...

The town was holding a Christmas market and the men of the Leicester Red Morris were dancing and having fun.  They are having a bit of a rest here!

It was a lovely way to begin the festivities of the month. 

Arriving back home, during the evening we lit our advent candle, a gift from DS to me. 

A  new month means it's also time for a round up post of stitching, knitting and reading achieved in November.

 

CRAFTWORK  - Three stitching finishes &two knitting finishes

 

 

READING  - Three books read.

 

 

 

There are a few friends who are in need of {{huge hugs}} at the moment as life has thrown them some not so good news for themselves and losses in their families.  

 

Wishing you all calm and peaceful days as we continue our advent journey 

 

Love and blessings to you all

 

Julie