HAPPY NEW YEAR

Wishing you all a very happy,

healthy and wonderfully fun filled 2009

Julie x

Stitch & Sew

So far so good ..... i had a very quiet and lazy day today as the boys were out at work. I listened to some nice peaceful CD's and drank lots of Lady Grey tea whilst finishing off gift number 1 which i started yesterday.

The design you have seen before as i stitched it for the noteblock Christmas gift (and it was still in my workbox lol) Its a great design from an old magazine. Thread is DMC 3835 and i chose to finish it as a lavendar hanging pomander (home grown lavendar)as the lady its for is a knitter and not a stitcher, i hope she likes it.

I'm on a roll ... another lady has a birthday second week of Jan and her scissors are naked, so i decided to make a biscornu fob. 28ct mushroom evenweave and Dragon Perle 12 floss 'beloved' was used. I always backstitch the outline and sew up with Perle 12 when doing a biscornu as its much stronger and you can pull it tight without it snapping. I decided to carry on and stitch the front and back with the same and made up the design as i went along after i had stitched a 22 stitch square. The twisted cord is made with the Perle 12 too.

Happy Stitching, i think i'll put a few X's into the dreaded Peacock Chair tonight ...

Christmas gifts

I was well and truly spoiled by stitching friends and received some wonderful gifts, special thanks to Karen, Karan, Kathy, Clare, Sally, Judy, Steph and Cindy.

I am the proud owner of a glass bead bracelet from Karen. DH thought these were sweets and could be eaten - silly man!

Karen also stitched me this super quaker ornament

Little things i stitched and sent ...
Lizzie Kate 'Friendship Grows' for Steph

From the Gift of Stitching online mag for Kathy

Elizabeth Designs - Special Stitcher for Karen

What plans have you made for stitching in 2009 then?? I've signed up for the Beatrix Potter Quaker SAL that starts Jan 1st. Fabric and threads are sorted so i'm all ready to begin.

I still need to finish off the Papillon How does your garden grow 2008 SAL, i'm only up to Part 9 so intend to get that finished as well as The Peacock Chair by The Cats Whiskers before i start anything else. Also there are lots of birthdays at the stitching club in January and i had intended to stitch them something this year instead of buying a present. The first birthday is Jan 1st so i guess i better get my 'smokin needle' out and start something hadn't i LOL

Happy Birthday Blog!

2 years since i started this blog and i have enjoyed it so much. I have met some wonderful people and been so inspired by so many things i have seen. Thank you for your continued support, encouragement and comfort during both the good and bad times.

If you would like to receive something made by me to celebrate, please leave a comment, the draw will take place Jan 1st to give anyone who is busy during this time a chance to enter.

I hope you all had a wonderfully happy and peaceful Christmas.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

'Twas the Night before Christmas'

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

by Clement Clarke Moore

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas with your families

Love and {hugs}

Julie xx