Final Finish For 2011

Well, I didn't get this finished before Christmas, but I did get it finished before my goal of  the end of the year. This is a project I started at the end of 2009, and then neglected it until Nov. of this year. At that point, I determined it would be finished by the end of December. Had it not been for so many visits from little people the past couple months, it would have been done sooner. This is finish #60 for the year. Not bad....I have done better, I have done worse!!
Now, we need to find a matte for it, so my husband can make a nice frame for it.

complete project...ready to mat & frame

close up to show star & floss beauty

Here are the details, for those who will want them.
The pattern is called Spirit of Christmas. The pattern was in the January 2010 issue of Cross Stitch and Needlework magazine. It is stitched on 28 ct. Queen Annes Lace Jobelan, using The Thread Gatherers Silk N Colors floss. I did add gold Kreinik to the star...just felt it needed some shine to it!!! I am adding a close up picture of the star & the top of the piece for detail purposes...
All of the tote bags were a HUGE hit....I think my son was just as happy as his boys, because now he can keep track of who is taking what car when they go anywhere....he does a bag check as they leave & as they get back from anywhere.
I have decided to join Vickie's UFO blog..mine are more WIP pieces, but some are UFO's. I will be updating on that blog later today. I was hoping for a clear, bright day for pictures, but no luck....it is overcast & rainy..
You may notice at the top of my blog, there is a new email address for me.....I found that I couldn't use my normal email address to join any of the 'specialty blogs' like the one Vickie is hosting. So, she suggested I open a GMail account & waalaa....it worked.
I would like to take the opportunity here at the end of the year to wish each & every one of you a Very Happy New Year. Thank you for your continued support thru 2011 & I hope you will continue to visit in 2012....

Another Tote & a Gift!

I finished the 4th & final tote tonight. The package came with four bags...one red, yellow, green, and blue. The boys have 'their colors', so that took the yellow, green & blue. I decided the little guy I babysit would like one too, so I did the red one for him.
I also made a previously stitched ornament into the ornament tonight...it is so big, it could be a door knob hanger if they want!
Yesterday, my mom & my aunt came for the day, so we could go shopping together. This has become a yearly thing..they drive to here & then I drive the rest of the way...we shop & have lunch out. We had a nice day...I found some Peppermint Crunch Junior Mints that I have been searching for....they are for a new cookie recipe. Now, I am anxious to make them!!
My mom brought a surprise along for me. I have mentioned in the past that both my parents also stitch....I guess you could say I taught them something!!! (I started & since I have, both parents & one brother have started)
Anyway, I have always loved Koala Bears. My dad found a pattern & decided he would stitch it for me...he has been working on it for a while because he showed it to me last time we were up there.(sometime in Oct. I believe) He didn't tell me it was for me thou..just showed me!
Backing up, when the boys were here last time, I was giving all of them piggy back rides. My dad snapped a picture of me with J on my back. Little did I know, he had thoughts about that picture.
When I called him to thank him yesterday, he told me it reminded him of the picture he took of me & J. and that made it all the more special to him.

bag for boy I babysit

gift from my dad

ornament for my nephew & his wife

Excuse the poor lighting..it is evening here. Have a great rest of the week! Thanks to all for stopping by & for your kind comments...they make my day, each & every one!

Busy, Busy, Busy

Wow, the past week or so has been extremely busy & I fear, that is a sign of how the next 3 weeks will be.
Besides trying to finish some stitched gifts, life must go on. I have been wanting our bedroom painted for over a year. We FINALLY got it done this weekend & I LOVE it...the color is so rich & warm....I just want to spend all day in that room!
On Sat., we went & cut our Christmas Tree down. How many of you have heard of a concolor fir? That is the kind of tree we got & it is different than any Christmas tree we have ever gotten. If you aren't familiar with them, do  a search & take notice of the scent this tree has....
On the stitching front, I have been doing my best to stay up to date on the Advent SAL I am involved with. I was so thankful that one of last weeks charts was very tiny!! I got it done, along with other projects that I have been working on.
Do you remember me mentioning tote bags for my grandsons? Well, I finished the stitching last night & I got the bonding material this morning. You can see how I spent the early part of my afternoon!
I also have done a little bit on the Spirit of Christmas piece....not much, but hey, every X counts!

tote bags for my grandsons!

advent SAL piece

Spirit of Christmas WIP

newly painted bedroom

I need to get busy now on my yearly candy making. I have done some, but not as much as I should have done. Oh well, one day at a time!
Have a great week & try to not stress about the season's busyness....I am trying my best to enjoy it!!!