One Last Post Before the New Year!

I am surprised to find time for one more quick post before we head into 2015. 

CHRISTMAS 

I hope everyone's holiday was as peaceful and joyful as it was for my family.  I hosted the family for the gift exchange and dinner on Christmas Day.  The only person missing was my nephew who recently moved out of state but he is in town for the weekend.   We always enjoy the time we get to spend together as a family but with dad's diagnosis of lung cancer and mom's passing a few years ago it just hits the heart just a little bit more.

I want to thank Teresa and Maggee for offering up a prayer for my dad as well as the prayers offered by so many family and friends.  I believe in the power of prayers and positivity.

GIFTS

I did make a few gifts this year.  Right now I can show you the circular placemats I made for family and a friend.  I used a line of French General by Moda fabric.  These placemats are the size of a charger plate.  I'm hoping to make a set soon for my family's use. 

I'm just about to finish the cross stitch piece for a friend.  Again am disguising it somewhat so as not to ruin the surprise.  

ADVENT SAL

I participated in the Advent SAL that Carol (iStitch) designed this year.  It was wonderful to stitch a small section each day and was exciting to see what new design each day revealed.  I will admit to getting a few days behind during the 2nd week but caught back up over the weekend.  The last day of design was revealed was on December 24th.  Will admit again that I have days 22, 23 and 24 yet to stitch but with this next week off am looking forward to finding time to finish this one up.

I did purchase the 2013 Advent SAL in 2013 but never did get around to stitching it.  I will be picking it up very soon now that I see how little time is needed to stitch a finished project.  I'm thinking to start it one January 1 and finish on January 24.  My mom so loved the Christmas holidays and her birthday is January 24 so what a wonderful way to honor her memory by stitching a holiday piece to be finished on her birthday.  Definitely a motivator to get it done!

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS DAY WITH BFF

Rene' is a friend that I met when we started 2nd grade together many many years ago.  The story goes that we were both new to the school and shy so struck up a friendship.  I'm told we two shy girls talked all the time and were always in trouble for it so the teachers put us in desks on opposite sides of the room.  Funny I don't remember this at all - LOL!

When I moved back to Iowa, we started a tradition of getting together for a day of shopping and lunch usually somewhere between the 20th and 23rd of December.  This year's day took us to the Brass Antique Store, to Firecreek for lunch, to Jordan Creek Mall for some more shopping and then a stop by the cemetery to visit my mom's grave and her dad's grave (they are right across the street from one another)   We talked, we laughed, we ate, we shopped - we covered it all.

I had admired this ornament at one of the shops the week before but it was a little too pricey for an ornament.  It was my good fortune to pick this up on our shopping trip at more than 1/2 off the previous price.  Needless to say it came home with me.  As it feels very wintery rather than Christmasy, I'm leaving it up was part of my winter displays.

I bought a few things while at the antique mall.  Most of you know I have a collection of ice skate ornaments for my Christmas tree.  Each year if I find a pair different from what I already have I purchase them.  Walking through the antique store Rene's sharp eyes caught sight of these old rusted ice skates.  The price was excellent so I snapped them up.  I will be using these as part of an outdoor decoration next year.  I'm going to mount them on a swag and then mount onto either a sled or a pair of snow skis for the porch.

GIFTS

While walking through the antique mall I spotted a hatpin holder and commented to Rene' that it would be perfect for holding my counting/marking pins for cross stitch.  The price on it, however, was a bit too much of a splurge in my opinion.  Imagine my surprise a couple of hours after I got home that my doorbell rang and Rene' was standing there with the exact same hatpin holder from the antique mall in perfect condition but she had just been to the neighborhood Sally's (Salvation Army Thrift Store) and picked it up for 99 cents.  It was a savings of $35 over the one at the antique mall.  I think my pins are displayed quite nicely in it!

I received this Needle Nook from Aunt Nanc (hubby's family) for Christmas.  It is perfect for taking on along to classes/stitching get togethers as it has a spot for every size needle you would possible need - except for my petite tapestry needles.  She does amazing work and this is no different.  I love that she uses bits and pieces from the stash that belonged to Bill's mom when making gifts for me.  I also love that she is so confident in my abilities that she gifted me with the pattern to try for myself.  She said she is making another one for herself.  I guess if I get stuck I can always Skype for help - gotta love that!

Wishing you all a 2015 filled with Peace, Joy, and Health!