Tuesday, January 11, 2011



It's been a long time since my last blog post. I know, I tend to over
state the obvious don't I?? The Christmas season was a whirlwind
of busyness, with parties every weekend and deadlines popping up
left, right and centre. The overseas cards were mailed out just under
the post office's official deadline, the cards being mailed around
North America were dumped into the mailbox just two weeks before
Christmas, and as predicted in my last post the Christmas baking was
started on New Years Eve!!!

I'm still not sure where December went in all honesty. Seriously.

Both DH and I had the days between Christmas and New Years
off from work and during that time we hardly had time to breath.
I think that there was only one day when we had absolutely nothing
to do and nowhere to go. I think I might have subconsciously
planned it that way so that I wouldn't have time to think about my
Mom and miss her. It didn't work.

We had a lovely Christmas day at the home of our friends Matt and
Charmaine who were good enough to realize that Christmas at home
for us this year would not have been a Merry one. So DH, my SIL
and I were invited to share their Christmas with them, their kids
and Charm's parents. Believe it or not I've never celebrated
Christmas with kids in the house since I was a kid myself so this
was an extra special treat.


I was thrilled to pieces when I opened a package from Jennifer
of Seasonal Stitches before Christmas (I couldn't wait for the
big day itself ... could you??) and amongst the tissue and the
other goodies that she sent me (and I forgot to take a picture of
... DOH!!) found this lovely pinkeep. What a wonderful gift to
receive from such a special friend. Thank you again
Jennifer. You're going to have to teach me how to make
my own pinkeeps this year since I've made a New Years
resolution to make a pinkeep or two and perhaps try some
other simple finishes as well.

And yes, I know that's the same New Years resolution that I
made last year but never got around to accomplishing. I
did buy a few cuts of fabric with the best of intentions last
Spring but I still need to collect other "finishing" stuff. But
that's all part of the fun ... right??



Before Christmas I went on a little (!!) shopping spree and
picked up a few charts that had been calling to me (as they
do) for awhile. Quite a few of these would make nice
pinkeeps or flatfolds or pillows etc ... so hopefully this will
turn out to be an investment ... in encouragement.

I love those wonderful dragon silhouettes and the Quaker
witch ... er ... pileup made me laugh the first time that I
saw it.


I look forward to picking up any one of these new additions
to my stash someday and stitching them up.

I did have an unexpected surprise this Christmas season.
While attending the annual Christmas party for my DH's
choir group Kahila (pardon spelling) I discovered that
another choir member's wife was also a cross stitcher!!!
Hello Alisa!!!

In no time we were planning stitching get togethers and
in fact we've gotten together twice so far this year ... and
it's only the 11th day of the month. What an unexpected
surprise (shock) to find another stitcher who actually
lives in Georgetown!! Now with Alisa and Jennifer I have
two fabulous ladies to stitch with and I am a very happy
camper let me tell you!!

Now I just have to talk Alisa into starting her own
blog so you can get to know her too. :)


And just to prove that Alisa and I did actually do some stitching
when we got together (as well as the talking and the stash diving
thing) here is The Book Store with a significant amount of
work done on it since the last time that you saw it.

I hope to get back into the swing of things as far as blogging
(updating my own) and commenting (on yours) is concerned
now that the Christmas festivities are over. Hope that you
all had a wonderful Christmas and my warmest, best wishes
to you and your families for 2011.

May your needles be swift, your thread never tangle, your
fabric lay flat, your projects be a joy from start to finish,
and may the frogs go jump into someone else's pond!!

Cheers!!

14 comments:

Kathy A. said...

Oh how nice to hear from you. Love that new stash. I'm with you - love those dragons and that witch - just too funny.
I am so happy for you that you have found another stitcher - and now you are 3. Way to go girl. You will have that town a stitching mecca yet.
Hugs!

BrendaS said...

Good to see a post from you.
I'm glad you had a nice Christmas. The first Christmas without a loved one can be so hard.

Love your progress on the Book Store. It's great that you found someone to share your passion with.

Happy New Year!

staci said...

I'm glad that you had a nice Christmas...with kids to distract you (and what a distraction they are!)

Wonderful new stash Judy. And even more wonderful that you have a new stitching friend!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

What a wonderfully newsy post :) Your lovely pinkeep ornament is gorgeous! And the sentiments so special for Christmas time :)
I love your stitchy stash too...that's always a good deal of fun to get that isn't it?!

Take good care and I'll be waiting for your next update on the book store...I bet it will be all finished then ;)

Judy S. said...

Hapy New Year, Judy! I've missed your visits. Great new stash you have there. Prairie Schooler designs are a favorite of mine, especially the Santas. Have fun stitching!

barbara said...

Wonderful new stash! And did you get my card thanking you for your FABULOUS gift to me of new stash? Thank you, thank you, thank you! :D :D:D

How great that you have a stitching buddy! I do miss that. Patti and I get together several times a year, but it's quite a drive for both of us.

Lynn said...

Happy New Year Judy! It's so good to hear from you again. I loved all your stitchy pictures. The Book Store looks fabulous!
And a new stitching friend!! That's so great. There are a couple of ladies in my hubby's choirs who stitch and one of them joins our Tuesday night group in the summer. Seems that choir practice with a certain group stops her from joining us at other times!

Siobhán said...

Great new stash!! I love the gift from Jennifer--how sweet! I know how hard that first Christmas without a loved one can be. I'm glad you were able to enjoy it as much as you did.

Yeay that you found another stitching friend! I'm so psyched for you. Love the WIP!

Happy new year to you & yours!

Dani - tkdchick said...

Judy, long time no see! I'm glad you've found some time to get us caught up.

I'm so happy you found a stitcher in your area.

I'm also glad some poeple colose to you helped make Christmas a little getter from you.

Pumpkin said...

I was beginning to wonder where you were! Glad to see you posting again :o)

Sounds like you had a nice holiday and I'm so happy to hear that you were invited to spend Christmas with another family. I can only imagine how hard it was for you this year :o( ((((HUGS))))

It seems that your stash accumulation has not slowed down any ;o) LOL!

The Book Store is looking beautiful!

Beatrice said...

Hi Judy
I love your new stash.
Isn't it wonderful that you have another stitcher in your area...good for you.
I can only imagine how hard your Christmas must have been for you. I'm glad you had folks around you for support!
Have a happy New Year!
I'm traveling for 6 weeks so will try to keep up with everyone!
Stitch with happy fingers.
Hugs.

Bonnie Brown said...

Great to see you blogging again.
Great stash finds!!

Sonda said...

That's a lot of wonderful stash and Book Store is coming along great! Happy New Year to you!

Brigitte said...

It took me quite a while to read your blog again and post a comment here. Now the Christmas season and aftermath are over and I hear myself asking Where has January gone???
You went on a wonderful shopping spree before Christmas, all these charts are a great addition to your stash. Prairie Schooler always is and I also love the other charts you got.
Isn't it great to have two stitching friends who live so near your place? And as I read on Alisa's blog, you are not only stitching together but also stash shopping, lol.
Have you finished The Bookstore in the meantime? It's one of my favourites by LHN because it combines my two loves - stitching and reading.