2008 Finishes....

16--Blackbird Designs "Sunflower Sampler"
15--Hollis Designs "Snowy Littles"
14--LK "December Flip-it"
13--FTLOCS Nov 02 "Reindeer Frolic"
12--CSCC J/A 92 "Sunflower Sampler"
11--Midnight Summer Designs "Jingle Sparkle Joy"
10--BC "Rise and Shine"
9--J. Douglas Design "Christmas Tree 07" JCS Ornament 07
8--J. Douglas Design "2008 Ball Ornament" JCS Ornament 08
7--LK "November Flip-It"
6--SB "Be Thankful"
5--BC "Four Trees"
4--LK "Forever Yours"
3--SB "Be Nice"
2--SB "Be Warm"
1--BC "Joy"

Gotta love new stash....

Just got to love new stash that has been acquired on sale! I look forward each year to the sale at Counted Stitches and was prepared this year! My goal was to get all of the thread needed to complete my projects in waiting, but just couldn't resist picking up a few more designs. Now....to get organized and ready for a new year of stitching!

To be more productive and reduce my current stash, I have decided I will not purchase any new designs in the new year and have pulled 50 projects that I would like to start, stitch and hopefully finish before the end of 2009! I have far more than enough waiting to be stitched to last me a lifetime and have decided I should focus on what I have....not what I want. I can ignore their cries for attention any longer. It will be interesting to see how well I handle the pressure and temptation for anything new! Here's to happy stitching in the new year.

Merry Christmas...

to all. I hope everyone has a great day and continued holiday season. We will be with family today and enjoying time with our nephews.

Last Christmas finishes...

Here are two ornaments from one of the JCS issues I stitched for my neighbors kids. I changed the cap covers and added the snowflakes on the caps. I just have to finish them and wrap them up.

I finally finished this BC "Christmas Cracker" design that I have had in my statsh for awhile. I plan to finish it as a flat-fold, my first attempt, and will post a pic once done (maybe....). I think I am done with Christmas stitching and started "Snowy Littles" by Hollis Designs last night. It should be a quick stitch that I can finish before the year end.

We celebrated Christmas with my in-laws and family yesterday and had a wonderful time. This year they decided to give us money and I was so excited! I always go shopping to one my favorite shops, Counted Stitches, for their wonderful after Christmas sale(25% off most items). They are the most wonderful ladies and I just don't get to go often enough (which is probably a good thing!) I have my lists ready and am anxiously awaiting Friday morning....happy stitching!

A Christmas surprise....

was received from MichelleMS from the Pals BB. We participated in a Christmas card exchange and I have a $5.00 gift certificate waiting for me at Down Sunshine Lane courtesy of Michelle. I definitely have some goodies I want to order and this really shows the spirit of Christmas! I will definitely pay it forward and do something nice for someone else. Hope you all have a nice holiday!

Another Christmas finish...

I stitched this last month while on vacation and finally finished it this weekend. I am becoming a huge fan of these cubes and are the easiest no-sew finish. I make it even easier by pinning everything together. Since nothing is permanent, I can change it later if I like. Thanks for looking.

2 Sketches 4 You #15

I love the sketch this week at 2S4U and plan to make some more for Christmas cards using it. My pic is crooked... need to work on my camera skills! Thanks for looking.

Beginning to look like Christmas...

I just love my XS ornament tree that I have in my kitchen. I have had the tree in a box for about 5 years and decided to finally use it! I had finished these back in November and added some other non-stitched ornaments I have accumulated but never used. I just love the way it turned out and can't wait to finish some more.

DH then put together a Dickens Village scene for me by the tree and I just love it. Makes me want to stay in the kitchen more...that's a first! Thanks for looking....

2S4U Sketch #14....

Better late than never. Here is my take on this week's sketch at
2Sketches4U. Make sure you check out all of the great cards for this week's sketch. The DT cards are fabulous. This started out as a Christmas card and somehow turned into a birthday card.

Pals Christmas Ornament exchange...

Michele in WA let me know she received her Pals package and I wanted to post a pic of the ornament I made for her. She loves reindeer and I found this pattern in a old FTLOCS magazine. I hope she enjoys it.


Trying to find a design turned out to be an unexpected joy. I sat and flip through all of my old magazines (20+ years worth) and found so many new designs I want to stitch! It was amusing to see feature articles on "new designers" who by now have become old favorites. This was especially true in my Cross Stitch & Country Crafts mags from the 80's. They did an article on Tina Herman from Shepherd's Bush and we all know how much her designs are loved today. It also made me realize that I absolutely have to much stash!!!! I know what my New Year's resolution will be, but we will save that for a later post.

Well....hubby and I are off to get our tree and decorate the house. All of our stuff was in storage the past two Christmases so we are excited to see all of our old favorites....and see what is broken. It will then be a day filled with college football (my third favorite hobby). I plan to plant myself in front of the TV at 1:00 to watch the ACC championship and continue until the last snap tonight for the Big 12 game! Of course, I will be able to cross stitch the whole time so it should be a very productive day. Hope you enjoy your day as well.