Now that it's over.....

I always get a sense of "woe is me" after Christmas is over.  You start thinking about the New Year and what you want to accomplish and it just overwhelms me.  We have the SAL starting next week and I want to start something large like I did last year.....remember the tribute to my parents....that was started last Jan 1st.  I can't believe that was a year ago.  I'm getting old FAST!!!!!

Well Vallie actually left me put something on her to make her look a little festive for Christmas and it lasted a total of 3 minutes before she had it off.  I'm glad I got a picture of her quick.

Ain't she a stinker!!!!  

I surely hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and that you were able to spend time with your family and friends.  

My DH gave me for Christmas some goodies to go with my embroidery machine.  I have been playing around with the water soluble stabilizer and doing some designs that when they are finished, look like hand crochet.  It's just amazing to me what these machines are really capable of.  It even does Battenburg  Lace.  This have been taking valuable time away from my hand work and I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not.  I love my cross stitch but I also love to work with the machine.  

I hope all you ladies who are getting some of that "white stuff" are bundled up good and tight and keeping warm by the fire.  It looks like a good time to get a lot of stitching done.

Well I'm off to play and till we talk again, have a Blessed day,

Barbara

And the winner is......

Phyllis

I used the number generator and it came up with the number 6.

Generate a random number between  and   = 6 

I have emailed Phyllis to let her know and hopefully she'll get back to me soon.  I'd really like her to get this package next week.

I want to thank all of you ladies who entered and please check back because next March I'm having a bang up giveaway.

Blessings, Barbara

My Wish For You

I want to wish all of my lovely followers a Merry Christmas and nothing but the best for the New Year.  As far as stitching goes, here's my wishes for you:

1.  That pesty frog loses your address and can't find you.....

3.  When running out of a certain color while stitching, you miraculously find a second skein....

3.  That needle that you just dropped on the carpet is found instantly (and not by your husband's feet)....

4.  While shopping at your LNS, you come across an old pattern that you've been wanting for years....

5.  You get to try every type of fiber that is made for stitching.....

6.  All of your finishing is perfect the first time....

7.  All the buttons and beads you need for a pattern are on sale....

8.  When it comes to a deadline to finish a project, you're actually finished a week early....

9.  That you find you actually have the color of fabric a pattern calls for.....

10.  And most importantly, you get all the stitchie time you want.

Until we talk again, have a very Blessed Christmas.

Barbara

A Touching Poem

I know I said I wasn't going to post until Christmas Day for the winner of my giveaway, but I just received this poem in an email from a friend and I knew I just had to share it.

‘Twas 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38

When 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.

Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.

They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.

They were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.

They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.

"Where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.

"This is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."

When what to their wondering eyes did appear,

But Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.

He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.

Then He opened His arms and He called them by name.

And in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring

Those children all flew into the arms of their King

And as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,

One small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.

And as if He could read all the questions she had

He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."

Then He looked down on earth, the world far below

He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe

Then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,

"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"

"May this country be delivered from the hands of fools"

"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"

Then He and the children stood up without a sound.

"Come now my children, let me show you around."

Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.

All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.

And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,

"In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Blessings upon all who are hurting over this terrible tragedy.  

Barbara

My Christmas Giveaway

I was sitting around doing nuttin' today and it came to my teeny mind that I haven't had a giveaway in quite awhile.  Now I said to myself...."that's no way to be" and off I went to my sewing cave to come up with some goodies that ya'll might like.

First off, here's what is up for grabs....

Petite French Stockings pattern by JBW

Fluffy Stuff by RBG

Silk Lame' Braid by RBG

Red, White & Green of Burmilana

1 Spool of HDF silk in a red, green & gold varigated

1 Box of white pearls

1 Christmas stocking frame

1 Card of Santa buttons

1 Pair of Bohin scissors with enameled handles

1 Christmas tin to hold scissors & needles

plus there will be a couple of surprises too.

(After all....what is Christmas without a surprise or two)

So there you have it......now for the nasty stuff....

You must be a follower of my blog...

To get a second chance to enter, post on your blog about this giveaway 

(and please make a second post here about it)

That's all there's to it.  Not so bad, huh?  So good luck to all and I will draw a name Christmas Eve.  I'm going to take a break from blogging until then, so this post will remain at the top of the page.

To all you Ladies who follow my blog..;.stop in for a looksie.....or came across me by chance..... I wish everyone a Merry Christmas (yes I'm old school and still say those two words even when someone says Happy Holidays to me).  Check back here on Christmas Day if you get the time to see if you might be the winner.  This giveaway is open to everyone no matter where you call "home".

Until we talk again, have a Blessed Christmas,

Barbara

A Tatting Press and Bag

For the last 2 days I've been working on something a little different that I just have to share with you.  Jenn has been teaching herself how to tat and came across a pattern for something called a "tatting press".  Now I must admit I had never heard of such a thing and was curious.  I went to the blog where the pattern was....here.....and fell in love with this little gadget.  She gives you a full pdf pattern with extremely good directions on how to make one of your own.  Here are the pics of it finished and then I'll explain how this works.

This is the top and it has two pockets.  The ribbon comes across the top of the pockets and holds the items inside them.  Neat huh!

This is the bottom where the ribbon is attached on top of the big pocket.  This can be used for scissors or needles.  The ribbon also crosses this pocket to hold the item inside.

This is the inside of the press.  What this is for is this:  when you are working on a tatting project, and you want to quit for awhile, you lay the tatting on the inside and your shuttle will fit in one of the outside pockets.  This keeps your tatting pressed flat and neat.

Now what I'm thinking is this.  Why couldn't you use this for cross stitch.  The pockets can hold your needles, scissors and such and the inside can hold your loose needles.  You could even lay the floss you are working with inside to keep it neat and out of harms way.

Then Jenn asked for a bag to hold everything and I came up with this.  It's a variation of my project bags but it stands up.  It's completely lined with an inside zippered pocket and has Warm and Natural cotton batting between the layers of cotton fabric.

I want to tell you about this fabric I've used.  I came across the striped at Joann's and bought a yard or two but one day I was down at Hobby Lobby and they had 2 other coordinating fabrics to match the stripes.  Needless to say, I came home with 2 yards of each.  I know Jenn loves teal and brown and this fabric has both and I also used this fabric to make the holder for her knitting needles.

Well that's about it.  This has kept me busy so now it's unto to finding something else to work on.  I know alot of stitchers get excited about the prospect of starting something new but I really don't.  I hate the process of finding a pattern I like....finding the fabric.....finding the flosses or silks.....ho hum I'm already tired.  I think I'll wait till tomorrow. :o)

Until the next time, have a Blessed Day,

Barbara

Needlework Masters Monthly SAL

Hello to the Ladies who have decided to join in on our little SAL.  January is right around the corner and you have to have your book cover finished by the start of the SAL.  I should say you don't HAVE to but I think it would make it easier on you if you did.  The following ladies have finished their covers and are ready to begin the SAL come Jan 1st.

Stitchernon

Cucki

Opoe Gea

Margaret

Lorraine

Jokie

Connie

Corina

Lanybleu

Sarah

Jenn

Barbara

So if you haven't finished your cover yet, please do because I really think it will make it easier on you.

Well Christmas is right around the corner and as usual I feel like I'm late on everything.  I have to pick up my Christmas cards tomorrow and get them filled out.  Do any of you still do Christmas cards?  Every year my list gets shorter because the cost is just getting ridiculous to mail them.  I'm not sure if I am going to do any cookie baking this year.  My lips are saying "Oh yes, please do!" but my hips are saying "For Pete's sake, not anymore!"  What to do....what to do....

I hope everyone is having a fantastic Monday and until we talk again, have a Blessed Day,

Barbara