On the Seventh Day of Christmas...

Here is the ornament other goodies that I sent to Darla for the TOL ornament exchange.

The ornament is a freebie on the Just Nan Site, under the Whimze section. It is called Whimze Rose. It is stitched on 32 count antique white fabric, with DMC fibres instead of the suggested silks.

On the Sixth Day of Christmas....

Here is the ornament that I stitched for Pat, my youngest daughter's mother-in-law. Pat and I have been exchanging ornaments for years, and this is the one I stitched for her this year. It goes with the Hot Chocolate mitten ornament I stitched for her last year.

Over the years I have received many beautifully stitched and painted ornaments from Pat, and I treasure each one of them. The last few years, she has been sending me a cake instead. She said she was intimidated by my stitching and finishing. She shouldn't be, I can't paint nearly as well as she does! But the cakes are yummy!

On the Fifth Day of Christmas....

O received this ornament from the Threads of Life Ornament Exchange. It was stitched by Charlotte, and is really beautiful in real life. It made a wonderful addition to the hand made ornament tree.

On the Fourth Day of Christmas....

At the Threads of Life Board, we had a Christmas Sweet Exchange. The gift had to enclude something related to stitching and something sweet. I received this wonderful package from Karen Jackson! I just love it and can't wait to start stitching.

Here is what I sent to Margie. I forgot about the rules when I put the package together. I had some sweets in it but didn't have something stitching related - unless you count the Christmas fabric that could be used to finish some stitching.....

On the Third Day of Christmas...

The first Christmas Party of 2009 was our EGA chapter's Christmas dinner in late November. We had a gift exchange, an ornament exchange and received a few other goodies as well.

The small table topper was a door prize drawing. The cupcake was a gift from the outgoing chapter president. The dish towel was a gift from the incoming president and dinner organizer, the poinsettia ornament was stitched by Karen Johnson and the Santa and Santa candy dish were what I received in the gift exchange. It was a lovely evening!

On the Second Day of Christmas.....

This is one of my favorite stitchy gifts received this year. It was stitched by my sister, Trudi, from a Leisure Arts ornament book by Donna Kooler. It is stitched on 14 count plastic canvas with DMC fibres, and backed with felt.

I just love this Santa Star! He is such a cutie!

On The First Day of Christmas.....

The family tradition while I was growing up was that the Christmas Tree did not appear until Christmas Eve. Working for the Catholic Church also causes me to observe Advent, and not do too much decorating until Christmas Eve. In past years, when I put up lots of trees, I did start earlier, but in recent years, I only put up three. Perhaps one day (in my retirement) I will start putting up trees in November and have them all put up by Christmas, but not in the near future.

The tree pictured is the tree in my family room. Only handmade ornaments are allowed on this tree. I usually spend the time between Christmas and New Years, as well as the first few weeks of January stitching ornaments that will be used as gifts for next Christmas.

In the next 11 posts, I will show you some ornaments and other stitchy gifts that I received and gave this Christmas.

Field Trip!

Sorry to have been absenst from blogging for awhile, I have been sick. It's not life threatening, but bothersom none the less. It seems that the minute I am feeling a bit better, another part of my upper resperatory system is attacked by germs! I haven't even felt energetic enough to stitch!

But I did get a chance to visit a new (to me) shop last weekend. The Inspired Needle has been in business for a little over a year, and is located in Lemont Illinois, a mere 45 minute drive if you don't make a wrong turn or three.....

It's a wonderful little shop! Lots of things to tempt stitchers of any level! They carry my favorite silks!! Cathy, the owner, was very welcoming, and after shopping, we sat and stitched and visited a bit. It was great to see Karin, Denise and Barb again, and to meet Audrey for the first time.