Christmas ornament exchange

Sally and I exchange a stitched ornament each year, and this is the one I stitched for Sally, I did consider several others, but has Sally has lots of stitching friends I didn't want to go for the obvious - thinking that someone else would also stitch the same design.  I enjoyed the stitching, and I am well out of practice on the making up front, but was pleased with the overall finish, and added some pretend crystal drops to the bottom.  And phew.....Sally said she liked it.  I was unable to get any really good pictures as it was so dark for many days due to the weather, and this is best I could do.

Sally stitched me a fantastic ornament, but I don't seem to have taken a photo of it, so I have stolen this one from Sally's blog - hopefully she won't mind too much!  I absolutely love it, and the blue fabric is gorgeous.  I don't know how Sally finds such wonderful fabric as she has no fabric shops where she lives.

A Birthday Gift

 Clover Sheep Needlekeep

by Island Cottage Needlearts

I made this for Sally's birthday in December.  When I spotted it for sale in a stitching shop on the web I just knew I had to buy it and make it for her.  Sally loves sheep so it was the perfect gift.  I quickly ordered but discovered that the shop didn't actually have it in stock so had to order it in for me.  I was a little worried as her birthday was coming up, but I needn't have worried as it arrived quickly, and there wasn't too much stitching to do, but then I had to make the sheep, it came with the wool felt for the sheep, but I kept thinking what if I cut it wrong!  Anyway thankfully Sally liked it.

I have stitched a few ornaments so far this year - pictures eventually, and last night was able to make a start on Poinsettia Place, which is No. 2 in the Santa's Village series.

And once again thank you all for visiting and welcoming me back to blogging.

Chris.x

The December SAL

Gingerbread Cottage

by Country Cottage Needleworks

stitched on 28ct Vintage Beige Cashel linen

Each December Sally and I do a SAL, and this year we chose Gingerbread Cottage, now I had not stitched for a while and trying to get back in to stitching and not let Sally down I concentrated on trying to get it finished and actually managed to finish it before Christmas.  Sally stitches on lots of things in her rotation but take a look at her blog - she is stitching up a storm.

As I have not been blogging for an age, here is a picture of  our December 2011 SAL, which I did not finish until January or February.  Now I did decide on a finish for this one but it has not happened yet, but did finally get some supplies for the finishing last month.

Snow Man

by Tralala

stitched on 28ct Raw linen

I just love this snow man, and have great plans for the finishing.

I now have both of these patterns for sale, just leave me a comment.

Sally and I have already decided on the 2013 December SAL - I can't wait for that one.

I have already finished 3 things this year - which is a bit of a shock, so will try and keep blogging and updating you on my progress.  Once again thank you everyone for visiting, and I am grateful to everyone who takes the time to leave me a comment.  I hope to add you all to my sidebar - when I've worked out how to change the layout of my blog.  I have already chosen a new template, and I followed the instructions but it didn't work, but I will keep trying as and when I have time.

Stitching

Santa's House

by Country Cottage Needleworks

stitched over 1 on 28ct

I guess you want to see stitching as this is a stitching blog.  This is my first finish from this year as I try to restore my stitching mojo.  I'm looking forward to the next chart arriving.  I love anything Christmas so this was a must for me, but having decided to stitch over one I have been wondering what I've let myself in for!

I have also had another finish this year and we're only on the 6th January, but I do have a few years to catch up on.  With not blogging my camera has had little use, and I've had to search for the cable to connect it to the pc, there was a large choice of cables but not one that fitted my camera and then I had a thought - looked in the camera box in the cupboard and there it was - must have had common sense when I decided to keep it there!

Hope you're all having a good weekend.

Chris.x

PS.... I am now selling the pattern if you're interested just leave me a comment, and I'll send you an email.

Blogging

Hello to everyone out there and a very big Thank you to everyone who commented - your comments are really appreciated.  Just wondering if anyone out there has any links that they'd be willing to share for blogging/layout instructions and any good template links?  Please................

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to one and all.

This is a test message - as blogger has changed beyond all recognition since I was last here.

Chris