Wrapping up 2011

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas. Doesn't that seem so long ago, and now we are on the verge of turning the page to a new year? 

2011 was an interesting year, a bit of a roller coaster ride! A year ago today I couldn't have predicted what was to come!

Stitching wise I started off doing quite well but it really tapered off when we left on our trip. Here's a trip down memory lane...

Lo, How a Rose by Brightneedle

Marlene's Sampler by Romy in Austria

Elizabeth Easton by the Goode Huswife

Good Cheer by the Goode Huswife

The Brown House Sampler by The Middle Road

Permit me not to Stray by Heartstring Samplery

Live in Harmony by Homespun Elegance

Ann Taylor by Hearstring Samplery

The Pinkhouse Sampler by Little by Little

The Garden of Eden by The Goode Huswife

Birdhouse Sampler by Prairie Schooler

School House Sampler by Birds of a Feather

Earth Sampler by Primitive Needle

Silk Sampler by Birds of a Feather

I am not sure what 2012 will look like for my stitching. Due to my neck & back issues, I may have to scale back to smalls or "smaller". I did decide to resume doing some exchanges again as that somehow I just fell off the exchange wagon, so that should be fun!

Since I couldn't do as much stitching this year I have been reading a lot. I logged a record 104 books! To see the list, go here.  

Some favourites:

1. When God was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman
2. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
3. The Bright Forever by Lee Martin
4. The True Story of Hansel and Gretel by Louise Murphy
5. Vaclav & Lena by Haley Tanner
6. 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff 

Some fun reads:

1. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
2. Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor
3. Revolution by Jennifer Connelly
4. The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins

New mystery/thrillers:

1. The whole Harry Hole series by Jo Nesbo
2. The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen (The first of the Carl Mork series translated in English.)
3. The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbol & Agnette Fries (The first in the Nina Borg series translated in English)
4. The Hypnotist by Lars Keplar (The first of the DI Joona Linna series)

Well, that's it for this year. I want to thank you for your visits, your comments and friendship. I wish you all a Happy, Healthy New Year!

Happy Happy Joy Joy

Ooops - it's been awhile since I've posted and I feel very rusty. You know, the longer you put off posting, the more foreign it seems. 'Tis the season for...

...decorations Red and Green

...and reindeer...

...but most of all - Homecoming! Our boy arrived home safe and sound on Sunday and we're hamming it up for the camera! 

It's wonderful to have him back. I've been busy baking not only to feed him, but to give cookies and such away for Christmas gifts. 

So, you may wonder what I've been up too these last two months. Well, first I had to spend about 5-6 weeks intensively on getting a professional designation renewed. Then I've been taking time out because of my bad back. Time out from stitching I mean. I still did all the usual things, like working! 

However, I have been getting some new help in the way of a new chiropractor who gave me, bit by bit, small amounts of "exercises" to do.  Along with some acupuncture treatments, all these things have helped me tremendously.  So, three weeks ago, I decided to get back to stitching but with a small sampler.  Here is Margaret Harris from one of the Blackbird Design booklets.

See the difference between the white flower on the left vs the one on the right? The left one is very faint and is the called for BS Vanilla Pudding. The one on the right is BS Icing which is brighter and the one I will now use instead. The very faint flower on the inside right border is using BS Scarecrow. I'm afraid it will have to come out. It's so faint you can hardly see it. So, I can see substitutions being the norm here! 

I have to go slow with my stitching as just 1/2 hr of stitching makes my back start whining! Slowly, slowly I will go!

And here is one last framed piece to show you.

This is my first day off from work so lots of stuff to do before Christmas Eve as I am hosting the dinner! I will be covered with flour shortly!


Thank you for visiting with me now and all through this year. I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas! 


PS - Dear Santa: I know All-I-want-for-Christmas I already got with my boy being home safe and sound...but you know, if you happen to have a spare i-Pad at the bottom of your sack, I've been a very good girl this year! ;-)