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A Stitching Faery's Ramblings...
May you always be blessed with walls for the wind and a roof for the rain
and drinks beside the fire ~ Laughter to cheer you and those you love near you ~
and all that your heart may desire...

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Comfort and Joy... And A January Blogoversary Give-away...


Happy New Year my dear friends! I hope you all had a wonderfully, jolly Christmas with your families and found many a lovely, stitchy treasure under your trees... Thank you ever so kindly my dear friends and family for the lovely Christmas cards, emails, warm wishes, the treasured gifties and thank you for your love and kindness most of all...



This was my first Christmas on my own so to speak and it was quite a change for me with many a blue cloud along the way...Thus needless to say, as I'm sure you've gathered by my long absence... I retreated back into the shadows for a wee spell... Nonetheless... it's a New Year with bright New Beginnings and Blessings... I had some wonderful Christmas/New Year tidings... My baby, wee Jamie is getting married and... I'm going to be a Granny! I am still smiling thru my tears at these glad tidings which herald a beautiful reminder for me... There are still blessings and miracles in the world and the sun's brilliant rays dispel the clouds when we least expect it...

I have a couple of stitchy finishes to share with you all, a few Christmas photos and a lovely surprise stitchy giftie from a dear friend! So, without further ado...


Joy by Lilybet Designs...
Stitched by Harmien
Thank you ever so kindly dear Harmien...

Harmien sent me a lovely ornament and My Dears, her stitching and finishing is exquisite! It now hangs in a place of honour as the very first ornament on my *Seasonal Year Round Stitchy Tree* and I will cherish it always, Harmien! {In these photos it's hanging on my main tree... poor wee darling was awfully lonesome hanging around by herself on my stitchy tree... so I thought she'd enjoy a wee bit of company for her photo shoot...}

The back of the lovely Christmas ornament
Harmien gave me...
I love all the stockings!

My Christmas Tree in the Living Room...
and wee Mr Darcy who isn't so wee anymore...
and Gandalf the Grey...


I started collecting new ornaments for my main tree last year as my tastes have changed through the years... and quite frankly I love Christmas ornaments and just can't resist all the lovely ones I have seen of late... and I thought it was time for a change... However, the cherished and treasured ornaments will always remain as I could never part with them... My eldest son, Elisha gave me my new tree this year as an early Christmas gift and I love it! My youngest son Jamie also gifted me with a tree... this one is a wee bit smaller and it's going to be my *Seasonal Year-Long Stitchy Ornament Tree*... As I mentioned earlier, Harmien's lovely ornament is the first one gracing it's beckoning green branches... Needless to say, I plan to be busy, busy, busy stitching ornaments for all seasons this year... I do have several already stitched up from the last few years and they are tucked away in a dresser drawer, quite upset at being stowed away in the darkness mind you and longing to come out into the light of day and shine in all their glory ... So, I plan to brave the unknown and start *finishing* the poor wee darlings... :-) My hopes are to eventually have enough Seasonal ornaments so that I can rotate the ornaments with the changing Seasons... Or, who knows I may just leave them all hanging year 'round! ;-) After all... the more the merrier!

Since this was Brandy and Nick's first Christmas together as husband and wife I stitched an ornament for them... and will continue to do so every year here-after... I had planned to stitch a set of Bride's Tree Ornaments for her in 2008... However... hmmm as the best laid plans of mice and women are oftentimes wont to go when it comes to my planning I am woefully behind... Hopefully, I will achieve that goal this year! Anyway... wonders never cease and I *finished* their ornament completely by hand all by my little ole' self... It was rather daunting and I procrastinated as usual as I was terrified of mucking it up... Nonetheless... here it is in all it's splendor and they both loved it! :-)


A Christmas Blessing
by Full Circle Designs...
2005 Just Cross Stitch Ornament Issue...
Stitched on Vintage Autumn Blush Cashel Linen
with GAST and WDW threads...

Brandy and Nick's
First Christmas Together...
This is the back of the ornament...

And yet another veiw...
I stitched a row of wee X's
all around the seams...
however they are not showing up
that well in the photos...


And I have another Snoopy Happy Dance to share with you all!!! I finished the Lizzie*Kate Wedding Sampler I was stitching for Brandy and Nick... {I still have a long way to go on the Lavender and Lace Wedding Sampler...} Anyway, I finished the stitching in plenty of time and had it framed and needless to say, she was over the moon with joy when she opened it on Christmas Day!!! It was the first thing I've had framed in years and years... {all my finishes since I started stitching again in 2002 are tucked away in a dresser drawer...}


And Two Shall Be As One...
by Lizzie*Kate
with a dash of LHN and CCC
for good measure...
Stitched on Vintage Mocha Cashel Linen
with GAST, CCN and WDW threads...
As you can see I modified the design a wee bit...
changing all the colours
and adding a few personal touches...
*** Edited to add... I forgot to mention the meaning behind the colour changes and personal touches... I wanted to use a green comparable to the green from Brandy's wedding and as for the other colours changes... I wanted to use colours that would go with most any decor and I chose colours I thought better suited to Brandy's tastes... As for the wee deer and fur tree... Nick loves deer hunting and he has his own forestry business... tree planting and land conservation et cetera... So, I thought the wee deer and fur tree would suit him perfectly! And they both love animals... they have three cats and a dog, thus the wee kitty... and Brandy loves flowers and her wedding theme was butterflies... They released live butterflies at the wedding... thus the wee butterfly...***

And here it is in all it's framed glory!!!
I just Love this frame!!!
Of course Mr Darcy
and Gandalf the Grey
had to give their nod of approval...
{photos are clickable}

And a close up of the frame
mat and *filler thingy*
which is the same as the frame...

Another close up...

Brandy was totally surprised and
over the moon with joy
when she opened
this gift on Christmas Day...
She didn't know anything about this Sampler...

My wee babes...
Elisha, Jamie and Brandy...

Nick and Brandy...

My future DIL Danielle and DS, wee Jamie...
Proud and happy parents to be... :-)

Cheers...
A toast to jolly old St Nicholas...

Happy Christmas Elisha...

Brandy and me...


And in keeping with the spirit of giving... it's my Two Year Blogoversary on the 16th of this month... My, but where has the time gone? Anyway... I degress... In keeping with the Spirit of Giving I'll be giving away something stitched and handmade by moi as a thank you to all my dear friends... You all bring such Comfort and Joy to my days and are ever an inspiration with your amazing talents and kind and generous hearts... Anyway... I'm posting a wee glimpse of what I'm stitching for the giveaway... There are hints in the photo... and many clues scattered throughout this post... No, I'm not going to make you guess what it is... however, you are welcome to try a guess now and then and wonder about it until the end of January when I have the drawing... ;-) So, if anyone would like something stitched and handmade by me, please leave a comment on this post mentioning that you'd like to be entered in the drawing and make sure I have access to your blog or your email addy... and I'll keep you updated on the stitchy giftie throughout the month with scattered clues hither and yon... ;-)


Once upon a time...


As for New Year's resolutions... I have but one this year and I borrowed it from a beloved friend, Ebenezer Scrooge...

"I will honour Christmas in my heart
and try to keep it all the year..."
~ Ebenezer Scrooge ~
~ A Christmas Carol ~
~ Charles Dickens ~



Thank you all ever so kindly for stopping by to visit... your thoughtfulness and words of encouragement are ever an inspiration... I wish you all a wonderfully, joyous and Blessed New Year... May happiness, peace, love, prosperity, good health and good cheer be your constant companions throughout the year... May your stitching chest forever flow with cherished treasures and May you find Comfort and Joy in many a blessed hour of stitching thyme... And may the threads of your life ever spin a tapestry of love and cherished memories...


Blessings and Love in Stitches...

Lizzy


I am thankful for precious moments... love eternal, glad tidings and blessings, children and grandchildren, furbabies and cherished Christmas memories...

39 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to the Granny to be!! How exciting!!
It sure looks like a very happy Christmas at your home!! Brandy and Nick's LK Wedding Sampler looks stunning framed!! You picked the perfect matting! The ornament is so sweet too!
Happy upcoming Blogiversary, Lizzy!! May you have many many more...

Tuula said...

What a happy moment to be! Congratulations for the new baby in the family!
Glad to hear from you, thanks so much for the Christmas card and the adress. I´ll write to you soon a real letter.:)
And finally Happy Blogiversary!

Cheryl said...

Always great to hear from you again Lizzy...congrats to your DS. Thats lovely news for your family.
Your stitching is, as always, beautiful.
Happy upcoming blogiversary, would love to enter your drawing :)
Happy New Year x

Tammy said...

Oh Lizzy, it sounds like you have wonderful things happening in your life--exciting times! Congrats!

Tammy said...

Oh, and you can surely enter me in your give a way! :)

Karan said...

Congratulations on the happy news. :0)
Looks like you had a lovely festive season. May 2009 be filled with much Happiness. :0)

Carolyn NC said...

What a beautiful blog post! First of all, congrats on the upcoming wedding and grandmother to be! The gift is adorable and I love your idea of stitching different ornaments for a year round tree. Your stitching is beautiful and sois the frame. You did a wonderful job. The pictures of your family are so nice - looks like a good time with all of them.
And last, but not least, happy blogiversary! Such a nice gesture on your part. Take care. :)

Carolyn NC said...

Sorry - I got carried away - I'd love to be part of your drawing, too. You have my curiosity up - Some sort of story or fairy tale, or something from Jane Austen, perhaps? Hmmm - waiting to see the mystery unfold - I do like mysteries!

Cindy F. said...

Your blog looks great! (we have the same background:) LOVE your banner stitched piece!
Congrats on the wonderful baby news! Love your ornie and wedding piece! Both are beautiful!
You also have a beautiful family:)

I would also love to be entered into your giveaway and thank you for this opportunity:)

Anonymous said...

your projects look stunning, i am new to your blogg
I would love to be entered into your drawing

Kathy said...

Congratulations to you and your whole family on the news of the upcoming baby. How exciting! The wedding sampler is gorgeous. I adore your additions to it.
Happy blogiversary! Wow two years. May you have many more.
I would love to be included in your drawing. Thanks.

lynda said...

So good to see you posting again. The wedding sampler you did turned out beautifully. I love the way you combines all the little bits to make something really personal.It sounds like you all had a lovely Christmas and what a wonderful gift of a new grandbaby soon. Thanks for the Christmas card you sent as well. And I would love to be entered into your dsrawing for your blogoversary. Thanks Lizzy!

Teresa S. said...

I have been looking for a wedding cross stitch gift. This is the one I will use! It turned out adorable! Congratulations on the coming grandbaby! And please enter me in your drawing.

Barb said...

You have a beautiful family and so is your blog! As always, your stitching is perfect and the cats are adorable (I had a cat named Frodo once). I too plan to bring my stitched ornaments "out of the dark" this year. Enough is enough they say! I'm terrified of mucking it up also.

Happy New Year and Happy Blogoversary!

Juls said...

Congratulations!!!! Such great news!!!! And also such fun to read your posts! I would be honored to enter your drawing!!!!

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed your wonderful pictures, holding on to the spirit of the season just a little longer. Yes, please enter me in your drawing in honor of your blogiversary. Congratulations on the new DIL and a grand-baby on the way (yes, they are grand!). I continue to enjoy your blog. Thanks for sharing.
Grenae

mainely stitching said...

Oh oh oh, Lizzy!! I hardly know where to begin! Though I am sorry that there were a few clouds over your Christmas celebrations, there is so much joy going on in your life right now that I feel like dancing! (Luckily, I will not. I might break something. LOL) I'm so excited that you'll be a grandmother soon, and that you'll have a wonderful DIL to count as family. I'm so happy that your kids were able to come and spend time with you over the holidays. I'm so glad Mr Darcy is so healthy (and BIG!). I'm so glad you've been stitching and that you created such lovely, personal gifts for your daughter and her husband. :D LOTS of happiness!! BIG HUGS!!


Oh! Please include me in your drawing! I would be deeply honored to have something you made in my home. :D

Ranae said...

Congratulations! on becoming a grandmother soon.
The ornament is gorgeous such as the Wedding Sampler. You have such a nice looking family.
Please enter me in your drawing.
Happy upcoming Blogiversary!!

Meari said...

What a nice Christmas you had! I love your tree... beautiful, as is your stitching! Happy New Year to you!

Beth said...

Lizzie,
I love reading your blog. All the pictures are great, as well.

Your stitching is exquisite. I love the frame & mat on the wedding sampler.

Please enter me in your Blogaversary drawing. I can't wait to see what it will be, as the teaser pic is very intriguing.

Hugs & stitches,
Beth

GoldenAngelsWorks said...

WOW that is alot of excitement....
The stitching is all wonderful.
The Christmas time looks like it was tons of fun.

Please include me in the drawing... I would love something made by you.... Happy Blogversary.

Sally said...

It's lovely to see you posting again Lizzy. I miss you when you disappear.

Wonderful news that your son is getting married and that you're going to be a granny! I love all the photos of your family that you posted.

The ornament that you stitched for Brandy and Nick is beautiful and their wedding sampler is so pretty too.

Happy Blogoversary for later this month. I would love to be included in your drawing please.

Thank you for your lovely email. It's always a pleasure to hear from you. I will reply over the next few days {{{{hugs}}}}

Unknown said...

wow what a wonderful holiday it looks you had. :) Congrats on the new baby. :)

Book Wookie said...

So glad to have found your blog. You did a wonderful job on the Christmas ornament! I saw it on the Christmas SAL blog. I have a strong dislike for finishing items as well. That's probably why I don't stitch many ornaments. :) But you shouldn't be afraid. You did good!

Great job on the sampler as well. I love those thoughtful little personalizations. I'll bet that was fun!

I like the idea about the year-round tree with seasonal ornaments. I may have to "borrow" that idea.

I know that I am new here, but I would love to be entered into your mystery giveaway. You can find my blog information below.

All the best!

Cross Stitch Confetti
Twitter

Anonymous said...

Congratulations for becoming grandmother. I would love to participate into your draw.

Lennu said...

Happy New year!! How lovely photos, congratulations to the future Granny! You have a wonderful family around you :)

Your stitching is so beautiful, the sampler especially! I'd love to be included in the drawing please :)

DaisyGirl said...

Hi Lizzy
Love the new blog look! New year, new you! A Granny! How wonderful that will be for you!
I'm praying for a year filled with love and family for you!
Donna

stitcherw said...

That's wonderful, congratulations on going to become a granny, you're going to have such fun. With that and another wedding to look forward too you're going to have a wonderful year. Beautiful pictures of your family and tree, and my has Mr. Darcy been growing, they don't stay small long do they. Good luck with your plans for your ornaments and all their finishings. I keep saying I want to do some ornaments and get them finished but somehow never get around to it. A small tree that could be decorated for the various holidays like Valentines Day, Halloween, and such would be so much fun. What a lovely ornament you finished for them, and your finished and framed And Two Shall Be as One looked awesome. Happy upcoming blogiversay, I'm so glad that I've got to meet you and would love to be in your drawing.
Sue

Lucy said...

Congratulations Lizzy! Happy events at Christmas time! Your stitching wonderful.
Beautiful family too...Thank you very much for your kind words in my blog, Happy, very Happy New Year 2009 for you and your family,
Hugs
Lucy

Sadie said...

Congratulations on the upcoming birth. Do I see some stitching for baby in the near future!?!
Beautiful stitching and I'm really glad that you are back to blogging. I would love to be entered in your giveaway please. x

Becky K in OK said...

Hi Lizzy, I just found your blog via the SNG. You have a wonderful blog. Please include me in your drawing.

I stitched the Joy ornament last year. I love it and the funky little tree.

Clara said...

Congratulations for soon becoming a new Grandma! I have four Grand-darlings, from almost 2 up to 7 1/2 and I love it, it is the most wonderful feeling in the world to adore and be adored by them each! And I don't even know where to start for words for all the wonderful things you have stitched, they are all beautiful

Julie said...

Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment. Some wonderful things to looks at on here, you have a wonderful family and i love your fur babies.

Lynn B said...

Welcome back Lizzy, the photo's of the family are lovely. I wouls love to be entered in the draw.

Sherry said...

I just found your blog and I can't tell you how much your post cheered me up. I won't go into the details but it's been a hard morning and I've had to battle tears more than once. You have a lovely family. And your finishes are beautiful. Thank you for your positive cheerful post. I will certainly be back again.

Teena in Toronto said...

Good job!

Happy blogoversary!

Kate in Austin said...

I found your blog b/c we share our blogoversary. Happy day.
Your stitching is just beautiful. Happy New Year!

Michele said...

Nice to see you blogging! Looks like you had a wonderful Christmas with your kids! And congrats on the up and coming grandchild! You'll be a wonderful grandmother.

Wedding Sampler turned out lovely! You are right, that frame is perfect! and so is the ornament you stitched for them .. very special.

Happy Blogiversary! I'm late :)

Carol R said...

I came to visit your lovely blog - you have a great looking family! The sampler you made for Brandy and Nick is stunning.

I hope I am not too late for the draw so if not please enter me!

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