Christmas Time is here...

Whether we're ready for it or not! It seems to me that Christmas comes faster every year...too fast for me to really enjoy it like I used to, but I managed to get the tree down from the top of a bookcase in the garage, and then decorate it with just the special handmade ornaments or the ones that bring back the best memories.

I needlepointed the above St. Nicholas many years ago, and below is one of my very favorite ornaments that I nicknamed the "Nut Boy" since his butt is made from a nut. He makes me laugh every time I bring him out again, and I have fond memories of the late friend who made him. Vella, we still miss you! And I hope to see a "sign" from you this year by way of another up-side-down Christmas tree that you so love in some shopping display somewhere!
I also got to set up the Jim Shore nativity...I'm not very religious, but enjoy this nativity set very much. Very whimsicle, and I added the hanging angel this year...well, actually last year in an after Christmas sale. It was like opening a present! I love angels!
And here's the tree that almost killed me...I think had I brought the whole thing down in the green bag, it probably would have, but I opened the bag and brought each piece down one at a time...actually, two big pieces. I'm glad it's all set up for me to enjoy...I hope others enjoy it too despite these economic times. I nearly didn't put up a tree at all, but it was nagging at me. So I did it.
I hope Christmas finds everyone with their families...and that next year will be a better year for us all...

Seaside with Santa Cruz Side Trip

Over the weekend, Peter and I visited Frank and Kara up north in the San Jose and Seaside City areas. Kara suggested we visit Santa Cruz as a little side trip, and it was so nice...such wonderful Fall like weather...a bit chilly, but sunny enough that we enjoyed ourselves.
The sea lions were sunning themselves under the pier and looked so content.
I'm just loving the views from the beach...and the good sea air!
Peter and Kara trying not to laugh at the camera...the pier behind them is where we had our walk.
The next day, we explored the beach in Seaside where Frank lives. We celebrated his birthday a bit with a nice dinner the night before, and breakfast that morning that Kara cooked. She made a very yummy quiche! Above, you see us enjoying ourselves on a bench.
Here Frank is enjoying the company of Kara and Peter.
And here is the lovely view. The waves were crashing and it was a wonderfully clear day!

Holiday Homespun Afghan

My latest project which I started, believe it or not, just last night! Works up so quickly on the larger hook (S-35/19mm) and holding together 4 strands of Lion Brand's Holiday Homespun. It has just a little bit of sparkle in it...just enough to make it shine a bit without over powering. You can find the pattern at www.LionBrand.com. Worth signing up for so you can have access to oodles of free patterns!
The pattern consists of the simple V-stitch. Crocheting with 4 strands takes a bit of getting used to, but after awhile, it's a piece of cake!
I just love it!! I thought I would bring it to a stitching social I'm going to on Saturday, but it might be done by then!!

Beatrix Potter Sampler Finished!

I finally finished Needleprint's Beatrix Potter Quaker Sampler!! I am so happy with it...I love the colours of the Viki Clayton hand dyed silks...and I loved the adventure of stitching in a Stitch A Long. It really helped keep me on track.

I used the lightest shade above for the elegant flowers, while below I used the bolder hand dyed of Everlasting...

Now you are about to see the last three motifs that I stitched to complete the sampler...the lower right hand corner. I always like to start in the upper left hand corner of anything I stitch...for some reason, it's a nicer "ride" going from left to right, and then from top to bottom.
Now you see the finished sampler...it will be awhile before I can get it framed, but I am glad with how beautiful it turned out. Stitching Beatrix was a perfect escape from my daily life, dealing with empty nest syndrome, and the doldrums of the economy.
I'll miss it...but onward to knitting scarves for the holidays!!

Beatrix Potter progress...

Although this has been a busy month with a visit up North, and painting the room, I did manage to set aside time in the evening to stitch on Beatrix Potter. It's such a good de-stress-er, and I so enjoy picking out the colours as I go...above decided to do a combination of two contrasting hand-dyed silks, and I like how the carnation has center stage.
The swan had my attention since it was easy to miscount, but I won and it turned out beautifully. The quaker motif below was a treat to stitch and for some reason, simply flew off my needle.
Since it's Halloween, I got out my spooky witch scissors fob!
Below, is my progress as it stands now...only three motifs to go in the lower right corner. My plan is to keep going and get it completed prior to the holiday season since I have lots of knitting and crocheting to do!! No shopping for me this year on our meager budget, but I have plenty of yarn, and able fingers.

Banana Dog and Saved Roses...

Ahhh, what we put our doggies through! But Maggi, don't you remember all the attention you got when the kids came to the door trick or treating last year and saw you in your Hot Dog outfit?? Just wait until they get a load of this...you're going to have lots of fun...promise!
I know right now, it doesn't seem all that a-peeling!! Ewwwww!

I also was busy painting today. Every time I paint, it's always with this "here's goes nothing" feeling since I have to relearn all over again what to do next. This time, it was an experiment about how to save the rose border that I stenciled over ten years ago when I was making Kara's sweet little girl's room. So I sectioned it off with some blue painter's tape and started painting with this pretty "Summer Green" color hoping it would all work out...well, it did!The neighbor's must've heard my yell of glee when I started pulling off the painter's tape! Turned out so well that I couldn't help but do a little happy dance!! Now to pull the room together!!

Old Disney Friends and New Project...

Oh, what a great Saturday I had...because of Facebook, I've been gathering up all sorts of friends from different places in my life, and I was able to get together with friends I used to work with at Disneyland. Below you see a happy group!! It was like we picked up where we left off as we joked and laughed! What fine memories and good friends! I hope for more of these gatherings in the near future and that more friends will join us. Sure took me back...
And here is my latest project...so far, so good! I decided to go for a different pattern that I've never tried before and I hope the special baby I have in mind will enjoy this blanket! I changed the colors so that it can go to either a boy or a girl. I'm loving the yarn as it is both soft and warm...and washable!
So both old and new. Perhaps I'll work on the blanket as I think about how wonderful it was to meet up with old friends!