My friends wishes for you for 2011

are in the wassailing song that is in my sidebar, turn on your volume press the play button. I also thought for you here in the uk you would like a reminder of what is coming (I think) next week, Larkrise to Candleford. I do like this sort of programme. Also I have watched Miss Potter again and so like this music from it.
Firstly I will give you a peek at what I have been stitching since last I wrote.

This is Pine Roll by Shepherds Bush . Words read:-Pine and Yew to crown the earth. Christmastide brings joy and mirth .Finished on Christmas Eve.
I then on Christmas day evening started Claras dance by the Sampler Girl hoping to finish it on New Year Eve (but I dont think so somehow) this is progress so far,but you will have to excuse the poor pic and crumpled fabric.

So now the man in red has been and I have been just so spoilt by family and stitchy friends.
Before I bore you with all my goodies, a picture before it comes down in a few days time of a tree, and a dog and a tree with a rescued duck. This was before he had his new lion and penguin !!



We had a lovely Christmas ,spending Christmas Eve with Graeme,Sue and Ella.We were a bit unsure as to the condition of the roads and as to wether we should go, as they have been very icy. Pavements not being much better.If you have had nasty conditions(sorry but my sick sense of humour wanted to jump in there with lumbago rashes etc) where you are I hope you stayed safe.
On Christmas Day we took mother in law with us to spend the day with Kate ,Iain and tribe. We were met by a very excited Alfie, who informed us we had to go see the mess that Rudolf and his friends had made of their lawn. Bits of chewed Carrots everywhere. Even Santas sleigh had left an imprint in the snow. Sam who is 9 was thrilled to see he had been left a box on the doorstep, in it was a bright shiny bell from Santas sleigh for being such a good boy.Isnt it magical when the belief is there. Santa was very very kind to them and they had lots of parcels to unwrap.
I have them all coming here on New Years Day what on earth was I thinking!. Graeme and family are coming down to spend NYE with Kate and her family and some friends , so I think there will be some fun to be had there. Not for us old fogies , a quiet toast(we dont buy the noisy toast!think I have lost the plot here)more gin needed lol. and then up early to prepare dinner for 14.
Anyway I hope you had all you wished for and more,as I said I was very lucky and loved all that I had.
My lovely hubby well he bought me these GORGEOUS earrings. White gold and Tanzanite.

Karan a stitchy friend got me interested in Crystals a little while ago and I have some amethyst (birthstone) ones like these . He also as a smiley,bought me a bottle of perfume I used to wear when we first met L'Aimant , I could not believe he remembered.I am not sure if it really something I would wear now ,but on the odd occaision. The first Christmas present he ever bought me was boxed set of Wishing by Avon many many moons ago. Sorry rambling on here . He also got me these 2 to go with my other one.

Love the one with its legs in the air,it says inside, Time to put ewer feet up. The other one in the rain says Wish ewe were here. One can never have too many sheepies can one.
I won't bore you with other bits I got from family ,but I must share stitchy things with you.
Well I was gobsmacked upon opening this from my oldbagpuss friend Julie, I admired her bag she made back a long and look what she made and sent me.


It is just so neat (well what else do I expect from Mary Poppins friend Practically Perfect in every way) . Also she enclosed this little SB design which is now hangs on my tree .Sheepies ooohhhh sublime.

Thankyou Julie ,like MP you are one in a million.
Another stitchy friend Karan (of crystal fame) had evidently looked at my wish list on S&S and had sent me this.

OH yes! more sheep ! This coaster is by the same designer as my mugs. Karan got me Sweeping Cobwebs a design I must stitch by 2011 Hallowe'en. Karan also knows I like the birds that visit the garden and sent the lovely bird bookmark . I am so blessed.
Then from Jane a complete suprise and now I understand the comment on my last post.

Jane said she hoped I liked this design on the comment about Sallys gift of the same design to me. LOL Jane, but she has told me that you do not need a new Barb.So pleased to hear that Jane !Thanks Jane.

Angi (no blog) who won my blogaversary earlier this year, sent me this sweet little coaster ,another who likes birds, we often compare notes on what is visiting our gardens.She also sent me 2 of her pretty pins with crystals on the tops. Thanks Angi.
Talking of birds ,it has been very cold here in the UK ,we always leave fallen apples for the birds to enjoy in winter. This year we have been thrilled to see Fieldfares and redwing flocks (well 30 or more)in the garden enjoying the fruit.It has to be exceptionally cold for them to come to our garden. If you do not know what fieldfares or redwings look like there are some good images on google.
Now onto sheep again ,what is this fixation with sheep ,sorry but I just think they are oooohhhh just so woolly!!lol.
This I got from my friend Irish Anne , I think she has done a 'shirley sheep',looks a bit like me ,well the same shape anyway. No point in pretending otherwise.

Oh Anne it did make me smile.
I was so delighted to get my next gift. I have a few obsessions as well you know by now and I have a 'persuasion' for Jane Austen so this I loved . Angela thankyou so much for my Austen gifties this year , and I am so pleased you found me or was it me who found you-hmmm . Anyway here is what Angela sent me.

I must show you what MIL bought me and my brother.

The fabric and threads for The Sampler Girl Sense and Sensibility , These are mainly GAST,a couple of DMC and my brother bought the 28 count fabric. Lucky girl arent I . I am doing a SAL with Tina (no blog) on Wednesday nights so if you fancy a Jane night and want to join us please do ,leave a comment for me.
You can stitch any TSG Jane design.
Whilst on the subject of Sal ,my next years starting Sal next week will be

Mondays with Sally and Colleen The journey ,of Emmanuel(s song) with his Checkered Sheep. all designs by Shepherds bush . I think Julie maybe joining us with the SB ornies but not sure.
Wednesdays with Tina and whoever Sense and Sensibility a Jane night.
Another night that I feel like in theweek will be Quaker Diamonds by Rosewood Manor this I am doing as a SAL at Stitch and Stash.
So keeping busy.
My Quaker Christmas we got back the day before Christmas Eve and it is now hanging on the wall next to the Spirit of Christmas I did last year.


A little stash came my way too and it is just so pretty looks complicated though.


Yesterday Martin went to Kates to do a few jobs for her,a willing helper was had in Alfie who by the end of the day was marching around with a pencil behind his ear (like grandad)and marking bits of wood ready to saw. He's priceless or am I just a little biased.
Well folks I think this has gone on long enough ,you are probably nodding off in your chairs now. I do hope you have a happy ,healthy and prosperous New Year and that you keep in touch by leaving comments and I look forward to sharing your stitching and mine over the coming year.
I will leave you with my tiny kitchen window

My three candles -one for my angel dad,one for my angel mum and one for my angel fil,to say although they are never forgotten, at this time of year especially we wish they could be here.
Blessings to you all and I will be back with perhaps a newsier (is that a word) post in 2011. Take care all off now for a large cup of tea of maybe something a little stronger as this has taken me ages! Thanks to you all for your friendship this year ,I really feel as if I am not quite so shut off from the rest of the world having this little corner of it.
Hugs n stuff
Barb