All over for another year- but still a few more days to go for the 2013 stitching.

I am hoping all my blogging friends that you have had a good Christmas and had goodies that you love. I had lovely pressies from family and clothes featured. Martin bought me a new winter coat ,whilst out walking before christmas  I heard this strange clunking sound and looked down to see the sole of my boot flapping about and after a few steps came off altogether. As we were betwixt and between, we walked on ,and by the time I reached the car hmmm I had a very soggy foot. I have had them many years and they have walked many miles. Anyway I opened a box at Christmas to find a new pair of walking boots. So yesterday Boxing Day I had to christen them and we went to Portland Bill to do a long/short walk.

A rather cold me sitting on a rock . See the muddy boots.We took a flask of coffee and boy were we in need of it. It was a lovely few hours though and we took this for Julie as a reminder of her visit in the summer..It is not a good photo as I have so many layers on and that warm hat.

It is not leaning its my idea of straight-I do not do straight! How many steps did you climb Julie. A little further along is Pulpit rock , not sure of the wisdom of climbing on it yesterday though. 

There were lots of families out too , a little girl was walking between her parents so sweet singing Jingle Bells. On the subject of Christmas we did have a lovely time with Kate and her family . However my 2 finishes came before Christmas. I finished Quaker Diamonds on the same night as The Strictly Come Dancing final. This as you know has been stitched on the last 2 series of strictly ,with Julie and Mr Stick over at Needlecraft Haven. I did need lots of encouragement to get this done especially as I lost the threads and had to buy more. So big drum roll ...........Quaker Diamonds stitched over one on Sassys 28count fabric.

Just have to get it framed. The other finish I can show you is Bah Humbug which was a freebie design from Gaynor French over at Stitcheranon. I did not do the border though as I wanted to finish it on Christmas Eve .It is just perfect for the Scrooge theme. 

Thankyou Gaynor. I did have a couple of handmade ornies for the tree.One from my friend Tina (no blog) who said a friend of hers makes these.

Tina loves gingerbread men .I love this little basket and as it was addressed to the tree,I must say the tree loved it too. 

This is a hardanger angel that came from my friend Barbara,we exchange or have for the last 3 years an ornie and this little sweetie arrived in time to hang on the tree. Not sure if she reads this but thankyou again Barbara and Tina. I also said I would show you the blogaversary cushion I had from Sally. 

Thanks again Sally ,it will be treasured with my other Sally bits. As you know Sally and I are busy stitching Sheep and next time I hope to have Friendship to share with you. Just 2 more to go. I have signed up for the Calendar Girl series from LHN  and Sally is doing the CCN Forest Series. So our Monday night stitching will be slightly different not stitching the same. We have decided though to do the Little Stitcher series 12 days as a 12 months of next year. I am stitching on the Positive thinking by Jardin le Prive tonight as I need to catch up before the next part comes through. I do have a couple of new charts and I have 2 more I want ,THEN I have said to myself no more until 2015 , do you think I can do that. Hmmm. 

Mother in law said she will buy me the new Shepherds Bush pincushion Tis the Season for Christmas so I am awaiting a phone call from Chris at the nimble Thimble to say she has it in. Gosh I have more to do than I know I have. Are we all in need of therapy ?

This woman is. I need my hair cut properly I think 

Taken at Portland Bill yesterday I am sure Ollie was daring us to say he could go in the sea off that ledge , I was almost beside myself that he would. Well my dears he is off to vets for check up and boosters and feet check tonight so the bank of Martin will be decidedly lighter. Will show you some Christmas goodies next time but thankyou so much for all the lovely goodies you sent. 

Take great care and I will catch up again soon.

Much love Barb.x

Just when you thought I had gone....I'm back!!

Oh dear I am a bad blogger, a month to the day since my last post. Hanging head in shame here. Well I have been doing ,but what is debatable.
I think I had better start with the header pic, Ollie wishes all a happy Christmas and a peaceful and happy new year and that goes for me and mine too.His feet are still poorly as the pic shows.
I really do not know where to start as so much has been going on. We have had a 16th birthday and a 19th,
Caitlin and Jack grandchildren. I have a pic of the family to show you on the evening we went out for a meal.

 This is my daughter Kate with Iain and the birthday girl on the left.

Barman Jack who was on duty that night.

Alfie and Sam . Looking as if they have had one too many.

Graeme our son and his wife Sue.

Although we had one taken too ,it was dreadful and also the one of sons daughter Ella ,I shall show you the one of Ellas school photo.

So there you have my family of children and grandchildren Of course the youngest is very excited,he says he is on the "good" list,but I have my doubts lol.Talking of the season,I have had gifts arrive which have not been opened just placed under the tree so thanks go to those who have sent if you are reading this.. Nothing edible as Ollie does not seem interested. I did have a parcel arrive from Christine of Alchymsts Study it was the blogaversary prize that I won on her blog. Here is what was in the parcel. 

Isn't it just fab-u-lous! I am going to put precious things in her. Christine had to be asked if she had made it, as it was just so professionally done,should have known better but of course this clever lady had done it herself. It was a piece of vintage toile she has used and I really am delighted I won!!! I was also lucky enough to win Sallys blogaversary too ,and as I cannot remember if I showed you that or not , I will post it next time as I cannot take a picture as my camera has gone out with DH. However I was also in the Ornament Christmas exchange (got that the wrong way round)over at Needlecraft Haven and guess who mine was from.Yep Sally.

Of course if you read this blog of mine you will know my love of sheep and Sally knows me very well and SB is a favourite too so I was thrilled when I opened this. The back was a giveaway as to who it was from but all have been revealed now so I can show that too.

The one I sent ,being the 3rd attempt was this Prairie Schooler Woodland Santa. I have 2 partially finished reindeer here. The first one I did the back leg the wrong colour tried to frog it and made a hole in the fabric. Started it again and got the reindeer right apart from when I tried to put his saddle on I had not stitched enough rows. So start no 3 and time getting tight. Phew a sigh of relief when I got it right. Pleased to say Christine loved it. It is stitched over one,as it was a tree theme I also added a tree to the back.

Sorry it is a bit blurry. I added some stars as he only has a candle to light his way.

Now I know you may be feeling as if you hear the C word one more time you will burst into song and be damned. hee hee.  Last week a rather large parcel arrived addressed to DH , Wonder what is in there I thought. So phoned him and he said open it and see. Don't need telling twice so opened it was and who was inside but SCROOGE! Very well packed hence the large box.

I had seen him on an article in our local paper about Velvet and Dash a company based in Dorchester, and of course I do like a good dose of A Christmas Carol (all of the films I watch) at Christmas and have a stocking hung above the mantle that Sally and I stitched together last year. Anyway here is Ebeneezer  .

Here he is with his candle alight and from my chair it looks as if his candle is alight too.

I did not take this one so do not blame me but DH . Speaking of Martin ,he has been very busy with the glass and as some of you know ,Tina has a little tree he made for her tree and loves it. He promised the gardener Dale a plaque ,this when he did our garden for us. He has just finished it ,in between other things ,we are going to give it him for Christmas . As he does not read this I can show you the finished Bamboo plaque.

Your eyes do not deceive you it is wavy. 

Took ages to fire in the kiln. 

I have been stitching a little (well a lot )but it only looks a little on QD I am hoping to get this finished by the Finals of Strictly come dancing , it is well over due I can tell you.

I have stitched a little more than this but will show you a pic now when it is  finished!!!!

I also have finished Wisdom this week and will be starting Friendship on Monday along with Sally.

Today I had Gratitude arrive from The Patchwork Rabbit ,only one more to come but I have 3 here waiting to be stitched. I also had some stash arrive and there is still one to come. Here is the latest additions to the evergrowing pile.

I think I should have a winter theme all year next year. I have seen a new one from Shepherds Bush but will wait to see what Santa brings . I know he is coming because I have been a very good girl this year!! I have now lost ......drum roll......3stone and 2 lbs. I am having hair cut on Thursday so I might allow a photo to be taken!! If you can bear it. Still want a bit more off so sticking to it until I get where I want.. Martin has had to buy me new clothes.

These are my new gingerbread man socks and my right leg in jeans!! never thought I would be able to wear jeans . So on that happy note I am going to wish you all a Happy Christmas Time and I may just may eat half a mince pie. Going to walk Ollie now so in my new socks --Run Run as fast as you can ,you can't catch me I'm a gingerbread man. 

Take great care ,and keep smiling . Leave me a comment if you can squeeze in a moment as I will be popping by to see if I have any !! 

Love Barb.x