Wednesday 22 December 2010

Gifts/Friends/Christmas

Well a few days to go before the man in the red suit arrives and I just can;t find any time to sit down and stitch. I still have a few gifts to wrap and I need to start planning and buying the last bits and pieces for Christmas dinner. I always find Christmas day so hectic. We get up early open our gifts, grab some breakfast then visit my brother and his family and then its off too my Mum and Dads. More coffee, tea and gift exchanging then it;s back home to start preparing dinner. We sit down to dinner early afternoon, stuff ourselves silly, have a little rest and then there is a mountain of clearing up to do. Next we spend a few hours playing family games, more tea, coffee and snacks and you are just ready to sit down and relax and then you realise it;s bedtime. The day has come and gone in a flash. I much prefer Boxing Day as it is a totally chill out day. No one ever visits so we spend the day in our pyjamas watching tv, playing games, listening to music, stitching, reading , just whatever we enjoy. Not much cooking either as we have always found in years past that so much is eaten on Christmas day , you don;t really want lots of food the next day so we always just have a buffet. Roll on Sunday..lol.
I always get the most enjoyment from pieces that I stitch and give-away for exchanges, gifts, etc but while in my finishing mode recently I decided to keep these two for myself to hang in my home this year. Dear Santa I stitched many, many years ago but never got round to doing anything with it and the buttons have also been in my stash for a while and I had no idea how I would ever use them. Isn;t it cute..lol. Snow is a Shepherds bush piece that I stitched right at the beginning of the year. When I came across this fabric in my stash I just knew it would make a great pillow. Who would have believed that as I get near to the end of the year I would actually be happy with some of my finishes..lol.



There has been so many delays in the mail with the snow this December that I didn;t expect any of the gifts I sent out to arrive. Suprisingly this week a few have got through. A little scissor gift, chocolate santas and a stitched pillow for Michelle (http://stitchcraftplace.blogspot.com/) and a JOY ornament, candy cane chart and chocolate scottish snowman for Siobhan (http://bluehenhollow.blogspot.com/). Two sweet ladies that I am blessed to call my friend.






After a long day shopping in Glasgow yesterday I got a lovely suprise when I arrived home and found my exchange box from Cath. Once again she has spoiled me too pieces. Look at all these gorgeous gifts. Oh no I;ve just realised that I haven;t included my beautiful snowman that Cath sent. As I hung it up in my living-room right away I forgot to include it in the photos.



I will just treasure that beaded scissor keeper. This is only the second one I have owned. My friend Elaine sent me one a few years ago but last year it broke and I really miss it. Cath just puts so much thought into these exchanges, she knows what a sheep and snowman nut I am. I just couldn;t stop laughing at Shaun the Sheep, the kids want to steal it but they;ve been told hands off and what about my Stitch pal monkey, isn't it adorable and he is purple!! I have an area in my hall-way where I sit my stitching box and baskets so my darling little stitchy pal will sit there. The Oh Joy stitched ornament is one that I had on my list to stitch myself. I love the thread Cath has used to stitch it and she has even finished the back with some tartan fabric. It;s now hanging on my tree. Thank you so much for everything Cath.

I;ve been so spoiled this week as I also received this lovely card and pin cushion kit from Michelle. I had recently been admiring these pincushions on line and was wishing that I had one. Thank you so much Michelle. I can;t wait to try it.


Another wonderful surprise that arrived in my mail this week was these gorgeous goodies from Staci. I have oohed and aahhed all year at all the beautiful creations she makes and I am so touched to receive these gifts. The heart is so pretty and is now hanging on my tree. Thank you so much Staci you are a dear friend.
As this will be my last post before Christmas I hope the Christmas season fills your home with joy, your heart with love and your life with laughter. Merry Christmas Everyone. Love & Hugs!

29 comments:

Annie said...

So many pretties! Nice to see successful exchanging. And you are definitely entitled to keep the 2 newest cuties you just made.

Have a wonderful holiday!

Christina said...

Wow, what a post Elaine, filled with lots of goodies! I'm so jealous that you received a heart from Staci, I'd love to know how to make them!
I really like the beaded trim on 'Dear Santa'. I may try that myself...
Your Christmas day sounds very similar to ours, but you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way!!!
Have a fantastic Christmas. XXX

Mylene said...

A wonderful post Elaine. And such lovely gifts received. Your new finishes turned out great.

Happy CHristmas!!

Carol said...

You have every right to be happy with your latest finishes, Elaine--they look wonderful! The more you do the easier it gets :)

I hope your Christmas day is a bit less hectic than you are anticipating! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Karen said...

Nice stitching goodies! Love the fabric you used with SB Snow...too cute!

Julianne said...

I just love your ornaments but the SB pillow is my favorite..it's great you kept it for yourself.

Lesleyanne said...

A wonderful post and such lovely gifts received. Your new finishes turned out great. Happy Christmas.

Meadows08 said...

Love the beaded trim on Dear Santa! Could you PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE tell me the name and designer of SNOW??? What a sweet design! I must stitch it! I love your finish into a pillow.

Belinda said...

Merry Christmas to you Elaine.
I love the two little ornaments you have recently stitched, the colours in the snow pattern are gorgeous and bright.
You are lucky to receive such gifts from stitching friends. :-)

too_busy_to_stitch said...

Merry Christmas - love the ornaments :) I so agree with you - Boxing Day is just the best day of the year - we go to the pantomime, eat leftovers, sleep in! Christmas Day is such a lot of pressure - and if the roast potatoes fail the family probably won't speak to me (j/k, I think!)!

Annette said...

What a beautifull gifts you got and send!!
You finishes are so beautifull!!!
have a very merry Christmas, and enjoy your dinner!!!

Catherine said...

A great post filled with lovely things!
Merry Christmas my friend!

Sally said...

Gorgeous gifts both sent and received Elaine.

Have a wonderful Christmas!

Sue said...

Your ornaments are all so pretty. We always have my side of the family over on Christmas Eve and then we stay home on Christmas Day....get up....open gifts while drinking a great cup of coffee.....cinnamon rolls for breakfast.......make Christmas dinner and then chill for the rest of the day. Merry Christmasn.

Edit said...

Your stitchings and finishes are so so lovely! And what great exchange presents you sent and received. This year I was also worried for my sent packages, finally all made it safe to their new homes except for one, but I hope that one will still arrive after the holidays.

I wish you and your family a lovely Cand relaxing Christmas and a very happy new year!!!

Giovanna said...

Lovely stuff! Have a peaceful and Merry Christmas!

Wendy said...

those are really beautiful gifts, you are so blessed !

I´ve started making chirstmas ornie´s to, and I can tell, once you´ve started, you´re hooked !

Michelle said...

What lovely photos Elaine - you deserve them all - you are so nice. Merry Christmas to you and your family and heres wishing you all a wonderful, happy and healthy new year filled with some lovely stitching hours xxx

Ranae said...

Great post!
"Happy 2011 Stitching"

♥ Nia said...

Everything ready for Santa now? I hope so ;) He's almost coming!!! :D

Love your finishes!! :)

•*¨*•.¸.•*¨ Merry Christmas •*¨*•.¸.•*¨

Daffycat said...

Merry Christmas, Lainey!

Erna said...

Sweetie , so many lovely gifts and so well deserved. Have a very merry Christmas with all your loved ones....
Hugs
Er

Carin said...

What a beautiful gifts !! Hope you had a wonderful christmas.

Siobhán said...

What beautiful gifts, both sent and received! My husband's comment upon seeing the ornament that you stitched for me--"Oh my gosh, Siobhan, it is gorgeous! You couldn't do finishing like this!". ROFLOL He is right, but I don't know if I should be glad that he was so impressed or annoyed that he noticed my lack of finishing skills!

I hope you had a happy Christmas & are enjoying your Boxing Day!

Anonymous said...

Oh gosh ..... so many cute things! Glad you had a very Merry Christmas! Wishing you a wonderful 2011 with plenty of time for stitching!

TinaTx said...

Love, love, love that Snow pillow!

Happy New Year to you!

♥ Nia said...

Happy New Year!!! ƪ(ˆ◡ˆ)ʃ*

Dani - tkdchick said...

Sounds like Christmas is a crazy day for you! Look at all the wonderful gifts you sent and received!!!

Hope 2011 is good to you!

Brigitte said...

I hope you had a lovely Christmas season adn were enjoying all the wonderful gifties you received.
Wishing you a Happy New Stitching Year!