Happy New Year!

 I hope it's not too late in the year to wish everyone a Happy New Year!

The holidays seemed to come and go very quickly this year. We were distracted by the health of my 97 year old mother-in-law, who was suffering some issues. That always seems to bring up other family issues.

I miss the quiet time my husband and I shared over the years. No matter how hectic our jobs and family issues were, we managed to carve some time out just for us. That seems much harder to do now. I miss those days!

I didn't do as much holiday stitching as I usually do. I did manage to finish stitching Merry Little Christmas.

Merry Little Christmas - Willow Hill Samplings

 

I haven't quite decided how to finish it.

Then I stitched Bon Noel.

Bon Noel

My apologies to the designer, but I have had this for a while, and I don't remember where it came from. Another one that needs to be finished!

Then I knitted a pair of socks.  They are such a little luxury in this cold weather!

After that, I knitted up this cowl from some recycled cashmere yarn I had from a previous project. The free pattern is from Purl Soho.

It called for a long tail cast on, but I really don't have the patience for that. I used the crochet cast on method to give it a little extra ease, and it worked out just fine. It is a quick knit, and is a good way to use up that extra yarn.

Well, I have a lot of finishing to do in 2025. That was my resolution for 2024, but I didn't get as much done as I would have liked. Hope springs eternal!

I hope all of you have a wonderful 2025, full of good health and happy surprises!

Eleanor Parr and some Holiday Stitching

Hello everybody! It has been a zoo here lately, with one disruptive thing after another happening! Somehow we are almost in December!

I finished page 4, and decided to stitch page 5 which brought me over to the right edge of the sampler. I have stitched a little bit of page 6 which brought me back to the left side.

Here is where I left off:

I was figuring to finish this sometime in 2025. Now I'm wondering if I may not finish until 2026!

I have taken a break to do some holiday stitching. The first thing I worked on was this Pumpkin design from MJ Hiney Designs.

This is how it turned out.

The kit contained the piece of dyed orange silk velvet, and some autumn-shaded beads to sew on, as well as a green silk ribbon for the leaf along with complete instructions! I supplied the twig! I actually finished it the day after Halloween, but it made it in time for my Thanksgiving table, along with the cross stitched Pilgrim gang that I stitched several years ago.

It may not stay on the table for long. One of my cats, Freddy, has decided that it is the perfect ball to kick and chase around! Yikes!

I just love her designs! They are a little pricey, but the materials are just lovely! Several years ago I stitched one of her acorn kits.

Next, I started Merry Little Christmas from Willow Hill Samplings.

I am still working my way through this one. I haven't yet figured out how I will finish it. It is slow going because I decided to use some gold filament with with the red thread. It is very subtle, but I think it adds a little ornateness to it. I always forget how slow the stitching is with that filament though, You have to use such short lengths, and constantly untwist the thread!

For my fellow Americans, have a very Happy Thanksgiving, and for my other readers, have a very nice and happy November 28th!