Oh my how Daisy has grown!!

 As we sit back and reflect on the past year I have so many things to be thankful for. A lot has happened in the course of a year but the most exciting thing was the addition of our new dog Daisy.  This first picture is of Jessee (11yr old Chesapeake Bay Retriever) with Daisy (9week old Great Dane).  We were so lucky to find such a sweet dog and she is a perfect fit into our chaotic family. 

The next picture is of Jessee and Daisy (20weeks old).  Can you believe how much she has changed.  Her face has changed and she is much more relaxed.  She enjoys her daily walks and loves cozying up to Jessee even though Jessee would rather be an only dog.    I am enjoying the process of puppy training and watching the changes.  She does lots of goofy things, like crawling across the floor instead of getting up and walking, parking herself in front of the fire place and overheating, and chewing her rawhide bones.  She loves to bring her stuffed toys to us to play fetch. She shakes her head back and forth like a loon.  She definitely fills my day with joy.

On the stitching front, not much to report.  I have been working on a special project for a friend and don't want to post pics until she sees them in person.  I have also been working on Blackbird Peacock Pinkeep.  I hope to finish it in 2010 so I need to get busy stitching!!  

I also wanted to report to those of you who followed my blog through the kitty fostering we did in August.  I am happy to report that Olivia (mommy kitty) was adopted after only 10 short days at the shelter.  She is now in her forever home and doing very well.  I can't wait for the next kitty that comes our way!

Thank you for the lovely comments!  They inspire me to post more often and continue on my stitching endeavors.  For those doing the Crazy Challenge, I wish you the best of luck and look forward to seeing your progress.  As for me, I hope to have a good mix of WIPS and new projects finished in 2011.  Keep on stitching everyone!!!

A Snowy finish and a Holiday Wish!

My first order of business is to thank Amy at Amy's Stitches for the lovely package I received in the mail this week.  It certainly felt wonderful receiving such a lovely gift.  Amy had a giveaway on her blog and I was the first comment posted so I thought, I'll never win that one.  Well the random number generator worked in my favor and I was the lucky recipient of this adorable embroidered snowman ornament/pillow.  I love it! Thank you Amy!!

I was working on this LHN Snow White pattern at my Wednesday Stitching group for the last couple of weeks and finally finished it up last weekend.  I stitched it on 32ct bluegrass linen and used Belle Soie Icing.  I love the way it turned out and plan to make it into a pillow.

I also finished the stitching on this Sue Hillis Design titled Sugar and Spice.  My mom had asked me to stitch this for her friend's new baby and I wanted to share it before I personalized it to maintain their privacy.  It turned out super sweet and I chose a white frame that compliments it beautifully. 

Next, I created a bracelet for the same friend's baby.  They asked my mom and dad to be god parents for their daughter so naturally my mom wanted something special for the baptism.  I made 2 bracelets because there is an older sibling and I certainly didn't want to leave her out.  One bracelet is 4" (teeny tiny) and the other is 6".  I hope they like them.

That is what has been keeping me busy these past several days.  I hope you have a Merry Christmas and enjoy spending time with family and friends.  Happy Stitching!

Winter is here!!

Winter has officially arrived!  We had our first snow storm which was forcasted to be just a dusting and ended up being 4+ inches. I wish I had a job where I could be wrong 90% of the time and not get fired.  Let's just say that Mother Nature is definitely the boss.  What she says goes.  The above picture was taken in the backyard.  It is a beautiful male cardinal.  We have 4 pairs that visit the feeder frequently and I truly enjoyed to color contrast with the white snow.  The kids played in the snow the minute it fell on the ground and I have to keep calling them in to warm up and dry off before they head out again.  I love to see them enjoying the great outdoors.  As for me, no better time than to get some stitching done.  I haven't taken pictures yet but hope to get to it tomorrow.  Just a reminder to sign up for the giveaway at New England Stitchers Retreat blog, the link is in the previous post.  I will be drawing a name tomorrow after stitching group. 
I want to thank all of the bloggers out there who have shared their Christmas decorations.  I enjoyed seeing all of your festive displays.  Everything seems soooo colorful and happy.  I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas!  Happy Stitching!

Holiday Giveaway to tell you about

Marie from ABC Stitch Therapy and co-host of the New England Stitcher's retreat has given me these 3 Lizzie Kate Kits to giveaway to one lucky winner.  Hop on over to the stitching retreat blog to become a follower and enter to win.  The drawing will be Wednesday.  Good Luck everyone!

The dust has finally settled. . . sort of

First thing I would like to share are these wonderful felted owls I won from Tracy.  The are beautifully done and I love them.  Thanks Tracy!!  You can visit Tracy at her blog or see her other lovely creations atThe Dancing Needle Etsy Shop. 

On the holiday front, here are a couple of the many dreidels in my collection.  We had a very fast Hanukah this year!  It seems this year is moving at lightning speed and I hope that 2011 slows down a bit so we can all enjoy it.  We had our family celebration on Saturday and now all of the decorations are packed up waiting to come out again next year.  Having the holiday early has it's pros and cons.  One pro, all my shopping is done while most everyone else is still hunting for that perfect gift.  Con, we don't get to fully enjoy the festivities of the season.  It has been very cold here, but no snow.  The kids are anxiously anticipating a snowy season but I am quite content to be inside where it is warm.  That stitching chair is looking mighty comfortable but I have been so busy with everything that I haven't had much time to stitch nor can I keep my eyes open once I sit down to do it. 

Daisy greets everyone with a Happy Hanukah

A Hanukah Chewy treat!

 I did manage to finish this scissor fob for my friend Ellen.  She did a beautiful job stitching Lizzie Kate spring Fab fob over one with recommended thread and fabric.  She has a hard time whip stitching so I said I would finish it for her.  I think it came out great.  She stitches wonderfully.  The next item I finished while waiting in the car for my boys while they attend Hebrew School.  It's my second LHN Ornament but I still need to finish it.  I hope to do that in the upcoming week since things have slowed down a bit.

I wish you all a great weekend and plan to post more regularly in the next months.  I have many Daisy pics and stories and hopefully lots of wonderful finishes on the horizon.  Happy Stitching!

Happy Hanukkah!!

Wow did that creep up on me! I survived the Thanksgiving festivities and now my plans are underway for our Hanukkah Celebration on Saturday.  We will have another 19 guests in our home so the cooking and cleaning starts all over again.  I also had to finish up my shopping.  We celebrate with a gift each night so I had to shop for and wrap 40 gifts not including nieces, nephews, etc.  You know the drill.  I usually have everything done by Thanksgiving but I was caught up in some stitching.  Needless to say, I put the stitching down for a while to get ready for Thanksgiving and haven't started back up yet!  Oh how I miss my stitching.  I am hoping to spend all of next week in my stitching chair once this party is out of the way.  For those of you also caught up in the madness of preparations don't forget to carve out a little time for yourselves.  I'll be back with pics real soon!  Happy Stitching!