Sunday, December 27, 2009

Week Fifty-Two: Prairie Schooler's "Season's Greetings"







My dream to stitch an ornament a week for the entire 2009 year began almost 52 weeks ago on a cold and sleepless January night. I find that my most creative thoughts often come to me on such nights. Could I really do it? Could I actually be focused enough and patient enough to make it through every single week of the year? Would my aging eyes hold up? Well, I'm so pleased (and maybe "just a bit" proud) to be able to say that I MADE IT!!! And I honestly couldn't have done it without you--my readers, commenters, followers...my friends. I never would have dreamed that this year could have brought so many new friends into my life who share my passion for cross-stitching and encourage, inspire, and make me smile the way you all do!

My fifty-second (and final!) ornament of the year is "Season's Greetings" from the Prairie Schooler's Christmas Samplers II chart. I wanted the ornament to be small enough to fit on the Christmas tree so I stitched it "one-over-one" on 28 ct. summer khaki lugana using DMC threads. I think my favorite thing that I've tried for the first time this year has been the "over one" stitching--I am truly hooked! I also added a gold cord trim and hanger and a gauzy golden ribbon to jazz it up a bit. I'll have to admit that as I put in the last stitch I felt a bit sad--my year is over and I've had such fun...


So, how was your holiday? Christmas Day with young adults is much different than Christmas Day with young children, but it is still special. I actually welcome the peacefulness of the holiday now that my sons are older. We all slept in, ate a very late (after noon!) breakfast including our once-a-year cinnamon rolls whose recipe can be found right here. (We add cream cheese to the frosting to make them even more sinful!) We finally got around to exchanging presents in mid-afternoon. The whole day just had a tranquility to it that I don't remember having when there were little boys in the house tearing open their presents, shrieking with delight, and playing all sorts of noisy video games all day! We played board games and watched movies and just enjoyed each others' company... We are rarely all together at the same time any more, so I savored each minute.

I received a delightful surprise in the mail this past week from Cindy over at Cindy's Stitching. She sent me a lovely stitched Christmas card and the sweetest little Mill Hill bead kit called "Snow Sled." Cindy has been such a loyal supporter of my blog this year and she knew how much I loved to create ornaments so I know she chose this gift especially with me in mind. Thank you so much, Cindy; I love it and can't wait to stitch it and see it hanging on my tree next Christmas! I made her a larger version of my miniature gingerbread boy ornament from last week which you can see pictured on her blog--so glad she likes it!

Well, the next time I post, it will be 2010! So many of you have asked for a photo of all 52 ornaments together so I will gather them up from their various storage places and have a picture for you next week. And for those of you who have watched my journey week by week, I just want to thank you so, so much for your support and comments...As I said before, I couldn't have made it this far without you!

May 2010 bring you much joy... HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

46 comments:

Cole said...

Wow Carol, 52 Ornaments!!! Congratulations on reaching your goal! Any new goals for next year yet?

Wishing the best of the season to you and your family :)

Daffycat said...

Congratulations, Carol. That is the biggest happy dance I've ever seen!

Jackie's Stitches said...

Wow! I wonder what you're doing for 2010! Did you completely finish them all? I'm amazed!

Pumpkin said...

WOOHOO!!!! I'm doing on mean Happy Dance for you :o) That is awesome and what an accomplishment. You "should" be proud! I can't wait to see what you stitch up in 2010.

Your Christmas sounds like it was just lovely. I'm glad it was enjoyed by you and your family :o)

What a lovely gift! I have to say that stitchers are the most generous of people :o)

Blu said...

Congrats Carol. 52 happy dances are no small thing!
Looking forward to seeing all of them in one giant display.

So....what's the plan for '10?

Vinniey said...

One ornament per week! Wow! And you did it! Congratulations! Can't wait to see the picture of all your ornaments. I think it must be very excited to see all your hard works gather together. I'm happy to have you as my stitching friend too :) Your cinnamon rolls look delicious, Carol! I'm glad you have a wonderful christmas with your family. :) Wish you all the best the coming next year! Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations for finishing that last ornament. It looks beautiful. Can´t wait to see all the ornaments togerher in one pictue.
Erla

Catherine said...

Congrats on finishing 52 ornaments! Wow!! I am sure the picture will be amazing. Any plans of a repeat this year?

Kim B said...

WOW! Congratulations!

Barbi said...

Congratulations on your accomplishment! It's going to be amazing to see all of them gathered together!

Cindy's Stitching said...

It is beautiful Carol. Your last one and all finished already. I can't wait to see them all in a photo. you must be so excited. What a great year for you. I am so blessed to find your blog. Looking forward to a great year ahead for stitching. Can't wait to see what you will be working on. Happy New Year.

Nic said...

Wow! What a fabulous achievement - major congratulations! What are you thinking of doing for 2010? Resting those smoking needles?

Shari said...

congrats Carol!!!! What an accomplishment. You are truly an inspiration to me!! I have toyed with this idea since finding your blog. I haven't decided for sure yet, but I do know I WILL BE doing a lot more ornaments this coming year.
I totally agree about Christmas with young adults versus kids!! We are right there with ya!!!

Ranae said...

Oh my Gosh!! Carol! you did it!
Congratulations!!
You Rock!!!!
Happy Stitching 2010!!!

Myra said...

Congratulations Carol! I know I have enjoyed each and every one of your ornament posts. I admire your dedication AND your speedy stitching.

I agree with you on the Christmas with adult children. My DS ended up spending Christmas Eve and Christmas night here and it was wonderful to have both the boys at home. We ate, talked, and laughed a lot without all the noisy toy sounds. :o)

Wishing you the best for the New Year. I am anticipating your next project almost as much as I anticipated your ornaments each week!

Theresa said...

Congratulations!!!!! You are so determined!!!!! You should be very proud~ Thanks for sharing this journey with us~

Unknown said...

Congratulations, Carol! I so admire your perseverance!

I, for one, would love to see a picture of your tree. It's hard for me to imagine what so many stitched ornaments look like together. My goal is to eventually have enough to fill trees for both of my kids and myself. So far, I've only enough for about one 2' tree. :)

Lee said...

Congratulations.
Well done
you have inspired me, I managed to stitch five small ones during my 10days holiday two of the designs I saw on your blog. thanks for the inspiration.
look forward to seeing what you stitch in 2010

Paula C. said...

Congratulations on reaching your goal! I hope you have a place that you can keep them on display for a while. You are a great inspiration to all stitchers =)

Sweet Sue said...

Well Carol, it's been a wonderful year! Following your finishes, meeting your goal and making a dear new friendship as an unexpected bonus:) Congrats and enjoy your stunning accomplishment.

What shall it be my dear for 2010? Hmmmmm, the boys' room with a new sign on the door that says *Carol's Craft Room*?

Thank you for the privilege of following you in 2009 and all the very best in 2010!

Sweet Stitchin...

xoxo

Robin said...

You have inspired me to stitch ornaments for my tree. I know I can't even come near the 52 you did. Too many WIP's! Can't wait to see the photo's. Happy New Year to you and yours.

Julie said...

Well done! 52 ornaments is a fabulous achievement, a truly lovely one to make the last one.

Sandrajay: said...

Congratulations, Carol on your fifty-two ornaments! I have been following your blog and have been admiring them. I wish you success with your new goal for next year!

Annie Bee said...

What an amazing journey to stay focused and congratulations on your accomplishment. I can't wait to see what them all together. What challenge does 2010 hold for you.

Tracey said...

Congrats Carol! What an accomplishment! I love this last one- it is gorgeous and looks so dainty done one over one.

Nita said...

Another beautiful ornament. You've inspired me to attempt the same challenge.
Looking forward to seeing all fifty-two ornaments at once - altho I suspect it will be too dazzling to behold - lol!

Viooltje (Violet) said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Viooltje (Violet) said...

(sorry I made a typo in the other comment)

You are... Absolutely Amazing!

***♥*** A WONDERWOMAN! ***♥***

I love this last one ...and you even finished it and stitched a second gingerbreadboy too!?

*ploink*

;o)

(I can't wait to see your next post)

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Congratulations on meeting your goal. Will you be doing a weekly stitching for 2010?

Lois said...

Carol, congratulations on reaching your goal and what a lovely ornament to finish on! What a great sense of achievement you must be feeling and rightly so! I have yet to manage to keep to even stitching an ornament a month through the year and I daren't even admit to how many years I have been wanting to do that! I'm glad you'd such a nice Christmas and yes, Christmas with our 'children' changes over the years and brings different pleasures. Like yourselves, it is rare for us to be all together and it is lovely when we are. Wishing you and yours health and happiness in 2010.

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

STUPENDOUS!!! I love the final ornament and I can't wait to see that photo with all 52!! SWEET!!!

Edit said...

Dear Carol,

Your 52nd ornament is beautiful, just like the other 51. Although I discovered your blog not at the beginning of the year, I enjoyed very much watching your wonderful ornaments week by week. And I look forward to your stitchings in 2010! :)

Our Christmas was also peaceful, with lots of resting, reading, cross stitch :) I managed to by the book "The thousand splendid suns" and I can't wait to read it each night.

I wish you Happy New Year and all the best for 2010!

Edit

jayne@~an eye for threads~ said...

You are nuts. lol Congratulations, I think I can say that you are the most dedicated to sticking to a stitching plan. Wow. What's up for this year? Hope it's a healthy, happy and stitchy 2010.
Be always in stitches.

Rachel S-H said...

Congratulations on reaching your goal, and ending with such a beautiful ornament!

Mylene said...

Another lovely ornament, Carol. Congratulations!!

Happy Holidays to you and your family!

Brigitte said...

I love this one so much as I'm a huge Prairie Schooler fan. Congratualtions on achieving your challenge. What a happy dance!

Michelle said...

Congratulations Carol! That is a spectacular achievement - I can't wait to see all 52 of your beautiful pieces together in one pic!

Glad to hear you had a good Christmas. A Happy New Year to you and your family!

Sympathetic Threads said...

Congratulations!! I think you have done a marvelous thing. :)

Karen said...

Kudos on such a wonderful task! I just recently found your blog but loved looking back at your progress. Wishing you many happy stitches in the new year....

Laural said...

You did it!!! It has been so much fun seeing all of your new ornaments each week too. Do you have your next stitching project/piece planned yet?

Your Christmas sounds lovely!

Janaina said...

OMG! You really made it?! Wide open mouth now!You have all reasons to be proud of yourself, girl! Congrats!
Just found your blog and Im gonna look around.
Hope 2010 can bring you way much more happiness than 2009.
Big hug from sunny Brazil!

Meari said...

Congrats on achieving your ornament goal! That is really amazing. :)

Carolyn NC said...

Congratulations - awesome work! Hope you have a wonderful 2010!

Dee said...

I love the PS Season's Greetings ornament! Did you use DMC 918 for the letters? I want to stitch it with a different color, maybe more of a deep red since it (918) looks like burnt orange-red color.

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