Saturday, December 31, 2016

Thank you--one and all!

And suddenly, here we are on this very last day of the year 2016! It seems as if I only blinked and twelve months have passed... Thankfully, 2016 was a wonderful year for my family and I can look back with mainly smiles. Oh, every year has its share of sadness and loss; its disappointments and its "I wish I could do that over" moments, but I can't complain...  Each of you who reads Stitching Dreams, whether you know it or not, has been a big part of my life this past year.  Through your sweet comments, your specially stitched gifts, or your emails simply thanking me for my blog, you've made me feel special and I truly appreciate each one of my stitching friends! 

I haven't been stitching much since before Christmas, but I wanted to share with you today the wonderful  gifts I was blessed with from stitching buddies around the world.  I'll share them in the order I received them...

From June in England came a cheery ornament with the cutest pompom trim, some fabric, ribbons, a PS mini-chart, and some chocolates.
Christmas gifts from June

From Lois in Northern Ireland came a lovely PS Strawberry ornament, some ribbons, mints, post-it notes, a new Christmas chart, and a sweet drawstring bag.
Christmas gifts from Lois


From Cindy in Tennessee came a darling Friendship ornament, a beautiful project roll made by Faye, a sweet gingerbread man, a snowman ornament and some pretty guest towels.
Christmas gifts from Cindy


From Myra in North Carolina came two beautifully sewn pillowcases, a bobbin nest to corral my ever-increasing number of bobbins, some pretty fabric squares and the cutest cross-stitched themed coasters!
Christmas gifts from Myra

From Gabi in Germany came not one, but, two sweet ornaments on two of my favorite subjects: cardinals and cheery snowmen.
Christmas gifts from Gabi


From Robin in Virginia came a darling snowman ornament to add to my collection, a whimsical rabbit pillow in my favorite colors of blue and yellow, and two Moda charm packs to aid in my future finishing endeavors.
Christmas gifts from Robin

From Nathalie in France came a pretty striped wool scarf, some DMC  floss, a Christmas decoration and hearts, and some tasty white chocolate.

Christmas gifts from Nathalie


From Lynda in England came a sweet "Welcome Christmas" ornament with the cutest button/charms, some fabrics, a multitude of cotton threads, some lip balm and the cutest box of shortbread biscuits.
Christmas gifts from Lynda

What did I do to deserve such spoiling? Thank you all so much! I still shake my head in awe that I've "met" so many special stitchers through my blog. I feel truly blessed to have made such caring friends...

So, what lies ahead in 2017? I am not one to make stitching plans as I have to be in the right mood to stitch different things. I admire those of you who meticulously plan ahead and have lists and kitted-up projects that would last you for years. I have trouble juggling more than one project at a time for some reason; if I leave a project, I just can't muster up the interest in it when I try to return to it... That being said, I do hope to finish the With Thy Needle and Thread "Birds Of a Feather" sampler that I've had on the back burner for way too long.

So, my friends, I do hope 2017 brings you much good health and happiness. I so love the peacefulness of January and even enjoy the cold and snowy weather as it offers me more time to sit and stitch or read. It will be interesting to see what this year brings, but I'm so glad that I have you blogging friends to help inspire me, teach me, and enable me! Thank you all... bye for now! 

Happy New Year! Welcome 2017!

77 comments:

butterfly said...


What lovely gifts you have had for Christmas Carol.
You are so loved .
Wishing you the best of year's for 2017 , hugs & Kisses

Arlene G said...

I am sure you were doing a happy dance, receiving all those wonderful goodies. Thanks for visiting me at my blog. I have so enjoyed yours over this year. I hope 2017 is a great year for all my stitchy friends.

Amy said...

Such lovely gifts! To me, your blog is a gift - I know that sounds cheesy, but I always love to see your stitching and read your stories. It's like having a cup of tea with a friend. Sending you wishes for a wonderful 2017!

Kate said...

These are awesome gifts, Carol!
Happy New Year.

The Knitting Cross Stitcher said...

Thank you for sharing your photos of your lovely gifts Carol,each one of the stitched gifts are gorgeous.
Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year.

Vickie said...

Oh Carol! What a variety of gifts from friends far and wide. I love seeing names of friends from long ago on your list. :D
Happy New Year my friend!

Robin in Virginia said...

Carol, you received many lovely gifts from near and far. I hope the New Year brings you many smiles and lots of stitching. Happy New Year, my friend!

Cindy said...

What lovely gifts you have received from your generous bloggy friends! Nothing like getting surprises in the mail, right? I wish you a wonderful new year for you and your family!

Melissa said...

Beautiful gifts, Carol, and well deserved I am sure! Here's wishing you and your family the very best for a Happy New Year! I know yours will be an exciting one what with a wedding in the works!

Vicki said...

Great variety of gifts from friends, what a way to brighten the holidays! I enjoy reading your blog and look forward to seeing what you're up to in the new year. Happy 2017!

CalamityJr said...

Thank you for sharing your gifts of friendship and creativity through your photography and writing. I always look forward to a new post, both to hear what you've been up to and to see your new stitching and finishing ideas. Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy, and blessed 2017.

Jan said...

What wonderful gifts! I'm enjoying your beautiful blog and getting lots of stitching ideas. Blessings in the New Year!

Pam in Virginia said...

Carol - it is YOU who give us a gift each time you write another entry in your blog. The superb photography of your projects and your travels, your well-phrased words and writing style, suggesting napkins from a Kohl's sale for backing fabric, telling us how you've changed thread colors, and always, always thanking us for reading your blog. I know all of us LOVE Stitching Dreams.

Linda said...

Suck lovely gifts Carol. I so look forward to reading your blog.

Happy New Year,
Linda

Shelly said...

Wishing you a wonderful New Year, full of finishes, a wedding?, and Birds of a Feather finished! Hehe. No pressure! What great gifts you received! You do know you are the Grand Dame of stitchy blogs, right?! IMHO! I'm watching Downton Abbey right now which explains the grand dame thing! Well deserved gifts because you gift us with your blog posts throughout the year and that's a treat. Happy New Year!

Karen said...

Such lovely gifts. Thank you for sharing pictures and thank you for your blog. Wishing you a happy and healthy new year!

AnaCristina said...

Happy New Year!! You are my inspiration! Thank you!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNdEWGSDz_r/

Unknown said...

Happy new Year from Hungary!
Im always happy, when i read your blog:-)
Happy sticheing 2017:-)
Csilla

Unknown said...

You have certainly received some beautiful stitched pieces. I have so enjoyed reading your blog this year and looking forward to continuing to do so in 2017. Happy New Year - I hope it is a wonderful and healthy one for you and your family. xx

Daniela Bencúrová said...

Wow, it's beautiful!
Carol, I love your Christmas ornaments!
I wish you health and happiness in 2017!

Unknown said...

What wonderful gifts! I've enjoyed seeing yours and others' stitching via your blog. How nice to have stitching friends. None of mine do cross-stitch but how fun would it be to have a stitching group and be able to meet once a month for coffee, stitching and friendship. I know there must be plenty here in NC but for now, I'll have coffee and read your blog! A wonderful New Year to all!

stitchersanon said...

Gorgeous gifts! Have a very happy and healthy new year xxx

Michèle said...

Hi Carol !
How precious all these gifts are !
I wish you a happy new year ! May 2017 bring you peace and joy for all your family ! And keep you in good health !

Friendly yours

Michèle

Julie said...

A lovely collection of gifts for a lovely lady.
Happy new year!
Xx

Cathy H. said...

Wonderful gifts! I want to thank you for inspiring me to begin cross stitching again! I'd forgotten what pleasure it brought me. Happy New Year to you and your family!

Ann at Beadlework. said...

I wish you all the best from Scotland on what we call Hogmanay - I hope 2017 brings you many good things Carol.

Katie said...

What beautiful gifts indeed! If this Myra is the same one I think I know her. She attends the PALs Retreat in Myrtle Beach in October. Good luck with your 2017 stitching! Enjoy it. Happy New Year.

marly said...

We're grateful for you! Always enjoyable reading and much inspiration. The best to you in 2017.

Ellen said...

Beautiful gifts from wonderful friends, enjoy them!

Wishing you a Happy n Healthy 2017! Looking forwards to more creative ideas from you ha ha!

Hugs,

Theresa said...

I am new here but want to say I love your stitching and seeing
all the gifts from your friends. Happy new year to all.

damar5 said...

Happy New Year:)

Justine said...

Happy new year to you and yours! You certainly have a talented group of friends who made such wonderful gifts.

Manuela said...

So many wonderful gifts from your friend.
I wish you and your family a Happy New Year.
Manuela

Preeti said...

Happy new year , Carol!! You got so many wonderful gifts from your friends :) I like making plans although I may not stick to most of them but planning something gives me a feeling of hope. I have learned not to measure strictly against the plans I laid down so life is peaceful that way.

WOODY said...

Wonderful gifts!! I wish you too a wonderful 2017 and as you I love January having more peace and time to do my stiching 🎊🎉💗🍀💓😘

Lumiruusu said...

You really get lovely gifts from your stitching friends everything is so pretty! ,happy new Year ,Carol!

Syd said...

Happy New Year!

diamondc said...

Happy New Year Carol: You are loved you can tell by all the lovely gifts sent your way.
Happy New Year
Catherine

Annie said...

That is one fabulous array of stitching goodness from good stitching friends.

Happy New Year and hope your stitching dreams all come true.

Pat said...

What a wonderful array of Christmas gifts! I'm sure you will enjoy each and every one of them.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Gabi said...

Whar wonderful gifts!
Happy New Year to you and your family from Germany

Angela Mier said...

Happy New Year! I love reading your blog. What sweet gifts you got! I love the January piece you have as your heading! What is the name of it?
Angie
Mierangela.88@gmail.com

Jennifer said...

I echo the thoughts of so many others in wishing you a happy new year and thanking you for your blog and especially your comments on my blog! What an adventurous year you had and I wish you a healthy and happy 2017! I am like you in that I can't really stitch on more than one project at a time, but I did take the time a few weeks ago to pull out the charts I want to stitch in 2017 and I am ready to go and excited to stitch in the year ahead!

Creative Madness Mama said...

Look so festive around here!

laceystitcher said...

You were truly blessed with such wonderful gifts from your blog buddies! What fun it must have been to receive them and open them - so very thoughtful and lovely. Happy New Year and do enjoy lots of stitchy time in 2017. Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures. Blessings to you..................

María Dolores Jiménez Acevedo said...

A happy new year for you and your family. It's beautiful all you stitch.

Irmeli said...

Happy New Year Carol! Friends are really spoiled you with beautiful gifts, everything is just beautiful.

Christine said...

Such lovely gifts! I wish you a happy and healthy New Year

♥ Nia said...

Hello my sweet friend!!! :D
I hope you had a wonderful christmas season with your family :)
Happpy 2017!! May this year bring you all you wish for!!!
Hugeeeeeeee hug, Nia :)

Lynda Harrison said...

Hello Carol - I hope you and your family have a truly wonderful 2017!
Happy New a year, dear friend!
Love,
Lynda xx

Andrea said...

Carol, what wonderful gifts and goodies you have received. I'm looking forward to another stitching year with you.

Happy New Year.

Lili said...

Such a lovely gifts, Carol!!
Happy New Year!! All the best!!


Mavi. said...

Feliz año nuevo Carol, para ti y todos los tuyos. Y que todas esas puntadas que nos unen en la distancia cada día nos acerquen un poquito más siendo fuente de inspiración.
Un abrazo.

LoriU said...

Oh my what beautiful gifts! Such sweet people stitchers are! Wishing you a very happy new year and looking forward to more of your finishes!

Margaret said...

What lovely gifts from your friends! Such special gifts for a special lady. Happy 2017 to you and yours!

Mini said...

Happy New Year Carol. You have received beautiful gifts from your friends. Looking forward to see more lovely stitching from you in the year.

Mary - Lecoeurceltique said...

Happy New Year, Carol. You received a beautiful selection of gifts from your stitching friends. Like you I don't plan my stitching for the year in advance but tend to stitch according to my mood at the time I start something new.

Sheryl said...

Marvellous gifts from your friends Carol, what an array. Wishing you a very Happy New Year.

Maggie said...

Beautiful gifts from stitchy friends :-)

I have trouble with planning too, although this year i do want to be a bit more organised, i'm not one of those people who kit things up ready because there is always something that catches my eye that i might want to do instead! Some many lovely charts out there and so little time to stitch :-)

I look forward to seeing more of you lovely stitching and finishing in 2017.
Happy new year to you and your family, i hope its a great one.
xx

Aďka said...

Šťastný Nový rok 2017!!! Krásne darčeky...

Happy New Year 2017!!!
Aďka

The Inspired Stitcher said...

Happy 2017! Here's to more wonderful stitching adventures.

Weronika said...

Happy New Year Carol!

Cindy's Stitching said...

Happy new year Carol. So beautiful, all the gifts, from all over the world.

Barb said...

So many lovely gifts! You are kind to so many of us and that shows in all your gifts. I hope you and your family have a very happy and healthy year!

Von said...

What a lovely year-end post!
I do hope that 2017 is good to you and yours!

Will a stitch said...

Hi Carol. Thanks for sharing your lovely gifts from your blogging friends. Your blog is always a pleasure to read and so inspirational with your beautiful stitching and finishing and sharing of family times and travels. Best wishes to you and your family in 2017.

Judy Heartland stitcher

Brigitte said...

You have received some wonderful gifts from your friend from all over the world. Everything was chosen and made very thoughtfully. Enjoy each and everything. And enjoy all the friendship that you experienced through your blog. Happy New Year, Carol!

KrissKross said...

Such lovely Christmas gifts! Thank you f I r making our world more beautiful through your thoughtful, joyous blog posts!

Kristina in FL

Penny said...

So many wonderful gifts, Carol! Wow! You've created such a lovely place to come and visit, and I'm looking forward to following along in the coming year. May 2017 be an amazing year for you and your family!

Clara said...

Wow! You've got such wonderful presents! And, of course, I suppose you deserve them all! Enjoy the new year.

Maggee said...

What a plethora of thoughtful gifts, selected or stitched with You in mind! Thank you for sharing with us, as you always do! Speaking of the Birds of a Feather piece... I finally changed the alphabet color, and immediately gave it to my framer! I look forward to getting it back! Hugs!

Unknown said...

Happy New Year, Carol! Your blog continues iNspiring me!

Kaisievic said...

Wonderful gifts, dear Carol and so very well-deserved - you give us all such joy with your blog. I must ask you about your gorgeous new header - is it a Prairie Schooler design and if so, from which book or else, who is the designer and that gorgeous blue floss colour for the lettering, whose is that? Wishing you a happy and healthy 2017 with wonderful stitching ahead. hugs, Kaye

Hilda said...

You have been gifted so well, my dear friend, but you all deserve it.
You are such a wonderful person and blogger! I really love reading each and every post of you. And I even love more to see your wonderful stitchings.

I am very much looking forward to this new year of amazing stitchings and finishings here at your blog!

Thanks for all!

Hugs
Hilda

The Knitting Cross Stitcher said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Knitting Cross Stitcher said...

ha,I already commented...just shows I read your posts more than once!

Pam in IL said...

Happy February! Loved seeing all the wonderful gifts you received from stitchy friends.