A new year begins...

January is half over and I haven't even popped in to wish you all a Happy New Year yet! I hope your 2023 is off to a great start... All is fine here and tomorrow I'll be celebrating yet another birthday. How can that be? It feels as though I just wrote about my 67th birthday and here I am 365 days later... Yes, I'm turning 68 tomorrow--just two years left until the big one! I've received some lovely birthday gifts and cards which I'll share with you in my next post. Today, I want to concentrate on the last of my stitching for 2022--the gifts I sent to friends around the world. As I've said, many times, I so wish I could send out more gifts, but I am only human. Perhaps if I could exist on two hours of sleep each night? Anyway... I hope you enjoy these and, perhaps, get some inspiration for stitching gifts of your own.

This JBW Designs star is from a chart called "French Country Ornaments." I left off the word "star" that was on the original chart and finished it as a simple round ornament. This one is stitched on 40 ct. white Newcastle linen with one strand of Sulky thread 1169 (which is similar in color to DMC 221). I made some cording using DMC 221 and added a gingham bow and gold star charm to the bottom of the ornament.

JBW Designs "French Country Ornaments"

 

The Prairie Schooler deer design is one I've stitched before--a couple of times in fact! It is from the 1998 Just Cross Stitch Ornament magazine and is called "Two by Two: Deer." It was stitched on a piece of 40 ct. mystery linen with the suggested DMC colors. Again, I made some cording and added a gingham bow (have you noticed how much I love little gingham bows?!).

Prairie Schooler "Two by Two: Deer"

This pair of Prairie Schooler Santas will also look familiar as they among my favorites to stitch for gifts. I've stitched this one at least six times, I think! One of these was a Christmas gift, one was a thank you gift and, I'm happy to say, both were very well received. This Santa is from the Prairie Schooler "Kris Kringle" (book no. 62) and was finished into an oval. I believe these were stitched on 40 ct. raw natural Newcastle linen--not quite sure as I forgot to write it down.

Prairie Schooler "Kris Kringle" (book no. 62)

Another design that I've stitched several times before is the JBW Designs "Christmas Motif Sampler II." These are such fun pieces to stitch with all the miniature motifs charted to form a Christmas tree. I stitched it "over one" on 25 ct. Victorian green Lugana using DMC 3865. I did make one change and substituted another bunny for the deer that was charted underneath the tree. I liked the symmetry of the two rabbits facing each other (of course!). The two-toned cording and satin bow finished it off quite nicely, don't you think?

JBW Designs "Christmas Motif Sampler II"

This sweet cardinal stitched on black is one of my favorites! He is from the Plum Pudding Needleart "Winter's Song" chart. For this one, I used 28 ct. black Monaco and the suggested DMC colors. Such a cheerful little ornament!

Plum Pudding Needleart "Winter's Song"

My final stitched gifts were made into cards for various friends. The three on the right you'll recognize because I stitched that design for my November 2022 ornament, too. It is by Heart In Hand and is called "Pocket Round: December 25." It's stitched on 40 ct Vintage Country Mocha Newcastle using a mixture of DMC and overdyed threads. The pink design (using DMC 3326) is a freebie from L'R de rien which you can find right here. I used 40 ct. white Newcastle to make it small enough to fit into the card opening. Finally, the card on the bottom left may look familiar because it is a smaller version of my ornament from December (which you can find more information about here). It is a sweet motif from Madame Chantilly's "Celebrate Winter" chart  and is stitched on 40 ct. raw natural Newcastle linen using most of the suggested DMC colors.

 Stitched cards sent to friends around the world

 

Last, but certainly not least--I stitched an ornament for my 2 1/2 year old grandson's third Christmas. I thought this Annie Beez Folk Art design was so adorable with that cute snowman trying to sell his wagon full of snowballs for 5 cents each! It is part 4 of her "Snowy 9 Patch" designs. The original had a square red zig-zag border, but I wanted a round ornament so I gave the poor one-armed snowman another arm and left off the border. This was the first time I had stitched on the 32 ct. petit point raw/white Belfast linen and, to my surprise, I rather enjoyed it! The coverage of the white printed dots was quite good using two strands of thread. I stitched Mister B's name "over one" using black DMC thread and it looks so cute. For privacy, though, I've covered up most of the name.

Annie Beez Folk Art "Snowy 9 Patch" (block 4)

And here is a photo of the little elf himself "fixing" the tree at our belated Christmas celebration last Sunday in Maryland. He rearranged the ornaments many, many times as you can imagine! I just can't get over how tall he has grown--very "long and lean" as they say. What a change from the little baby shown in this photo on his very first Christmas back in 2020!

Santa's little helper--Mister B!

Thank goodness I snapped a photo of him in his Santa suit early on as that hat didn't last long! Here he is again with Nonna and Pompaw before opening presents. We had such a fun morning watching him open his gifts! He was so excited over each and every little thing (well, except for the clothes--ha ha!). My youngest son and his girlfriend were also able to join us as they live just 40 minutes away from my grandson and his family in the heart of Washington, DC. We all enjoyed  a tasty brunch of blueberry pancakes, French toast casserole, scrambled eggs, bacon, fresh fruit, and orange juice before opening gifts. I'm already looking forward to next Christmas when everyone will be here!

Belated Christmas in Maryland

I meant to share the following photos with you in my last post, but it slipped my mind. After I take the "Parade of Ornaments" pictures each year, I move my dozen new ornaments to my Christmas tree. But, I certainly don't want to leave the stairway garland bare so I've begun filling it with ornaments I have been given over the years. Some are from long ago friends who no longer blog, some are from current stitchers and Instagram friends. Chances are, if you've ever sent me an ornament--it is on this garland. I love seeing these beautiful reminders of stitching friendships that started from the time I began blogging in 2009. Thank you one and all--these mean so much to me!

Ornaments from stitching friends around the world!

 

Giveaway winner... Thank you for joining in on the fun and answering the last "Getting to Know You" question! I enjoyed reading about your goals and resolutions for this new year. So far, I'm not doing very well on my goal of getting out of bed earlier--it's just too cold! I want to snuggle under the covers and read the morning away! I hope you are all achieving your own goals a bit better...  I had several entries for the Waxing Moon winter chart and the winner is...

Kathy H. from New Hampshire

Kathy H.--you are the winner of the "Winter Things" chart. Please email me with your address and I'll get the chart off to you this week!

If you are a Christmas ornament stitcher, you may wish to join me in my #12in23ornament stitch along over on Instagram. The goal is to stitch and finish one ornament each month in order to have a dozen new ornaments for your tree (or to give as gifts) by year's end. It's so much fun to see the cute finishes from stitchers around the world each month and it's a wonderful way to "meet" new stitching friends. No need to sign up--just add the hashtag #12in23ornamentstitchalong to your ornament posts on Instagram. This is our third year creating ornaments for the stitch along and we'd love to have you join us!

A new year--a new ornament stitch along begins!

 

My views on January have definitely changed over the past few years... I used to hate the month and dread the way its gray days and cold nights seemed to drag on forever. But now I relish the peace and quiet of the month after the hustle-bustle of Thanksgiving and Christmas. I enjoy the soft blues and whites in my more limited decorations and I truly enjoy the extra time I have to stitch, read, and just putter around the house. Who else loves to putter (or potter as they say in England!)? There is nothing better than a day with no outside commitments where you can just stay inside and do whatever makes you smile! So, January--forgive me... for so long I viewed you as my least favorite month. Now you've jumped near the top of the list! 

My grandma's dough bowl is filled with lots of pale blue and white ornaments and is sitting on a vintage quilt from my husband's family. The whole vignette makes for a cozy winter scene on our kitchen table this month!

And that wraps up the first post of the new year! Did you know that January 24th will mark the 14th anniversary of my blog? The world of blogging has seen many changes since I began "Stitching Dreams" in 2009, hasn't it? Reading blogs has definitely become less popular, but I still view it as my primary connection to cross stitchers. The relationships formed are stronger and much less superficial than those made on other social media platforms. So, thank you--each one of you, who has left a comment or sent an email my way because of "Stitching Dreams." You've touched my life in such wonderful ways. Here's to another year of successful blogging and stitching--I hope you'll join me! Bye for now...

Thankful at year's end

Hello, my friends! I can't believe there are only two days left in 2022, can you? I can honestly say this past year has not been the best for our family, and yet, I continue to count my blessings. The sad times will fade to distant memories, but I have faith that the good times will continue to shine brightly in my mind. I am so thankful for my family and friends, my hobbies, my home, my health. I truly have been blessed in this life...

The view from my kitchen into my sunroom

 

I've also been blessed to be part of the stitching community here on my blog and on Instagram--what a wonderful bunch you are! I received some lovely Christmas presents from many of you and I'd like to publicly thank each gift-giver today. In no particular order, I received these lovelies in December...

From June: a  charming nativity stitched card, Madame La Fée chart, bookmark, and fabric. Thank you my friend!

From Vickie: a beautiful handmade scissor sheath in the prettiest floral fabric. Thank you, my friend!

From Stasi: a lovely ornament and a small kit with lots of pretty blue threads. Thank you, my friend!

From Cindy (cindyderosa on Instagram): a lovely Noel ornament and a yummy gingerbread dark chocolate bar. Thank you, my friend!

From Robin (robin_in_virginia on Instagram): a beautiful bird-themed ornament and a cut of one of my favorite linens. Thank you, my friend!

From Claire B. (blackberryhill1 on Instagram): one of her beautifully sewn wool strawberries in navy blue, and an adorable blue and white thread ring. Thank you, my friend!

From April (in Virginia): a sweet framed stitching of holly, a Christmas notepad, and some delicious chocolate-covered pecans. Thank you, my friend!

From Cindy C. (cindycstitches on Instagram): a lovely Christmas Joy ornament and the sweetest quilled card. Thank you, my friend!

Three darling stitched cards from my German friends.  Right to left from: Martina, Manuela, and Gabi

I sent out quite a few gifts, too, but I'll save them to share with you in my next post. Thank you also to those of you who sent cards in the mail--I do love to receive a good old-fashioned Christmas card. Many thanks to Sandy, Marilyn, Georgia, Barb R., Karen Y., Lee, Tricia, and Charlene... I truly enjoyed reading each one!

And, I would be remiss if I didn't offer two more thank yous--to those generous stitchers, Janet in Texas, and Linda in North Carolina, who so nicely passed on charts that I could use as giveaways on my blog from time to time. I truly appreciate your giving spirits, Janet and Linda--thank you again! And I know all of you folks who have won a chart this year through the giveaways, thank you, too.

Giveaway time... We haven't had a giveaway in a while, have we? Well, how about today? This cute chart (from Janet in Texas) will be a perfect winter stitch for one of you, don't you think? It is called "Winter Things" and is a design from Waxing Moon Designs. Who would like to win it? I'll pick the winner at random and announce the name in my first post for 2023...

If you would like to win this chart, please follow the guidelines below:

To be included in the drawing for the chart, please...

1) Specifically mention that you would like to win the chart in your comment 

2) Be a follower in my blog's sidebar (to the right)

3) Make sure to leave your email address in your comment (if I don't already have it).

4) Answer the "Getting to Know You" question below. 

Getting To Know You...  My question for today is: "Do you have a New Year's resolution or something you would really like to work on or change about yourself in the coming year?" My answer... I don't make New Year's resolutions, but I do have something I really want to change about myself...  I want to get up earlier! I've developed this very bad habit of laying in bed for a couple of hours each morning checking emails, scrolling through social media, reading the news, etc. when I could be up and doing something useful like reading a book, stitching (or even cleaning!) instead of wasting time. That is definitely something I want to work on to change in 2023. Time is so fleeting--I can't afford to be wasting it! How about you--is there anything you want to change about yourself?

Our Christmas was quiet and cold--the poor woodland creatures came in droves to our bird feeders during the zero degree temperatures. Thankfully, it has now warmed up to unseasonably warm days for a while and the snow has all melted. It sure was nice having a white Christmas, though. My middle son and his girlfriend were able to join us for Christmas Eve dinner (traditional manicotti and homemade multi-grain bread) and then also for a late brunch where we baked our once-a-year cinnamon buns (you can find a link to the recipe and a photo right here). After brunch we all sat in front of the toasty fire and worked on puzzles or stitched--a most relaxing day.

A trio of hungry deer visit on Christmas Eve

 

Even the Mourning Doves, who normally feed from the ground, couldn't stand the cold snow. It was so unusual to see them perched up high!

 

We do plan on having a late Christmas (in Maryland) with my grandson, Mister B, in just a week and I can't wait. I love seeing his joy as he opens gifts. I mailed a little Christmas card to him with some simple stickers in it and you would have thought I sent him the best toy ever! "Stickers!" he excitedly exclaimed as he pulled them out of the card. And then, prompted by his mom, he sweetly said, "Thank you, Nonna and Pompaw" and blew us a kiss through the camera. Sigh... he melts our hearts!

I began this post with a photo of our Christmas tree as seen from my kitchen into our sunroom. I'll leave you with a photo of our family room as reflected in the mirror over our sofa. I happened to glance at the mirror and thought it looked so pretty reflecting all the Christmas lights that I just had to take a photo.

Christmas Day 2022 (that's my blue stitching chair looking unusually tidy for a change :)

So another year is over... oh, how I wish they would slow down! At my age, I feel like things are rushing by way too quickly. Do any of the rest of you feel that way? We will usher in the new year in our usual quiet way--watch a movie on television, and maybe (just maybe!) stay up until midnight. More likely not... I wish you each a new year filled with good health and happy days. Thank you for all the love and support you've given me and my blog in 2022--each comment and email really does warm my heart. See you all in 2023! Bye for now... 

Wishing you every happiness in 2023!

Christmas greetings...

Merry Christmas Eve eve, everyone! I'm finally feeling ready and anticipating our (quieter-than-normal) Christmas. It will be different this year without most of my family here, but we raise our children to fly so I'm glad my sons have each found a special someone to share their lives with. And that means sharing holidays with their families as well. If all goes as planned, we'll celebrate a late Christmas in early January with at least two of them--maybe all three--down in Maryland. In the meantime I have to be satisfied with photos and FaceTime with Mister B!

I often wonder whether or not to post photos of my Christmas tree because, to me, it looks the same year after year except with an additional twelve ornaments thrown on. But, I know there are some new readers here at "Stitching Dreams" and my "older" readers still seem to enjoy seeing it even after all these years. I have now moved my twelve newest ornaments from my staircase garland and hung them on the tree. I've replaced the ornaments on my staircase garland with my stitched gifts from friends around the world--both past and present. I'll be sure to share some photos of them with you in my next post.  So, may I present my 2022 Christmas tree...

2022 Christmas tree (with a small two foot tree in the background in my family room!)

This year I chose to hang similar groups of ornaments together to showcase them. We have ...

The sweet and charming "Birds of a Feather angels." I so wish they would reprint this chart and feel very lucky to have borrowed it from a stitching friend on Instagram

The Little House Needleworks "Hometown Holiday" series. Hmm... which one should I stitch next year?

My Prairie Schooler Santas which account for probably one-fifth of my ornaments!

How do you decorate your tree? Do you put similar ornaments together or mix them all up? This year I put very few non-stitched ornament on the tree--I just didn't feel like unpacking everything.

I like the finished look that the gold beaded garland gives the tree

So many memories...

This year, 24 of the ornaments stitched on black are displayed in my Pottery Barn cubby so it's not quite as crowded looking.

 

And, of course, I took a couple of photos at night... 

Aren't the reflections of the lights in the windows beautiful?

Can you spot my childhood Santa sitting underneath the tree? He must be over 60+ years by now!

 

We are experiencing one of the coldest Christmas weekends ever here in western Pennsylvania. It is 0° (-17.8 C) as I write this on Friday afternoon. And I know that is nothing compared to some places in the northern United States. But, we are warm and toasty inside, layered up with blankets, and enjoying the heat emanating from the oven as a few more cookies are baked for Christmas. I feel safe and cozy and am so relieved I don't have to venture outside for any last minute gifts or groceries. I've been watching the poor birds struggle against the blowing snow and high winds today and I wonder how they survive all winter? But, like most of us, they must be stronger and more resilient than they appear at first glance. 

This poor house finch appears to have lost some of its tail feathers. He was huddled against the cold in the rhododendron bush outside my husband's den.

I wish each of you a very blessed Christmas... It's not always easy, is it, to feel joyful and happy when everyone around you seems to be feeling that way and things are not quite right in your world? Some of us are far from family members, some of us  have recently lost loved ones, some are fighting Covid or the flu, others are dealing with even more serious health issues. And some just struggle, in general, at this time of year. My thoughts are with each of you. Take care now and I hope you know how much I appreciate you and your visit today! I'll be back with one last post before year's end. Bye for now... 

Merry Christmas one and all

2022 Parade of Ornaments

Welcome! Welcome! The 13th annual "Parade of Ornaments" is about to begin! I hope you're all snuggled up in your warm houses with a nice cup of tea, coffee, or cocoa (in my case!) and can just relax and enjoy the parade. The weather here is a bit nippy, but we finally received a light snow last night--perfect indoor parade-watching weather, I'd say.

Before we begin, I want to say thank you... Thank you for taking the time to read my blog, thank you for the encouragement and support you give me (and other stitchers!), thank you for your thoughtful comments and emails, thank you for inspiring me with your stitching, thank you for being such a kind and caring group! I feel so blessed to have found this online community of cross stitchers through my blog way back in 2009 (and now on Instagram)--if only the whole world were filled with such supportive folks! We are so very blessed, aren't we?

Now, I have a confession to make--this year's parade organizer (that would be me!) did a rather shoddy job of putting the participants in the correct order on the parade route... She mixed up the order of Miss April and Miss May and Mr. July is lined up after Miss September. What? Doesn't she know the correct order of the months of the year? I'm not sure what happened, but there was no way I was going to retake the photos so what you see is what you get... Just know that they are labeled with the correct month and kindly ignore the order they appear along the banister :)

2022 "Parade of Ornaments"

Every year when I see that red dining room shown in the background at Christmas time, I love it! But, during the remainder of the year, I don't--it's simply too dark in there, especially since we have a large front porch just outside which darkens it even more. Every year, I say I'll be painting it a lighter color--do you think 2023 will be the year? 

I'm sure you'd like a closer look at each ornament, right? Well, here you go...

January ~ March 2022

April ~ June 2022

July ~ September 2022

October ~ December 2022

I think this may be my most eclectic bunch of ornaments yet! You have the whimsical Birds of a Feather angels mixed in with the more serious Prairie Schooler Santas. Throw in the daintily pretty Renato Parolin June ornament in blue and the charming round Madame Chantilly December robin ornament and you have quite the mix. But, I love each and every one! I enjoy seeing a mixture of styles and shapes on my tree--I think it really sets it apart. As usual, I'd love to hear what your personal favorite is? Here are some close-ups to give you a better look. You can click on the caption below each one and be taken to the exact post for that finish for more information if you wish...

JANUARY

"The Hometown Diner" by Little House Needleworks

 

FEBRUARY

Prairie Schooler's "Santa's 12 Days of Christmas" (Book No. 125)

 

MARCH

Prairie Schooler Mini Card Set A (Santa with Pear)

 

APRIL

Birds of a Feather  "Christmas Angel Ornaments"

 

MAY

Birds of a Feather "Christmas Angel Ornaments"

 

JUNE

Renato Parolin "Inverno"

 

JULY

Prairie Schooler "Santa Moon" (Book No. #53)

AUGUST

Birds of a Feather "Christmas Angel Ornaments"

SEPTEMBER

Birds of a Feather "Christmas Angel Ornaments"

OCTOBER

My Fanny Design "Santa Collection #1"

NOVEMBER

Heart In Hand "Pocket Round: December 25"

DECEMBER

Madame Chantilly "Celebrate Winter"

So, who has a favorite? I actually think mine is the very last ornament I stitched this year--the charming December finish with the little robin perched on the white house. It simply makes me smile and I don't think I'll ever get tired of it.

On the floor next to the stairs, I did something different this year. I added a new 24" tree resting in a black metal sleigh alongside a cute red and white Santa and some Christmas greens. It fills in that area so nicely and the tree offers a soft glow at night. 

Love the red and white checked cloth Santa!

The staircase at night

I hope you enjoyed this year's parade! Many of you have told me you've found inspiration in the ornaments I've stitched over the years so I've made links to each year's ornament parade to give you even more ideas. Just click on the year and you'll be taken right to the "Parade of Ornaments" post for that particular year:  2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2010. Enjoy!

A final look at the 2022 twelve

So what happens next?  I'll soon be moving these newest dozen ornaments to my Christmas tree and will be sure to take some photos for you! Don't worry, though, as my staircase garland won't stay bare for long. It will be filled with all of the wonderful ornaments gifted to me by many of you throughout the years. I love displaying them and recalling friendships, both old and new. They'll be adorning my staircase garland until I take my Christmas decor down in early January. 

Christmas is just one week away and I hope everyone enjoys the next seven days. I have to admit to being a bit "down" this year as I won't see my grandson... It's only fair that he spend every other Christmas with his mom's side of the family, but it's still hard. We are saving his presents, though, and hope to go down to Maryland to have a late Christmas with him in January-- fingers crossed! Thanks so very much for joining me today on this annual parade post. Hope you've enjoyed yourselves! Bye for now...