Saturday, January 16, 2010

Christmas Bells Are Ringing!









Well, I know it's January, but, for me...it's still all about Christmas! I finished the first block of Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow and am in love with the colors. The whole block looks like it is just exploding with the love and hope and joy and happiness and good will to men (and women!) that Christmas is supposed to represent. I love the peacock and his tiny, gold crown, don't you? I'll have to admit that it is taking me a while to get used to stitching on such a huge piece of linen after a whole year of doing nothing but small projects, but I'm slowly getting accustomed to it. I went back and forth on what to stitch it on, but finally decided on 32 ct. Flax Belfast Linen and I'm happy with my choice. I knew I would have to feel this fabric for a l-o-n-g time so I had to go with a fabric that I enjoyed touching! Anyway, one block down, only 11 more to go...

I've said it before, but I'll say it again, stitchers are such a special group of generous and thoughtful people! I received the most amazing birthday gift yesterday from my blogging friend, Myra. It literally brought tears to my eyes to think that someone I have never even met would make this beautiful and perfectly stitched "project pouch" for me. Try clicking on the photo to enlarge it so you can see all the amazing details close up. The colors are just delightful and as you can see, my latest project is waiting patiently in it for me to start on it! She included the sweetest little quilted birthday postcard, too, and the bag zips up with a small, silver flower charm. I will treasure it always, Myra, and think of you each time I use it. Thank you so very much, my friend...

And... I received an extremely sweet gift certificate from eHandcrafts.com from a secret stitching friend last week! Now which one of you generous friends sent this to me? I was awake half the night going back and forth trying to figure out who could have been so very thoughtful. She described me in the email notice as a "special person." Well, I beg to differ--you, kind friend, are the special person and I wish I could thank you in person. Sending you a huge hug and my genuine thanks for brightening my day...Your kindness means so much to me:)

Don't forget to take a peek at my previous post and enter for a chance to win one of my birthday giveaways... The contest will remain open until 5 PM on January 29th... Good luck to all. And thank you for your kind birthday wishes...this has been a hard one for me and it makes it a bit easier knowing I have so many wonderful friends out there.

Hope your week is a special one...

32 comments:

Edit said...

Dear Carol,

Your stitching is simply beautiful, I can't tell how much I like it. Looking forward to see as it develops.

And your presents for your birthday... it is so great that through blogging we can meet so many wonderful people and have good friends.

Happy birthday to you!
Edit

Shari said...

beautiful!!!!!!!! One down! That is great! I love projects where you can call each part a finish!!!! Great job!!!

Hillery said...

I love this design. Yours looks wonderful. I have been eyeing this pattern too, but not sure if I could get to it any time soon. I'll keep it on my wish list. Can't wait to see more of your progress.
Hillery
North Country Samplings

Catherine said...

I love your progress - your stitching is so lovely!

What thoughtful and beautiful gifts you were sent. Enjoy them!

Julie said...

Block 1 looks fabulous, cant wait to watch this one grow over the coming weeks.

A know a lot of stitchers who are very special, i didnt know you had a birthday so the gift wasn't from me. Beautiful gift from Myra.

Ranae said...

Pretty square, love the colors too.
What wonderful friends you have to get that beautiful project pouch made by Myra and a gift certificate.

Kellie said...

CaHRH block one looks great!!!! I know what you mean about the colors and the overall design. This is going to be a very fun stitch this year, I think. I am at the same spot that you are...finished with block one and ready to stitch block two, which I would like to have stitched by the end of January, but not sure I will make it as other things are occupying my stitching time lately. I love all the crowns in this first block and I think the peacock has such a pretty, dainty look.
I like the linen that you chose. It is a very pretty color. The feel of linen is very important in such a large project.

Jules said...

What a beautiful project pouch! I am sure you will enjoy that for years to come...

Myra said...

Wow Carol! Seeing that block makes me want to start stitching this too. I love the colors in it. You are such an enabler. :o)

Thank you for your kind words and lovely pictures of the project pouch. You make it look even prettier. Now you know nosy me wants to know what chart that is inside that you are going to be stitching. Wonder who your secret stitching friend is? That was very kind and thoughtful.

Happy Birthday again my friend!

Siobhán said...

Wahoo! Congratulations on your first block finish, Carol! It looks great. Perfect choice for your linen.

Laural said...

Happy Birthday!!
Your finished block is beautiful!! I can't wait to see the rest of them.

Kim B said...

Beautiful finish Carol! And such sweet gifts to receive! The anonymity of the ehandcrafts gift is really neat!

Cole said...

That block is gorgeous!! It looks wonderful on the linen you chose too. I think it's my favorite one off the whole chart.

Blu said...

Block 1 looks lovely! Are you making this a monthly thing or stitching it all in one go?

Annie Bee said...

Wow that is so beautiful and as you say the square explodes with colour and hope. What a beautiful present from Myra and how lovely to get a Gift Certificate.Enjoy them all

Rachel S-H said...

Happy Birthday!

Your stitching is gorgeous!

Angela said...

Your stitching is beautiful! I too am trying to get used to stitching some larger projects but I am challenging myself this year to finish one small project each week too. What wonderful gifts for your bday, enjoy :)

Mylene said...

Your finished block looks beautiful and great gifts received.

Cindy's Stitching said...

Love the colors on this piece. Looking forward to see the progress on this one. Happy Birthday dear friend. Cindy

Kay said...

I love this piece. Very beautiful!

Jackie's Stitches said...

Wow! That IS a beautiful block! I don't think I've seen a close up of that one before. I don't think a block could be more beautiful!

Nic said...

Your block looks fabulous! So far, I'm holding out about getting this, but my resolve is weakening, and seeing finishes like yours doesn't help ;o)

Lois said...

Block #1 is looking great! I love the colours too, they're just so vibrant. It must feel strange going back to a larger piece of fabric after a year away stitching on small bits. What a lovely gift to receive in the mail. I did click on the pictures and had a closer look and it is lovely. What a nice surprise to receive the gift certificate too! Stitchers are definitely some of the nicest, friendliest people!

Brigitte said...

A great little finish this is. And you will see the other blocks will be as much fun to stitch as this one.
And Carol, Happy belated Birthday to you!!! Enjoy all your wonderful gifts.

Daffycat said...

It is so beautiful, Carol! I can't wait to see more!

The gifts from Myra are lovely...isn't she the sweetest?

Wendy said...

Happy Birthday wishes !
your piece is so lovely, it really seems to sparkle right off my computer screen !

I forgot to ask you, but would you mind if I put your blog on my favorite blog list ?

Meari said...

Congrats on your finish :) Nice gifts you received. Enjoy!

Pumpkin said...

HD :o) Block one already done...wow! Beautiful job Carol :o)

Myra did such an incredible stitching job on your project pouch. You are very lucky! And a GC to boot. Special people deserve special treatment sometimes :o)

BrendaS said...

Carol --
Just found your blog and your stitching is beautiful.

I love the CaHRH and I LOVE all the ornaments you made last year. WOW!

BrendaS

Heather said...

HI Carol, thanks for leaving such a nice comment on my blog! I love the one you are doing, it's gorgeous. Christmas stitching is so fun isn't it, and the colors really are beautiful. Have fun on it!

Viooltje (Violet) said...

Ohhhhhhhhhh!
♥♥♥
I love your finished peacock!
***drool***
(you're such a bad enabler, you!)
;o)

Note to self:
... I can not buy and start this one before finishing the houses and the village of HRH...
*Ü*

... but I'll droo. eh *Ü* look at yours!

:o)

Rowyn said...

What a beautiful start to CAHRH!!