Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Still thankful

Good morning, everyone... I didn't intend to be away this long! I hope you are all hanging in there! I've read on a few stitching blogs that Covid has hit close to home for some of you. Things are really getting bad out there and I am staying put and keeping myself busy with the things I love here at home. Sadly, that means my family won't be here for Thanksgiving--this will be the first Thanksgiving in our 43 years of marriage that my husband and I will be spending alone. I'm sad, but I'd rather stay safe and see everyone for many Thanksgivings to come than risk getting sick. I've always been a very cautious person so this will surprise no one. But, it still hurts to not be with family, doesn't it?

Some of you long-time readers may remember the little bunny pouch that I created back in 2017 (you can read about it in this post ). Well, a little turkey pouch has made its appearance just in time for Thanksgiving. Isn't it adorable? This one is tiny--the pouch measures just 3 1/2 inches from top to bottom (not including the gingham hanger). 

Two tiny Prairie Schooler pouches

I filled the pouch with some shafts of wheat, but you could use dried bittersweet; I think that would be lovely, too. Bittersweet always reminds me of my dear mother as she used to send us kids up to the end of the street to pick some every autumn for her holiday centerpieces. I might just have to plant some in my yard next year in her honor!

The pouch measures just 3 1/2 inches high!

Both the turkey and bunny designs can be found in Prairie Schooler's Book No. 52 which is called "Prairie Year-Rounds." I may just do the Santa one in that same book at some point.  The gingham on the top border and in the hanger is from an old pair of slacks of mine that have received new life by helping to finish off my stitching! These were finished as round hanging ornaments on the front of the booklet--not sure what made me think they would look cute finished into pouches, but I absolutely love them!

Here's a close-up for you!

The little pouch is perfect for hanging on a cabinet knob. You know how much I love tiny things and this is right up my alley!

The turkey pouch will make a nice addition to my future Thanksgiving decorating.

 

And, after ten long years, one of my very favorite Thanksgiving pieces has finally been framed and is on display. Why, oh why, did I wait so long? I've even had the frame for nine of those years, but I just tend to procrastinate when it comes to finishing my larger pieces. In a way, I'm glad I waited as I've become much more confident in my framing skills. You might like to read about my finish from this 2010 post.  The framing tutorial that I use is from With Thy Needle and Thread and can be found right here. It's honestly much easier to frame things yourself than you would think--give it a try!


Finally framed after 10 years!

 

My Thanksgiving piece is stitched on a mystery fabric that I believe is 18 ct. cream Davos. I used the suggested DMC threads--don't you adore these fall colors! Prairie Schooler always gets it just right--the designs are so very timeless and classic. I'm thrilled to have it all finished up... better late than never, right?

Although stitching all those leaves got just a bit repetitive, I'm glad I persevered!
 

Prairie Schooler Santas are among my favorite ornaments to display each Christmas and my oval-finished ones are at the top of the list! A new blue Santa joined his buddies for 2020. I'm happy to introduce you to "Mr. August"--yes, this is my ornament for August (I told you I was way behind!). I did change the color of his robe as I wanted him to match his buddies in blue. All of my oval Santas are stitched on 40 ct. raw natural Newcastle linen.

Another oval Prairie Schooler Santa in blue

The Santa above is from Prairie Schooler's "Father Christmas," but the ones below can be found in three different PS booklets: "Father Christmas" (Book No. 43), "Kris Kringle" (Book No. 62), and "Old St. Nick" (Book No. 58). Do you have a favorite? I think I still love the light blue one carrying the ice skates with the swans on his robe. There is just such beautiful detail in that one! But, honestly, I love them all!

The whole oval PS family!! Which one is your favorite?

 

My September ornament is a tiny one and, surprise, surprise (!!!)--another Prairie Schooler design! This is from "Santa Moon" (Book No. 53) and is stitched "over one" on 28 ct. black Monaco. I did change the color of the star from the suggested DMC ecru to DMC 738. The stitched portion came out to be a mere 1 1/2 inches in diameter so I decided to mount it on a red polka-dot covered round piece of sticky board and border it with ecru cording to make it stand out more on my tree.

 

P.S. Santa Moon finish

I kept the finish simple by just adding a gingham bow and a tiny button while leaving long pieces of cording trailing downward. What do you think?


Love how tiny he is stitched one over one!

My final three ornaments for 2020 are stitched, but I need to finish them before I can share them in my annual "Parade Of Ornaments!" I still can't believe this year is coming to a close, can you? 

I was the lucky recipient of two Random Acts of Kindness in the form of the two charts pictured below. Two Instagram friends, Marilyn F. and Deborah Y. sent me the cute Shepherd's Bush "Pumpkin Harvest" chart and The Drawn Thread "Christmas Cards" chart, respectively. Aren't stitching friends the best? I'll be sure to pass these on when I'm done with them--thank you both so much, Marilyn and Deborah. I'm enjoying seeing more and more of you on Instagram, too! If you'd like to follow me, please click here.  

 

Gifts from Marilyn and Deborah--thank you both!

GIVEAWAY WINNER... I'd also like to announce the winner of the giveaway for the 20  pieces of cording that I offered in my previous post. Drum roll please... the winner is...

GEORGIA  W. ! 

Congratulations to Georgia!

Congratulations to Georgia W. Georgia, please send me your mailing address, and I'll get the cording out to you sometime this week! I'll be having future giveaways, so be sure to keep an eye on this space.

Our yard has been filled with the usual visitors this fall...

Our  local deer family popping in for lunch on a pretty fall afternoon!

 
I took this photo of three turkeys eating fallen birdseed from our upstairs window. Hope they are in hiding this week now that Thanksgiving is upon us!

And then there's that unwanted visitor--that shadow that still looms over all of us--Covid-19. I do have hope that the coming vaccines will be helpful in getting this pandemic under control. I come from a long line of doctors and two of my children (my middle son and my daughter-in-law) are both actively working in labs to combat and do research on various diseases so this vaccine makes total sense to me. The science behind it is is incredible and I so admire all those scientists who have been toiling long hours to research and come up with a solution to help the world feel safe once again. It has helped to maintain a sense of humor over the past nine months, though, hasn't it? The thought below made me chuckle when I saw it on Instagram..

Never thought I'd see myself in the middle of a pandemic, did  you?

In spite of this crazy and upsetting year that we'd all rather forget, I still remain thankful. I was blessed with loving parents and siblings, a wonderful husband, and three amazing sons. Now, I have a beautiful daughter-in-law and sweet grandson in the mix. I miss my mom more than words can say, though. She has been gone four months today and I feel almost more pain than I felt when she died. I know the holidays are hardest after the loss of a loved one, but this year, with no family around for support, makes it even more difficult. How I long to hug my sons... I haven't seen my youngest in eleven months! But, I know we are all in the same boat, so to speak, and we just have to hang in there and be patient a while longer.

I stitched this Heartstring Samplery piece ("Let Us Be Truly Thankful") after my dad died in 2014 and added my parents' birth year (1927) and their initials on either side of the flower stem on the right. I keep this out year-round to remind me to always be thankful and to count my blessings no matter what is going on in my life. I hope you can do the same. Take care now, my friends... and Happy Thanksgiving to you! Bye for now...

"Let Us Be Truly Thankful" finish

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

39 comments:

  1. Such a beautiful post. My husband and I are alone on Thanksgiving day as well; we are in northwestern PA. I think we'll go to Meadville to pick up a good steak at the meat market instead of a turkey.

    We have the same 'visitors' in our yard along with a red fox, bear, and the usual squirrels. In the morning it's fun to look at the video from our Ring doorbell to see who visited us through the night.

    Your finishes are always exceptional; the pouches are so sweet.

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your husband.

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  2. Where to begin? I will say Yes, we need to be grateful and look forward to family celebrations again because we will beat this. It is hard right now, but we will persevere. The holidays are hard without family.
    The oval Santas have long been favorites of mine. I love the one with the birdhouse, but I love this year's apple too. I think a blue Santa with some oranges would be adorable too. Maybe one day I will do just that.
    Those little bags are adorable and will be enjoyed next year. I too except for sitting down to a meal of Thanksgiving with Jeff have started pulling out Christmas.
    Take care and hip hip hooray for FaceTime and Zoom. Who knew as the meme says!

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  3. So glad to see another post from you. Yes this will be a very strange Thanksgiving. First time for us and 49 years we haven’t had our children here for Thanksgiving. Guess I’ll do some stitching🤣

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  4. Lovely post again. The times are strange yes, but there is hope.
    We have another lockdown here in Germany, and I am sure it will be prolonged.
    Your stitching is wonderful. I also stitched the Santas but have not finished yet.
    Have a happy thanksgiving.
    Hugs

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  5. What a lovely post, Carol! Yes, we have lots to be thankful for and look forward to...we just have to be smart, safe and patient. I am so thankful for my craft and the kind people I have met through my needlework and blog.
    Your PS Santas are so sweet...I have been taking a different approach and have been stitching mine on 10 ct Heatherfield with #5 perle cottons. I especially love the colors and leaves on your fall piece--it is fabulous!
    Wishing you and your hubby a quiet, enjoyable Thanksgiving----hang it there!

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  6. Carol, it is always good to see a new post from you. I love both of your pouches. Glad you added a turkey one this year and I do hope you add the Santa one to your collection. Your PS Thanksgiving piece is gorgeous; happy to see it framed and on display. Love your PS Santas -- each and every one of them. We are definitely sisters of the heart when it comes to Prairie Schooler.

    We definitely have much to be thankful for. Other than my family and friends, I am thankful for this stitching (and crafting) community of ours. Wishing you a peaceful Thanksgiving!

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  7. I am sad that we are not all together for Thanksgiving also, but I am right with you on Thanksgiving that it is better to be apart and live to be here for next year! Good thinking Carol! I love the tiny pouches! They are so adorable! I am so glad you framed that lovely turkey! I love your "Let Us Be Truly Thankful" Carol. I can see why you keep it out. I would also. God bless you my friend. I hope you and Tim have a good Thanksgiving.

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  8. My goodness, Carol, you have so many beautiful finishes to share in this post. The little pouches are so cute. Your framing is beautiful. Your Santas are so festive! I showed my grandson the photo of the turkeys and he said "Did she shoot them?" I said "No, she took a picture of them". He said "Good!" hahaha
    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  9. Hi Carol I do feel your pain , life is full of ups and downs .
    Someone said to me once if you have had no downs you will have one day .
    And when I watch or read about peoples lives most people have many ups and many downs
    But yes like you we are thankful for the best that life gives us too .
    My word Carol what beautiful stitching ,love the rabbit bag , and the father Christmas's.
    Also all the lovely Thanks giving stitching .
    Going back at missing family I will never forget the first time we sat on our own I was upset .The next year we had a houseful and I never sat down for almost 12 hours .
    After that I was really happy to be on our own ha.
    My family have their own homes now and do what they like to do .
    But we get together a few times every year when we can .
    Enjoy your thanks giving I will be thinking of you sweet friend .



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  10. I'm always excited to discover a new post from you.

    For the first time in my life I will be completely alone on Thanksgiving Day (well, my sweet dog, Cooper, will be my plus 1 on the couch - LOL) It won't be easy but it has to be this way and I wouldn't have it any other way in order to ensure the safety of my family and I.

    I love your finishes and always look forward to seeing more.

    Take care of you and yours! I know it's a very difficult year for you - I really do know and thoroughly understand. Gentle Hugs!

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  11. All very beautiful stitchding. My favourite santas are the two dressed in red!
    Better to be safe at Thanksgiving - it's alresdy lovely that there are two of you. Some people are completely alone.
    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  12. O carol - your message was such a blessing this
    morning...and I am sharing your 5 yr. chuckle with
    others....If we can shore each other up with prayer and wise spirit, we will get through this
    damnpanic whole. Darlene, I have a Cooper also.
    A blessed Thanksgiving to all.

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  13. Dear Carol,

    i always love seeing your new Blogposts here and on Instagram.
    I'm so sorry that you can't hug your Sons this Thanksgiving.
    But being cautious is the best you can do. I really pray for the vaccines to come faster. Here in Germany we have the second Lockdown. It goes til 4 days before Christmas and i hopeand pray that everyone can see and hug their loved ones this Christmas.
    And you are so right, you need a litte humor, so thank you for the thought :).
    Your stitching is beautiful and your sweet animal Guests are so cute <3.
    Have a peaceful Thanksgiving.

    Sending hugs from Germany
    Amara

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  14. Such sweet little bags!

    2020 is something I don't think anyone predicted would happen. It's hard in different ways for all of us but especially so during the holidays I think. Sending you a hug!

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  15. Your Thanksgiving piece was well worth the wait, it's beautiful Carol. I do love the PS oval finishes too, the simplicity suits them beautifully.
    I wish I could share your optimism over Covid and the vaccine. I don't think I will be in line to get a shot in my arm when it's available, I'm too skeptical. I don't watch the news unless it's a special update as it gets me down.
    I love that you have special 'visitors' to your garden :-)

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  16. Hi Carol - oh what a great posting you have shared with us! Your stitching and finishing is always so special and so wonderful - thank you so much for sharing them with all of us! I just love those adorable little pouches - they are perfect! You are very clever and so creative.

    I could go on and on about all of your Prairie Schooler Santas! I have a lot of the Santa charts - I need to stitch up some of them. Do I remember correctly that you put up a Christmas tree just of Santas or is it snowmen? Either way I know it must be so special! I’m sure we are all looking so forward to seeing your “Parade of Ornaments” this year.

    I do hope you and your husband have a Happy Thanksgiving this year. It is definitely a different way to celebrate but this year has certainly been “different”. All the very best to you and your family! 🦃

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  17. It looks like so many of us are in the same boat! My dear daughter lives only about 1/2 hour way but she has been working so she decided to stay home and not expose her dad and me to anything she might have picked up. I know how you feel, I will really miss her. I am trying, though, to remain very thankful for all the blessings that have been given to me. At least we are hoping to take a walk with her on Friday. We have such beautiful woods up here so a walk would be lovely. Your finishes are beautiful as usual. I do love that Autumn piece you had framed. I am also working on three PS designs to give to my sister and my nieces for Christmas. I hope your Thanksgiving goes well for you. I know how hard those first holidays are when you have lost a loved one! I will be thinking about you and will keep you in my prayers.

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  18. Love all of these Prairie Schoolers! The pouches are the sweetest and that Tom Turkey is so handsome! Your finishing skills are perfection! Happy Thanksgiving!

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  19. Lovely post. I love your little pouches. So adorable. The Thanksgiving piece looks just perfect in that frame. Just meant to be. The Santa holding the moon is my favorite I think even though the birds one is a close 2nd. Love your Santa Moon too. Beautiful with the red polka dot fabric. Great RAKs. I love the pumpkin one. Adorable. Congrats to Georgia. Thanks for sharing your visitors. Stay safe and healthy.

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  20. Our dear Prairie Schooler...always on pointe in the stitching world. And your finishing is always on pointe as well Carol. I am ready to take a vaccine....But then I remember going to our local elementary school to take a sugar cube with a polio vaccine on it. Adults and children were in line. I am sure the lines will be long to get the vaccines but I think it is our only change of returning to something that looks like our old lives.

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  21. These bags are adorable, a completely different variant of the decoration.
    Very nice your picture, and maybe you know the saying "What takes a long time will finally be good" - at least with us it is commonplace.
    oh yes, in the meantime I have also fallen in love with the Santas from TPS and will certainly work more. I am delighted how beautiful your finishes look, I would certainly have some problems with the ovals not to get wrinkles.
    How lucky you are to have these animals in your yard, that is a nice sign, they feel comfortable with you.
    Happy Thanksgiving, Martina

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  22. Grazie Carol per le belle parole. Sicuramente sarà un Giorno del Ringraziamento e anche un Natale diverso, ma l'importante è stare tutti bene e poi si potrà festeggiare e stare insieme ♥

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  23. I really like your special piece which you did for your dad, it is lovely. This year I have stitched a sampler for my Gran with her birth year and initials, she was my favourite person in the world. I have enow started one for my grandma, both have been gone many years but it is a beautiful reminder of their love. x

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  24. Your pouches are too cute, & that Thanksgiving piece is beautiful all framed up.
    The finishing on all of your PS Santas is perfect!
    The one holding the Moon is my favorite.
    That round finish is so pretty on the Santa.
    I am thankful that we are all well & healthy with family members being sick.
    Although small & quiet, have a wonderful Thanksgiving Carol.
    Take care.
    Marilyn

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  25. Carol, you are such and inspiration to so many. Thank you so much for sharing, your many creative cross stitch ideas. I loved reading every inch of your blog today. It was a joy and a quiet time to relax,unwind and simply forget. Thanks to you I have added a couple of patterns to my wish list (as if I don't have enough). Thank you so much for the cording. I will use them and learn. And, I didn't have to wear a mask to read your blog:) Have a wonderful, blessed and joy filled Thanksgiving my friend:)

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  26. Lovely to see a post from you. I am so glad that all my American friends are being sensible the year and staying put! Hopefully things will improve for you in the New Year and you can return to some semblance of normality. You must be so proud of your family working in research for a vaccine too.
    Love the ornaments. My favourite PS Santa is the blue one with the stars and moon. But they are all lovely.
    Glad you got your framed piece finally framed and on display too. Funny how quick ten years goes by!

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  27. What a lovely post Carol - your finishing and framing is just perfect, and I hope the pieces will bring you some joy as you and your husband have your Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. Sending virtual hugs to you with hopes for a vaccine and real hugs with all of your sons and other loved ones soon!

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  28. Hello Carol,
    a lovely post from you.
    I like your finishes very much. The oval finishes with the TPS Santas are so wonderful. I like the TPS Santas more and more.
    Hope you have a wonderful Happy Thanksgiving.
    Until next time, Manuela

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  29. Carol, your pouches and santas are quite lovely. Enjoy your Thanksgiving even though you won't be gathered with family.

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  30. Great post Carol, very heartfelt. I pray this vaccine works too and people will continue to take precautions so we can beat this thing and people can start enjoying their families again and be able to touch them! I love all the Santa ornaments and I could not pick a favorite. I like how they have different color suits on. I also love that little bitty ornament! And your framed piece - WOW it is gorgeous. Thanks for the tutorial.

    Hope your Thanksgiving was joyous with your husband.

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  31. Hello Carol,

    I hope you and your husband had a lovely Thanksgiving. Seeing your finished pieces is always delightful and I'm sure your cupboard decoration this year has been lovely with that framed work and these two matching pouches. You'll be changing those for the Santas soon and I'll be happy to see your Christmas decorations as well. :-)

    Stay safe ♥

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  32. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, despite everything.

    I am putting my hope in these vaccines and the scientists behind them. A friend's nephew's wife is part of the team for the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

    Beautiful stitching. I'm so looking forward to seeing your "parade" and your tree this year. Love the Santas.

    Take care.

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  33. Wonderful post Carol. It was just 3 of us for Thanksgiving but we didn't cook. We went to a restaurant and wore masks going in and everytime we went or refills. My brothers stayed in Phoenix. I could not pick à favorite PS Santa! They're all so lovely! And the PS Thanksgiving piece is just gorgeous! I have to laugh at memes that are about 2020 and that it's going to be a great year..yikes. We just have to keep our humor going. Btw, I have a new blog post up if you'd like to see what I've stitched.

    Stay healthy and safe, Carol, and hubby too.

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  34. Carol: Your Turkey Pouch's are beautiful.
    The Thanksgiving framed piece is lovely.
    All your Santa's are wonderful.
    This is a beautiful post.

    Catherine

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  35. I can not tell you how much I love reading your posts, Carol. Your finishes were so pretty and it is very hard to choose a favorite out of your oval Santas but Santa with the moon jumped out at me. I love the idea of making a pouch with your stitching. I think I may try that with one of my Christmas Santa stitches. Thank you so much for the inspiration and can not wait to see your Parade of Ornaments. Hugs, Melisa

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  36. What a lovely post! I'm sure it was a very hard Thanksgiving for you. My dad passed away in January and my mom five years ago. It was my first Thanksgiving without a parent. I was able to gather with my children and grandchildren. It was well planned with no long distance traveling, social distancing, eating outside at separate tables, and staying outside the entire day. I love your Thanksgiving piece It's gorgeous and as you mentioned, the perfect colors for fall. Let's see, my favorite PS Santa is the top red one with the blue bird. I love birds and I love his coat! Your finishing for Santa Moon is perfect! You always give me such great ideas for finishing. I would never have thought of the two circles! You've had some wonderful visitors to your yard! We've only had the normal birds and squirrels, but those squirrels can be fun to watch! I'm wishing you a wonderful holiday season! I'm also looking for the the ornament reveal! Take care and stay safe!

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  37. I love seeing all your finished stitching. I'm impressed with your framing. I would be too daunted to start.
    I think you were right to continue to be careful and not to travel at Thanksgiving. We haven't have any face to face contact with family since the end of January. It feels so long ago.

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  38. Gorgeous stitching Carol. I love the pouches and the pretty finish of Santa and a star. All the Santas are delightful done with different colour cording and ribbons. How lucky you are to receive different visitors to your garden - never a dull moment - we only see birds :-)

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  39. This year it's especially difficult (and all the more important!) to remember how much we have to be thankful for. I know it's hard when you lose people you love and don't get to see others - for me, last year was the hard one, the first holidays after losing grandpa. Somehow, we still managed to have a good, quiet, but enjoyable time, though, and I hope you will as well.

    Love your stitching, as usual these ornaments (and the little pouch!) are great!

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Hello! So glad you dropped in and thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment! I truly appreciate each and every one...I'm happy to try to answer any questions you may have, but please make sure to include your email address so I can get back to you...

Hope you have a wonderful day!
Carol