A cold, snowy start to the new year...

Happy 2025, everyone! Can you believe we're already into the second week of January? Are you in the midst of the snowy, cold spell that has hit much of the U.S.? Brrr.... At this time of the year, I like to look back at my first posts from previous years to see what I wrote, how I was feeling, etc. I had to laugh at what I posted in 2020. I wrote about hearing a neighbor playing "Auld Lang Syne" on his tuba at the stroke of midnight as 2019 rolled over into 2020 and how it reminded me of my father who played the tuba in the Army band. The last sentence of that first paragraph of my January 2020 post read: "I smiled contentedly as I finally drifted off to sleep in the wee hours of January 1, 2020... it is going to be a good year!" Ha! Boy, did I call that wrong--we all know what 2020 brought our way, don't we?

You just never know what to expect from year to year, do you? Last year was difficult for me and my husband as a number of unexpected health problems reared their ugly heads. I don't think I even mentioned that my husband ended up getting Lyme Disease not once, but twice, did I? And the second time his symptoms were much worse. Thankfully, the antibiotics seem to have taken care of it. My heart tests are ongoing and the echocardiogram that I had in late December did find some issues to "keep an eye on." Nothing horrible, thank goodness, just some things to be aware of. Sigh... I guess that's just part of growing older (but not a part I like!). 

Thank goodness, my stitching continues to be one of the constants in my life. When people talk about "losing their mojo" when it comes to cross stitching, I just can't relate. As I get older, I think I feel the need to stitch every day even more acutely as I know there will come a time when I can't stitch at all. So, I'm trying my best to "stitch all the things" right now! Today, I'd like to share the Christmas gifts that I stitched in 2024 as well as the gifts I received. 

This lovely Nativity scene by Crocette a Gogò from "Christmas Vintage Series #12" was stitched on 40 ct. raw natural Newcastle using a mix of the called for colors and my own selections. I added more snowflakes in place of the wording and finished it as a simple pillow ornament. I loved seeing it displayed with the wooden Nativity scene that was a gift from my mom and may just have to stitch another for myself!

My finish of "Christmas Vintage Series #12: Nativity"from Crocette a Gogò

I actually stitched the next design twice and sent both away for gifts this year (it's also one I've stitched for gifts before). The Prairie Schooler Two-by-Two Deer (from the 1998 Just Cross Stitch Ornament Magazine) is one of my favorites to give. Once again, 40 ct. raw natural Newcastle was used along with the suggested threads. The only color change I made was to use DMC 498 for the red color. I finished this one into a pillow ornament using a green checked fabric at the bottom with just a hint of ecru ric-rak above. Doesn't it look nice hanging from my handsome reindeer model?

Prairie Schooler Two-by-Two Deer finish (chart is in the 1998 Just Cross Stitch Ornament magazine)

I know you'll recognize this Prairie Schooler Santa stitched on black as I've made it many, many times before for stitching friends. It's so tiny and cute stitched "over one" on 25 ct. black Lugana. This is from PS Book No. 51, "Christmas Past." Round finishes are my favorites and I surrounded it with DMC cording in 221 and topped it with a gingham bow and silver bell. I have one just like it on my tree and my friend loved receiving her own!

Yet another finish of this tiny PS Santa from the "Christmas is Past" Book No. 51

My final stitched and gifted ornament for 2024 was this charming two-sided freebie called "Merry Christmas, Mr. Grinch" by Brooke's Books that I made for my 4-year-old grandson. You can find it right here if you want to stitch it yourself. Sadly, the very talented designer, Brooke Nolan, who was so generous with her many free designs, passed away in early December after a battle with cancer at the age of 61. Her obituary and the many heart-felt tributes sent from cross stitchers around the world can be read here. 

I will always think of Brooke when I see Mr. Grinch hanging from my grandson's Christmas tree. Mister B absolutely loves the classic Dr. Seuss book "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" as well as the original Grinch television show so I knew this was a must-stitch for him this year. I still have to stitch the Grinch's poor pup--Max. I used the suggested colors on 14 ct. perforated paper. This was my first time cutting out anything like this, but it worked quite well. The two sides--the "bad" Grinch (on the left) and the "good" Grinch (on the right) are joined together with a thin layer of Aileene's Tacky Glue (thanks for the tip, Stasi!). Notice how his teeny black heart has grown to a lovely plump pink heart once he realizes the true meaning of Christmas in the photo below. Just love it! This will always be a very special ornament for me--thank you for sharing your wonderful designs with us, Brooke. ♥

My grandson loved this clever two-sided Grinch ornament this year.

I also stitched and mailed five greeting cards. I really love stitching cards as the recipient gets a gift of your stitching without the expense of mailing a package. I may be doing more of these in the future! 

A trio of Quaker Snowmen--another freebie from Midnight Stitching which you can find right here--was sent across the pond to three German friends. I changed the colors from red and green to a pretty blue. In this case, I used Gentle Arts "Crystal Lake," DMC 311 and 976, and Anchor 0001 for the threads. All three are stitched on 40 ct. raw natural Newcastle. I thought they looked so cute in the blue aperture cards with a tiny bow glued on below. 

Three cards made using the free "Snowman's Quaker Christmas" chart

And finally, a set of Birds of a Feather "Peace Angels" flew to loving new homes. They were stitched on 40 ct. white Newcastle using a mixture of overdyed and DMC threads. I think most of you know that this "Christmas Angel Ornaments" chart (which contains four angels--you can see my finishes from 2022 here and here) has been recently remastered and released to the public. It can be purchased through Colorado Cross Stitcher's site right here. I'm thrilled to see these sweet designs available again after so many years of being out-of-print. 

A pretty pair of Birds of a Feather "Peace Angel" cards

So, there was a lot of frenzied gift stitching and finishing in December. I tell myself, every year, that I'll stitch gifts throughout the year and not put things off until the end. This year, I did "okay"--I at least stitched four of the above before things got so busy for the holidays. Next year, I aim to do better!

I was blessed with some wonderful gifts in return! Would you like to see? 

From Stasi at Bee-Mused and Bee-Stitching blog, I received this beautifully stitched wall-hanging. I actually hung it on the doorknob in our kitchen and it looked perfect. Love the simple message, too. Thank you, my friend!

From Cindy (@cindyderosa on Instagram) came this adorable beaded Santa ornament. Love the colors and beautiful beaded detail in this one. Thank you, my friend!

Robin in Virginia sent this charming Christmas sweater ornament (design by Lila's Studio) in my favorite blue colors. Such gorgeous stitching and finishing and I love that cute cardinal perched on the chubby snowman. Thank you, my friend!

June, over at Butterfly Wings blog sent a sweet card with a tiny angel pin, some finishing supplies, a cute Santa chart, a navy blue owl towel, and some yummy chocolates. Such a lovely box of goodies! Thank you, my friend!

 Vickie over at A Stitcher's Story blog, gifted me this tiny ornament with the word "Believe" stitched 'over one' along with a little tag explaining the true meaning of Christmas. She was able to make it flat enough to fit into a regular sized envelope to cut down on mailing costs--so clever! Thank you, my friend!

From Cindy C. (@cindycstitches on Instagram), came this cheery vintage looking piece mounted on a little paddle. She had it wrapped inside the hollow book box on the left--so cute! Love both and they will have a prominent place in my Christmas decorating each year. Thank you, my friend!

 

And a trio of lovely cards from three friends in Germany. Left to right: Manuela at Manuela's Flowergarden blog sent the sweet bird feeder card. Gabi made a beautiful red cardinal for me knowing my love of those wonderful red birds. And on the right, Martina from Mein-allerlei-hobby blog sent a lovely blue ornament . I may make these into tiny ornaments for my tree. Thank you, my friends!

I feel very honored to have these special pieces so lovingly stitched by friends from around the world! Thank you all so very much--and thank you to those of you who sent Christmas cards my way as well... I just love receiving an old-fashioned Christmas card. When I moved my twelve 2024 ornaments from my stairway garland to my tree, I replaced them with the wonderful creations my friends have stitched for me over many, many years.

So many memories of friendships--both old and new.

Thank you to stitching friends, both past and present for gifting me your little works of love over the years--they all mean so much to me! As do each of you!

Over on Instagram, I am hosting the fifth annual ornament-a- month stitch along. If you are interested in joining in--just post your ornament using #12in25ornamentstitchalong on Instagram so that everyone will be sure to see it. It's a great group of stitchers that has really caught on internationally. Lots of stitchers from Spain, France, and England began posting last year. Hope to see you there, too! 

Christmas was very quiet here as I knew it would be. We did FaceTime with my grandson who delighted in showing us all the Spiderman themed gifts he received. When I commented that he must have been a very good boy for Santa to have brought all those gifts, he grew very quiet. He looked away, placed a finger on his chin, and thoughtfully replied "I think Santa just didn't see me when I was being bad." Too cute! Oh, how I missed him... Thankfully, we were invited to lunch on Christmas Day by my middle son's girlfriend's mother. She prepared a wonderful turkey dinner and I brought the desserts: a pumpkin roll (that I made using this recipe on YouTube by Preppy Kitchen) and this tasty flourless chocolate cake with chocolate glaze. It's so easy, yet looks quite elegant with the confectioner's sugar sprinkled over a doily. When I served it, I added an arrangement of raspberries in the middle. I've made this many times before and it is always a hit!

A decadent chocolate cake made for Christmas lunch.

To cheer myself up while missing my family before Christmas, I bought myself a little Christmas gift. These tiny felted mice certainly brought a big smile when I opened the package... Aren't they sweet? I have a red and white decor in my kitchen at Christmas time and they fit right in. For me, it's the simple things in life which bring the most happiness. 

I love little felted animals and couldn't resist buying this quintet as a gift for myself. I just noticed that that poor little mouse girl on the right looks more like a hippo, doesn't she :)

Because Christmas wasn't the best this year, I actually took all of my decorations--tree and all--down on December 26th. I have never done that in my life. But, it felt good to have everything tucked up into the attic and the house all cleaned up, ready for a new year. I truly can't wait for next Christmas when everyone is here--it will be extra special! 

Well, that's it--the first post of 2025 done and dusted! The next time I check in, I'll be entering another decade. Yes, my 70th birthday will be here in just nine days. On what is almost always the coldest month of the year (and is surely that this year as we aren't getting out of the 20s any time soon), I'll be saying farewell to my sixties and hello to my 70s. I hope and pray that it will be a happy, healthy decade for me! Take care now, my friends. Bye for now...