Happy New Year

My last post of the year. I want to thank all of my
followers and stitching friends who visit my blog. I
cannot put into words how much encouragement and
joy I get from each of you. I wish everyone a blessed
new year. I reflect on the past year of 2010, many
trials and many blessings. When I think of this year,
I will remember meeting my sister Carol in Chicago
and in NYC. It was the highlight of my year. I stitched
37 pieces this year, quite a challenge, I worked 2 jobs up
until August. My New Year's Resolution - it will be a
hard one. I will not be allowed to spend any money on
myself, - no clothes, jewelry, shoes, etc but, I will
allow myself to pick up any supplies I need for Stitching.
I have picked out many pieces already and have them
set to stitch. I will be using charts that I have. If I
do decide I just need a chart I will purchase it. People
may ask why I am doing this. I plan to move in a couple
of years and want to have as much cash as I can saved
to make the journey easier. I have no idea where the
lord will be taking me, but I trust god. I am allowing
myself to buy gifts for others, just not for myself. I
am a giver at heart. I can honestly say I need nothing.
Can I do this, we will see. I will still be taking
vacations etc, just not buying any stuff. I will try
to save as much as I can. I did not set a stitching
goal. It is a hobby I enjoy and I did not want to put
any stress on myself. I get enough of that from work.
I do have some great charts picked out and projects
to do. I will be focusing on other holidays to stitch for.
I have no easter, fourth of july, and only one
thanksgiving piece. I have tons of christmas pieces,
it is my favorite holiday. I will also be working on a
lot of freebie charts, so stay posted for a great year.
If you have not signed up for the giveaway, scroll down
and join the fun. The giveaway will be on New Year's Day-
my Birthday. The picture of the lollipops above was
taken at the Chocolate show in NYC in November.
I love Chocolate. Happy New Year Everyone.

A White Christmas

I hope everyone had a blessed christmas. Lots of
snow today. The picture is myself and my kids
in front of my house. Top left is my son Chris,
Top right is my daughter Alyssa, bottom left is
my Daughter Amanda, and bottom right is me,
Cindy with the hat on. The kids wanted to
go to the mall and spend some christmas Cash.
Really not to crowded, the snow must have
kept the shoppers away. The roads were really
bad and it was only 3:30 in the afternoon. If
you didn't join the new year's giveaway, please
join, scroll down for your chance to win.

The most Amazing christmas gift

Today I came home from work and had a
package waiting for me. Like a kid at
christmas, I couldn't wait to open it. My
stitching friend Carol - at Stitching Dreams,
sent these amazing goodies. The snowman
ornament is just beautiful. I adore the finishing.
All the others goodies are so sweet. I can't wait
to use the fabrics. If you have never been to her
blog, please visit her. She does amazing work and
really has a gift for telling a story. I thank you
from the bottom of my heart Carol. It will be
treasured and it is already hanging on my tree.

New Year's Giveaway

My New Year's Giveaway.
My birthday is on New Year's Day.
Since I enjoy blogging so much
and enjoy reading and sharing
our cross stitch ideas,
I am having a great giveaway.
I enjoy reading comments
left by followers and you can
never put into words how much
you truly appreciate each and
every person who visits your
blog and leaves a comment to
let you know they have been there.
In honor of all of my followers
this give away is for you. To
enter, just leave a comment on
this post and let me know you
are a follower. Have a
Merry Christmas and a Happy
New Year. The winner will be
chosen on New Year's Day.
The giveaway will have amazing
stitching items. Good Luck. I was
not the first one born on that day. I
was the second one. Back when I was
born there were no prizes given.

A Great Give Away

A Great give away from New England Stitcher's Retreat.
Click here to Join.

Christmas in my house

I took a couple of pictures of the house
in christmas decorations for 2010. I
have two big trees. One in the living
room with all the regular decorations.
One large one in the diningroom with
all my Snoopy ornaments on it. I have
a tiny wooden tree on the dinigroom table.
On my front door you can see the xmas
wreath. I attached Hallmark ornaments
on it and it really looks nice outside.
You may see one of your ornaments
that you made me on the wooden tree.
Merry Christmas from my house to yours.

37th finish

I don't post a lot of the cards I make,
this was so pretty I just had to. This
was done on opalescent fabric. For
the candles I added the crystals. A
quick stitch but very pretty. 37th
Finish.

My first design

This is my first design using PC Stitch Pro.
This was designed for my sister Carol.
I always try to give good advice. The
energy we give plays a big part in our lives.
It is important to always be positive. It
also affects the people we are around. If
were are negative all the time, people will
give the same energy back. This was a
simple design, but I really like the saying.
Green- The Gentle Arts - Baby Spinach
Golden - is Weeks Dye works - Curry.
Swarovski crystals added.
This was done a 28 Ct. Ivory- Jobelan.
The background fabric is the one I used on
this piece. stitch size 5.43" x 3.57".
As a gift to all stitchers, I am sharing the
pattern with you. 35th finish
Designed by Cindy DeRosa

34th Finish - All is Calm pillow

This is the 34th finish of the Year.
Pattern by LHN. This was not a
pattern liked to stitch. The
snow was driving me nuts. I must
say I do LOVE the outcome. I added
mill hill red beads. I did change
some of the pattern. The picture on
the botton is the fabric I used for the
back. I also added swarovski crystals.

Christmas goodie bags

I made up a bunch of christmas goodie bags.
These will be given out to work co-workers.
Its a little something to give. These were
made will small cello- bags, hershey kisses,
two tiny bells and string. I made the gift
tags with a rubber stamp and colored in the
hats. I happened to have a snow village
bowl set made by temptations. These
dishes are the best. Oven, freezer,
microwave, dishwasher safe and have lids.
Click on link. Purchased from QVC,
one of my all time favorite places to shop.
This isn't stitching, but just idea if you
need a little something to give out. Not
everyone appreciates had stitched items.
I make those only for special people in
my life. I don't know anyone who doesn't
like chocolate. A little holiday
inspiration.

A pillow and a pretty ornament

Two new finishes. This is number 32 & 33
for the year. The first one is a free pattern

from lizzie kate. I really like this ornament.
The colors was weeks Dye works Americana.
The back fabric and the trimming couldn't
have matched better. It is a bright and
cherry ornament for a friend who has
really been through a tough time. If I had
a million dollars to give her, I would. The
next piece is Lady Bug Lady Bug by LHN.
I made this into a pillow. I love ladybugs.
Don't you?

My first big piece I ever did

I finally have a picture of the first big piece
I ever did. This was given to my dad years
ago. I wish I knew the year. This is in a
frame under glass. It was hard to get a good
picture but this is pretty good. I finally
remembered to get a picture when I went to
visit him in NJ. I am so happy I finally
remembered to get a picture for my blog.

Mistletoe

A few years ago one of my best friends
gave me this beautiful Crystal Mistletoe.
I had to post. I had never seen anything
like it before. The sparkle is amazing.
Now mind you, I have no one to kiss
under any mistletoe. Single in this
chapter of my life.

Follow your Art

31st Finish of the year. The pattern
is by Raise the Roof Designs. My
sister sent me this pattern as a
gift. What a perfect design to make
and ornament for my daughter who
attends Fashion Inst. of Technology
in NYC. Done on linen. The
little buttons are so cute. For the
paint brush I changed the button
in the instructions and added the
heart which looks just great.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my bloggers.
Have a blessed day.

29th and 30th finish

This is the 8th finish from the 2010 JCS
ornament issue. Both pieces were done
on opalescent linen, one of my favorites.
One i did in blue, the other in Red. This
is the 29th and 30th finish of the year.
I had 4 teeth pulled on thursday so on
the brighter side I have had time for more
stitching. Yes my mouth hurts, but I am
thankful I am healthy and alive.
Which one was your favorite the blue or red?

NYC Chocolate Show - 11-11-10

On November 11, 2010 I met my sister and
her husband in NYC for the annual Chocolate Show.
Neither one of us had ever attended. I have been
to many food shows in the city, so we were
expecting a huge place with dozens upon
dozens of vendors. This show was different.
Much smaller then we anticipated. The treat
to this show all the vendors give samples of the
chocolate. This is the good and expensive
chocolate. We at a lot - Yumm Ohhhh.
These are a couple of pictures that my
daughter took on her fabulous camera.
I did buy some goodies and sad to say it
is all gone already. If you are a chocolate
lover like myself , you would enjoy this
little show. They had a bunch of sculptures
made out of chocolate. The train was my
favorite. The show is each November.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.