Only 2 more days until the "Big" Day...according the the boys. There are only 2 more drawers on the Snowman advent chest of drawers left for the boys to open and get their pieces of chocolate. I think that we are about ready for Santa's visit. We got the cookies made on Sunday, the tree has been decorated for a couple of weeks and the boys finally sat down and typed out their letters of "desires" to Santa.

I thought I would take this opportunity to show off some old ornaments that I made at one time in my life...

This little sled is one that I made when I was a girl scout.

I remember when I was a Brownie and then I flew to to be a full fledged Girl Scout...and selling all those cookies.

On the back is the date 1977. Boy that was a long time ago!

These two are little felt ornaments that were made at my grandparents house. The kitty is one that I made and the other, a little mouse under a mushroom, I think my sister made it. We would go to my grandparents' house for Christmas and my grandmother would have all these little things in their basement to keep us busy.

The next two, I made when I was married and lived in New Orleans (circa 1993). A co-worker stitched me an ornament with Santa and finished it in a wooden hoop...so, I felt that DH needed one as well as our cat Chester.

So, those are some of the ornaments we have in our tree; and on top we have a homemade angel - one that Matthew made when he was in a Christian pre-school. Don't you just love the styrofoam cup angel?

Well, that is a little look at what is on our tree, in addition to the ornaments from the exchanges I participated in during 2009. Lots of memories!

Today, just like the last few days this week, we have been vegging at home in the morning and dealing with hockey practices in the evening. DH's office shut down at 2 for the holidays today, so he came home in time for an afternoon nap and a quick computer football game with Robert (older son).

This morning I was able to put some more stitches in MW and got the 4th motif completed. Here is a quick photo of it to show my progress:

It looks so danty - stitching with 1 strand over 2 on 40 ct fabric. I love it. The scissors in the photo were in a "box of treasures" my grandmother sent me. A friend of hers, who did a lot of needlework, past away and her daughter was going through all of her things. She invited my grandmother over to look through her needlework stash...long story-short, my grandmother came home with 4 boxes of needlework "stash" and picked out some of the "best" for me, which I received on Monday (I will probably have some giveaways after the first of the year). Anyway, these Gingher scissors were in the box. I cleaned them up, as they were tarnished and had some rust, attached the special fob from CindyMae and have been using them.

Well, it is time for me to leave you right now. But before I leave I wanted to show you what I got today from Trader Joes (a specialty, organic grocery store):

Do you know what this is? It is a stalk of Brussel sprouts. I looked at this and knew that I needed to bring this home. I never knew how Brussel sprouts grew - I do now. I will probably take the sprouts off the stalk tomorrow and steam them for one of our family holiday dinners. I don't think that the kids will eat them, but you never know.

Take care and remember...Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

It is Friday --- show and tell day.

Well it is Friday...December 4th and it looks like the holiday season is going full blast. The boys have started opening their chocolate advent calendars. They each have their own and then we have a special one which they share (one opening a door on the even days and the other taking the odd days). This is a tradition that we have had for quite awhile - they developed the odd/even tradition on their own.

Now that I got my exchange Christmas ornaments in the mail...and I am in between Friendship Sampler RRs (another is on its way here)...I have worked a finish and started another ornament...and put a couple of stitches in MW.

Here is my finish:

Fabric: R&R Linen 32ct Royal Blue

Freebie (forgot what website)

This is the back (nothing exciting, just thought I would post it)

I am not sure what I am going to do with this yet...but wanted to show it off because I do like the way it turned out as I feel that I am still practicing my "finishing" techniques. I guess that "finishing" is just like everything else..."a work in progress" and something that needs to be "practiced", right?

And now a new ornament start...

 

From the Just CrossStitch 2009 Ornament Edition

Fabric: 32ct Linen (was white, but blue food coloring turned it rose)

Floss: so far DMC Varigated #115

Again, not sure what I will do with this once it is complete, but because MW is so big to travel with I needed something little to work on when I sit at the hockey rinks so I wiped out my magazine and started this. Thank goodness I tote around a huge backpack with some cross-stitch magazines, accessories, floss, fabric, etc. A Hockey mom always has to be ready to stitch!

I did put some stitches in MW last night while watching The Office with DH, but nothing to really show at this time. After reading some of the comments posted on other websites regarding MW in the early summer, when this was really "popular" to stitch, there was a debate whether to stitch it as per the pattern offered or to "fix" it because many of the motifs are not symmetrical. Well, I have decided to stitch "as is"...unless I can "fix" the design without having to do any redrawing. Let's just say the whole symmetry issue can drive one batty. But I am determined to finish this project!

Well...that is all for today. I am enjoying my day at home without DH or kids...which will change a little later when school lets out. Take care all...and remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often - Lisa