Saturday 15 October 2011

Stitches, gifts and Christmas in October.

Good day everyone. I know I am lax in posting but you will understand as you read this post.

My neck issues seem to have sorted themselves out. I have to be careful but if I stop when I feel that twing my neck doesn't start tensing up and spasming again. Chiropractor's conclusion - bending over the computer and looking through my magnifier when I stitch, for extended periods of time, is not the best way to keep my neck from hurting. I will have to limit myself for a while.

The "I Feel Good Gifts" that I sent have been received.
Here is the gift that went to Edgar.


Here is the gift that went to Ariadne in Greece no less. Ariadne and her blog are new to me and maybe others. Stop by and pay her a visit.


Both packages took less than 5 days to arrive. How come it takes two weeks for something to arrive in Canada????????

I have been working on the latest Mirabilia RR and have finished my section.
I have stitched Queen of Peace. The blank spaces are for Mill Hill Treasures which I will send seperately.

Here is the RR to date.

There is only one more round and these RR's go home to their owners. It has been a wonderful experience. These stitchers have all been so gracious and diligent. They have made it easy to moderate this RR.

I am working away on the UFO RR that I have in my possession.


This is Dimensions "Angel of Peace". I now have more than a red blog - there is some green and blue ribbon to be seen.

Warning - lots of Christmas photos here.

And the Christmas comment - well, we will be in Arizona for Christmas this winter and so we had Christmas at Thanksgiving. It took 4 days to get the house all decorated.

 
This fella greets you at the front door - all 4 feet of nutcracker.

Front entry table
Up the front stairs


In the living room . The small tree is our traveller's tree. I try to buy a decoration for this tree when we visit new places. You will see my Canada nutcrackers - a mountie and a hockey player.

Isn't this what a TV stand is for?


Our beautiful tree and the wonderful nativity that DH brought home from Isreal.

Beside my stitching chair.


Yep, those are nutcracker placemats.


Even the kitchen gets a little tree.


Going upstairs.

The upstairs landing.

Do you think that I am a nutcracker collector?
The entire family came home and we had turkey with all the fixings and gifts under the tree. Hunter, who is 5, wanted to know if he was still going to get presents at Christmas and if Santa was still going to come. After we reassured him, he was okay with the tree and presents. It was a good year for me in the gift buying department. I was bang on with all the family and they were thrilled with their gifts. WHEW!!
And then it took 2 days to take all the decorations down and store them away. Boy, the house looks empty now.

End result - one very tired but happy person. Now, I am free to stitch and read.
I will soon have to put them aside and start packing for our transition to Arizona for the winter. We have sold our van and now just have the Jetta. It will be interesting to try and pack into such a small space. Wish me luck cause I'm gonna need it.
I'm off to stitch. I hope you find as much joy in your stitches as I do.

26 comments:

staci said...

So glad that your neck is feeling better. Those are some very thoughtful gifts :)

It sounds like a very fun and busy Thanksgiving/Christmas...kudos to you for all the decorating!

Lesleyanne said...

Glad to hear your neck is feeling better. Lovely gifts sent. Your decorations are gorgeous. Great progress on your stitching.

Anonymous said...

Kathy,
Edgar and Ariadne are going to love those gifts.

Your part for the RR is beautiful. I am really glad to see your RR went so well. It is encouraging for others to see.

I love those colors on Angel of Peace.

Sounds like you had a great time with your family for Thanksgiving/Christmas.

I love your collection of Nutcrackers. They are awesome.

I wish you and your husband a safe trip to Arizona for the winter.

Our neighbors next door have a house in Arizona also and spend the winter months there.

Happy stitching!

p.s. I sent you an email today to see if you get it. Not sure why yours is not coming through to me?

Ariadne said...

I am glad your neck is better. My Frozen Shoulder Syndrome got better after I spent a whole summer away from the computer and my cross stitch!
Thank you for mentioning me and my blog!And again many thanks for your gift!
Your collection of nutcrackers is HUGE!And really beautiful!
And I loved the Mirabilia RR. If you decide on a next RR maybe I could take part too.
AriadnefromGreece!

Pumpkin said...

Lovely gifties :o)

Wow! That Mirabilia RR is fantastic!

OMG! I can't believe you put up all that Christmas decor just to take it all down again... I bet it will be nice to have warmer weather this winter though ;o)

Meari said...

Glad you're feeling better. You already had Thanksgiving??

You don't like nutcrackers, do you? LOL

The RR looks great!

Annette said...

Oooo... the RR looks great! I can't wait to fill in the my square :)

Arizona is still warm, so take your time! I'm tired of the 90's :(

My son is a nutcracker fiend, too. I've several on the tree just for him :)

Berit said...

Why DOES it take so long to mail to Canada!? I agree!

Normally, I have a BIG problem with Christmas in Autumn; but I totally get yours and enjoyed the display, particularly your nutcracker collection!

(REally, what i have a problem with is the retail machine!)

Happy travels to your winter stop!

The Outgoing Introvert said...

So glad your neck is feeling better. You stitching is looking amazing! All your Christmas decor looks amazing!! Glad that you enjoyed celebrating Christmas with the family!!

Myra said...

Your home is just gorgeous Kathy! I love all the nutcrackers. I am glad your neck is feeling better just be careful and don't overdo.

Ranae said...

Glad to hear your neck is feeling better and hope it stays that way
Beautiful RR
Love the nutcracker decor
Now it's time to relax and stitch

Brigitte said...

Oh, I love your Mirabilia stitching on those various RRs. Just wonderful!
Good to read that your neck is feeling a bit better by now. The magic word seems to be: relax, lol.

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Oh what a splendid home for the holidays :) Out and then back up Kathy! WOW...I bet you are tired!
Jetta packing GOOD LUCK!

Poussy Stitches My Love said...

oh j'adore vos ciseaux ! bisous de France

Lynn said...

That's what I call a whirlwind holiday! I don't know where you find the energy! Your home looked awesome and I'm sure the family had a great celebration.
Your stitching all looks lovely and you've sent off some super gifts!

Carolyn NC said...

Stitching and gifts are awesome! Wow, what a whirlwind - hope you can relax now!

Veronica said...

LOL! Who knows how mail works? Lovely gifts by the way. Edgar and Ariadne are so lucky :)

I love that Mirabilia RR! It's gorgeous! Angel of Peace colors are so vivid. I can only imagine what it would look like completed.

Whoa! That's a lot of Christmas decorations and they all look wonderful.

Hugs,
Veronica.

Carol said...

That is so nice of you to decorate for an early Christmas, Kathy--takes a long time to put up all those nutcrackers! What a great collection :)

Hope you take care in your packing for AZ and don't re-injure your neck...Go slowly :)

Lovely Mirabilia RR stitching!

Ginny said...

Merry Christmas! Happy Thanksgiving! Wow, you have been one busy lady! Your house was decorated so lovely and in such little time, too. You are the Woman! Love your RR. Glad to hear that you are feeling better and remember to pace yourself! Hugs.

Siobhán said...

I'm glad that your neck is better and hope that it continues to be the same!!

I love your decorating! I am so impressed... I think I would try to weasel out of decorating but I'm sure with the family, it's fun to do it. I bet Hunter--once he was sure that Santa would still make his rounds--loved it!

Lovely stitching progress! Good luck getting the Jetta packed for AZ... just remember you can wash your clothes--save the space for your stitching supplies! ;) LOL

Catherine said...

Glad that you are feeling better! I love how you did Christmas at Thanksgiving!! Good luck with all your packing!

Dani - tkdchick said...

Oooh what a fantastic selection of gifts you sent out Kathy!!!

Yet another gorgeous Mirabilia RR!

I'm glad you had a fantastic Christmas with your family!!!

Franny said...

Lovely stitching Kathy and your house looks wonderful. As for Canada Post, I can send packages to Florida in 2 weeks and a simple envelope with floss in it took 3 weeks to get to Quebec. Go figure

Daffycat said...

Oh, your nutcrackers are just darling! Quite a collection you have there!

I'm hoping your neck issues work themselves out and you can get back to stitching as much as you want to soon.

Aussie Stitcher said...

I am so glad that your neck is improving. I love the decorations and your Nutcrackers are wonderful.
I have a solution to your packing dilemma, less clothes and more stash.

Margaret said...

How fun to see your house all decorated. Had DH read this post too so he could see all the nutcrackers. What a great early Christmas celebration.

What a wonderful addition to the RR. It really is an amazing piece.

Lovely gifts for Edgar and Ariadne. They must have been thrilled.

Hope your neck keeps improving Kathy as you prepare for your winter transition. When are you leaving? Good luck with packing.

Looking forward to meeting you in person.

hugs, Margaret