Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all who visit my site, during this most Blessed of Seasons.
All the work that goes into the days of Christmas are sometimes so busy I barely have time to give thanks to all the wonderful people who leave comments, I Thank-you with a big heart.
Merry Christmas to you all In the Name OF Our Lord Jesus Christ
Amen
Catherine, Michael and Peanut the dog

I am finally posting my finished ornaments, after a horrendous day on the road with lots of snow I am home, today we had 5-6 inches of the nasty stuff.

Patricia In England knows I HATE SNOW even in England they are getting lots of snow.

The Stockings are from The Need;l Love Company an out of print chart I have used this chart over and over again (1992).

The Shepherds Bush Sweet Baby is from the Just Cross Stitch Ornaments Issue The Trianglr tree is also from this issue, Erica Michaels Quiet Night, the Christmas Candy is from the Just Cross Stitch Ornament issue 2001 the unfinished Bear is also from the 2001 issue.

Tomorrow I am working at Phillips Eye Institute and P.E.I. is having Famous Daves B.B.Q. catered oh my ribs and corn

on the cob in december I am in heaven or I will be.

Merry Christmas

Catherine

The week from you know where

As sit here typing I feel very lucky I donot work week-ends.

The snow is up to my oh you know that special spot you sit on, the snow is still coming down not so hard now but still falling with very high winds.

On wednesday while I was working at home (sometimes I can work from home, I am a jackie of all trades) we had a brown out if you have never had one of these it is awful, the lights dim to about half power the computer shuts down and all else seems to come to a halt.

The worst thing that happened was our hottub went on the fritz because of the brown out.

We have a ceremic heater under the frame inside keeping the pipes from freezing, we have two blankets and a tank heater in the water to keep the water from freezing.

We cannot get a service tech out till monday, I miss my hottub nights with my sweety.

I did manage to put up our tree and some other decorating was done, I will finish decorating outside on monday or tuesday.

We did get stuck in the snow out in the driveway we had two feet of snow we wanted to go to church tonight because the temps will be below zero tomorrow. In church I ushered and counted only 58 people including Father Victor our pastor.

I think when they built St. Ignatius Church back in the 18oos they had more people at mass then we did tonight.

I did get some stitching done this week, I will finish them tomorrow and will post pictures

Oh and we had to replace our printer and

that also turned into a mess, first we ordered a Brother printer fax scanner from Officemax and had to return that because it was black ink only and no way to post pictures you see you can only post if you have a port to put the disc in, this printer did not have one so off to Office Max to return the Brother printer.

Now we have bought a Hp Officejet Pro but this machine has problems so yesterday off to Office Max we go again this was a return and the Office Max people did not even check to see if the thing worked before putting it back on the shelf so we came home with a new HP Officejet and finally today this machine is working what a great machine I love this thing, I am now happy in the office, but still sad about the hot tub.

Now I want to show you pictures of some of my ornaments I did the last 10 years or so, my tree is 85% stitched ornaments.I stitched four ornaments this week and hope to put them on the tree tomorrow.Merry Christmas Catherine

The Tea Kettle Corner

Ma at Tea Kettle Corner is having a great givaway please pop over and visit her blog. http://theteakettlecorner@blogspot.com
Merry Christmas
Catherine

Exchange for Donna Daisygirl

Now that Daisygirl has recieved the Blackbird Designs Exchange I did for her I can post a couple of pictures, my camara was on the blink so I am using Daisygirls photos with her permission, thank-you Daisygirl.

This is a design from a Blackbird Designs Spring Fling that was put on By Stitchville U.S.A. in Minnesota.

Barb and Alma are such a hoot if you can I hope you meet them someday.

Barb and Alma designed this pattern for this retreat, I do hope that they will someday put a booklet out that has all the patterns from retreats. I stitched this on 32 count fabric I am not sure of the type of fabric, I used weeks Dye Threads and Crescent Colors Threads, I used leftover Blackbird Designs Moda fabric from their Beach Collection, I had fun doing this little box that was sanded and stained, I bought that box from Hobby Lobby over the internet.

I am so happy Daisygirl likes it.

Happy Holidays Everyone.

Blessings

Ornament Exchange With Vonna The Twisted Stitcher

I am using the picture from Vonnas blog with her permission, my camara decided to not work just when it was time to take picturs for exchanges.

This is the ornament I made for her.It is from the Need'l Love Company, Joyful Stocking Stuffers.

You can see the ornament at The Twisted Stitcher blog site if you are not a follower please do so she is a hoot with a wonderful family value.

I picked this pattern because her home is so lovely and I thought that maybe it would fit in.

Happy Holidays to all.

Blessings

Catherine

Our Nativity Scene

I took some pictures of the Nativity Scene we put up this past week, we our the only people who display a Nativity, maybe this year someone else will.

I took day and evening photos to share with you.

I am going to finish the outside decorating this week and hopefully put up our tree next week-end, we are going to cut down a tree at a tree farm something we have never done before.

I have just finished stitching the fourth ornament this week. I will post pictures wed. or thurs.

Blessings to you all

Catherine

Today my camara came back to me fixed I hope.

Last week I found the most adorable ornament in the mail from Vonna of The Twisted Stitcher, if you do not follow her you should she is a hoot. I did an ornament exchange with her, the stitching is wonderful and the finishing is super great, I just love it I only wish my tree were up so I could take a picture of the tree decorated with my new ornie on a branch.

My tree is all hand stitched ornaments, except for maybe five or six that my mother bought for me in the past.

I finished the Prairie Moon Stitchers Joy last night this is from the 2010 Just Cross Stitch ornamnet special issue. I did mine on a sparkle material 32 count I am not sure of the fabric type this is leftover fabric from a past project I used Gentle Art Sampler Threads Midnight 0240, I really like the look of the blues in this piece.

I plan on doing the finishing work tomorrow, I will post a picture later this week.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

Blessings

Catherine

This is a beautiful craft done by my friend Conny Nelson, in Montrose Minnesota.

As you can see the painting on the ornaments is simply beautiful, the web site is http://www.handlagetBy Nelson.com.

Please visit her site you will not be dissapointed.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.

Blessings

Catherine

Round six exchange

I had today off so I decided to get a few things done I slept in until 05:30, had breakfast and started ironing the full basket of clothing that has been calling my name, Mike was almost ready to go to work in sweat pants, so I just had to get this task done.

I went to the cemetry and put up two small trees on the unborn child monument, said a few prayers and went home.

I went to the mail box to get the mail I had not expected anything coming my way what a great surprise I had when I opened the large envelope with a most beautiful pinkeep, from Sarah she did the Unicef Of Pinkeeps Blackbird Designs the colors are beautiful, along with this lovely pinkeep is a 3 inch square for measuring fabric edges, a positively georgous skein of northern lights thread the color is Plantain its stunning, a package of hot chocolate (I will enjoy this tonight while I am stitching) a lovely notepad and from my most favorite coffee shop Starbucks chewing gum.

I feel positively spoiled Sarah you are so wonderful I am so lucky to have had you as my exchange partner, THANK-YOU Patricia our intrepid leader for picking Sarah for me.

Thank-you again Sarah it is beautiful.

Blessings

Catherin

Fall Retreat

This is some of the stash for the aution, all the ladies are so generous with their donations.

I have such a great time watching and bidding on the stash piles we set up this year we had about different sixty piles to bid on many of the piles had fabric threads and other wonderful items.

As you can see someone offered a Shepherds Bush pattern with the mat included.

The Sandra Sullivan pattern and the Pennsylvania Pincushion were the two things I won in the auction.

Lots of giggles with lots of fun had here.

This is fall retreat at Totino Grace Retreat

Center in Fridley Mn.

The set-up team arrives about 14:00 to set up stitching tables food tables and auction tables, we have two auctions on with finished items I am so sorry to say my pict of the finished items did not show up very well so had to delete them, I did get better pictures of the stash auction.

We all bring something to share on friday evening, we had tortilla soup that was oh so good, sloppy joes, chicken drummies and lots of other very yummy stuff to eat.

We stitch till all haours of the night, many talents are displayed at retreat, some quilters (who do stitch) needlepointers, knitters, hardanger, and of course cross stitchers.

We play the dice game on saturday morning, this is a game just like the dice game played at showers.

I love the stash auction, we set up in the chapel, you can go in and bid against other people, the auction ends at 20:00 on saturday evening.

Some of the stash people give up is amazing, Shepherds Bush Plum Street Samplers, Lizzie Kate magazines and lots of fabric and other stitching items.

The money we make goes to buy calling cards for service men and women in the middle east.

We have a retreat two times a year, one in Febuary and again in October.

I look forward to this time away from work and home, it is my wind down time from work. I feel very refreshed when I return to work.

I am involved with a great group of ladies, I am blessed to have them as friends.

My New sewing Machine

I have a new sewing machine my most wonderful husband bought a bicycle and he felt that I should have a new sewing machine.

I have been buying cheap machines you know about $67.00 at Target my fav store.I am so excited, you can hardly hear it running, it is so quiet, I did do some sewing for an auction this week-end for a stitch retreat we donate the money to a worthy cause the last two stitch-ins we

used the money to buy calling cards for the RedBulls in the middle east. I really do not want to be away from my new baby, I really need to take some quilt classes now. This Brother sewing machine is made in the United States of America, Mikes bike is also made in America, we are trying hard to buy stuff made in America its hard but we are able to find lots of things we need that are made in this wonderful country we live in.

God Bless America

Peace to you all

Catherine

Retreat Time

The stand-ups are for the auction this
week-end retreat. I will show a finished
picture after retreat.
One is a cat, a pumpkin and a bat.


This fabric is turning into the stand-ups above.

I love this table rug I made one for myself last year.
I will donate this pumpkin rug to this week-ends auction.

These snow angels are so cute I will be donating this table rug to the auction this week-end.

This week-end is the fall retreat at Totino Grace Retreat Center in Fridley, Minn.

I think about 32 ladies will attend we do have a few that are day stitchers, they live nearby so paying to stitch by day saves them some money, it will be a great time as always, we have an auction for items that are made by some of the stitchers I will post pictures next week sometime, of this week-end retreat.

We vote on a cause to donate the money to, last Oct and Feb we donated the money to buy calling cards for service men and women in the middle east.

I have not been able to blog much due to the busy time of year snowbirds are getting all their medical appts. in before heading south (lucky people heading south).

I have been busy with my new sewing machine an I love it. I will post a picture tomorrow.

Peace to you all.

Catherine

Rescue of Miners

As I sit and watch the rescue of the Miners that were trapped for 69 days I am in awe, would our president stay at the rescue site throughout the day and night? I hope he would as well as his wife.
The chilling fact is that not one person gave up hope of rescuing these very brave men.
I pray that they do not have any affter effects from the memories of their entrapment, for the people that donot believe in prayer, I am sad for you I have total belief that the resue could not have been attempted or completed without prayer.
I was able to stay up and watch the first man to come out of the small hole, wow what a feat, how lucky are they that they have the full support of their country and the world, I was pretty tired when I went to work this morning but made it through the day.
Please I ask you to pray for all the men and their families that they make it through these tough times.
Peace to you all
In The Name Of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Catherine

I have been very busy lately with a mother who is ill and work is just so busy, things are getting better, I have a post of a project I started in Sept. I finally finished her, on sunday I used 32 count fabric I am not sure of the type I have had this fabric for so long, I used D.M.C. threads the varigated is also D.M.C.

I stitched Winifred The Witch from the Just Cross Stitch Sept/Oct 2010 issue, I love this years issue, I think I will do the Owl and Pumpkin next, after I finish my penny rugs I am making these rugs for a fund raiser for stitch group, we meet two week-end a year at the Totino Grace Retreat Center in Fridley Minnesota, this year we are meeting the week-end of halloween, Fri-Sun. We stitch all afternoon Fri into the late night, and go home on Sunday at around 14:00.

We auction off all our old patterns and have a silent auction for the things like my penny rugs Marsh makes felted snowfamilies, felted pumpkins squash and purses, her work is excellent, Keli makes soaps and other goodies that smell good. Other ladies make things like socks scarves etc, there is a lot to bid on, we use the money we make to buy calling cards for our wonderful service men and women over seas, this is a great way for them to stay in contact with their families.

I will post pictures after stitch week-end.

Happy Fall to you all.

Catherine

I Stitch There for I am

Tracy is haveing a great givaway, you must stop over and visit her blog site.

I Stitch There For I Am.

Just click on her picture on my follower box.

Good Luck.

Catherine

Happy Halloween Pillow By The Bay Needleart

I really like the halloween holiday, this pattern is a By The Bay Needleart by Donna Bayliss, she really did do a great job creating this pattern.

I did change the colors a little I use a varigated thread (DMC) I also changed the color of the fabric, I really like the way it came out.

I use a brushed velvet for the bottom, the print on the top and back I have had for several years, I feel they go together well.

I am going to start on my next Blackbird Designs exchange tomorrow.

I think I will start on my decorating for fall and hope I get it done by this thursday.

Happy stitching to you all.

Catherine

Send Hope To Haiti

I am really trying to get cought up with my finishes, this is such a hard task.
I have time to stitch and no time for finishing, I just may need to contact Vonna to do a few finishes for me if I donot get on the band wagon soon, I wanted to post the most important finish I have done.
I finished stitching this little lovely two weeks ago, and with the loss of my most handsom prince Vern I have not had much else on my mind, you see Vern the cat was with us for 18 years he was a cat someone tried to kill my husband saved him, from this fate.
On to my finish, this is the pattern By The Bay Needleart created for the Haiti relief fund.
I wanted to make a pin cushion that I could use everyday to remind me how lucky I am that I have not had a disater like the one in Haiti.
God Bless you Donna Bayliss for creating this pattern.
Happy Stitching
Catherine

Halloween projects

This is Winifred Witch from the Just Cross Stitch Halloween
Annual Issue, I did change the color of the fabric the instructions
called for carrot I wanted to use a gold piece, I really like this
pattern. (Issue October 2010)

This is The By The Bay Needleart Happy Haunting, I did make a

couple of changes on this pattern also, I used a different type of

I used a varigated thread oround the framing of the picture I do like

the way it looks. I raelly love this pattern I may do a couple more in

different colors.

This pattern is a Heart In Hand Wee One, Halloween Bird,

the trim is a yarn of some kind I am not sure what, I found a site

on Ebay that sells small bags of trim for scrap booking, I like the

look of this trim, I did have to glue it on.

As you can tell I am getting ready for halloween, I did start to bring out my fall decorations, at the end of September I will put out halloween stuff. We do not put out a lot but the house does get a real makeover inside.

I will post pictures of the finished projects soon.

Happy Labor day to you all.

God Bless America

and all who protect

her.

Catherine

This is what one of my windows looked like before I got to stitching this week.

I have had frilly on my windows for a long time, I wanted something with a little color, sooo I used my Joann Fabrics 40% off coupon, my bill would have been over $40.00 with the coupon it came to just a little over $25.00.

I already had lining leftover from another project, 2 hours later I had my valances.

I had taken today off because we had a death in the family on friday, our fridge died and the new on came today so I decided to sew while waiting for Becker Furniture World to come.

I am very happy with the turn-out of the look on the windows.

Well off to stitching.

Catherine

This is my exchange from Claudia E. Katrash from Fort Worth Texas.

This is so lovely the colors are beautiful and very vibrant, the finishing was done by Vonna Pfeiffer of The Twisted Stitcher.com wonderful finish.

Thank-you for the beautiful pinkeep Claudia I love it, this week-end I am getting together with a bunch of stitchers for a week-end at Bay Lake Lodge in Minnesota, I will of course be showing this lovely item off.

I hope this post finds everyone well.

Thank-you again.

Catherine

Exchange Gift

I have sent off my exchange gift it should have arrived by now, I hope Carol likes the way I finished it. 32 count linen was the fabric, I used Weeks Dye Works threads Scuppernong and Rust, the third color is Gentle Arts Antique Rose, stitch count is 80X87. This is the Loose Feathers #35 Peacock Pinkeep.

Peace to you all.

Catherine

I am hoping I can interest you in buying this pattern from By The Bay Needlearts
Donna is offering the money she makes to help in the continueing recovery in Haiti.

I did buy this pattern and have stitched it, I am putting it together tomorrow and will post a picture soon.

Happy Stitching
Catherine

I wanted to show you the the piece I had framed, I really like the feame it is from an old picture from the second hand store, it has kind of a spooky gold orange color, I was going to add a mat but as you can see no room.

This is a Birds Of A Feather pattern, I used Weeks Dye Works threads, the fabric is the Sparrow 32 count.

I started this in June of 2009 fimished the stitching in December and now just had it framed, am I slow or what.

We had 2 1/2 inches of rain yesterday with more coming tomorrow, I donot need to water my veggie garden or flowers for a couple of days this will give me more time to stitch oh my gosh I am in a tizzy I need to go, have a great stitching day.

Catherine