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.