I was away

Greetings to all: I was on a two week vacation to Cancun Mexico, came home last week=end, had a wonderful time and have the best tan I have ever had.
I did do some stitching, loads of reading and lots of relaxation.
We donot take our phones or any electronic devices with, this is after all a vacation from everyday life, we did take our camaras, I have many pictures to show, but today will show only a few.
So here goes.

PELICAN AT POOL SIDE

He was a hoot, he sat by me for a very long long time, no one else had the pleasure of his company, I felt very lucky to get these pictures.

This is a great picture of my wonderful husband, he is my life and heart, thank-you Michael for a great two weeks.

We stayed at the Live Aqua  again, we stayed there last june for five days, it is a beautiful resort.
Great food and wonderful relaxation.

WE had a special meal made for us, the waiter we had for breakfast every morning had arranged for us to be served a special meal no other table was served that evening, we had a seafood salad, salmon,  crepes and a special wine that was out of this world, the rest of the meal was fantastic.

We plan on going back maybe in may or june, if Michaels surgery on his rotator cuff goes well in march.

 

I am on the road today and hope to get home early tonight to do some stitching.

I will post again on Friday some pictures of my stitching and more vacation pictures.

 

 

Catherine

ISHW Week-end

So sorry I did not post my ISHW post yesterday, I was so excited to just do an update with all the problems I have been having with blogger.

This is a sweet little ornament Sue H. my sister from another mother gave me, I think it is so adorable, thank-you Sue.

I found this adorable pattern on Pinterest, I am not sure of the artist, I did this on 32 count two over two, he is going to be a scissor fob. I stitched him on my ISHW.

I also worked on Just Nan Little Princess Snow, I did change out the fabric color and thread colors, I wanted something a little different, I am also going to cut the big round eye circles in half, I want her to look a little more dramatic, wish me luck.

My next project to start is a Jeanette Douglas pattern,  I bought this pattern when Jeanette was teaching a class in Minnesota a few years ago, I was at the retreat she gave the class in, she is a hoot.
I just need to get the fabric, I plan on starting this sometime next week.

My wonderful sister-in-law sent this card to me early, she is so funny please read the card it is so funny, sorry about the cuss words, very early for my birthday, we are going to Mexico next month for a great getaway, I so look forward to this vacation every year.
The people staying at our home for us are a beautiful couple, it is a little vacation for them being away from home, and taking care of our home for us, besides boo boo kitty needs someone here to keep her company.

I should get ready for bed the alarm clock goes off at 03:00 tomorrow for work, ugh, it is going to be sleeting out and turn into rain later in the day ugh again, I do love my job, I have a wonderful boss and work for a wonderful company.

 

Blessings

Catherine

 

This is an update to my thank-you 1/21/2015

Thank-you all for your help, I do have Google Chrome, tried Firefox also gave me problems, its time for the computer doc. to stop by.
I am updating my post this is the only post I have been able to update, so I went with it.
First is the December/January exchange from Lynda Ruth, who lives in our neighbors to the north, Canada.
http://twododo.blogspot.com
First ( only because I do not want to push it with this picture problem) is some positively beautiful fabric, it is 21x10 in size I have a plan for this fabric, stop by sometime soon to see.

Lynda Ruth also sent along an adorable bag with a blackbird on it, I love blackbirds with candy inside yummy, I was also gifted with this adorable little TY Beanie it is from the Beanie Boo's Collection. So sorry the picture is not so good.

 
This is the exchange piece she sent me. this is a Little House Needleworks pattern, she is just so  sweet.

I was also gifted with a notebook which will be put to good use along with an adorable C of course for Catherine, this will be hung on my office door. Do you see the sweet little card, it is just so sweet.
Thank-you Lynda Ruth for the beautiful gifts,  I am very touched by your kindness.

 

 

 

 

I was lucky to have purchased this Tilda book on Amazon, I do surveys for three companies and get Amazon Gift cards, what a better way to use that card, shopping on Amazon.

 

I did buy this book along with the other book, I just love the Tilda books, I am sure I will be busy this spring.

I won a drawing from Lynn over at http://happinessiscrossstitching.blogspot.com stop over to her blog, Lynn has some sweet freebies to share. She just posted a freebie cat who has knitting needles and yarn it is adorable.
I plan on printing this onto fabric and using the labels for my stitching and gift giving.

I will post again tomorrow, I want to show you what I received from Sue H.
I hope to post pictures of some other fun things, but only if blogger cooperates with me, I feel lucky tonight.
I have not even been able to comment on your blogs, so sorry.
I wish you all a safe and warm winter.

Catherine

Blogger is no help

I am about to give up on this blog site, I posted on saturday and now my post is gone, I cannot upload pictures and want to just leave this alone and stitch.
Any hlpe out there?
Thank-you for any and all help.

Catherine

A Bitter Sweet Christmas

Happy Holidays to all my followers and the people that just stop by to take a peek.
This year has been a real trial for me, the long hours and bad weather has really taken a toll on me, wow what a year I do hope for a better 2015.
My hopes are to do more stitching,  have a huge garden,  get loads of sun (whenever it appears) excercise more,   ride my bike, spend more time with Family and Friends.
I donot make new year resolutions only because I break them.
I have had very little time to stitch, I hope that changes, I have so many things kitted up even the repair of a quilt my Husbands GrandMother made, simple squares with yarn ties, had to take this apart and am working on taking out the worn pieces and replacing them, what a job, ripping is not fun.

I did manage to get my Just Another Button Co. Turtle put together this week, he is adorable and so small.

I was looking for a cookie press and found a ginger bread boy press, I love to make pressed cookies and this one will be perfect added to my collection, found him at a second hand store, I really scored this time.

I want to tell you about a very special Lady, her name is Donna Faye, she is a lady I know from church, the first time I met her she was a force to be seen, very vocal and knew what she wanted and did get it, I love this lady, sadly a few years ago she became ill, had suffered so much but gave this illness a run for its money.
Donna Faye was just a little bit of a thing, she was so tiny I called her little girl, she loved it, Donna Faye was 82 when she went to be with our Lord before Christmas this year, I am going to miss her so much, my heart hurts.
She helped me with the Christ Child Luncheon every year, she was so cute, and knew what had to be done to get the sales we wanted.
Donna had three children, 7 grandchildren and a wonderful Husband which she was married to for 58 years.
Thay owned a hardware store in Annandale for many many years which is still my go to store for washer, dryer and any other large appliance I need, they beat everyones prices and they deliver.

Donna loved to garden, knit, crochet, play cards and many other things that interested her, she organized the Red Cross Blood Mobile since 1960 what a lady, her daughter Val helped her with this great events she will be greatly missed.

The reason I am writing this is to pay tribute to a beautiful wonderful Lady.
I will miss you little girl.


I hope everyone has had a geat week, please pray for the people lost in the ferry fire and the downed plan in Asia.

Blessings

Catherine

 

He has arrived The Blessed Baby Jesus

 The King has arrived the Blessed Baby Jesus

 

From our home to yours

Merry Christmas

 

Catherine

Happy winter and Merry Christmas

Greetings to all: I have been so busy with work and other important things, you know it being the Christmas Season, I have been trying to get my home decorated inbetween being out of town for work and other Family obligations.
The first friday of dec. every year we have thew Christ Child Luncheon, I am in charge of the bake shop, whew what a job, all the goodies coming in and the organizing of the sale tables and packaging up all the goodies people buy is a load of work, two days worth, we are already planning on the next years Luncheon.

I have been trying to get my stitching done, what a job that is, I did want to show you the towels I am working on, they are from an old pattern from the year of 1986 Faye Raye Stitcheries is the designer.
I want to get four of each pattern done, wish me luck.

I want to show you the lovely stitch RR from  Michelle in the United Kingdom, I am so lucky to have been part of this great exchange. This is a pattern from  Homespun Elegance one of my favorite designers. Michelle also sent along some lovely fabric with lace yes lace I am a nut for trims and lace. I present to you:

Up next is the exchange I sent to Shirley in New Zealand I present to you: I stitched the heart for the exchange and added the Christmas Moose.

The heart is from this book, it is loaded with lovely patterns, I have stitched a few things from this book.
The Moose is  french pattern, I donot have a picture of the pattern front so sorry.

I still have loads to do and need to get to bed the alarm is going off at 02:30 a.m. I have  a long day tomorrow.

Merry Christmas

Catherine

 

Happy Holidays to everyone

It has been a gruelling couple of weeks, loads of stuff going on.
Thanksgiving day we spent at a buffet with my Mother, sister-inlaw her husband and of course my wonderful husband.
I like going out I donot have to cook or clean up, yippee.
I have a few pictures to share with you, first up is a beautiful pic of the rising sun, I caught this about 07:25 in the morning thanksgiving day.

Oh so pretty, as you can see there is snow, yes we were lucky enough to get 16 inches in the last heavy snowstorm, yucky.

This is the Drawn Thread pocket I stitched at retreat last spring that Stitchville USA puts on every spring.
I cannot figure why the silk looks wrinkled in the picture, in person it is not wrinkled, it is a mystery to me.

The pictures are kind of wonky I donot know why hope you can see them.

I love this pocket, I am so glad it is finished, I will put it to good use.

I want to show you the best part of the week for me, it is my exchange from Shirley from New Zealand, she stitched me a snowman that is so sweet and adorable. May I present to you:

Is he  just so adorable, I am going to finish him as an ornament this week-end, snow people I leave up until the last of the snow so he will be around alot this winter, thank-you Shirley.

She also sent me  ribbons, silk threads, lace  and buttons yes buttons I love buttons, I plan on using some of them on the snowman ornament.

Look at the lovely cards and post card Shirley sent along, I love the post card it has the name of her town TE AWAMUTU what a cool name for a town, I want to visit New Zealand someday, I have friends who have been there and they say it is beautiful.
Thank-you Shirley for the beautiful exchange.

And the last picture is of course Starlynn (blondie when she is naughty) she loves the heater vent, she loves to be warm, she has started to sleep under the covers with us each night, I would think she would be way to warm but not her, she sleeps in the crook of our arm either myself or Mikes, she takes turns through the night with us.
I should be getting to bed the alarm goes off at 3:45 in the a.m.

Sweet dreams everyone.

Blessings
Catherine

 

On the road again

Greetings all: I am so glad to be home, it was brutel on the road this past week, icy and snowy and just plain ishy.
Tonight I am stitching  (cannot show you) so sorry it is time to get caught up on my exchange.
Just stitching and drinking hot chocolate, yummy yummy in my tummy.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all
I am thankful for my Family, health and life, and all the people that help to keep this country safe and free.

Blessings
Catherine

Sooo slow at blogging

Hello and a warm welcome to all my followers.
I have been very busy working, this time of year all the snowbirds are trying to get their appointments in before leaving for warmer weather, I do wish I were one of them.
Today the temps started out at  4 degrees, oh my gosh it is cold.
Last monday I was on the road and late for everything due to icy roads and crappy weather, I am so thankful Dr. Jay is patient with me and the driving conditions, over 400 cars ended up in the ditch or accidents, some people think they will not have any problems driving on the winter roads, I take it slow I like to get to my destination safe and arrive home the same way.

 I have been busy stitching and sewing, I am working on a lovely exchange which I cannot show you just yet.

I am making a wine tote bag for a friend who gave me a gift a little over a year ago and now have finally found just the right thing for her, this is the start of the tote, I will show the finished item soon.

This is a curved bag with pockets on each side, it is a pattern from the Minnesota  Needlework Guild.

 

Next up are some mice I am putting together, this is a free pattern from Bustle and Sew magazine

http://bustleandsew.com

This is a great magazine, sign up for the newsletter. if you get a chance.

 

 

 

I love these little mice they are so sweet. I need to make 12 of them, I hope to have them finished next week-end, wish me luck.

I bought some fabric from an on line store, I have wanted to stitch a halloween pattern with something special, so hunted for a while and found a great place on the net, http://www.youthfulhandsneedlecrafts.com,  I will be buying from this site again, the fabric is hand painted and oh so nice. it is 27X17.5 28 count Lugana the name is Carpe Noctem, I will start stitching my halloween pattern after the first of the year, I am way too busy now to start anything new.

I went to Becca Beads in Maple Lake Minnesota last week for a class, Becky has the best shop I have had the pleasure of visiting,  the shop is filled with oh so many beautiful beads to choose from, Becky makes many of her own beads and does horse hair bracelets, someday I will buy one from her, they are beautiful.
I bought three spiders that a friend of hers made,  they are so sweet, they will also be gifts for someone for their Christmas Tree.

They are about 2 inches long, made out of beads and buttons and for only three dollars apiece I think I got a deal.


I am still working on my Christmas towels I have three done and will finish the fourth this evening, I will post a picture on monday or tuesday.

We are going to buy a new living room set today, we donated the set we have now to the Youth Room at Church, thye really needed a set the group is using a sofa that is really a mess and broken up oh so old.
We will go out to lunch today yippee, hot hot soup sounds good to me with a big piece of french bread yummy yummy in my tummy.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

Blessings

Catherine

 

Thank-you Veterans

Blessings and a big thank-you to all Veterans past present and future, without you I would not be able to enjoy the freedoms I do.
God Bless America and all She stands for.