Sunday, January 02, 2011

Happy New Year!

Hectic time isn't it? I have still not caught up with myself but feel the need to do a catch up blog post. I'll probably most likely to forget something though so you might see me posting sooner rather than later.

Well, did you all have a good Christmas and new year? I did. I was very ill though with this Flu bug that has been going around. By the time Christmas day came, I went over to my in laws and collapsed on their sofa. It was all very lovely and nice though although I have to say there was an OBSCENE amount of presents for the children. Way over the top. It is too much to deal with - our house is not that big! Next year I might suggest we go away to a cosy cottage and give the kids just one gift each. It has gotten way too materialistic. Anyhoo, all fun.

My exchange piece finally arrived at Carole's house so she was able to put it on the tree.

##### ex for Carol 2010
Merry Christmas friend by CHS stitched on 40ct Wichelt Sand using a mixture of silk and dmc

I also did a quick finish for dh. I finished it simply so he can take it with him on his travels as a reminder of me! Think Braveheart lol. I think he liked it. Well he said he did but he might have just been being kind.

My everything The Sampler Girl Dec 2010

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My Everything The Sampler Girl Stitched on 32 ct Summer Khaki using Caron Waterlilies.

I also made Tracy something as part of her Christmas present.

sampler girl for tracy
Sweet Simple Things by The Sampler Girl.

Ruth from the Musing Badger gifted me with the fabric and thread last year and I just think it looks great! It is the first time I have attempted a cushion finish like this and think it's not a bad first job.

Speaking of gifts, Tracy absolutely spoiled me. She gave me loads of stuff including this very special chart form my wishlist including all the threads!!:

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She also got me:

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Fantastic Silkweavers fabric, BBD chart and these Piecemaker needles which I have heard so much about. I can't wait to try them out. She got me a lovely scarf and toiletries too. Very spoilt. Thank you dear friend. We were just chatting actually about the BBD AotH series and we were both saying how we would like to do them all. Maybe that is something in the pipeline then. That would be a lot of fun SALing the whole series together. I just spent a relaxing couple of days at Tracy's, although she herself was a little unwell, and I was able to get a fair bit of stitching done. I have finished my piece for my very first Round Robin that I am in with Tina (no blog), Clare and Julie. Just the four of us as Julie and myself have never done a RR before and wanted a "safety net". It is being run on a new forum that Clare has set up called Needlecraft Haven and I know she would love you all to join the stitch and chat fun! It was really hard to choose a design that would work ie it had to be a certain size and there needed to be four parts to it. I finally found something which is a bit unusual for me - I wouldn't normally stitch something like this - but I saw potential and so I stitched up my first piece ready to be sent off.

Hazel's RR piece - 1st part
Design from Cross Stitch Card Shop by Lisa Reakes (I think!) Stitched on 32ct Summer Khaki using dmc.

I also decided to get out Mary Wigham. I have nearly finished the first page:

January 2011
Mary Wigham Needleprint. 25 ct Light Mocha lugana 1x1 DMC

I have decided that I am going to try to aim for stitching a page a month to get this finished within the year. I know I can do this!

Also here is my progress on Winter Whites:

January 2011 progress
Winter Whites LHN 32 ct Wichelt Star Sapphire mixture of threads.

As usual I have ran out of thread so need to reorder some. I am thinking about doing the words in between the alphabet in a slightly different colour so they stand out a little. Love working on this but it is going to have to be put to one side for a while.

I thought as well you might like to see my dad's progress on I am Half Sick of Shadows:

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December progress

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He has reached the bottom! Not long to go now.

So what is in store for this year? More crochet for a start. I will leave that for another post. I am hoping to start Shores of HRH but need to get fabric and threads sorted for it. Also want to join in the new HAED SAL - I chose Fragile Heart. I also have Hannah Westcombe by Needleprint to start and Helen Bell's Multiplication Table by CHS all kitted up ready to go. I must get on with the Stitch and Pass on as well. Ohhhh sooo much to do!

Well I think that's all folks. Boy I really needed to get that little lot off my chest! Thank you if you got this far down. Wishing every one of my readers and commentors a very special year ahead. xxxxxx


47 comments:

Aisyah Helga said...

Hi Hazel,

I love all your cross-stitch projects esp My Everything sampler!

Happy New Year!

Aisyah

Margaret said...

What a lovely post! So much to peruse and so many new projects for 2011! And I love the project your dad is stitching too! I hope your first round robin goes well -- love what you chose! I've never done a rr in xs, just in quilting.

Jackie's Stitches said...

Happy New Year! I love seeing your WIPs and your list of things you'd like to do. Some of them were unfamiliar to me so I'm going to look them up. I received the same Blackbird stocking book from my husband as a gift. They look really cute!

Julie said...

Hope you are feeling much better

Teh RR piece looks wonderful, can't wait to do my bit on that

Well done Dad - an awesome piece of stitching!

Sally said...

Sorry you've been so ill Hazel. I do hope you're on the mend now.

A lovely post full of gorgeous stitching and gifts. Your WW is looking gorgeous.

Happy New Year!

Barb said...

Wow YOU have been and are going to be very busy Hazel, Love the Simple things cushion ,the ribbon gives it a touch of luxury.
Happy New Year to you and yours.
HUGS

Helen Philipps said...

I really enjoyed all the lovely cross stitch in this post. I especially love seeing text used in cross stitch designs - maybe because I love old samplers so much. These were lovely examples. Hope you're feeling much better now. Happy New Year! Helen x

Christine said...

Hope you are feeling better now.
Such a lot of beautiful stitching! I love the way you finished that blue pillow with the bow. I may well feel the need to borrow that idea sometime!

Riet said...

Hazel, funny I am stitching Winter Wishes to. I start it during the Christmas holiday.Later this week I post a picture on my blog.

I hope you have a great and creative 2011!
Regards from Holland, Riet.

Catherine said...

Wow! A post full of wonderful things! Good luck with your RR - I have never done one of those.

The piece your dad is doing is amazing!

Happy New Year!!

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year Hazel, hope you're feeling better now.

Your gifts, both sent and received, are all lovely. I particularly like the SG piece for your husband :) Your Dad's piece is looking wonderful too. Good luck with you 2011 stitching!

gracie said...

Hope you are starting this new year feeling better. I love your entire post! Your dad's piece is wonderful.

Cath said...

Happy New Year .
you have some lovely stitching and gifts to show . X

Annie Beez said...

Love everything Hazel! Wow! Your dads piece is amazing-I don't know how people stitch those pieces-I am in awe!!!Happy New Year!~Annie

Unknown said...

So much lovely stitching. Your Dad's piece, oh my!

I have a few HAED's started I should work on.

Happy New Year!

GoldenAngelsWorks said...

WOW great gifts and great stitching!

Your dad is doing a beautiful job!!!

Cathy B said...

Dear Hazel - so sorry to hear that you were not feeling well over the holidays; glad you are doing better now.

Good luck with your round robin and I look forward to admiring your stitchy projects in 2011!

Vicky L said...

All the stitching is beautiful. I like the pin cushion. Your father's stitching is so amazing. I hope you are feeling better. You got spoil with your new stash. Your projects for 2011 is going to keep you busy.
Happy New Year to you and your family!

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year, Hazel! Beautiful gifts all round!!

sylviesgarden said...

Hello Hazel, Happy New Year!
Your needlework is stunning.
x

Kellie said...

Hello Hazel,
Such lovely projects and so many nice photos! Sorry to hear that you have been sick. Hope you are feeling better. You have a lot of fun stitching goals for the new year. :)

Lesleyanne said...

Wow a lovely post with lots of gorgeous stitching. Looking forward to seeing your stitching in 2011. Hope you are feeling better. Happy New Year.

valerie said...

Happy New Year Hazel! Thank you for the card, *hugs* I hope that you are feeling better! Love you ornie finish and My Everything for your DH. And what wonderful stash. I just started Snow Garden yesterday. AoTH is my new year start and I am SALing with Sally. I need to check out this Yahoo group. Hope your RR goes well and keep plugging along on your MW. I am almost done with Part 2.

Congrats to your dad on his progress with Shadows. It's stunning!

Tanya Willis Anderson said...

All so lovely, Hazel!!

May your new year bring you much joy.
Tanya

jane said...

Lovely stitching Hazel, looking forward to seeing your stitching in 2011 (and some crochet too of course).
Glad to hear you are feeling better, take it easy though as these viruses are persistent little beggars!

Maggie O said...

Wow! 2011 must be your year Hazel...looks like you just woke up and took over...beautiful stitiching and gifts...great blog.

Happy blogging in 2011 and better healthto you.

Dani - tkdchick said...

Wow I had to catch my breath after reading that post! Hope you have a wonderful New Year! You've got a lot of great projects planned for this upcoming year!

cathymk said...

Wow Hazel, you have been a busy lady! Lovely finishes - I really like how you finished your gift for your hubby. Happy new year - sounds like it will be a busy and productive one.

Sue said...

Wow, I love the gifts you made and your current stitching projects. You're very inspiring. I love your Dad's piece, it's awesome.

Berit said...

Great post! My favorite parts are your TSG gift for DH, the Snow Garden Stash, and Dad's progress. Wowza!

Michelle said...

Wow - what a lot of beautiful things in this post! Love your My Everything finish - so sweet. And I'm amazed and the piece your Dad is working on...so close to a finish!

Heidi said...

Happy New Year to you dear Hazel! I am always taken aback when I see your dad's stitching of HSOS. Amazing as the painting itself. I love your pillow finish and the sweet little piece you did for DH.

I know what you mean about Christmas becoming too materialistic. We stopped giving gifts now. It seems that is all the matters to people and that should not be what Christmas is all about. Glad you were well enough to enjoy going to your in-laws on the day itself. The flu epidemic is just starting up here in Holland. I had the flu shot but still you never know...

Hugs from Holland ~
Heidi

barbara said...

Hazel, everything's so lovely that I hardly know where to start commenting!

Congratulations to your Dad as he gets ever nearer a huge finish. I love the gifts you made and I think the finishing for your DH's gift was brilliant.

I hope you enjoy a happy and healthy 2011!!

Elizabeth MacGregor-Kirkcaldy said...

I hope you're feeling much better now, Hazel! What a lovely post... so many beautiful stitcheries to admire! And youre Dad's Lady of Shalott is sooo Gorgeous... Just Amazing! I LOVE it! I really need to get back to mine...
Wishing you much Joy, Love, Blessings and loads of peaceful stitching thyme in the New Year...

Blessings always in stitches...
Lizzy
xox

demeter83 said...

Wow, your dad's piece is amazing, I've always thought that I'd live to stitch a work of art, preferably pre-raphaelite, and seeing that just makes me even more determind.
Loving your stitching of course as well

Shanti said...

Lovely work!!! I grew up surrounded by aunts, grandma and mom that used to make cross stitch... it's beautiful and remind me of them.. I had never have the patience to do it...
Thanks for your comment in my blog!

Siobhán said...

Hazel, what goodies you've been gifted with AND sent off! Lucky everybody. :) Your WIPs are gorgeous, too. I like your Mary Wigham goal. Wishing you & yours the best in the new year!

Carol said...

Some beautiful projects and a post to keep coming back to. I have done so much concentrating on crochet this year that I have hardly picked up an embroidery needle, I think that will have to change in 2011.
Your Dad is a very talented gentleman.
Hope you are fully recovered from the flu.
Carol xx

Lisa said...

I love the exchange you stitched for Carole and the gift for Tracy, and your pressie for your DH is gorgeous, such a lovely idea and way to finish it so it can travel with him.
Wow, your xmas gifts from Tracy are gorgeous, lucky girl!
Well done on finishing the first part of your RR, looks lovely, along with your progress on Mary and WW.

Feltland said...

Awww, so many beautiful projects !!!

Happy New Year Hazel ... ^___^

Cindy said...

Very nice finishes and projects!

Your dad is doing an incredible job on Shadows. I looked back at some of your previous posts to see how long he has been working on it, and it is amazing how fast he is! Does he have any secret speedy HAED stitching tips for us?

Anonymous said...

what designer is chs??

Hazel said...

Tammy - Carriage House Samplings. x

Lycka är ~ Onnea on said...

you make so lovely stitchings!
~marita~

Carolyn said...

WOW some great gifts and I LOVE seeing all your WIPS! Your dad's WIP is awesome. I'm soooo impressed! Thank you for sharing all your beautiful stitching with us in blogland!

Jeanne said...

A lovely post Hazel with so many great projects. I love the little poem you stitched for your husband - I remember that poem from "Four Weddings and a Funeral". You've got a great start to the year going already.

Brigitte said...

Wonderful gifts that Tracy and you exchanged. And a very special gift for your husband, I think. How could he not be pleased with it, it's such a wonderful thought behind it.
I loved to see your WIPs. And also to read about your plans for this stitching year. Planning and starting projects is one of the best sixdes when it comes to stitching, lol.
Your father made some tremendous progress on the Shadow Lady. Absolutely fantastic, this piece.
I wish you luck with your RR and with all your new projects.