Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Gifts, an exchange, Tracy's and a bit of crochet

I am a bit behind in goings on around here so I need to do a catch up post and try and cram everything in that I can.

Several lovely people have gifted me with gifts recently. Please please - if you have sent me something and I have accidentally missed it out - please forgive me and let me know!

First up is the lovely chart Tina sent me with the ornie she stitched. Love this one.




Karan sent me this lovely chart for Christmas. Another off my wishlist.



Claire sent me these lovely threads that match. Lollipop is long gone.



Gillie sent me this little beauty and it has a beautiful beaded edge. What a lovely surprise. Thanks so much Gillie. I have this one in my stash waiting to be stitched.



Tracy got me lots of lovely goodies when we exchanged presents on my recent trip to see her. Love them all. So gorgeous. Oh and she got me a lovely candle holder too. I forgot to take a pic!



This has felt on the back to keep my needles in.

Finally, my Stitcher's choice ornament arrived this morning from USA from the lovely Diana O. We were all getting a little bit worried as it seemed to take a very long time for it to arrive. It is perfect and beautiful and very very me so I thank you Diana for a lovely ornament.



I have also been doing a little bit of crochet too. I wanted something that would be fairly easy to do and comforting and not stressful so I decided to learn how to do the Granny ripple or Zig zag as I call it. I learned how to do it from here and it fits the bill perfectly. Very soft, drapey, comforting and super easy and quick to do. Lovely colours - I am using Stylecraft Special and just using up the odd balls I have left over. It is supposed to be a stash busting blanket but..... I may need to order some more!!!!! I love it. It doesn't quite fit on my bed - I made it slightly too small but it will be great to snuggle up to in the cold evenings.




I mentioned I have recently been on a trip to Tracy's. I managed to get two nights away and a bit of peace and quiet. Lots of stitching was done - you can see most of mine in my Wipocalypse post below and Tracy's you can see on her blog here. We spent some of the time at the beach near where she lives. I really felt I needed to see the sea to help me get things into perspective. It was a quiet break. I really needed it.









Cheers!

Well, that's all from me in a very large nutshell. I'll be back soon with more progress I hope.
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28 comments:

Catherine said...

Great gifts and looks like a wonderful time away!

Anonymous said...

Enjoy all those goodies! How wonderful! Glad you had a nice break from everything for a bit!

Diane (di) said...

Wow, what a wonderful post and what beautiful gifts you received. Love the Granny ripple/zig zag, too! :)

Giovanna said...

Wow, what incredibly lovely gifts - and I love those pics of the windswept beach!

Sally said...

You received some lovely gifts Hazel.

Looks like you had a wonderful time with Tracy. I think after all you've been though you deserved some you time {{{{hugs}}}}

Margaret said...

Such lovely gifts from friends! And how great that you got to spend time at the sea at Tracey's too. It's always good to get away to get things back into perspective.

Kathy A. said...

Lovely, lovely gifts from your friends. Glad to hear you were able to get away for a while and have some time to yourself.

Julie said...

Fab pics of your trip to Tracy's how lovely, just the sound of the seashore on a CD in quiet moments calms me.


Loving the granny ripple, now that is stunning, great mix of colours you've got going on it

Great pressies from your friends, the exchange ornament is a really pretty one

Becky K in OK said...

All your gifties are grand. Did I miss a birthday? Loved your scenic photos. Have a great day.

Deborah said...

What lovely gifts and exchanges.

Cole said...

Lovely catch-up post Hazel! I'm glad you were able to get some time away just for you and recharge!

Your granny ripple is great, I've been wanting to learn that one too. I'll check out the link when it's my turn. Thanks for sharing!

Stitchabilities said...

Oh I do like that that blanket!!
Lots of lovely gifts from friends.

I hope you managed to re charge your batteries whilst away!!

jane said...

Lovely gifts and exchange ornament Hazel. Sounds like the time away was just what you needed. That zig zag blanket is lovely - might have a go when my ripple is done!

Ann at Beadlework. said...

The sea is such a calming influence Hazel, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

cucki said...

wow very lovely gifts..so happy that you had a lovely time...love and hugs cucki xx

Chris said...

Wonderful post Hazel. Wonderful things :)

Jackie's Stitches said...

It sounds and looks like you've had a glorious weekend. We all should take some time like that several times a year.

Carol said...

What great gifts from your friends, Hazel--and how nice that a visit to the sea with Tracy could be worked into your life. We all need the "down time" that such quick trips provide. I do hope 2012 is a better year for you and your family...

Christine said...

Looks like a lovely break, you have received some super gifts

Gillie said...

Glad you had a good time, love to visit the sea.

Joysze said...

What beautiful gifts!! Love your pics from the getaway.

Heidi said...

Love, love, love your granny ripple. I am making my first ripple afghan which is a gift for Jos. It should be done by the end of the weekend. I am planning on trying a granny ripple soon too. I think yours is looking fab! Are you using scraps or is it planned?

Hugs from Holland ~
Heidi

P.S. - Good that you had a nice break. I am sure it will help restore your batteries. :-)

Can I have your address please? Thanks.

Margaret said...

Wonderful gifts Hazel - and so well deserved.
Looks like you had a wonderful break from it all. Good for you.

Brigitte said...

Such great gifts, Hazel. Enjoy each and everything.
I love your new blanket, you have that thing with colours. It really looks gorgeous!
Oh, these pictures from the beach - it's one of my dreams to walk along a beach in the winter when nobody is there and the wind is blowing wild ...

Elisa said...

Great gifts and pictures Hazel, looks like you and Tracey had a great time x

Louise said...

wonderful post! I just LOVE the granny ripple..but..I wish you would slow down, I cannot keep up with you! :P
I love all the gifts you received..they are so pretty! So glad you had a nice time away, you so deserve it. Thinking of you!
Louise xx

Veronica said...

Such wonderful gifts. Stitching friends sure are generous, aren't they?

Hugs,
Veronica.

Maggie O said...

Great post and nice to get away to such an amazing place...water always seems to help and girlfriends are geat to offload on. The crochet is spectacular with the bright colours and the pattern looks tighter and more sturdy (I am not inot crochet but I like this). As usual your stitching is fabulous and the gifts from talented people...enjoy, you derserve them.