Ornament mania!

I decided this year to design my own ornaments for ourselves, the kids and grandkids and have the first three completed. I went with a simple design with their initials, with the exception of my grandson. Just five more to go.

A Give Away

My friend Linda is celebrating the anniversary of her blog and is having an awesome giveaway. Check out her blog at:

Stitchin with my Furbabies

New Stash

Been awhile since I've added to my stash so all these goodies sure made it feel like Christmas. I have all the latest designs by Little House Needleworks and Country Cottage Needleworks and while I love them all, I just had to kit up "The Lady" and hopefully can start her soon. I took a short hiatus from model stitching but will soon have a new one to stitch for LHN and that will take priority till it's done. I can't wait...I so feel my stitching mojo coming back in full force. I also picked up these cute snowmen charts by Lizzie Kate that I actually hadn't heard of and seen before. Talk about being out of touch!! LOL!

The Lady by Little House Needleworks

Love Nest and March Cottage of the Month by Country Cottage Needleworks

Snow House, Snowed In, Snow Fun, Snow Friends, Snow Day, and Let it Snow by Lizzie Kate

Quote of the week

I've been your friend for a while.

I know you're hiding behind that smile,

And you're keeping inside tears that should have been cried,

You've been brave through this trail.

You're been strong as a stone,

Against the stormy winds that have blown.

But you have friends who care, more than willing to share,

Don't face those troubles alone.

-- Lyrics from "Pray for You"

Happy birthday Alanna!

Happy birthday to my gorgeous granddaughter Alanna Sarai who today turns 15. Seems like only yesterday she was our little bundle of joy and today she's a growing young lady, whose not only beautiful but smart. We're so proud.

Yo Yo Quilt

I have slowly picked up my needle again and tackled my Patriotic Yo Yo Quilt. I haven't made much progress but I am enjoying the process and slowly seeing it come to life. I finally used up all the patriotic-themed and colored fabrics in my stash so I made a trip to the fabric store yesterday to pick up a few more.

A Moo-treat!

I want to thank my dear friend Rita from Texas for the lovely ornament. She was in California visiting her daughter and we'd hope to get together but unfortunately it didn't work out and this cutie found it's way in the mail. THANK YOU!

Quote of the week

"Be always at war with your vices,

at peace with your neighbors,

and let each New Year find you

a better person."

-- Benjamin Franklin

Fair and Square Exchange

I participated in Round #27 of the Fair & Square Exchange and was partnered with Daniela from Finland. Here are the lovely squares I received from her (designer Barrick Samplers).

Here are the squares I stitched for her.

It's a Papillon Creatures freebie called Three Emblems.

RIP

When I miss you, I don't have to go far... I just have to look inside my heart because that's where I'll find you.

Rita Yvonne Cortinas

March 23, 1974 - January 1, 2012

New Year, New Beginnings

Happy New Year friends! I hope this holiday season was good to you and yours and that your wishes came true.

Looking back over 2011 I realized there were plenty of good moments to compensate for the bad ones. I was lucky enough to be in Texas when my grandson Izaiah turned one, hubby and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary, Patrick also celebrated his 25th anniversary at Lockheed, and he also turned 50 this year, we were fortunate enough to attend my niece's wedding in Ohio and visited with family in Indiana and even made acquaintance with family we'd never met or seen in many years.

It's been sad and hard to see my younger brother Santos so ill and dealing with heart surgery, losing his leg, and his long stay in the hospital and rehab. But I'm thankful he is on the road to recovery and still with us. I've seen our precious Yvonne ravaged by cancer and while the outcome is not what we want, I have learned so much from her through this battle. It's the tough moments that bring out the best in people.

To happier times in 2012.