Christmas Gifts

Snowman Cupcake

Hello Everyone!

I know that it’s been several weeks since I’ve updated my blog. Sorry! Anyway the stitching has been non-stop for me! First I stitched an ornament for an ornament exchange. I stitched an ornament kit called, “Snowman Cupcake”. I knew that the person I was assigned loved snowmen, so it seemed like the perfect ornament for her. The only problem I could foresee is that the kit was a RAK. I realized I had plenty of thread and I placed it in such a way that it wasn’t directly in the middle of the white felt put on the back. I can and sill stitch it for my tree next year. The ornament I
received was a pillow type. Rachel took it so quickly for the tree that I can’t remember what was on the pillow. I do remember that I loved it! I asked my daughter, who has the big tree at her house because she is hosting

Christmas, to take a picture and send it to me. She keeps forgetting, but then she does have the perfect excuse. Working 12 hour shifts and morning sickness.

Then I stitch an ornament out of “Just Cross Stitch Ornament 2016” issue the ornament was “Baby’s First Christmas” for a young couple that we love a great deal. The new Dad is like a son to Jack and me.

Coasters

Then I decided I’d put together four coasters that I’d bought last year and never got together. The problem: I didn’t measure quite right and so none of the four designs (I created) fit correctly. In the designs I created, it was more like connecting a couple of the motifs together or putting two or three on what was supposed to be within the coaster. So what I ended up doing is stitching one of the motifs found in a Christmas Cross Stitch book per coaster. They didn’t take very long to stitch----- at all. I even taught a young lady a bit about stitching. She stitched at least 50% of the poinsettia and the ribbon of the gift.

I was wanting to frame "Spiderweb Rose" and give it away as well. I have looked everywhere I can think of for the little zipper pouch that holds all my small frames. It has disappeared! I told the person who I was going to give it to what happened. I told them I could buy a new frame after the new year.

Lastly, stitching wise, I finished stitching “Christmas Bells”. I started stitching it last year and ended up putting it away because I didn’t get done with it before Christmas and so I started stitching on other things. Anyway it is done now.

I found a pattern that I want to stitch to put in my home next Christmas, but I need to

Spiderweb Rose

 concentrate on what else is on my stitching plate right now. I have “Psalm 23” and “Wedding Bells” that need completing. The wedding of Tyler and Sally is in April, I believe so I have a bit of time but still I don’t want to be last minute. That would make me feel rushed. Can you see mistakes when you’re rushed? LOL

The weather in East Central Illinois has been down right crazy! I’m betting we had the warmest November on record! We were in the 60’s and 70’s during the day for the majority of the month. We started out warm in December, but about a week into December, we started going the other way---record cold. We have had a couple of storms, but they’ve been of the sleet variety for the most part.  We had about ½ inch of snow, but it’s covered with about ¼ inch of ice. I had been stuck in my house because no one, including me, wanted me to try and walk on ice. Yesterday it warmed up enough to melt the ice. I was able to get out of the house and run an errand! Yay!! J

Christmas Bells

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Jack cooked the turkey, made mashed potatoes, yams, green bean casserole, cornbread stuffing, sage stuffing, a coconut cream pie, chocolate pie, and banana cream pie. I made pumpkin pies, and we bought an apple pie. Sarah cooked the ham. Chance and Dahlia’s brought it over when they came. Unfortunately Sarah had to workL, so she couldn’t join the meal. Matt came down from Chicago bringing his partner and a friend from Danville. Rachel and her boyfriend were here. We also had our niece from Fort Campbell here. Her husband is in the Army and stationed at Fort Campbell. Having Danielle, Nick and the kids was so wonderful! I can’t remember a time when our little two bedroom house was so full!

Weather in East Central Illinois has been down right crazy! I’m betting we had the warmest November on record! We were in the 60’s and 70’s during the day for the majority of the month. We started out warm in December, but about a week into December, we started going the other way---record cold. We have had a couple of storms, but they’ve been of the sleet variety for the most part.  We had about ½ inch of snow, but it’s covered with about ¼ inch of ice. I had been stuck in my house because no one, including me, wanted me to try and walk on ice. Yesterday it warmed up enough to melt the ice. I was able to get out of the house and run an errand! Yay!!

Baby's First Christmas

We’ve also dealt with an emergency medical issue. Our daughter called us needing to be taken to the emergency room because of what she was saying was kidney stones. Turns out it was appendicitis. Her surgery, a few hours after arriving at the hospital, turned out to be just in time. She spent one night in the hospital but is back to the usual routine now. 

We also had our van break down. We thought it was the battery, because of the cold, but as it turns out the engine threw the belt. The reason the belt broke was a part that it helps move decided to stop working. Grrr So much for any Christmas presents! But this season is not about what you give or receive, its about Christ.

Being the time of year that it is, just a few days before Christmas, I feel compelled to share the story of Christ’s birth.

Luke 2:1-7 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, in the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her first born Son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The things said in Luke 2 are exciting to me the first few verses talk about why Joseph and Mary were having to go to Bethlehem. Verse 6 talks about Jesus being born! Verse 7 announces where and why Joseph and Mary had to lay Him where they did.

Luke 2 9-10 Behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: you will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger”.

Luke 2 9-10 are where the angel is announcing that Jesus is born to the shepherds.

The more I think about this story the more it amazes me. It is so awesome! Christ came to earth to live among us and teach us and lead us into eternal life. I am sooo grateful! I would be so lost if it weren’t for Christ! A couple years ago a person whom I knew told me I could take my Christ and put it where the sun don’t shine. I feel sorry for this person and can do nothing except pray for him. Maybe God will put a different person in this acquaintances life who can lead him to the saving knowledge of Christ the Lord.

I hope and pray everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Happy Stitching Everyone!