THE TREE IS UP

Today I finally decorated the Christmas tree, a couple of days ago Caitlin had helped me put it all together and get all the lights on, without Paul's help we were scratching our heads as to where they all went there seemed to be so many of them specially as he had added an extra set last year. I had forgotten too how long it takes to do the finally decorating, however it was finished and the lights were on when Barryn and Jackie arrived this evening. This is Jackie's first Christmas with our family and I think I impressed her with my tree... just wait till she sees all the decorations at Jan's house, Jan has decorated on a theme of Red and White this year..

 

To all my blogging friends and followers I wish you a very happy and blessed Christmas.

CHRISTMAS PODS

The final challenge for the year for our Stitching friends group was to create a pod in the Christmas colours chosen by our partner, her is the one I stitched for Lyn. We stitched them as a SAL over 3 months, and each month were given a theme for a side and we could then use our own ideas on what to do. These pod were quite large allowing plenty of space for the stitching,  It also had to be finished with a tassel.

 

Part 1 was stitch a diamond shape using  Mordvianian stitch.

Part 2 had to include a hardanger heart ( I stitched my heart on 40 count linen the appliqued it on

Part 3  asked for a Christmas wreath.

 

I then made a smaller pod for my Secret Friend in the colours she had chosen. blues white and silver.

lots of pearls and crystals on this one.

 

 

 

 

These are also my daughter Jan's favourite Christmas tree colours and at present I am making a set of four in these colours for her.

 

My family have all changed their holiday plans and will now go off on holiday just after Christmas, We will share Christmas at Jan's home and although it will be sad not having Paul with us, we will be welcoming Barryn's partner into the family and that will make it special.  I have the tree out and Caitlin came over and helped me get all the lights on it, however I have yet to decorate it, still 2 days left before Barryn and Jackie come back up and stay with me.

 

Hope every ones Christmas plans are going well.

 

 

Thank You

Thank you everyone from the bottom of my heart I have truly appreciated all your loving messages left on my blog or email to me direct. I am also blessed to have the support of family members with me at this time.
 We are having the service to celebrate Paul's life at 1pm Friday  (NZ time) , friday is a very special day as it would have been our 49 wedding Anniversary, here is what I have put on the backpage of the Service Sheets.

 

 

Paul

Paul Westfield 18.12. 1934- 9.12.2012

 Loved husband, father and grandfather.

MORE WONTONS

I am now able to share with you the rest of the won ton pincushions made in the last Stitching Friends challenge. I posted the one I stitched a while back. This first one shown here was designed and stitched by Ann, using Queen stitch strawberries .

 

 

I received this one from Heather it has a lot of stitching, I really need to untie it to show you  how the design covers all the square A lots of planning to make all the stitching fit into place.

 

 

 

Joan really captured the apple blossom theme that was suggested with her lovely soft toning flowers on her Won ton..

 

 

while Lyn's won ton had a different group of flowers on each side and a dragonfly on the tie.

 

 We all enjoyed the challenge. Won tons are  fun to create and quick to stitch and would make lovely gifts. If you would like to make one see my posting for October 20th for the basic instructions, they may have any form of embroidery on them.

 

 

 

 

JUST BEAUTIFUL

These are simply beautiful I love Paeony Roses, have four growing but no blooms yet. As my sister Joan and her husband were coming to visit for a few days Paul asked if they would call at Trenrose Paoenies gardens on their way and bring me a bunch of these lovely flowers. Joan arrived with not one bunch but two, one as Paul had requested and another one from them As you can see most of them are still in bud.

The ones they brought are Kansas the bright cerise red, Mons Jules Elei the mid pink and the pale pink is Sarah Bernhart

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I will have some stitching to share later in the week not my work and I am trying to get one more photo to add to the collection, hope to inspire you all then