Advent Wrap Up

I hope that you and yours enjoyed a wonderful Christmas holiday and Boxing Day for those who celebrate that day too.  Ours was lovely - quiet and just close family and friends so it was really nice.

Here is a photo of the final gifts from my Advent exchange.  I received a wonderful Stickfee Christmas tree chart, a wonderful little votive wrapper made out of cute snowman fabric and the final gift was a biscournu to match my needlebook, scissor fob and scissor pocket.  Just the prettiest set.

We've finally had our first significant snow of the year and it looks like it should for December in Maine.  I'm not sure how long it will last as it's supposed to warm up towards the end of the week but at least it's seasonal looking for now. 

Advent Catching Up

This month is flying by so quickly and I have fallen down on my plan to update my blog daily with the goodies I've been opening every day from my Advent exchange.  It has been so much fun to come home to open up a little gift each night after work and first thing with tea on the weekends.  Here are some of the photos I took.  These are the gifts from Days 12-17.

Day 18 brought this gorgeous scissor pocket which matches the needlebook and scissor fob I received earlier.  Dane does the most beautiful stitching and finishing - I am so blessed!

Day 19 brought more lovely silver ornaments like the ones in the photo above and Day 20 was another great package of beads and yesterday was more yummy chocolates.  Today brought a great package of stickers perfect for scrapbooking.  I will be very sorry to see this "one present a day" thing come to an end but we will definitely be doing it again next year I think.

I'm off to finish some gift wrapping and continue working on some knitted gifts.  There is no hope that they will be done in time for Christmas but maybe not long after if I keep at it. 

Advent Day 10 and 11 and some stitching!

My wonderful advent exchange continues with Day 10 and 11.  I opened the wonderful blue scissors yesterday and today was a gorgeous fob that matches the needlebook Dane made me earlier.  Dane's stitching is just lovely and the stork scissors perfectly match the bird theme of the fob and the needlebook.  Thank you Dane!

Today for the first time in at least two weeks I picked up a needle and stitched on the current block of my C@HRH piece.  What grand plans I had when I started this back in January - to be finished in time for Christmas this year!  LOL  So much for plans - once I do, something comes along to throw a monkey wrench into into them.  Maybe 2011 will be the year of no plans or goals whatsoever?  I might end up being more productive.  As tempting as the 15 project fever that's going around the cyber stitching world is, I'm going to sit on the sidelines and observe!

Advent Update

I've continued to enjoy opening more advent gifts this week.  Day 6 brought a gorgeous needlebook in my favorite color combo of blue and brown and Day 7 was a skein of wonderful Tentakulum threads in greens and golds which I have the perfect fabric for.  Now I just need to pick a pattern to use them with. 

Days 8 and 9 brought some lovely silver ornaments and some super yummy chocolates from Germany. What could be better?  Nothing I can think of!

I have managed to finish another Christmas gift but there are so many more on the list I'm trying not to get overwhelmed.  I will just do my best to get them done and since it's family, hopefully they will be understanding if they don't arrive on Christmas day.  It will prolong the holiday giving don't you think?

Advent Day 4 and 5

Yesterday Barbara and I had a nice get together in Belfast.  When I got home, I unpacked my bag and there was my camera - which of course never made it out of the bag when we were together.  But that's okay because Barbara was stitching on an exchange piece so it still needs to be kept secret. Maybe one or the other of us will remember to get a picture when we get together in January.

Rather than work on stitching, I spent the time knitting on a Christmas gift and got a fair amount done.  I will continue to work on this with the goal of finishing it up by Saturday to start the next planned Christmas gift.  

And here is a photo of my Day 4 and Day 5 Advent gifts.  Day 4 was a great little container of beads that I think I will incorporate into a knitted bracelet project I have been wanting to try and today was some yummy treats which I'm going to try and save until this afternoon with a cup of tea.  Hope you are enjoying your Sunday!  I've got the Christmas CDs going and am putting out my decorations to get into the mood for the holidays. 

Advent Day 2 and 3

 So my wonderful Advent adventures continue with Day 2 revealing this wonderful Advent ribbon.  It is absolutely adorable with little Christmas elves, a reindeer and ornaments.  I have to discover the best way to showcase this really wonderful piece.  Day 3 revealed some wonderful Christmas stickers that will be perfect for scrapbooking.  A great end to the work week!

Tomorrow I'm heading up to Belfast to get together with Barbara.  We are hoping to be able to get together at least once per month during this winter so we can get some stitching time together and make the winter go more quickly.  I now Barbara has had some snow but so far we've not been blessed with anything down south but I know it's coming!  Hope you have something fun planned for your weekend.

Advent Adventure - Day 1

 I'm in a very fun exchange with a private online stitching group I belong to.  We are doing a 25 days of Christmas exchange just like an Advent calendar.  Above is the wonderful box of goodies I received from Dane in Germany.  Since today is December 1st, I got to open my first present to find this wonderful votive holder nestled into a little fabric holder with two great seasonal fabrics.  Isn't it adorable?  Each box had to include two hand made items.  I'm so looking forward to revealing all the wonderful things Dane sent and I hope you are too!

My box went to Rachel in Utah and I'm hoping she likes everything I included.  Hopefully this will give her some incentive to update her blog!  LOL

I have one other Christmas related item to get out in the mail tomorrow that is a single ornament exchange.  I was supposed to get it in the mail today but I forgot the sweet goodie I have to include so I'm off to get the package sealed up and to the post office tomorrow.