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A little blog about my big loves; family, friends, stitching and yep, chocolate!

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Saturday, December 28, 2013

Some Stitching...

Hello friends!

It's a bright, sunny, almost warm day in SE Michigan today and I got to get outside to take a picture of my latest finish.  This is a hornbook (well, it will be once I get a hornbook and mount it) designed by Elizabeth Talledo (Dames of the Needle) and is in the current issue of Just CrossStitch magazine.  The second I saw this sweet little design, with its perfect colors and beautiful font, I knew I had to stitch it.  Elizabeth has said that there will also be more smalls to go along with this.  I hope I have enough velvet ricrac!  I stitched this exactly as called for but added another leg to the Nun stitch border so it's more of a box stitch finish.  My ricrac is also a deeper reddish/pink than the one Elizabeth used but that's just because I happened to have it on hand.  
Can't wait for the extra pieces!
The hornbooks are going to be a year long series in JCS so make sure to get your copy, now!


A few months ago, my guild had what we call a designer day.  This year it was 
Plum Street Samplers.  In addition to bringing anything we had stitched by Paulette we were challenged to stitch and finish her "To Thine Own Self be True" freebie and finish it however we envisioned.  I thought you might like to see some of the creative finishes that were shown.  There are more but I seem to have lost that picture (typical).  Mine is the one in the center - the little book.


And just to reassure you that I still had a fun Christmas despite missing Tyler here are a couple of pics/stories I thought I'd share with you.

The ugly sweater party was on Saturday night.  
Saturday afternoon we still didn't have anything to wear. 
While out shopping, I wandered into an Urban Outfitters store and saw these atrocious cactus looking things on sale for $15 each in the men's department.  
I quickly snagged up two of the fifty or so that were left 
and 
beelined it for the check-out line.  
Treasures in hand, I hurried home with my finds to show Rob.  
Of course he was busy watching football or something when I got home so I just took them upstairs to wait till time to get ready.
When I took them out of the bag, I realized that uh-oh, those aren't cacti, no sir,
they're pot leaves!
You'll notice that even the star on top isn't straight!
We wore them anyway.
I don't know if folks at the party were more amused that we wore them 
or that I bought them without realizing what they were.
As one friend at the party said, I guess this will be forever known as our
Childless, Cannabis Christmas.
LOL.


We also had our Christmas work party in December.  Or if you work for the government like I do, you can't say it's a Christmas party - it has to be a holiday party - blah, blah, blah.  It's always a lot of fun but this year, my dear friend Lisa and I had an extra good time.  Not sure why - could have been the shots at the bar or maybe it was just the holiday spirit that got us.  Anyway, we decided the best way to take a selfie was to lay flat on your back so that your facial wrinkles sort of fall away.  We had to test our theory and I'm not sure it really worked but we were hysterical, nonetheless.
Love this girl!


We also had to thank our bartender Dave for the great job he did mixing our drinks!



Here's hoping your holiday was full of laughter, too!

Thank you for the warm welcome back and for all your lovely comments!  
You're the best!

Love and Peace,
XOXO
Terri

P.S., Tyler survived the gas chamber with no problem.... now to get past swim week!
Fingers crossed and prayers appreciated!



31 comments:

Myra said...

Well it took me a while to wipe the tears from eyes before I could reply....LOLOL Awesome sweaters! LOLOL I can't believe you didn't realize what they were. Oh that is so funny Terri.

Your finishes are gorgeous! I will have to get that JCS issue - I love hornbook finishes.

Looks like you had a great time at your party. Now on to a Happy New Year!

(still laughing and wiping tears)

marly said...

The "holiday" is Christmas! It frosts me when employers demand it called holiday, yet they still throw parties, give gifts, time off! Either celebrate Christmas or stop the festivities. As for the sweater, I'm embarrassed to say that I did not know what it was! I don't get out much. Obviously, because I've never seen velvet rick rack either!

Joanie said...

Love the cannibis sweaters. You rocked. Looks like a good time was had by all. Loved the selfie too.

I am glad Tyler made it through the gas. I remember Mike telling me that story about going through it. Just wait til Survival School. (Mike said ants taste like lemon drops.) I keep Tyler in my prayers.

Love the hornbook too! I picked up that issue today at the grocery store. Another to add to the list.

Here's to a great 2014!

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

The hornbook is awesome! Congratulations to Tyler35585865

Robin in Virginia said...

Super hornbook finish, Terri! And where on earth did you find velvet ric rac? I am still chuckling over your sweaters. Way to go, Tyler and good luck during swim week.

Robin in Virginia

Jackie's Stitches said...

It's a good thing you didn't pulled over by the cops for speeding or something on your way to/from the Ugly Sweater Party. THAT would have been interesting!

It looks like you've been having tons of fun! Wishing you a happy and safe new year!

Sherry :o) said...

Love your finish :) Your party pics are fabulous. Fingers are crossed for Tyler!

Barb said...

I will definitely send Tyler prayers and good wishes. Loved your Christmas pictures. I would do something like that with the sweaters. Maybe I'll learn what cannabis looks like now that it is legal here in Washington!! Loved the little sampler!

Annie said...

Love your hornbook and it looks so cute with the tiny sewing machine. Your book finish is adorable too. They all are very nice actually. That mirror is a cool idea.

Glad to see all that holiday fun. You have mastered the art of the selfie for sure!

Prims By The Water said...

OMG.. Bob and I laughed reading about your sweaters. Bet you were the HIT of the party. Loving your new sampler and will say a prayer for Tyler. Hope you are having a great weekend! Janice

P.J. said...

Okay even my hubby had a good laugh over the sweaters! That is hilarious! Got my fingers and toes crossed for Tyler with prayers of encouragement. This is our second Christmas since our girl joined the Navy. It was easier this year for her and us. :) still missed her, but easier.

barbara said...

I'm rolling on the floor, laughing at your Childless Cannabis Christmas sweaters!!!! LOL, thank you!!

Margaret said...

I didn't know about the hornbook series. Darn -- now I need to subscribe again. lol! Lovely finish! Love seeing all the pics of the fun times you had for the holidays too. The xmas (ahem) sweaters -- lolol! prayers for Tyler forthcoming.

Faye said...

You crack me up!!!! Those sweaters.... Omg~~. And, the FUN you were having at the work party.... Those grinning photos say it all!!!!!

Annette-California said...

Oh loved your story about the ugly sweaters - lol too funny. I get the JCS mag's and now I have to re-read about the hornbooks. Love your book you made. Glad you had lots of fun for the holidays. love Annette

Sherry said...

I got a great giggle out of the sweaters! Love all the PSS finishes too. Looking forward to more posts from you in the New Year!

Cari said...

Happy New Year my dear friend !! Your finishes are always over-the-top….including those sweaters !! Maybe this year we'll be able to get together at some fabulous stitching resort !! HUGS

Carol said...

Thanks for starting my day with a laugh, Terri--the sweaters are hilarious :)

Love all the varied finishes of To Thine Own Self--just beautiful!

Wishing you all the best in the New Year...

Melody said...

The sweaters are too funny! I'm glad you wore them anyway.

The hornbook is wonderful. And, good idea of the laying on the floor to smooth out the wrinkles for a photo. Love it.

Blu said...

I'm crying with laughter over the cannabis confusion. I'm glad you wore them. They are suitably ridiculous.

I love the hornbook finish. Great colours. And all those To Thine Own Self are gorgeous and inspiring.

Chris said...

Lovely finish Terri! I can't wait to see the rest of the series.
Your holiday sweaters are crazy! So funny!
It looks like you had a fun holiday.
So glad that Tyler is doing well!
Happy New Year!

Giovanna said...

I love the way you enjoy life :-) Congrats on the hornbook finish, it's really pretty.

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

H HA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!
I am sitting her laughing about your sweaters. HA HA HA! Oh that's priceless! :)
Love the hornbook, I have that one tagged myself! Yours is pretty as a picture!

Catherine said...

Those sweaters are a trip!! Loved your post!

Andrea said...

Lovely finishes.

Have a great New Year!

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Looks like you've enjoyed the Christmas season! Great going!

Happy New Year, too!!

Cathy Lloyd said...

Oh Terri! Never a dull moment with you around! Wish we lived closer, dear friend! PS...I would've thought the sweaters had holly on them...lol...you crack me up! Happy New Year! Good thoughts for your Tyler are winging their way!!! Had to show the picture of your bottle warmers to my friends at work...now that was some amazing crocheting! Enjoy the new year with your Snooty Parrot Society! I'll just enjoy watching the progress! Hugs!

Brigitte said...

Your cannabis sweaters are such a hoot, I'm still giggling while writing this. Just awesome.

Great hornbook finish. I can't wait to buy this issue of JCS, but at the moment it hasn't arrived at my online shop here in Germany yet. But it won't run away and hide once they have it, lol.

My best wishes for a healthy and happy 2014!

Anne said...

Oh my goodness Terri!! Those sweaters are hilarious and even funnier that you didn't know what they were! I'm glad you wore them and had fun too. Love your little book and everyone's interpretation of Paulette's freebie. Wishing you all the best in the New Year!!

Three Sheep Studio said...

Oh my goodness, I just love the red alphabet with the velvet ric-rak.
Would love to know where to find the pattern. ;)
And all the finishes are beautiful and very creative !
Rose

KAREN said...

Sweaters would have been a big hit here in Colorado. Legal since Jan 1st. The state still has no clue how to monitor sales and usage. Your son comes from good stock and will be fine. But praying can't hurt either so count me in. Have a great 2014