Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Ready for a Fresh Start

I watch out my window as the planes take off into space.
Oh, that I could fly away and start fresh.
But I must realize that fresh starts also come
in pretty wrapped gifts called "tomorrow".
Arthur Unknown


First I need to thank everyone for their kind words and prayers for the passing of my husband's sister. It really was so comforting to hear. With her passing, the holidays, in-laws in town I am really ready for a fresh new start. I am hoping with the changing of the calendar I am bringing in a fresh new year.

Over the holidays I found out who my Pen Pal was, Maria the Cross Stitch Queen had been writing to me. She revealed herself in a Christmas Card that included a Lizzie Kate pattern "Remember".  It is so we can remember our Pen Pal relationship. I will always remember my wonderful letters, thank you Maria.



Another gift that help brighten up my days was a package from Pam - Confessions of a Southern Stitcher. She sent a box full of wonderful goodies.


She did the gift in themes. First was a gingerbread. I confess I did not have time to try out the gingerbread recipe but look at the cute measuring tools.


Next was a tea theme. She knows how much I love to have a nice cup of tea and stitch. My daughter is also a tea lover so it was hard keeping her from stealing these.


There was also this jar of Louisiana Swamp Water. She suggested trying it over cream cheese, YUM !
She also sent me my first Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament magazine.  I must confess that there was also this cute snowman cookie in the package. Well he was delicious, I ate him with a cup of tea as I looked thru my magazine. Cross stitch magazines to me are like cookbooks, I may never get to cook or stitch everything in them but I sure love to just sit and look thru them.

Thank you Pam for helping brighten up my holidays.

On Mondays I go to church with several other ladies. Our group is called "Crafts for Christ". Most of the ladies knit or crochet and make prayer blankets for shut ins. A couple of us make beaded ornaments. The first of December we spend a day putting the ornaments on little trees to give to the shut ins.


Each tree has about a dozen hand made ormanments with a few extra balls. I help make the ornaments all year and this year I also made the tree skirts.


This year 6 people received our little trees. My SIL was on the recipents.


I didn't get a lot of stitching done but I did manage to stitch these. My other SIL was in town and she told me once she would love a name badge she could wear to her bridge games. She spends part of her year living in Scotland so I made her one with the Scottish Thissel with a matching scissor fob.
Lainey might recongize the pattern on the name badge, she sent me a Scottish pattern and I took it from it.

I wish all of you a wondeful new year full of stitching time. I have been working on my New Year's list of projects. Stayed tuned for my goals this year and an upcoming stitching outing.

Always keep love in your stitches,
Teresa






19 comments:

Tricia T said...

What sweet remembrances you received for Christmas, Teresa! And I love the little Christmas trees. I'm sure every recipient was blessed by them.

Nancy said...

You received some very nice Christmas goodies! Those trees are such a nice thing to give to shut-ins!

Wishing you a Blessed New Year!

Mouse said...

oooo you got some lovely goodies and those tea stuff would look gorgeous in my house too heheheh ... love those little trees too and the name badge is really sweet too :) hopefully there will be a letter in the post to you soon ... ;) happy new year to you :) love mouse xxxx

cucki said...

aww so many lovely sweet goodies..and the christmas tree is so lovely..
sending you hugs and wishing you a very happy new year..
love cucki xx

Catherine said...

You received some lovely gifts! Wishing you all the best in 2012.... Hugs....

Deborah said...

Beautiful gifts. The trees that you all made are really cute and very meaningful. Happy 2012.

Unknown said...

What lovely gifts your received and those gingerbread men are just to cute. The trees look wonderful and what a great job you did on the tree skirts.
The turning of the calendar reveals a whole fresh untouched year, ready for you to have hopes and dreams in it, I hope its that and more for you this year.

Mary Ann said...

Such lovely gifts you received! And, the trees and tree skirts are so pretty, and I am sure very much appreciated.

Lesleyanne said...

The trees are lovely. Great gifts received and sent.

Sarah said...

What lovely gifts, I hope they helped to brighten up your week. Beautiful stitching on the name tag

Carol said...

I'm sure your little trees from your church brought so much joy to the recipients, Teresa... Those little tree skirts are adorable! They look so cute all lined up in a row there...

Wonderful gifts from fellow stitchers--they really are the best aren't they?

Kathy A. said...

What lovely gifts to share.
Your name tag with the thistle is so very cute and just perfect.
I love your gifts from your secret pal. Those measuring spoons are just so cute.

pam said...

So glad you are back to blogland, we missed you here.

Jennifer M. said...

What sweet gifts you received for Christmas. I'm glad they brightened your day. I do hope this year turns out brighter for you. Can't wait to see what you will be stitching this year.

Take Care,
Jen

mdgtjulie said...

I love your gifts from your pen pal. They're all lovely. Better watch out though, or your teapot could end up at the Mouse house!!! (Not that Mouse would take it. It would just magically transport itself there since she drinks sooooo much tea!!!) Your little trees are darling too. I need to get myself one for next year. Of course, I have full sized ornies to put on it... Anyways, I like the name badge and scissor fob too. They're lovely. You just did a good job all the way around, lol. Hope you're having a good year so far!!!

Pam Seavey Schaffner said...

Love the Scottish Thistle, since I have many Scottish McKay ancestors in Canada.

Tolentreasures said...

Love those little trees! What a great idea! I envy your group of ladies. Wish that we had that also! The stitching is lovely, as always. Hope that your New Year is very happy!

Cathy

Dani - tkdchick said...

What fantastic gifts, they would cheer any girl up!

Pumpkin said...

I LOVE the gingerbread men!!!! SO cute!

Lovely gifts.

What a nice idea with the trees because not everyone can get out and decorate one themselves. How thoughtful :o)

I hope you have a happier 2012 and may it bring you new and exciting things Teresa!