Beginning of the Season

Red and White Tree

I guess it’s that time of year when my blogging becomes a little sparse – too much to do at home, school and work, and not nearly enough time to do it in. But, I have lots to share! Last week, goodness was it only last week?, I attended my first Christmas party of the season. My guild held its annual holiday party, and it was my second year to attend. Of course the home it was held in is magnificent. We had a good turnout, even with bad weather. Everyone brought food to share, and we had a veritable feast. I may still be recovering from the chocolate Amaretto cake. It is always so fun to visit with fellow stitchers, particularly those you don’t get to visit with at the guild meetings. Last year I remember having so much fun and getting to know a few sweet people that I now call my friends. I brought a super yummy spinach and artichoke dip, that had a little kick to it and was oh-so-good.

After all the eating, we settled in to do the ornament exchange. Everyone who brought a stitched ornament drew numbers, and then each person got to select an ornament to open or one to steal. It was great fun, and you can see below all the amazing ornaments that made an appearance this year. If you look closely, you can see the little ornament underneath the framed one, the one that says “Merry Christmas”. One of my fellow stitchers (whose work I am always enamored with) stitched this one, on 50 count. Yes, you read that right. And she added the sweetest little beaded edging around the ornament. If it hadn’t already been stolen too many times before I got my chance, that baby would have been coming home with me!!

TRSG Ornament Exchange

As it was, I was very happy with the ornament I did go home with. I loved that this had our guild’s name abbreviated on it. And the bargello was just too pretty to resist.

TRSG Ornament

You may remember last year, the pretty ornament I received? I can’t wait to get it out for my tree this year. I’d love to have a little sampler tree full of ornaments. Oh and let me tell you, I am still kicking myself for not having my camera with me at last year’s party. What a duh moment that was.

And look at this pretty one…I think this is from that new BBD book. Now, I have to have that book!!

Noel

And here’s what I stitched for the exchange. This was my very first time finishing an ornament with board and cording and everything. I have Jane Timmers to thank for that – her workshop was completely instrumental in the skills needed to do this finishing myself. I also learned how to make cording that same weekend from Laurie (she of the 50-count fame). So, thanks to Jane, Laurie and Eric (who held the other end of my cord), this ornament turned out pretty darn good for a first attempt. You may remember I stitched this one a little while back, it’s Angel of Tulips by Goode Huswife. I stitched two – one for me and one for the exchange. Mine isn’t finished yet though.

Angel of Tulips Finished 112809

So, it was a wonderful evening and I had so much fun. I wish there had been more time to visit with everyone, but there is always next year’s party!

And, really quick, I wanted to update you on my reading escapades. I finished another Black Dagger Brotherhood book – I think it may have taken me all of a week. I’ve had to ground myself from reading anymore of these until I get caught back up at school. How sad is that? True though.

So, after finishing this, I picked up Drums of Autumn again, as you can see. I only lack about 200 pages to finish it. So, after a long hiatus (well, a couple of months anyway), I think I’ll finish it.

I have more to show you, but it will probably have to wait for another day – hopefully not too long though!

I am grateful for good friends.

42 thoughts on “Beginning of the Season”

  1. Your ornament is just gorgeous! I can’t believe it’s the first one you’ve finished….looks like a pro job to me!

  2. Your ornament is just gorgeous! I can’t believe it’s the first one you’ve finished….looks like a pro job to me!

  3. All of the ornaments are so gorgeous! It’s my dream one day to have a tree filled with nothing but stitched ornaments. The tree in the first photo is really beautiful – is it yours? Lovely post!

  4. All of the ornaments are so gorgeous! It’s my dream one day to have a tree filled with nothing but stitched ornaments. The tree in the first photo is really beautiful – is it yours? Lovely post!

  5. What lovely ornaments – they are all beautiful!

    Your finished ornament is wonderful and I love your finish.

    What a beautiful Christmas tree – only 16 more days to go.

  6. What lovely ornaments – they are all beautiful!

    Your finished ornament is wonderful and I love your finish.

    What a beautiful Christmas tree – only 16 more days to go.

  7. I wish I could have been at that party! Those ornies are terrific!!! And, I think I know who stitched the one on 50ct?! Simply amazing. All those ornaments look so wonderful, each one is so special, I would be happy with anyone of them! Glad you had a great time. Your tree is fabulous, you did a wonderful job decorating it. I too, would like a whole tree of sampler ornaments….wouldnt that be just terrific?!

  8. I wish I could have been at that party! Those ornies are terrific!!! And, I think I know who stitched the one on 50ct?! Simply amazing. All those ornaments look so wonderful, each one is so special, I would be happy with anyone of them! Glad you had a great time. Your tree is fabulous, you did a wonderful job decorating it. I too, would like a whole tree of sampler ornaments….wouldnt that be just terrific?!

  9. Oh how nice! It sounds like it was a fun gathering! And the ornament you took home — it’s the same one Tanya is stitching up! I love that one. I think I may have to stitch it up myself. I also love the one you contributed. Too many things to stitch! Enjoy the holidays!

  10. Oh how nice! It sounds like it was a fun gathering! And the ornament you took home — it’s the same one Tanya is stitching up! I love that one. I think I may have to stitch it up myself. I also love the one you contributed. Too many things to stitch! Enjoy the holidays!

  11. All of the ornaments are beautiful. What a fun party your Guild has each year. Love the angel you chose to stitch and OMG… that Merry Christmas on 50 ct. is just stunning.

  12. All of the ornaments are beautiful. What a fun party your Guild has each year. Love the angel you chose to stitch and OMG… that Merry Christmas on 50 ct. is just stunning.

  13. Wow! What a fun blog post, Michelle! I loved looking at the ornament pictures. Wow wow wow. You stitched a beautiful ornament, and received one in exchange. I am so impressed with your finishing skills, too! YGG!

    I very nearly ordered some of that book series for Mairead but shied away at the last minute, afraid the boinking might be a bit too too graphic. She reads adult books so she’s okay but I didn’t want to give her something seriously steamy. I might have to get some for me, though! 😉

  14. Wow! What a fun blog post, Michelle! I loved looking at the ornament pictures. Wow wow wow. You stitched a beautiful ornament, and received one in exchange. I am so impressed with your finishing skills, too! YGG!

    I very nearly ordered some of that book series for Mairead but shied away at the last minute, afraid the boinking might be a bit too too graphic. She reads adult books so she’s okay but I didn’t want to give her something seriously steamy. I might have to get some for me, though! 😉

  15. What a gorgeous ornament collection! You are in a group of very talented stitchers.

    I hope you don’t make the Brothers wait long… the next installment is my personal favorite 🙂

  16. What a gorgeous ornament collection! You are in a group of very talented stitchers.

    I hope you don’t make the Brothers wait long… the next installment is my personal favorite 🙂

  17. All the ornaments are gorgeous!!! And 50 count, wow. I am not sure I would even attempt it.

    Pretty tree too, the birdhouses are very neat.

  18. All the ornaments are gorgeous!!! And 50 count, wow. I am not sure I would even attempt it.

    Pretty tree too, the birdhouses are very neat.

  19. That group of ornaments is quite impressive!

    It sounds like you have a great group of ladies and had a blast – thanks for sharing!

  20. That group of ornaments is quite impressive!

    It sounds like you have a great group of ladies and had a blast – thanks for sharing!

  21. Michelle, your tree is so majestic and beautiful, have to love all of that red!!

    The ornaments are so special, each one, and congrats for taking home one that spoke to your heart!

  22. Michelle, your tree is so majestic and beautiful, have to love all of that red!!

    The ornaments are so special, each one, and congrats for taking home one that spoke to your heart!

  23. Your ornament is gorgeous. It’s a good thing that you stitched two, because I think I would have had a hard time letting go of that one. And how much fun it sounds like you had! All those ornaments were wonderful to see together.

    I’d love to have a small tree filled with ornaments too. I always think about it, but never do it. Have the tree though, so that’s a start!

  24. Your ornament is gorgeous. It’s a good thing that you stitched two, because I think I would have had a hard time letting go of that one. And how much fun it sounds like you had! All those ornaments were wonderful to see together.

    I’d love to have a small tree filled with ornaments too. I always think about it, but never do it. Have the tree though, so that’s a start!

  25. Pretty tree! Fabulous ornies. I think I’m going to have to buy that Joyeux Noel book. Everything I’ve seen from it so far has been fabulous.

  26. Pretty tree! Fabulous ornies. I think I’m going to have to buy that Joyeux Noel book. Everything I’ve seen from it so far has been fabulous.

  27. I like the ornament you got and the one you gave–both are lovely.

    Good luck resisting the pull of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. I couldn’t put them down when I read them 😉

  28. I like the ornament you got and the one you gave–both are lovely.

    Good luck resisting the pull of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. I couldn’t put them down when I read them 😉

  29. That tree is absolutely stunning. I love it!
    Beautiful ornaments – all in one place – WOW.
    Love your stitch and you did a great job of finishing!

  30. That tree is absolutely stunning. I love it!
    Beautiful ornaments – all in one place – WOW.
    Love your stitch and you did a great job of finishing!

  31. All these ornaments look so lovely and each of them would have been a treat to receive. I love both, the one you stitched for the exchange and the one you received. Your finishing is perfect!

  32. All these ornaments look so lovely and each of them would have been a treat to receive. I love both, the one you stitched for the exchange and the one you received. Your finishing is perfect!

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