Monday, December 12, 2011

Fun-Filled Saturday!

Hello my lovelies! I've been having a couple of "Calgon Take Me Away" couple of weeks and am all wrapped up (ha! no pun intended) in all the christmas happenings. But I had to yank myself away from the card writing to just catch up a little. I probably have glitter in my hair and on my face but at the moment, I'm oblivious to all that. I've got so much to share and will have to spread it amongst a few posts. I've had some friends emailing me to make sure I am ok. It's been a much longer absence than I thought but I am well. Thanks so much for worrying about me.

Saturday the 3rd was my fun day. I'd been looking forward to it for months since my stitching group was planning our Christmas Shindig for that day. I went about getting my things together the night before and had grand plans to eat terrific food and get loads of stitching done.

I had hoped to be finished with Hallow Eden by Friday so I could start something Christmasy for the holiday party but as usual...I think I can stitch much faster than I actually can! Ha! As the weekend got closer, I decided to just take my time since Hallow Eden is small and portable anyways and I only had two more colors left to stitch.

As I left home in the morning, I noticed the postman on my block and asked him if he had any packages for me as I was expecting a package of finishing from KarenV. If I didn't get it that day, I'd have to wait until the following Saturday to get it from the Post Office. I was lucky because he had it! Yay! Since I was heading to the party, I put the box in the car and off I went. Once I arrived to the venue, I debated bringing the box in but when I mentioned it to some of the stitchers, they all urged me to get my box from the car and share. They all wanted to join in on the fun.

Karen did a wonderful job, as usual. She finished my Christmas Rules into a bellpull just in time for the holiday. She did say there were issues with this hardware so if you decide to buy it, be careful! However, Images Stitchery does guarantee their products and will take care of you.

And I found it's special spot!
And this is the backing fabric used. A fun, simple polka dot.
She also finished Tweet Gift but Full Circle Designs. I love this ornie. The cardinal is so cute and I plan to stitch it's companion soon.
Here is Almost Halloween by The Drawn Thread finished as a little pillow with the most perfect backing fabric and jumbo rick rack trim! And lastly, she sewed my Traveling Stitcher and matching needles piece onto it's pouch and needlebook for me. If I wanted to do it myself, it would have sat in the closet forever!
And the fun backing fabric for the Halloween pillow...

I am thrilled with the finishes and the fact that they will be displayed this year instead of gathering more dust unfinished in the closet. Thanks Karen!

The rest of the Christmas Party was great. We had a wonderful lunch and cake and I enjoyed a glass or two of wine along with chatter with some lovely ladies I only get to see a couple of times a year. It was so nice to catch up and share some laughs, stories and stitching with one another.

The Clubhouse was decorated very nicely with many trees and nutcrackers and some ladies brought some wonderful projects to show and tell. Here are some photos.
My dear friend Mary's French Alphabet Sampler. It's gorgeous! The picture doesn't do it justice and sadly I caught a glare from the windows behind me.
Narita's completed Flower Power. It's stunning and massive! It's almost the size of the loveseat!
Naomi's almost completed Mirabilia Winter Queen.

It was a fantastic day! I still have lots to share. My "bringing home the tree" story and the end result and I finally finished Hallow Eden! But...it will all have to wait another day.

Oh and before I leave, sign up for Joyzse's IHSW! It's this weekend and it actually looks like a quiet one for me (famous last words) and I plan on starting something Christmasy! I can't wait! Of course, that will only happen if I finish my cards, wrap gifts, head to the post office finish picking up the last of the gifts by the weekend. Oof...doesn't it seem like there's 5x more things to do because of Christmas!?

Until next time...be merry and bright!

25 comments:

kate n said...

Sounds like you have been having a great time! Glad to hear it :) Your friends stitching is great and what lovely finishes.

Chris said...

Hi Valerie,
Your finished items are amazing. I am so glad that they came back in time for you to enjoy them for the holiday. The fabric that Karen used to back everything is perfect.
It sounds like your holiday party was a lot of fun.
I am looking forward to seeing Halloweden.

Margaret said...

Love how all the pieces were finished by Karen. She does a great job! So glad you had fun at the party too. Love seeing the other projects there. Looking forward to your tree story etc.

Jackie's Stitches said...

Your finished projects are gorgeous! Karen did a wonderful job showcasing your beautiful stitching.

Carol said...

I can see why your stitching friends insisted you open the box with your newest finishes in their presence, Valerie... Each Valerie-stitched, Karen-finished piece is so, so cute... I'll bet you can hardly wait for Halloween go display that cute long pillow!

Looks like a great place for your Christmas party and thanks for sharing everyone's stitching with us--Flower Power is unbelievable--wow!

I'm way behind on my cards, as well--hopefully, I'll get to them tomorrow :)

Enjoy the rest of the pre-Christmas festivities!!

Katrina said...

What pretty finished projects!!!! And glad the Christmas party was so much fun :-).

dixiesamplar said...

What a fun time you've been having...and all those finishes are gorgeous; she did a wonderful job for you!

barbara said...

What lovely projects! It's so wonderful to have them in finished form to display. :)

Rachel S-H said...

Love the finishing, especially that cat plaid! That venue looks amazing!

Natasha said...

Wow! KarenV's finished are awesome...

I was SO sad to have missed the GTG. WORK UGH!!! Marys Alphabet Sampler looks beautiful.. Glad to see you didnt fall off the earth LOL

Take Care!

Berit said...

Gosh, whatta gorgeous post! LOVE all the things you got back from Karen! I totally need to send her a couple of things I have languishing around here!

Theresa said...

Wow!!! What a fun day you had!!!!! And how lucky that your package came just in time for show and tell!! Each and everyone of your pieces is gorgeous!!!!!!! Karen did such a great job with them~

Joysze said...

Whoah, Valerie, those are some fantastic finishings. :D Love the back of the Halloween pillow!!

Your clubhouse is decorated so beautifully and I love the Flower Power piece. :D

Happy stitching this weekend. :D

Giovanna said...

What great finishes by Karen, and great stitching by your friends - wonderful!

Mindi said...

Karen did a fabulous job with the finishing, and really showcasing your stitching. I love the bellpull hardware you picked out for your Christmas Rules.

Ranae said...

You have some great stitching treasures, Karen did a fab job on them.
Christmas Rules looks so awesome
Naomi's Winter Queen is looking so gorgeous
Sounds like a fantastic party

Sally said...

Oh wow Karen did an amazing job finishing your pieces. They are all gorgeous.

Glad you had a great time at the party.

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

It is wonderful, each and every one! :)

Melanie said...

Sounds like a fab time!! Glitter in the hair is perfectly acceptable at this time of the year, by the way, so no worries there. :)

Love the finishes that Karen did! I miss her regular posts. She is such a meticulous, inventive, fantastic finisher. I just love seeing what she can do with everyone's pretties! The Halloween backing fabric, with the kitties, is my fav little touch. Do you know what chance I would have of lining them so perfectly like that? ZERO chance. lol

Carol R said...

Beautiful stitching and wonderful finishes Valerie!

Catherine said...

Oh my! Karen did a wonderful job of finishing your pieces! I love them all!

Veronica said...

Wow! Karen did a wonderful job with the finishing. Every single one of them is lovely.

That Flower Power piece is stunning. I knew it was big but dang, didn't realize it was that big. Seems like you really enjoyed yourself :)

Hugs,
Veronica.

Michelle said...

All of your finishes from Karen look amazing! I especially love your Christmas Rules. The party looks like a ton of fun and I enjoyed seeing the photos.

Anne said...

Glad to hear you had a Calgon moment :D Your Christmas cards sound like they are full of loads of sparkle!! I too was wondering were you have been but have been remiss with my emails...tis the season! I love your Christmas Rules!! Vonna did a fantastic job on all your pieces!!! your Christmas party sounds like you all had an amazing time! I love that Nutcracker guy with the martini glasses!! I'll take a vodka straight and a little dirty ...hehe. Narita's Flower Power is stunning! J'adore francais samplers!!! I'll be stitching along with you this weekend!!

Meari said...

Beautiful finishes!!