Her finishing on this little stocking is simply exquisite! The design is “Winter Song” by Blackbird Designs. It is from the 2008 Just Cross Stitch ornament issue.

I’ve decided to take it to work and use it as my cubicle stocking this year. I figure since I spend more time at work than at home, I can enjoy it more that way. I’ll bring home to put on my little tree here when I get off on Christmas Eve. Thank you so much, Corinna!! I hope to have the finishing done on yours in the next few days and get it into the mail this week.

After that, I headed over to my LNS for the monthly all day stitch. OMG, we had sooooo much fun! Of course, the amount of fun we have is directly proportionate to a lack of actual stitching. Soooo, that means I didn’t come even remotely close to my goal of finishing my LHN ornament.

As you might expect, I sit at the troublemakers end of the table (nearest end of the table in the above photo). Of course, I’m in very good company there with Darla and Terri (right side of the table), and our non-blogging friends Karen and Dana (left side of the table). I sit in the empty chair in the middle between Dana and Terri.

The only other regular cohort we were missing today was our other non-blogging friend Lindsay. She was off on a quilting adventure instead. When you get us all together, it can definitely spell trouble with a capital T. I’m not sure some of the people at the other end of the room quite know what to think of us and some of our conversations. ;)

Terri actually surprised me (and Darla, too!) with the chart Book of Spells from The Goode Huswife. It’s been on my wish list since I first saw it. In fact, I added it on as soon as I saw the first teaser pic before it was even officially released at market earlier this year. Not only did she give me the chart, but she also included the fabric and fibers, too! Thank you so much, Terri!!!

I didn’t actually do much shopping today. I figure with all the stash I’ve purchased recently, I didn’t really need anything. ;) Of course, once I got to the shop, Diana (the shop owner) was having a big sale with 20% off all cross stitch charts, counted canvas needlepoint charts, and painted needlepoint canvases. I did look around a bit, but ultimately decided not to pick up any other charts.

She also has a Victoria Sampler trunk show going on right now. In honor of the trunk show, she is giving 20% off the VS thread/accessory packs, too! Given that I purchased the Christmas Village chart during my recent stash haul, I did take advantage of the sale to pick up the thread packs for it.

While we were there, Diana gave us all the info for the 2010 stitching cruise as well. Instead of heading down to Mexico again like we did earlier this year, the 2010 cruise will be heading northbound. It will be a 4-day Pacific Coast cruise on the Coral Princess leaving Los Angeles on Thursday, May 6. There will be two full days at sea before the first port of call on Sunday in Victoria, British Columbia. The stop in Victoria also includes Afternoon Tea at the beautiful Fairmont Empress Hotel. After leaving Victoria, there is an overnight sail to Vancouver, BC which is the final debarkation for the cruise. From there, we would fly back home to Los Angeles. I’m still not sure if I’ll be able to make it or not yet, but it sure sounds fun.

So, all in all, it was a very good stitchy day. Until next time …

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Now, on to the topic at hand … I’ve been a very lucky stitcher lately and have actually received two RAKs (Random Act of Kindness). One of them was received from Anne S. a couple of weeks ago, but I’m woefully behind in updating my blog, so I’m just now getting around to posting about it. I did thank Anne when I received it though.

She sent me a couple of gorgeous colors of Carrie’s Creation Threads over-dyed cotton floss, some needles, a beautiful Melbourne photo postcard, a couple of pieces of glorious chocolate, and a lovely card from Anne. I will admit that the chocolate didn’t last the day after getting the package.

Then, a couple of days ago, I was one of several recipients of a beautiful bookmark made by Annette.

They were inspired by the mutual appreciation obsession that we all share for the Black Dagger Brotherhood book series by J.R. Ward. In Annette’s words, which I completely agree with, the series is Crackilicious! I started the series 13 days ago and I should finish the 4th book in the series tomorrow. Yeah, it’s definitely book crack.

With all the reading I’ve been doing, I’ve not been doing quite as much stitching. I have still managed to get some done though. I’ve had three small finishes this month. I will share pictures of two of them, but can’t share the third as it’s for an exchange and I’ve not mailed it yet.

Moon Witch (photo is a bit over-exposed, sorry!)
Designer: The Primitive Needle
Fabric: 28-count Days Gone By linen
Fibers: Belle Soie, GAST, and WDW

Noel Naturally
Designer: The Cat’s Whiskers
Fabric: 32-count Lambswool linen
Fiber: Threadwerx

I’ve also finally had to admit to myself that I’ve failed miserably at my 25-project no stash challenge. I made it through 12 projects, but I’m totally off the wagon now. On the upside, I have some great new stash. ;) I’ll share pictures of what I’ve purchased recently in my next post.

Until then …

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It looks like it should be a fairly quick stitch, too. I just need to figure out how to work it into my rotation. Yes, I know I just use a screaming rotation, but I still have to figure out time to work on everything at some point.

I have a couple of other pics I need to share, but that will have to wait until tomorrow or Friday. The rest of tonight will be spent stitching and watching a couple of shows off my DVR (Top Chef Masters and So You Think You Can Dance).

Speaking of DVR … only 4 more days until the new season of True Blood starts on HBO. Yes, it’s definitely going on my DVR schedule. I’ll be out of town on vacation for three consecutive Sundays after the season premiere, so I’ll have lots of catching up to do when I get back home.

Until next time …

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