It WORKS!

Oh my, this is SO SO exciting! It works, it works, the broadband is ALIVE! Okay, well, connected anyway. I'm sitting at home, in my stitching room, ahem, sorry, H's office, typing away with all the time in the world - what a feeling :) I'm so looking forward to catching up with what you all have been up to - I've missed you!!

Firstly - a huge thanks from me to the mysterious stitcher who so kindly sent me a secret package with a Christmassy mitten button, and a skein of lovely Carrie's Creations thread. I know from the postmark where my mystery benefactor lives - Belgium - but not who it is. I would love to know who you are so I can say thank you properly - it was such an unexpected and kind thing to do! Stitchers are such wonderful people - even if it wasn't you, give yourself a pat on the back, because I have just found so many wonderful and lovely people through stitching and blogging.

Now, a quick update from me. I've been madly stitching on Annemarie's squares for Fair & Square Round 4, currently underway. No photos though, as I think she's been loitering with intent round here recently :)

I've also been working on Paradigm Lost of course, because Thursday just gone was my SAL night, and here is my progress - I had a stonking night, and finished all the arms of the medallion I'm working on, and have only the double-headed bird to complete this Thursday, before I start a new medallion. Finally, I'm feeling some progress!

And, as it became December at the weekend, I insisted on heading straight out to buy a Christmas tree. Being Canadian and from a land of plenty (when it comes to trees, anyway), I definitely won't stand for anything but a real tree - I find the fake trees so depressing somehow. So here is our tree in its wrapper, just after we got it home:

And, after I'd had a glass of wine, and nearly killed myself getting the decorations out of the cupboard upstairs, here is the finished product. In my defense, it looks much nicer IRL - Christmas trees are not the easiest subject for the (very) amateur photographer! I wish the photo could convey just how heavenly it smells...

As I was feeling so inspired, I quickly got out some fabric and a few skeins of thread and knocked up this Lizzie*Kate Christmas ornament - I've stitched a fair few ornaments this winter, none of which are for us! I've been so inspired by the recent JCS Ornament Issue (which I only received last week, so is still new in this part of the world!) and also the latest Gift of Stitching which I took a swift peek at this afternoon and intend to peruse more fully once I've finished with this little (and growing) update.

Design: Merry by Lizzie*Kate

Stitched on: 32ct Kiwi Illusions Linen - Bourbon 'n' Cola

Stitched with: Carrie's Colours and Weeks Dye Works

Will be finished as a Christmas ornament

Now, just before I do my goal review from November (because I think you might just skip down to the end at this point) I want to say a heartfelt thank you to all the wonderful people who commented so kindly and complimentarily (is that a word?) on my stocking finish for our niece Orlaith. I'm really looking forward to her birthday now - although I fully expect that because she's two, and that's just the way of the world, she'll enjoy the box I'm going to pack it in more than the stocking :)

Goals Review - November

Finish-finish Christmas gifts - Yes!
Snowbird SAL - stitch Paradigm Lost on Thursdays - Yes!
Carry on with Awake the Dawning Day - Yes!
Carry on with Northern Lights - No, I didn't find time for this
Carry on with Spanish Wine - Yes!

I also finished Orlaith's Stocking ahead of time - Yes!

And, I also finished stitching my Cross Stitchers' Lottery piece - Yes!

So, for December:

Finish and send Annemarie's Fair & Square Round 4 Squares

Finish and post photo of Cross Stitchers' Lottery piece

Stitch and finish at least 2 ornaments - for us!

SBEBB - stitch and finish the Winter House Exchange

Snowbird SAL - carry on stitching Paradise Lost on Thursdays

Crazy Exchange - instigate a Crazy Exchange with ??

Stitch on Awake the Dawning Day

Stitch on Spanish Wine

Stitch on Northern Lights

Stitch on AMAP pinkeep

Phew, that should keep me busy! Well, so much for a short update - I'm impressed you made it this far :)

As ever, thanks for stopping by - happy stitching!