Happy New Year!

*★* HAPPY *★*。NEW YEAR •** •★
•。★ to all my ★ Blog Friends! ★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜田田｜門｜ *Best Wishes and Blessings to you in 2011

Snow in Florida!

Well, not really..but a snowflake star was made! :)
I have attempted to make my first snowflake with crochet cotton.
It isn't perfect, but I think pretty good for a first try!
You can find the directions for these little star snowflakes on Ellen's blog
Crocheted Stars

Now off to sleep..I have so much to accomplish tomorrow!
Goodnight friends,

Lonely Paper Holder!

What is the purpose of a toilet paper holder?
I thought it was to actually HOLD the paper on it?

No, perhaps I am wrong...I guess it is for "propping" the toilet paper roll onto it.
One might think that would be more difficult to balance it right there..wouldn't you think so?

School Lesson tomorrow at our house..
Kids be on time!
The instructor will be showing you some new things you thought you never knew about. LOL!

Trip to the craft store...

I went to one of my favorite stores today, Hobby Lobby!
I literally walked around for hours. They have so many neat things, and so many things that I like! The women in the fabric department are always so sweet and helpful. I picked up some things today and had so much fun!
This is the lot that I came home with today..

 I love their new " Living Faith" costume jewelry. I found a pretty pendant with a bird on it. Now that I am getting more into embroidery I picked up some more of the Aunt Martha's towels. I purchased muslin (thinking about making some sort of doll soon)..and I also bought some other fabrics. I found the cutest little pink tote for my stitching, and a set of micron pens for my embroidery tracing. I found Crochet Cotton in white, hoping I can eventually make some pretty snowflakes..I am determined to learn!
Crochet steel hooks to go along with the cotton. :)
Then, of course I had to get more yarn! A spool of thread, DMC , and Pearle cotton, and rick rack too!
I am set for a little while I think. :)

I hope you are all having a crafty evening,

Holiday Travels and Gifts

This has been the most wonderful Christmas for us. We enjoyed mass, attended parties, and our family took a wonderful trip to the beach! The beach is a wonderful place to visit during the colder months here in Florida. It was so nice to spend time with family and celebrate this wondrous time of year.
My wonderful husband is so very good to me. He created some pretty neat embroidery scissor holders for my embroidery scissors. He is also sending me on a craft store shopping spree, and I cannot wait to go!
The scissor holders have holes drilled for my scissors, plus he also drilled little tiny holes to hold my needles also!

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Our beach trip and visiting family was wonderful! Although it was quite chilly and the winds really were blowing hard, it was nice to be near the wonderful waves and seagulls. We happened upon an adorable snowman...made out of sand! He was dressed up so perfectly, we all had a good laugh about it.

it was wonderful watching the waves..

Being bird lovers, it was nice to see all the beach birds..

Shells we picked up on the beach...

 

Writing love notes in the sand...

Mr. and Mrs.!!

We took a drive over to a canal, it is a gathering place for Manatees!
It was so neat looking at these wonderful peaceful creatures..there were many of them there..

I managed to get a bit of video of a manatee eating off of the side of the canal..


A pretty bird along the canal!

Of course, there are plenty of Palm trees!

 We truly had the most enjoyable time. This past year has been absolutely wonderful for us..getting to move back home, we are so blessed ! I couldn't imagine anything better.
Now we look forward to the celebration of the upcoming new year and look forward to what God has in store for us! Bring on 2011!!
My sweet SIL's gave me some really cute gifts , Thank you Erin for a beautiful addition to my Raggedy Ann tree! She had also surprised me with Snoopy ornaments..she knows how much I love Snoopy and the peanuts gang.

Cathy gave me soft cozy socks with a beautiful "Sister" ornament , I love these, thank you!

My Dear MIL surprised us with a beautiful framed photo of birds...she knows how much our dear "Sunny" was loved and was with us for 24 years. This was the first Christmas without Sunny. He sure was missed. What a beautiful sentiment this framed picture is. In memory of our dear Sunny. We had also lost our dear lovebird Sunshine..so these two birds will represent our birdies for sure! I think perhaps we shall hang it above our bed in our bedroom. It is beautiful! Thank you for your thoughtfulness!

I received the most wonderful package from Kerribeth!
I was so surprised when I opened up the Christmas box..inside was a wonderful American Quilt Collection "Sawtooth Sampler" Pattern, along with all the many wonderful Pearle Cotton, Watercolor, Overture, Pebbly Perle and Presencia threads.
Also, the Rose colored canvas to go along with the pattern.
I have never tried this before, but I cannot wait to start it!
Thank you Kerri for your kindness!

Wishing you all good things in the upcoming New Year!

Merry Christmas!

On this coming day of our Lord's birth, I am wishing all my dear friends a wonderful Christmas day. May it be filled with love, happiness, and blessings. I hope you will be spending time with the ones you love. We look forward to being with friends and our family. This is a wonderful time of year. For on this day, we all have been blessed with the birth of our Lord Jesus. We rejoice!


Merry Christmas dear friends, and thank you for visiting my blog.

Another Crochet Finish

This is a triple crochet scarf in the color "Songbird"..Hobby Lobby "Love This Yarn"!

Raggedystitches,

Oh Gingersnaps!

I have decided these are the BEST cookies I will ever make.
Thank you to my friend Lynn for the recipe! They are so delicious, it is amazing how good they taste. I can't wait to share!

I put the recipe on my recipe blog just in case you might like to try them.
They are wonderful! This recipe is from Taste of Home.

Dipped Gingersnaps

Wonderful Gifts in the mail!

I received the most beautiful gifts in the mail today.
My very talented and dear friend Jackie sent me so many sweet things!
Among the things she sent to me, she embroidered an apron for me, and also a tshirt. The cutest sayings I have ever seen!:)
She also enclosed a little snowman tray and a snowman box with a friendship ornament inside.

What a great day of mail for me!
I also received many, many Christmas cards from loved ones near and far.
I just love to get new pictures in the mail and notes from everyone.

I am on my way out the door..the weather is a fantastic 72 degrees, sunny and a light breeze. I think this is why we love living here, the winters are the best in Florida!

Have a wonderful day filled with blessings!

Christmas Cookies

I had so much fun with my daughter baking our Christmas cookies this year...
we ran out of red and green sprinkles, so we improvised with some pink sprinkles we found in the cabinet. We had an all out fight, a FLOUR fight that is! We have never laughed so hard. It was so funny!
But, oh! What a mess to clean up...flour was everywhere in the kitchen.
We made plenty of cookies and filled many tins. I have placed them in the freezer for now, until I give them out for gifts.
If you would like my Christmas cookie recipe, you can find the recipe by clicking on this link: Chrismas Cookies

Raggedystitches and Happy Baking!

Christmas Past

I was rummaging through some old photos...
Thinking about the past, and all the beautiful memories our family has created over the years. I know how blessed I have been and continue to be. I thank God for giving me two beautiful children to be the Mom to.
All the years of baking, crafting and spending time with my children. I wouldn't trade one thing at all!
Here is Patrick and Christine Christmas of 1998.
I wish I could go back for just one Christmas to see them little again. Time goes by way too fast!
(Look at the doll Christine is holding!) :)

Raggedystitches,

Tea Towels

I have been working on some home-made gifts. This is a tea towel that I embroidered in about an hour! Can you believe it..quick and easy gift, and so cute :)
I plan on putting it together with some home-made cookies.
This is a freebie design that I found at Bird Brain Designs

They have a lot of neat things over at their site. Lots of freebie redwork patterns too!

I have also just finished crocheting another baby blanket..all pink and white this time. I used double yarns, white and pink at the same time...the blanket is nice and heavy. Will certainly keep a new baby warm :)

Hubby is busy working on our house..oooh! It is looking so good. I sit here with my cup of gingerbread tea while the white lights sparkle on our Christmas tree. So nice to have our daughter home from school, it truly is a delight! Our son told us that he bought a Christmas gift for his sister. How sweet is that! :)
Even though they are many years apart, the love is still there.
As we prepare for the birth of our Lord, we reflect on how blessed each and everyone of us is, and it is because of him we are blessed indeed!

Raggedystitches

Brrrr!

It sure is chilly here in Florida!
I have been mostly staying in and crocheting..I have found that I can whip up a scarf in just two days. I have made quite a few of them already, and if this weather stays as it is, they will get plenty of use!

I do like the colder weather though, more so than the hot humid summers.
I was born and raised up north and this is what I am pretty much used to.
I took a picture to show you just how cold it has been here in Florida. Not the usual scenery of the south!
If you click on the picture you can see the palm trees in the background.

Hope you are all keeping warm,
Raggedystitches,

RAK

Times TWO!

Remember that chart I was so desperately searching for? Blackbird Designs Loose Feathers #24 "Their Song"...well, someone gifted me! I received some parcels in the mail that I was not expecting..
I could not believe my eyes when I opened up the envelope and this chart was inside!
I know this chart is OOP, and I thought for sure impossible to ever get.
Someone must have known my wishes and surprised me...that someone was Maggi in MI.
Thank you Maggi so very much. I can just see this stitched up in our new home. It will be perfect!

Another package I received was from
Teresa in VA. She sent me an awesome selection of Raggedy Ann and Andy charts. Now you all KNOW how much I love Ann and Andy! Teresa also knew! :)
Thank you so very much Teresa, I will treasure these designs. :)

I do have the best friends in the world. They are so giving, always!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart,
Raggedystitches,