Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Advend Calender Blog Hop

Welcome to the 18th day of the Advend Calendar Blog Hop and all thanks to Jo for arranging it. :)

Let me start with this years Christmas stitching:


 Merry Christmas to Eve
Designer: With Thy Needle and Thread
Recommended WDW and Gentle Art threads
Linen: 36ct Lakeside Linen Vintage Sand Dune
instead of music paper I used fabric with a musical print 


Noel Sampler
Designer: Primitive Needleworks
Linen: 36ct Lakeside Linen Vintage Sand Dune
Recommended DMC


Also started, but only one finished: 
 Prairie Schooler - Songs of the Season
32ct Belfast from PTP in the color Fog
recommended DMC 

And then there arrived a Christmas Spider at my door, who resides now in the tree. Gracie sent this little friend and I'm delighted to welcome him in our tree. Isn't it a gorgeous little thing? Thank you so much Gracie.


The theme for this year's blog hop is  "Stocking, Sack or Something else?"
Something else would be the answer for me.

As a child I wouldn't see the tree no earlier then Christmas Day. With the gifts under it. When my kids were little, we would set up the tree together on Christmas Eve  but no gifts to be seen until Christmas Day.

These days we set the tree up  up early December. And shortly after that I start adding the gifts under the tree. The presents give it a festive look, which I love.  Somehow it's a bit of a pity that they will be unwrapped on Christmas.  

 

When seeing today a picture of a beautiful sunset, a memory came alive  that I would love to share with you. Every time when the sky was showing those beautiful orange colors,  my mother would tell me: Look Gabi - the angels are  baking cookies for Christmas. And I truly believed that and I LOVED those skys. I told my kids the same story. And they too stared in admiration to the sky. Cookies!!!!

Wishing you and your loved ones a very blessed Christmas



32 comments:

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

Thanks for taking part in the Advent Calendar Blog Hop.

I loved both your finishes so put them both on the calendar! I really like the hangers you've used too.

Your tree looks lovely too. The presents don't appear under our's until Christmas morning - too tempting for the boys!

Krista said...

Gabi, Each one is sweeter than the next. The finishing is all so beautiful. Merry Christmas!

cucki said...

Hello dear all your stitching is so beautiful
Merry Christmas xx

Siobhán said...

Awww, that is neat--the angels are baking cookies! How fun. We follow the Irish tradition of putting the tree up after Dec 8/Feast of the Immaculate Conception and take it down on the 6th/Feast of the Epiphany. Presents from extended family can go under the tree but presents within our immediate family are put out at night, once the rugrats are tucked up in bed.

Your holiday stitching is lovely! Love that spider, too. I admit I did jump a bit when I first saw it--and then smiled when I saw just what it was. :)

Wishing you & yours a very blessed Christmas, Gabi!

Chris said...

What a beautiful post Gabi!
I love your holiday stitching and finishing.
I love hearing about Christmas traditions!
Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Catherine said...

Lovely stitches!! Not a fan of spiders, but that one is beautiful!! I bet it shimmers from the lights on the tree.
I love the angels baking cookies! I might just have to borrow that one!

Giovanna said...

Goodness, what fabulous Christmas stitching - thanks for the show! Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Ellen said...

Your Christmas stitchings are gorgeous! I love those hangers too!

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year to you and your family!

Margaret said...

I love what your mother said about the sky. So beautiful! Love all your Christmas stitching. Beautiful pieces all. I love having the presents under the tree too. :D

Vickie said...

Oh, baking cookies, that is great!
Beautiful colors on that spider.
What gorgeous stitching you have done.

Lanie said...

Really enjoyed your post, Gabi! Your Christmas stitching is lovely...I must take a look at that PS "Songs of the Season"...just might need that one too!
Growing up Santa arrived on Christmas Eve after we went to bed and put up our tree, and assembled the village with trains, and delievered the presents and stockings all before Christmas morning arrived at 6 am! And I come from a family of 8 kids...I still don't know how Santa created all that magic!

Tatkis said...

Both finished samplers are absolutely lovely!

Hugs,
Tatyana

Laurie in Iowa said...

Loved the angels baking cookies story. Your Christmas stitching is beautiful.

Wendy said...

Beautiful stitching! I love that top picture of the santa on a santa hanger!

Nicola said...

Where to start.

I love the story about cookies and angels a truly beautiful childhood memory.

Your tree looks amazing as does your TV. I have never seen such a big one. Your mandala looks pretty good too just behind your tree.

I love your Christmas samplers particularly the first one, the musical fabric blanket stitched on adds a stunning effect.

Mary said...

Beautiful holiday stitching! And such nice finishing!

Gorgeous tree and I enjoyed the story of the cookies.

Oh, and what a cute little spider...

Carol said...

What a sweet story about the angels baking cookies, Gabi--I've never heard that one before, but will definitely remember it each time I see a pretty sunset :)

Lovely stitching and such a beautiful tree!! We don't even have any presents under ours yet, I'm so far behind... Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Evelyne said...

Prachtig zijn je Christmas samplers.
Leuk ook hoe je ze afgewerkt hebt en de hangers ervoor vind ik ook geweldig.
Je boom staat mooi en leuk die mooi ingepakte cadeautjes onder de boom.
Bij mij staat de boom ook en de cadeautjes heb ik net ingepakt!

Hele fijne dagen voor jou en iedereen die je lief hebt.

Lieve groeten, Evelyne

Stitch Wizard said...

Gabi your stitching is just beautiful! I am so happy you are in the group with Nicola's Scarlet year and I love Susan Singleton. It is one I want to do eventually as well! I am so sorry about your loss with your pet. I wish I could say something to help you feel better but I do understand as I have loved many little dogs and they will always have a special place in my heart too. I hope you have a good holiday season and thank you for taking the time to comment in my blog!!

butterfly said...

Beautiful stitching, Lovely post, hugs.

Sally said...

Beautiful Christmas finishes Gabi. I love the spider. So pretty.

Márcia Galti said...

Hello Gabi!
The embroideries are wonderful, congratulations! Your Christmas tree is beautiful!
A kiss!

Angela said...

I love each of your wall hanging finishes :) Merry Christmas to you and your family too!

Anonymous said...

Gabi,
What beautiful wall hangings.

I love the colors on the Prairie Schooler.

What a cute spider from Gracie.

Thank you for sharing your story.

What a sweet story about the Angels, and the orange sky.

Dani - tkdchick said...

gorgeous Christmas Stitching Gabi!

Have a Merry Christmas!

Marie said...

I love your finished pieces and wonder where you found such wonderful hangers? Your work is always GORGEOUS!

I will remember your Mom's story of angels baking cookies when I see such a sky.

Have a wonderful holiday Gabi.

Marie said...

I love your finished pieces and wonder where you found such wonderful hangers? Your work is always GORGEOUS!

I will remember your Mom's story of angels baking cookies when I see such a sky.

Have a wonderful holiday Gabi.

Topcho said...

Both of your finishes are gorgeous! I especially love the first one - so very cute! Have a wondeful Christmas :)

Keeper of the Crowes said...

What a lovely tradition, Gabi! Your pieces are fabulous!! I love the way they are finished~!!!! I own the Brenda Gervais piece. After seeing yours, I need to get mine out. Would you mind telling me where the hanger is from?? Merry Christmas.
Linda

Anne said...

Your Christmas samplers are gorgeous Gabi! What a lovely tradition your family had. I like that idea of no presents until Christmas morning. Your mother's saying about the sunset is so sweet.

Kathy Ellen said...

Sorry to be so late in catching up with my stitchy-blog reading, Gabi.

Beautiful Christmas Stitching. Your Christmas tree is so beautiful. Hope that you and your family had a wonderful Christmas.

Blessings to you in the New Year!

Nancy M said...

Great Christmas pieces and love the finishing of them and the hangers!Did you get the hangers from the US? Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and soon to be enjoying the New Year!