30/12/2008

Guess who's a happy bunny???

Me, of course. I managed to finish my present for Kim's daughter, I hope Marta will be pleased with me as I changed the pyjamas colour in pink shades, the initial pattern was blue. So here it is in it's splendour! I can't wait to see Kim's face when she'll see it. And to complete the present I found a cuddly toy to accompany the picture.

29/12/2008

WIP

A bit more of my cross stitch, some work was done over the festive days, however I was plagued by a nasty cold and work progressed slowly!

The cat's face has to be filled in, and next I'll attack the ring.

Marta, my pen friend, http://hafcikicinka26.blox.pl/html , has kindly given me a lovely bunny pattern. My colleague and friend Kim has just had a baby girl on the 4th of December, so I thought it would be gorgeous to stitch this design for her. Can't wait to finish it and to see Kim's face!



28/12/2008

'Twas the Night before Christmas', by Clement Clarke Moore

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.


The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

26/12/2008

The morning after!

Christmas eve, the tree before the party ...


And the following morning enjoying a lie in, breakfast in bed, etc ...

25/12/2008

23/12/2008

Christmas is so near!

And so many things still to do! Well, I have decorated yesterday, and here is my small attempt at patchwork:

Still working hard at my fifth day, hope to finish it pronto so as to start the bunny pattern Marta has sent me.

And speaking of Marta, my pen friend from Poland, she has sent me a lovely card she stitched herself, she is so much faster and does so many beautiful designs, she is a real expert in cross stitch. She's on my list as Marta's blog, I have not learnt yet how to do links within text, perhaps I'll learn in the new year. So here is Marta's kind gift to me:

My warmest wishes to you all, I hope you will have a brilliant Christmas, surrounded by family and friends. Love to you all, those lovely ladies out there, busy with their cross stitch, crochet and knitting, and so many other wonderful things. xxx

21/12/2008

Mosaic

Learning to put together a mosaic, and getting better by the minute.

20/12/2008

Christmas ball!

Wishing you will all have a wonderful Christmas, festivities here are well on the way!

Sarbatori fericite tuturor, aici deja am inceput petrecerile!



And ginger bread! Si turta dulce!

14/12/2008

Christmas review "Entente musicale" 10 Dec 2008

Our festive panto!

Wednesday evening we had this year's Christmas review, theme based on a mix of Grease, Fame and Hair, all in all a lot of song and dance. I was a competition judge, so I applied myself the best. We had a lot of fun, giggles, ate lots of chocs, to keep our nerves at bay, of course!, and drank some lovely champagne to celebrate our success! Here are a few pics:


The three judges ... who will win the prize?

More stitching!


I have returned to my 12 days of Christmas, and although I know I am extremely late to finish it for these festivities, I plan to have it ready for Christmas 2009. Here is my progress:

Anyhow, my first attempt to make a stitched coaster failed miserably, I must get myself a circles template to be able to cut the material properly, but well, first attempt, I must be forgiven and I'll try again much better next time. After a really bad circle, I decided to cut it a bit more, to make it kind of regular, and it went even worse. Shame about the cross stitch, I find it rather cute. Bahhh! Bahhh! Time to learn my lesson ...

06/12/2008

Sunday morning!


Last night I finished these two, but I'd probably be better attaching a tassel or pompon to this hat. If anyone sees my post, could you please indicate where I could find instructions on the internet? Thanks a lot. Still thinking of continuing with gloves. And even socks. Never knitted socks yet, that would be something to look forward to. Must look up some knitters blogs to check out if anyone has instructions. Have a restful Sunday, off to church now!


Dress up!

And coat on and off I go into that grey cold mist!





Christmas decorations again!

I could not resist taking a photo of these, very cute, in different shops in central Paris. Enjoy!