Happy New Year

I realized I have been a way for so long here, but I have been checking in with my fellow bloggers to see what they have been updating on their blogs. I have been stitching in the months that I have been away, but not so much. Life right now has gotten more in the way than anything. Our holiday season here was good, as always so much to do before the big day and then it comes and goes just like that! A lot of illness between myself and my husband's father has kept me away.  My husband's father has been battling cancer for almost a year and had surgery the day after Christmas, but a few days after the surgeries he had, he suffered a stroke. He is paralyzed on the left side and will have to live in a rehab facility for a while to learn the basics that come so easily to us. Needless to say the last year with all that we have been through it has been challenging and a huge struggle. With it being a new year though I am so very much hoping that this year is kinder to my family and household....

Before I forget I wanted to share photos of what I have been doing stitchy wise! The one finish is somewhat a Prairie Schooler finish. I used the pattern from Birdsong 1, but because I was on a time crunch to get this done, I had to shorten this up since it was a Christmas gift for my sister and I was truly working until the last minute! My second finish is by Brittercup designs. I love the cat designs that are always coming out for Christmas! My third finish is something that has importance to it.... on Thanksgiving eve at my local library I signed up to enter the annual cross stitch contest they have every year in December. For years I have wanted to enter, but held back out of fear of not being good enough, but this year I said to heck with it! It will be on display for a few more days before the top 3 entries will be chosen. The contest every year is sponsored by a little cross stitch shop here in town. The 3 winners will get a gift card to go shopping in her store. By the way this is called Gentle Harvest by cross eyed cricket. The last little finish was a little something that I made for my friend. With that said wish me luck! I had seen some entries at the cross stitch show that even took my breath away. I just am excited to see my finish on display, so if I do not win it will be ok! With that said Happy New Year! May this be the year that brings all we wish and so much more.