Gentle Readers and Dear Friends, well, today will be the last post of the year. It is really nice to end on a high note. I have so enjoyed the past year and look forward to another year of fun stitching and posting!!
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I am going to wrap up my trip with Christmas day - not only was it the hottest of all the days I was home, but I left late in the afternoon so it was my last day there. We did our usual breakfast buffet of "Tortilla Breakfast Casserole," "Sausage Pinwheels" and assorted pastries, egg nog, juice and coffee. We opened up gifts and it was so very nice and quiet with just the family and Christmas music playing. It was also getting very warm... I said hot.... so we took off for the beach and a few hours of lovely breezy sunshine and sand. I had my camera and got some nice snaps..
This is a shot looking south. We stopped a little north of the Granada approach, where no cars are on the beach. I know the snap is a bit hot but I really liked the reflection on the water and the sky.
There were a ton of birds just hanging out, I guess since the tide was going out they where looking for snacks.
This is one of the smaller older beach house left along this stretch - most of the older homes have been pulled down and replaced with mini-mac-mansions - a real pity, but I guess progress is progress...
This last shot is looking north - I just liked the way it looks.
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When I got back home (SF) I had a couple of presents waiting for me....
from Faye - Carolina Stitcher - stitched me this wonderful pyn keeper....
.... I saw a lovely ornament ( I attached a tiny eye-screw to the back et voila) on my stitching tree!!
and Marie - Creative Thread - sent me a gorgeous skein of forest green floss.
- and - a friend of Rico's had this wonderful ornament made for us.
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I have also been working a bit on the "A la Belle Etoile" Sal and here is an updated snaperoo -
On this piece I did change all the recommended DMC floss over to silks and am really enjoying them!! I even went back and changed my conversion of the Gloriana "Elizabethan Green" I had originally chosen - I changed it to Belle Soie "Attic Tea" and am really happy about that!! This is working up nicely and I should have it "off the snap" soon.
While I was home I finished up the ABC Noel - and here is the completed piece....
"ABC Noel" - Les Ambrosales
36 ct LL Vintage Meadow Rue
Recommended DMC
October 11 - December 24, 2011
I did drag out the stitching a bit to make a Christmas Eve finish, but it was worth it. It was a fun stitch and although all the DMC I used were the recommended colours I did change up some of the colour placements to fit what I though looked best - I am stubborn that way.
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That's about it for today - I wanted to wish everyone a very Happy New year......
Isn't this a great older Dutch card!! - Have a safe weekend!!!!
I'll be back on next Tuesday - woo hoo for the three day weekend!!!!!!!
Take care,
edgar
So you had a Christmas like our blogging friends down under! lol! Hot and on the beach. Love the beach pics -- so pretty! Congrats also on finishing ABC Noel! Love your SAL piece too. And lovely presents as well. Happy New Year to you!
ReplyDeleteLovely presents, lovely SAL piece and a fabulous finish. ABC Noel is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHi Edgar! Your ABC Noel is really lovely!
ReplyDeleteHappy New year to you, Rico and your sweet little pets, from " Down Under". Sandy. :)
I love that ABC Noel! I can't believe you finished it so quickly.
ReplyDeleteI love the Alphabet piece..absolutely gorgeous and now on my 'to buy list'.
ReplyDeleteHave an amazing new year and I am looking forward to watching your creations come to life in 2012!
Happy New Year to your and your xxx
We went down to the beach on Christmas day too, but ours was just a little bit chillier than yours ;D
ReplyDeleteGreat stitching, thebelle etoile is looking wonderful.
Happy New Year!
ohhhh what a lovely view each way of the beach :) well done on all the finishes and love the conversions on the sal piece .... adore your wee stockings for the furbabies now Santa paws can leave lots of prezzies for them :) have a wonderful very merry stitchy new year :) love mouse xxxx
ReplyDeleteI've been reading your blog for a while, and really enjoy it. Your ABC Noel is lovely, and the Belle Etoile is truly belle! I'm glad you had a good Christmas with your family. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteAnne
Thanks for sharing your holiday pictures Edgar. Oh to spend Christmas day on a beach!
ReplyDeleteYour SAL piece is looking great and the ABC finish is gorgeous. A Happy New Year to you and yours and best wishes for a good 2012!
BUON ANNO,E TANTISSIMI COMPLIMENTI PER I LAVORI FATTI,UN ABBRACCIO.
ReplyDeleteLove all the beach pics! We had a few cold, blustery days this week...makes me miss the warmer days!
ReplyDeleteGreat gifts and stitching - love how your ABC Noel turned out!
Edgar, your Christmas vacation sounded wonderful. Your ABC Noel is beautiful. Just a question, buy you always show these beautiful stitched pieces and the designs are OOP!!! I love seeing all your finishes. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Edgar! I enjoyed seeing your photos and reading about your Christmas. Your SAL piece is looking pretty, and your Christmas ABC piece is gorgeous! Such a pretty pattern, and your stitching is beautiful! See you in 2012.
ReplyDeleteLove "A la Belle Etoile." How did I miss that?!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Edgar!
ReplyDelete80+ degrees on Christmas Day? ugh..not to my liking either.
You got many lovely presents this year. Good for you. And your stitching is as beautiful as ever!
Wonderful gifts, great wip and a beautiful finish! Happy New Year to both you and Rico and the kids, of course.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finishing ABC Norl, it's a stunner.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Love your ABC Noel Edgar!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a nice trip!
Have a Happy, Healthy & Prosperous New Year!
Wow! That beach is gorgeous! And it looks so nice and warm....nice!! Lovely ornie tree! All those ornaments are so beautiful. What a fabulous ornie your friend made for you! It has all your names on it!! Darling!!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and your family!
Oh, and congrats on your finish! It's exquisite!
Where do I start? Oh yeah, the warm beach - stop it. Your gifts -lucky guy! Your tree - OMG!!! The ornament with pup stockings - sweetest I've seen,. ABC Noel - wonderful. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteABC Noel is gorgeous, love it!
ReplyDeleteLove your color changes on "A La Belle Etoile". It prettier than mine with DMC threads!
Great gifts!
Happy New Year!
Your Christmas sounds like it was wonderful and a day at the warm beach was the perfect end! Your projects are gorgeous, as always, and I love seeing what you're working on. Have a blessed and joyous new year!
ReplyDeleteBlessings - Julie
Your Christmas Day beach photos are beautiful. The presents and your finish and SAL are lovely.
ReplyDeleteYour ABC Noel is beautiful, and I love your stitching tree! Happy New Year to you!
ReplyDeleteLove your abc piece, what a gorgeous finish. Your sal is lovely too, so are the gifts
ReplyDeleteWishing you, Rico and the hounds a fantastic 2012
Congratulations on your ABC Noel finish - it looks great.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your holiday pictures - it's not Christmas unless it's hot!
Happy New Year.
Thanks for sharing your pics. With it being cold in western NY, I loved seeing the warm weather. Congrats on your finish. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty presents and lovely card. Have a great weekend
ReplyDeleteWish you a great 2012 and whole lot of stitching :)
All the very best to you and yours for 2012. The stitching is fabulous and the beach divine...even if it is Christmas. We had a green Christmas (1st in many, many years)and although the snow adds to the event I didn't miss it. Family and beach it is!!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and Rico and your little doggies too! Love the ornament with the names of the doggies on the stockings!
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely blog. I have become your newest follower. Happy new year
ReplyDeletex catherine
Happy New Year Edgar! Love your "a la Belle Etoile" SAL. Your fabric choice is gorgeous. Wishing you, Rico, and the who-hounds much health and happiness in the New Year.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn
Happy New Year Edgar,
ReplyDeleteJust catching up on your Holiday story...sounds (and looks like) you had a great time.
Loved the St. Augustine pictures, probably my most favorite city in Florida. Every year, our church here in Chiefland, FL make a pilgrimage to the Lady of LaLeche shrine in St. Augustine as part of our RCIA class, then we visit the Old Town, the Fort and have Mass at the Cathedral. Such an awesome experience.
Loved your ABC Noel finish...you are such an inspiration in your choices AND in your finishes even more!!
Dottie J
Oh Edgar, your ABC Noel is wonderful! Congrats on your finish!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year wishes to you and Rico. It sounds like you had a fabulous Christmas in the south. I sure could use some of that warmth about now!