"It's a Major Award!"

In December, Zappy Dots held a Twelve Days of Christmas giveaway on Facebook.

I entered this photo of how I used one of their needle nannies in a finish.

I was absolutely thrilled when I found out that I won the grand prize!

I felt just like the father in the move "A Christmas Story"

and wanted to shout, "It's a Major Award!"

When the box arrived, it didn't say "Fra Gee Lay" ("It must be Italian") on the side, but I knew that it contained precious cargo...

It wasn't a leg lamp, but it was even better... 

Look at all these wonderful treasures! 

I just love all that they sent and am going to enjoy them so much!

I'm sure you will see them all in future posts.

Thank you  Zappy Dots for your generous grand prize!

Just a few days later, Mom and I each received another unexpected box in the mail.

This one was from Rebekah & Kelsey Smith.

In early December, Rebekah & Kelsey hosted

"Wool & Friends: A Christmas Gathering"

in Ohio to celebrate a book launch of their newest book.

Mom and I were unable to attend, so they sent us the table favors!

Aren't they so sweet?

Wonderful homemade potpourri, a sweet ivory bottle brush tree to enjoy all winter

the prettiest cookie that I ever did see and

Me - a contributor?! So special!

You can see more about where Rebekah & Kelsey will be by checking their website here.

Most of the Bittersweet Stitching Sisters decided to participate in an ornament exchange this Christmas and I thought that you might like to see them:

From Nicki to Linda

From Wendy to Nicki

From Carla to Wendy

From Linda to me

and here is what I stitched for Carla.

"Yuletide Shanty" by Plum Street Samplers

Since she doesn't put up a tree any longer, I decided to finish hers as a pincushion

in a little tart tin.

  

It was my first time doing this type of finish, but 

Vonna of The Twisted Stitcher walked me right through each step with her tutorial here.

Thank you so much for sharing Vonna!

Well I promise that this is my last Christmas post and I will be moving on now ;)

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, 

which were just as they had been told.

~Luke 2:20

Blessings, Patti

Inspired...

It's amazing what a little sunshine and temps over 40 can do...

This weekend I cut back my perennials and planted lots of pansies.

I think the Vitamin D from the sun did its trick as I then went inside to do some creating and decorating...

These two Stacy Nash pieces from last spring are finally out and on display.

The very talented Vonna of The Twisted Stitcher has a finishing service which I used for the piece on the right - she did a lovely job!
I finished The Sampler Girl's Little Irish Sampler into a little pillow with rickrack around the edge.

and I finished these three cross stitch pieces that hopefully will become a sewing ensemble soon... I love the combination of soft yellows and grays.

And I pulled the wools for my next wool applique piece.

Definitely not my usual color palette, but the bright hopeful colors of spring have inspired me to break outside of my box...

Who knows where that will lead ;)

Blessings to all, Patti