** Time for stitching **

At last I have had time to just chill - and I have spent today sorting out my 2010 cross stitch projects - now that's what I call a good Boxing Day :)

So here are the things I'm doing next year:

St Lawrence's Tree Festival - my theme is 'symmetry'

I have decided to stitch ornaments they are vertically symmetrical (so if you put a mirror down the centre the image will be the same both sides. I have found some designs from World of Cross Stitching Xmas Cards booklet. I'm starting with the filigree designs and am using Maderia metallic thread 4022 & 4065. I'm using up my small bits of fabric and am using 28ct Quaker Cloth in white for my first few. I am doing this as part of the Christmas Design SAL

Travelling Stitcher

I have joined Chris' SAL and my chart pack arrived just before Chrismtas from Polstitches. I found some natural linen fabric in the attic stash which I think is 30ct (well it has too many holes for 28ct and not quite enough for 30ct) The floss came with the chart, it's Crescent Colours and I've used my floss ring for the first time to keep them tidy :)

Little House Needleworks SAL

I have also joined this SAL, you may have seem my first three ornaments although I have not finished them yet. I have not stitched Fa La La which is the first official ornament as my chart did not arrive from US. Hopefully it is in the Christmas post and will arrive soon. The next chart is on it's way so fingers crossed that arrives and I can get stitching. I have chosen 28ct Quaker Cloth in Natural to do these ornaments, hopefully I will have enough to do them all but if not then I'll just have to go shopping - won't that be a shame ;)

Stitch and Stash - 2010 Round Robin

I am organising this on the Stitch and Stash forum. There are 5 stitchers so far. I have decided to do another table topper and have spent a lovely afternoon browsing the internet for charts. I've decided on Lizzie Kate's Autumn, Spring, Summer and Winter Baskets, along with her Friends of all Seasons. I am using Zweigert 28ct Jubilee in Antique White and will be asking my fellow robins to use DMC floss. I have an idea of the layout but will make a final decision when the charts arrive.

My other project is the 2010 Weekly SAL on which I hope to finish my St George, and maybe the two Christmas designs I did not finish this year.

We had a lovely day yesterday with the family here for dinner, everyone loved their gifts and I was so lucky to have an iPod Touch from DH, DS and DD. They had even had the back engraved "Clare Hearnden - With Love Nick, Michael and Philippa x x " - it was such a special thing to do.
Thank you to all my friends for the lovely gifts, especially Julie, Karan and Brenda. I have loads of choccies which I will have to ration to keep on Slimming World - I lost another 1.5 pounds last week which means just 1 pound t go to my 2 stone - but I think Christmas will delay it a bit :)

Just a few photos to finish with - and to wish you all a very

HAPPY NEW YEAR

All of us at the bowling Christmas Eve

Ruby and her new toy

My chocolate cake and Michael's gingerbread house - yum yum.