Another Ornament Finish

My 3rd of the year. This will also be for one of my boys, that's why it's backdated. I'm playing catch up! Here it is:

• Name of the design is "Jingle Bells".
• Chart is from the booklet titled "Ornaments Galore vol 2" by Ursula Michaels for Leisure Arts.
• Fabric is 32 count white opalescent evenweave.
• Thread is DMC cotton.
• Stitch count is 58 x 50.
• Started on January 10th 2012.
• Completed on January 23rd 2012.

Just turned 10 year olds and microwaves do not mix

The other day I spotted my son with cooking chocolate in the kitchen and asked what he was doing - "Nothing". I asked if he needed help - "Nope". Stupidly I went about my business and got sidetracked, as you do. Some time later (5.16 minutes precisely - thanks to my dibber-dobber mathematically gifted other son) there was a commotion as "chocolate son" remembered he was using the microwave. The enticing aroma of burnt chocolate/melted plastic - accompanied by a smoky haze  - greeted us when we opened the microwave. Did I mention he put it on high too? He was hoping to make chocolate ninjas - I'd bought him some cookie cutters (apparently interchangable for chocolate moulds) in the shape of karate ninjas for his birthday.

Note to self: Fully supervise kids around the microwave. And find some safe holiday activities for them :-)

Andrea's AWOL - so we have a new winner!

I searched in vain for a way to contact Andrea, so her loss is your gain. Well at least for Chars, who is now the lucky winner! Congrats, enjoy your kit and threads.

Andrea, Andrea, where for art thou Andrea?

Andrea, you were the lucky winner of my blogoversary contest, but I can't find a way to contact you. Can you please email me at jakt70 at gmail dot com or leave your details in a comment? If I don't hear back from you soon I may have to do a re-draw for the kit and floss.

My second finish of 2012

Thanks to the Christmas ornament SAL I've joined, I've completed another one to go to the kids. (that's why I backdated it to 2011). Not sure what I'll stitch next, maybe another quick ornament. I have 3 weeks before February starts and I can stitch a Christmas tree, which is the theme for February. Here's the ornament:

Here's the details:

• Name of the design is "Christmas bear"
• Chart is from a booklet titled "101 Bears with Personality" by Lynn Busa, for Leisure Arts
• Fabric is 32 count white opalescent evenweave.
• Thread is DMC cotton.
• Stitch count is 42 x 41.
• Started on January 6th 2012.
• Completed on Januray 9th 2012.

Blogoversary contest winners

I used a random number generator to choose the winners, and they are as follows:

• 1st prize of the kit & 5 skeins of DMC cotton goes to Andrea.
• 2nd prize of the leaflet and 5 skeins of floss goes to Grannystitches.
• 3rd prize of a piece of aida or evenweave plus 3 skeins of floss goes to Blueladie

 Congratulations to the winners and thanks everyone for entering. I have contact details for Grannystitches & Blueladie, but can't find a way to contact you Andrea, could you please email me at jakt70 at gmail dot com?

First Finish of 2012

This is going to be an ornament, with red seed beads for berries, when they come in the mail. I know the date says 2011, but there's a reason for that. I wanted to stitch my kids an ornament each year to put away for them, to be presented when they move out or marry. However, my kids are 14 and almost 10 and I have not yet started on my grand scheme. Therefore this will be #1 of the 23 I need to catch up and be on track.

On a side note, I joined an exchange blog in 2011 and participated in my first exchange there. Through that, I've now signed up for an ornament SAL (Stitch-A-Long) to help keep me on track. Each month there is a theme, with a few free choices thrown in. January's theme is Santa, so my next project will be the Santa Bear from "101 Bears with Personality", a great go-to book for cute ornament or card designs.

Here's the reindeer:

• Name of the design is Merry Christmas to all.
• Chart is a free design from Vee & co, found on her blog.
• Fabric is 32 count white opalescent evenweave.
• Thread is DMC cotton .
• Stitch count is 38 x 43.  
• Started on January 3rd 2012.
• Completed on January 6th 2012.  

It's my Blog-O-Versary

And I'm turning 3! To celebrate I'm having a contest with 3 stitching prizes. It started 3 days before my blogoversary and will end 3 days after. Check out the post (below) to find out how to enter, and good luck!

2011 - A Reflection

Welcome to 2012! I have to say that 2011 was pretty kind to my family, I hope it was to yours too.

• Health wise we all fared pretty well, with only a handful of minor illnesses, no major injuries and I believe NO trips to the accident & emergency department - now that has to be a record!! 
• Work wise DH has had 2 jobs & I started a job very close to home, with a good amount of hours, family friendly & no arrogant boss and a million security cameras watching my every move.
• Money wise we have done OK. We took our first ever cruise, which also meant our first ever overseas trip. We also spent some time on the Gold & Sunshine coasts in Queensland for a winter escape courtesy of the National Karate Championships. 
• Schooling has been great for the kids, with both ending the year with A's, B's & C's. C's are where you should be, B's up to 6 months ahead, and A's are 12 months or more ahead, so I'm very proud of them. DS #1 won the academic award for his class this year also. 
• As far as hobbies & sports go, we did well there too. I finished 39 cross stitch projects and a few other crafty things. The calisthenics team I coach and perform with came runners-up at our last competition of the year, which was exciting. DS #1 has kept up his computer game addiction, and improved - and stuck with - his tennis. DS #2 is the reigning state kata champion, and almost took 3rd place at the nationals. He continues to enjoy his karate and does really well at all the tournaments he competes at, placing in kata at every one except the nationals.

So that wraps up 2011 - I'm looking forward to an equally rewarding 2012!