Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Advent Calendar

Today I’m joining Jo of Serendipitous Stitching for her Christmas Advent.  I’m a bit late telling you this, but each day of December you can visit Jo to see who is posting!  If you haven’t seen the calendar yet perhaps you’d like to pop over to Jo's blog now to catch up! 

So, this is my day for door 22



Jo asks that we show a photo of stitching for Christmas:


“Christmas Cheers” by Lucie Heaton

I started Christmas Cheers in November, inspired by Rachel’s Naughty November (see HERE) and finished it around midnight on Sunday !  I was going to try to FFO yesterday, and write my post, but then I realised that would be  bit of a “tall ask” as I wouldn’t be able to eat all day, and I’d end up with severe back ache, so this is it for now ..... but it’s not going in the pile to linger ..... I’m working on it already!

Unfortunately the weather is awful here today and the photo I took, trying to show the colour of the fabric as well as the stitching has not gone so well ..... 


so I thought you might like to see a close up I took while stitching was in progress:


Pattern from The Ultimate Christmas Cross Stitch Collection - July 2014

I really enjoyed stitching this Lucie Heaton pattern and have already ordered the kit for her latest pattern on the cover of the current CrossStitcher magazine (Issue 365) - a lovely winter scene! I hope I don't have to wait too long as I feel lost without a project to pick up in the evening! The strange thing is I've ordered the kit and only today they have sent me an email saying only certain cottons are available and they are on their way ...... but I'm confused, why are they sending these cottons alone when I've ordered a kit? They're not much use without the fabric!!!!

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Jo also asked us to talk about our favourite Christmas book, and I've enjoyed following the others and finding out what their book choices and memories are ......

but, unfortunately, I don’t really have a Christmas favourite  ..... however I especially love the Agatha Raisin series, and remember reading “Kissing Christmas Goodbye” by M C Beaton.

If you’ve read any of the Agatha Raisin series you will know just what to expect.  It’s a while since I read the book and I've forgotten much of the detail of the plot, so don't worry I won't give a spoiler here, but suffice to say it’s full of the usual light-hearted fun we expect from Aggie! The story wasn't quite what I'd expected but I do love reading about Aggie! However I feel the more books Ms Beaton wrote the quality was perhaps not of the same high standard or as entertaining as her earlier books, but that didn't stop my enjoyment of the story. 


Do pop over to Jo's to see all the beautiful stitching of our blogging friends


I do hope you have a Happy Christmas despite all that is happening with Covid, and let's hope things will be better in 2021!



Hugs.

Barbara xxx

25 comments:

Kim said...

Your Christmas tree is lovely. It is such a sweet design. I haven't read Agatha Raisin books, but I gave watched a few of the TV shows.

Clare-Aimetu said...

Your tree is beautiful, isn't it strange how the camera picks it up different in different light. I've read Agatha Raisin, they are great stories. Merry Christmas 🎄

jocondine said...

Nice pattern, very elegant tree. Thanks for the close up it's always great to see the details of the stitching. Joyeuses fêtes de Noël ! Amitiés. xxx

Mary - Lecoeurceltique said...

That is a pretty, delicate Christmas tree.

Isabel para ALROMASAR said...

Your Christmas tree is fabulous!
Merry Christmas for you and your family!
Hugs from Spain

Denise :) said...

Barbara, your tree is perfectly dear!! It almost looks like blackwork...is that correct? I'm going to see if I can find this pattern ... I'm really captivated by it and you did a lovely job of stitching it!! Merry Christmas!! :)

Annet said...

Such a pretty Christmastree!

Rachel said...

Congratulations on your adorable Christmas Tree finish. I'm glad you didn't rush to FFO it, as that means we'll get to see it again! :)

Kate said...

I like your Christmas tree.
My favourite Christmas books are the ones I read to my children, and now to my grandchild. He loves them as much as his dad did.

Benta AtSLIKstitches said...

Lovelytree, I look forward to seeing it grow xxx

Cathy said...

Nice tree! I hope your new kit arrives soon.

Elfie said...

I do love that Christmas Tree - it has gone onto my 'must stitch' list. I've also added your book to my reading list. I've watched the TV series, but hadn't thought to hunt out the books. I hope your kit artives soon. Merry Christmas!

Faith... said...

I just LOVE that tree! Congrats on the finish. I can't wait to see what you ordered.

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas Barbara!! :)

Queeniepatch said...

Your potted Christmas tree is stylish.
Have jolly Christmas.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

I'm joining the list of those that love that Christmas tree! It's so much reminds me of something you'd see in the Dr. Seuss version of The Grinch. I love the wonderful simplicity of it (altho' I'm well aware that it wasn't the least bit simple to stitch!).
Happy Christmas wishes to you and yours Barbara, in whatever form it may take this year. Be safe, be well.

Christine said...

Such a lovely little tree

Mini said...

Merry Christmas! I like your entry for the blog hop. looks like a delicate design.

Pamela said...

I love this tree! Well done!

Sheryl said...

I like this pretty little tree and we can see the colours much better in the close up. Rotten weather here too these last few days. I haven´t read anything by Agatha Raisin. Hope you enjoy a lovely Christmas week.

BronnyB said...

Like the others, I also like the 'simplicity' of your stitched item. It looks so clean and fresh
Season's Greetings

Katie said...

That turned out just beautiful indeed. Congrats on the finish. I look forward to seeing how you finish it off.

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

Oops, I forgot to leave a comment to say "Thanks for taking part in the Advent Calendar Blog Hop this year."
The tree is wonderful, the backstitch lines are very effective.
Agatha Raisin is very popular at work too, they are still steady sellers.

Astrids dragon said...

What a beautiful Christmas tree, I love it! I hope you were able to fully finish it before Christmas so you could show it off.
Wishing you all the best in the New Year!

EL INVENTARIO DE MJ said...

Tus maravillosos bordados son un lujo.
Me gusta el árbol de Navidad.

BESOS

Josie said...

Your stitching is perfect,as always!