What a great week off!

This has been the best week and starting out with an early good 2012 indeed! Met a great friend this week and it's been awesome to say the least, refreshing.

This song was one of my very favorites since I was in 5th grade singing it by the old piano in my 5th grade class every morning. My teacher imparted her love for music in all of us who were fortunate to have her as our teacher that year. Really good times in life and turning points all remind me of this song. It has followed me all my life and I love this U-tube version of it with Audrey Hepburn.

Hope your Wednesday is as wonderful as mine today!

Jennifer

Abbie says that the winner of the Simple Christmas Giveaway is

Wait.

She forgot........she's so into her new jacket she got for Christmas

DIXIESAMPLER from Alabama!

YEAH!!!!

Send me yourcontact info to freemail address at jennifer.dalenberg@yahoo.com

Yours and one other will go out this week.

Bedhead

She becomes catatonic when I put something new on her for about 5 minutes. Then she's fine.......LOL

This litle puffed jacket will keep her warm. The hoodie has the option to be snapped if not in use, I like that.

Hope you had a good Christmas and I wish I could have given everyone who entered one of each but just can't right now. :(

BUT! stay tuned this week for a new freebie and the final finish of A Christmas Heart sampler. I finished stitching but not finishing yet.

I love it, the verse is so sweet.

Thank you again for all your emails and comments. They mean the world to me.

Hope 2012 brings you good times and happiness!

Jennifer

Finishing up on Christmas Day--A Christmas Heart sampler

A Christmas Heart progress ~~~ almost done but finishing tomorrow---hopefully. I went to my fabric pantry and found a fat quarter that would compliment this well. This has been a fun, simple sampler to design and stitch.

I have to admit as I was stitching the C D part instead of Charles Dickens, I thought of Christmas Day. ;)

Woops, it IS Christmas Day. This night owl is heading for bed, after a couple more Ginger cookies and some milk. Can't have Christmas Eve without baking cookies. They are yummmmmmy.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all and hope all your wishes come true.

Jennifer

Nesting the gift of Christmas

I'm in the process of developing a big stitching space for more than one here.

 I'm trying to make it cozy and comfortable. Still have paint to do but so excited to stretch out.

A quilt on the sofa

repurposing all I have and making it usable for this space

a cozy spot for larger projects and my frame

I'm definitely not one for plastic storage but I found these beautiful storage boxes at Walmart a few weeks ago. I thought they looked so colonial and complementing the colors I'm using for a warm cozy space in my office area.

This very heavy unit was going to trash when someone moved so I asked to PULLEAZE let me take it!

And it came home with me.  I'm planning on painting this in a primitive color and putting in the group stitchy spot to hold my docking station for music and any other stitchy tools.

Music is a must for me, as it speaks to my heart.

Another space I love to stitch in a large mission rocker.

The pic over the rocker I found the print last week for 6.00 at one of my favorite thrift stores.

I knew immediately that I had the perfect heavy frame for it. The frame was actually given to me in 1985 by my brother and since then has housed several different prints.

Ironically I saw this very same print in Country Sampler magazine.....had to look twice.

and this is another old rocker if a friend would like to join me with perfect lighting.

I rocked my babies kids in this chair.

Surrounded by some of my favorite things.

The pic on the left was drawn by my daughter years ago and I treasure it.

The one on the right is a print of a painting at Colonial Williamsburg. I got the print on my trip last year and just framed last night.

sorry about the glare, very hard not to this morning. What blessings!

primitive tea lights in holders makes this feel truly like HOME

a few favorite ornies scattered around the homestead

My mother sent this as my Christmas gift this year. She said when she saw it, she instantly thought of me.

It was very encouraging to say the least and fit perfectly on the shelf next to my stitching chair.

a touch of Christmas at another stitching spot.

an old silver tree graced with pretty pink and white.

I feel very blessed this year and at peace.

Guests can tell I love stitching when they walk in the door. Makes me smile!

Now, as I get the house in a cozier mood for the Holidays and thereafter, I can finally actually stitch.

The star and angels gave the wise men direction on Christmas.

and what joy I have in a project in process for stitchers to have a retreat to the mountains, where I am grounded and feel at peace. Still have much work to do, but coming along great right now!

2012 is going to be a great year!!

the star will guide the way

Cozy up your nest

and you will feel your best!

Are you ready for Christmas? 

That's what people I see in passing ask me and I think to myself, yes, I'm ready for Christmas because to me Christmas is in our hearts all year.

 The peace, the joy, the promise of unconditional love are gifts that are on my Christmas journey from this year and hereafter.

Well, off to work on a design that I will post later as a freebie. I think you will like it. ;)

A Week before Christmas and all through the house

The Week Before Christmas

A week before Christmas and all through the house;
many creatures are stirring, even the cats.
 They swing on the front door wreath to get a peak in.
And make us laugh in humor to wonder what's next from them.

We cooked Christmas cookies and sprinkled them with sugar
in hopes that our week is sweet and filled with splendor
The Christmas cards are all addressed to special people
and waiting to go to the post office, then off to the church with a steeple.

yes, church on Christmas Eve is a special blessing indeed.
For we remember what the true meaning of Christmas will bring.
Each year we are reminded of true blessings in all forms
That lead us to promises and hope for much more.

We don't necessarily wish for things for they
are really not the meaning of this holiday
We wish for peace and harmony within
our true friends hearts and those who try to win.

For all of us really want to be close to our Maker
and praise Him for what He has done, even if through baking
Baking kind gifts to acquaintances and friends
fills my heart with the true gift of Christmas.

In this late hour, my Abigail is restless
but hopeful for a better 2012 that's blessed
She is a true companion with unconditional love
the kind that God wants us all to spread to the ones we love

If ever you don't believe in Angels oh so near,
read the Christmas story and I can testify they are here.
Some are busy and some are not
But all in all, it's what we got

To protect us, guide us, and send good cheer
At a time, a precious time, of the end of the year
To all my friends both far and near
Remember the angels said not to fear

For baby Jesus was born in a manger to share
all His love for all of us, even those who do not care.
He's forgiving in that way, which makes him more special
For forgiveness was born, to help us with protection.

So as you start the week before Christmas
think of all that God has done for you
And anyone's Christmas is a glad time that is due.
After many trials and tribulations that are promised to endure
It started with one baby who's birthday is pure.

by Jennifer Dalenberg

Happy Sunday soon to end and hoping you had a great one!

Old and new traditions--welcoming both again

Baking some Christmas cookies, the first batch is out!

the Christmas CD is on high! And I'm having a great Saturday, hope you are too!

some things never change with traditions. And christmas baking is one that will not.

I love making eating Christmas sugar cookies hot from the oven.

please take one my friend and enjoy!

A couple of year's ago a friend of mine made a special CD of Christmas music for my gift and I LOVE it every year to play. It's the oldies and adds to the atmosphere of bakng ..........

and cleaning

had to stop here but soon to add a sofa and stitching goodies for a space for a group of stitchers heading to the mountains!

Go tell it on the mountain...... da-da-da-da-da,dee-daha

Hope your weekend is fully of old traditions AND new beginnings!

till later stay safe,

Jennifer

Sampler Prints---early 1900's

Do you like interesting paper sampler prints?

While I was rambling through a community thrift shop (again) for a couple of kitchen utensils that were quite nice for a quarter a piece, I saw this print of a sampler. 

For $1.75, I thought I could afford it, so I carried it with me for a grand total of 2.25, including a book, 2 wooden handled kitchen utensils, and this.

I just thought it was quite interesting and read about these particular paper prints of samplers online a bit after looking closely at some clues.

The verse it seems is Scottish and quite cute I think~

In the early 1900's, the prints were popular.

The company is actually out of Chicago, Ill.--P. F Volland Co

Please excuse the upper half that looks cut off or weird. My computer has PMS this week.

Anyways, another marker.

and a nice flash of light there :)

the little doggie reminded me of Abbie's tail.

The verse is quite humorous and jolly just like the characters in it.

Well, bye for now.

Another log needs to be put in the fireplace.

 Good night John Boy. ;)