2012 In Review

Looking back . . .

There have been ups.

And there have been downs.

But we've come through it all in tact.

It hasn't always been what we've expected. Or thought we needed.

Yet we are strong. Still here. And ready to embrace whatever the future brings.

So, as we farewell 2012, this is a snapshot of the past 12 months - my year in review . . .

Row 1: New year - good food & company | Celebrating a special birthday | Re-framing vintage bark artwork | Dahlias | Discovering Instagram
Row 2: Family dinners | Playing with buttons | Christmas cross stitching | Me | Union Jack Quilt
Row 3: Discovering cake pops | Hot drinks & good conversation | Stitching | Cooking with fresh food | Vintage cases & tins
Row 4: Autumn colours | Easter stitching | Pear samplers | Boiled eggs for breakfast | Christmas canvas work
Row 5: 60th Jubilee cross stitch | Broken ankle | Stitched words | Felt robot | Relaxing at the beach
Row 6: Knitting | Enjoying nature | Matching shoes | Picnics | Christmas 

Looking forward . . . to 2013 and all that it has to offer . . .

Happy New Year from our family to yours!

Merry Christmas

From our home to yours . . .

As you make special memories today, may you enjoy a safe and happy Christmas. I hope this day brings you love and laughter, peace and contentment . . .

The Surrogate Angel

tradition [trəˈdɪʃən]n

1. the handing down from generation to generation of the same customs, beliefs, etc., esp by word of mouth

2. the body of customs, thought, practices, etc., belonging to a particular country, people, family, or institution over a relatively long period

3. a specific custom or practice of long standing

One of our Christmas traditions includes our kids taking turns, year about, to put the angel on the top of the tree . . . they may be grown up now, but the tradition continues.

Last year we got a living tree, which was a bit small for the angel, so we had to find her a new temporary location at short notice - she went on top of a nearby cupboard!

This year, the tree it still too small, so we're going with a surrogate angel.

She's a little lighter on the fragile top branches. She's not quite as regal. But I think she's pretty cute.

So we're not breaking with tradition, just modifying a little. After all, you've got to do what you've got to do!

Civil War Sampler - My Block In Print

I was thrilled to receive a copy of Barbara Brackman's 'Civil War Sampler' in the post this week . . .

This was a block of the week project that I worked on during 2011, hosted by Barbara to commemorate the sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) of the American Civil War. Along with thousands of others from all across the globe, each week I waited to see what the new pattern would be, and the story from the Civil War that accompanied it. Barbara's since gone on to publish this book, which includes all the stories and blocks used in the quilt. In the book, Barbara shows the 'original' blocks, stitched by Becky Brown, along with alternative blocks made by stitchers all around the world participating in the block of the week.

And one of my blocks was chosen, representing the alternative 'New England Block'. So there it is, in print for posterity!

Thanks so much to Barbara for running this project . . . and she's got a new one planned - 2013 - Dixie Diary. This project will be a block per month for 12 months. Each monthly block will include a story taken from "one of the great Civil War documents - Sarah Morgan's Confederate Girl's Diary", first published almost 100 years ago in 1913.

It's been a while since I've had a needle and thread in my hand. This may be just the thing to get my sewing back on track!


Pattern: Civil War Sampler
Designer: Barbara Brackman
Publication: http://civilwarquilts.blogspot.com/