I cannot count my day complete
'Til needle, thread and fabric meet.
~Author Unknown

Sharing a common thread with those who love the art of hand embroidery

Saturday, July 28, 2018

Christmas..........in July...........

this year has slipped by so quickly...........
and as  I stitch and  work on projects, 
I start to think about the upcoming Christmas holidays and 
whether I want to start making things to give away 
for Christmas presents. Last year I crocheted snowflakes.
This year however, I feel the need to "slow down" 
and to just enjoy working on the projects I 
have "in progress" and to "just enjoy".......and keep things simple

just enjoy the holiday music, the holiday
baking and the holiday company.......
without the stress of gifts.........
without the worry
of whether or not a person will like the gift I made,
and 
without the stress of having all gifts made on time.......

do you ever feel that way? 
this month, I have embroidered another small piece.
Not sure as of yet, what I will do  with these,
but they are a joy to embroider.

I also finished another crocheted doily that I have been long 
wanting to crochet from one of my 1953 crochet booklets.

It came out as pretty as I had hoped it would.
Speaking of holidays...........I found the most wonderful
cake recipe and  gave it a try.  
It is called a Granny Cake
Some of you may already know this cake.....
but it is full of flavor, tender, and moist! 
It makes a nice size cake for company or gatherings.
If you would like the recipe, it is on my cooking blog .
Just click onto this link
So tell me..........what are you growing in your gardens at this time 
of year?  What are you keeping your hands busy creating?
Are you also thinking about Christmas in July??
I would love to hear!


8 comments:

lil red hen said...

I don't make gifts for Christmas anymore; however, when I'm working on a quilt, etc. I always wonder, "will it be good enough for this or that". Too much pressure takes away from the pleasure of creating. There are ideas floating around in my mind for making things for my new great grand baby, things we can do together when she's old enough to learn to embroider, crochet, etc. By then I'll be in my 80s; hopefully my mind will still function. lol

happyone said...

I don't even want to THINK about Christmas yet!!! : )
I'm working another weave-it baby blanket.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

That cake has my mouth watering. I decided about 10 years ago that I was too OCD about Christmas as far as gifting, baking and decorating goes. I slowed WAY down and enjoyed the holiday a LOT more. I taught myself to crochet when I was about 15 using thread to crochet doilies. There is a serenity to crocheting a doily.
xx, Carol

Oh, I saved that cake recipe to pinterest. I hope that's OK. I just love a cake from "scratch". My Betty Crocker cook book is from the 70s, before they started promoting their store shelf mixes.

Gina E. said...

I don't spend money on Christmas gifts any more! People everywhere have so much useless stuff given to them, that ends up in op(thrift) shops. Ask me how I know! So I get out my stash of Christmas fabrics and make small items like runners, mug rugs and coasters, and they are appreciated because they are useful, and because they are handmade with love.

I adore your purple umbrella stitched with the knots (can't remember what they are called - Colonial knots?).

Connie said...

This post is wonderful. I feel so removed from the hustle and bustle or our times and moved back to my childhood home. Doilies were very popular. My grandma was always making them and my Momma would work on hers in the evening after dinner. Your doiley is beautiful. Cakes made from scratch . . . the best . . . I went to your recipe blog and read the recipe. Yum!!!
Have a happy week.
Connie :)

Debra said...

The embroidery and stitching are so lovely. I must get back to learning how to crochet! I've got to check out your recipe blog-the cake looks yummy!

Prims By The Water said...

Love that purple flowered umbrella and the crocheted doilie. I made doilles for my shower a long time ago. Thank you for commenting on my blog and glad that I found you that way. Look forward to getting to know you. Janice

Pamela Kellogg said...

You have such a lovely blog!!! I enjoy seeing your projects!