Friday, January 1, 2010

A New Year, a Fresh Start

Welcome 2010! 2009 went by way too fast. It was a big year for us in many ways: LadyBug joined us, Cuddle Bug went off to school for the first time, I went back to school, we lost our beloved grandfather, my sister got her master's degree, and my brother got married. What a year it was. I can only hope 2010 will be filled with as many blessings and a little less heartache :)

I got started on LHN's Poinsettia House yesterday (thanks to dear Vonna who gifted this to me in our Christmas exchange). WOW I am absolutely LOVING this! Everything about it makes me happy: the fabric, the colors, the design, and oh my goodness those needles! Please indulge me for a second while I go on about the needle I am stitching this with...



Vonna included a package of Piecemaker needles with this chart (along with the fabric and the Crescent Colours...spoiled me!) and she told me that they are her very favorite needle to stitch with. In fact, I can quote her as saying "Piecemakers slip through like a hot knife in butter." Well that got me excited! I already knew I would love them. I mean I consider Vonna to be a foremost expert on all things cross stitch so if she says they're good I believe her! But I couldn't have imagined I would love them as much as I do! You know when you're expecting your first baby...humor me here... You know you are going to love that child in a way you've never loved another human being before, but you don't really understand the depth of that love until they place that baby in your arms and you hold him/her for the first time! That's how I feel about these needles! Okay, that might be a bit of a stretch, but I only mean to say that I knew I would love them, I just didn't realize just how much I would LOVE them until I crossed my first stitch with them! My poor husband had to listen to me go on and on all night about how much I was loving this project and how the needle is just perfection. I feel like I can stitch a little faster with them even (I'm a very slow stitcher). By the end of the night, DH said "aren't you finished with that yet? I mean geez the needle is so good I thought you would have finished that whole chart by now!" He thinks he's cute...

Last night I also managed to get squares cut to start work on my first quilt! I took a beginning quilting class in October and now I've gotten the big idea that I should start my first quilt. I made a table topper in the class. I guess I'm feeling adventurous... Wish me luck!


I still need to show off the dress I made LadyBug for Christmas and the library book tote I made Cuddle Bug the other day while he was napping. But those will have to wait for another day. Something to look forward to right?

I hope everyone's 2010 has started off right! Happy stitching!

12 comments:

My Life In Stitches said...

Happy New Year.
I also started this same LHN yesterday, but didn't get as much stitched. Yours is looking great.
Happy stitching,
Annette

Kathy said...

Happy New Year.

Great start on Poinsettia House. Keep up the good work.

I love Piecemaker needles also. I used to just use any old needle and someone gave me some of these. They are awesome. Never knew the brand of needle could make such a difference.

Good luck with your quilt project. I really like quilting, but I don't seem to get much done. Would rather stitch. Maybe watching your project will motivate me.

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

I KNOW aren't they fabulous? You'll never go back now...I've soiled you for good :)
I keep (now I'm a bit obsessive) about 10 packs of 26 and 28 sizes on hand at all times...you know what if there was a shortage or something? Gotta be prepared!
Your House looks great! And your quilt is going to be fabulous! I want to take a beginning quilting class myself, maybe I'll have to do that soon...hugs!

Julie M said...

I love love love the piecemaker needles!

Good luck on your first quilt. I think I am noticing a trend with the cross stitch blogs I read. A lot of them are being sucked into the quilting vortex! :)

Teri said...

What wonderful starts for a new year! I love the colors in both projects!

Beatrice said...

Ohhhh they are the best needles everrrrr.
Your project looks like it will be wonderful . Lovely start!
Happy New Year to you and yours!

Kathy A. said...

Lovely start on Pointsettia House. I too am a huge fan of Piecemaker needles. I scrapped all my other needles for them.

Cheryl said...

LOL your love of the needles is funny! Must try them, i have some unopened packs.
Happy New Year to you and the family x

DaisyGirl said...

I can't wait to see the little dress you made for cuddle bug. I made both my nieces lots of cute dresses when they were little. You had alot of finishes! Hooray for you!
Hugs,
Donna

Karyn said...

I just discovered your blog from Katrina's....I can't decide which is more beautiful your blog or your stitching :)

Happy New Year

Hugs
Ma

Ranae said...

Pretty new start for the new year.
I love the piecemaker needles they are my favorite.
Good luck with the quilting, the fabric is pretty

Lelia said...

happy new year!

good luck with your needlework & quilting projects : )