Adios 2012...

A big thank you to all my faithful blog followers and readers for your support throughout the year! One of the most joyful things I do for myself, is author this blog. Your kindness and friendship that each of you that visit, take time to leave a comment for me, e-mail me...whatever it may be...brings me much joy.

Thank you so very much from the very bottom of my heart!  

2013 hasn't been my most productive year in stitches however the things I've accomplished personally in my life (physically, spiritually and mentally) and those most precious moments spent with my darling husband and most wonderful children, has been most worthwhile - and truly is where my heart lies. My life is such a spectacular blessing and I intend to grab it with both hands and live it fully, faithfully and actively while I thank God for all His many blessings in my life.

For those interested, here is a slideshow of my 2012 stitching finishes... (minus a huge model that took up about 3 months of my stitching year and will be revealed in early 2013!)....

In the New Year, have you made resolutions? I haven't, really other than living life with zest, zeal and enthusiasm - living life authentically.  Remembering to live life by the golden rule to "do unto others as I would have done to me". Living life following the "golden rule" is hard, but I get up every day knowing that "today is a new day" and rejoice that I have another chance to try to follow my path in life. So...that's what my continued goal is....being a light in a harbor of darkness. Of course, my light fails from time to time, burns out, gets foggy....but that is a part of being human. Another part of humanity is knowing that if you set your mind to it, that light can get brighter, or you can change the bulb. If we all turned our lights on and tried to help our fellow man in his search for safe harbor, how wonderful would this world be? Pretty wonderful, I'm thinking....

I've got my New Year's new start all lined up and ready to go! What about you?!

In this New Year of stitching resolutions...don't forget that I still have many stitch~a~longs going on and current! Stitching~a~long with people on a project that has like minded goals and love of a certain project is great good fun!

Stitching the Little House Flock
Stitching Santa's Village Together
Little House Needleworks Ornament SAL
The Cottage Stitch~A~Long
Stitching Elizabeth Hancock
The Prairie Schooler ABC Stitching Bee

Maybe finishing some of those stitching finishes are on your list of goals for 2013? Then let me help you there too!

Learn to Finish with the Twisted Stitcher

And tonight as you celebrate your 2012 and ring in 2013, know that each of you are in my prayers for a happy, healthy and wonderful 2013!
Until next time,
Vonna xxx

2012 Family Ornaments...

Happy Holidays to all my blogging and stitching buds!...

I hope that each of you enjoyed your Christmas festivities! We had a fabulous, low key day - just the way we like it. Christmas Eve had us attending high Mass at the Christmas Vigil. I was slated to sing in the "choir" but only myself and another lady showed up. So being I was the only soprano there (my partner an alto), I had to sing the melody pretty much solo. I've never done this before, as my choir stint has been very short to date, so before going out I said a quick prayer that our Lord would help me sing beautifully on the birthday of His son, Jesus. And I can happily report that I had a handful of people come up to me after Mass thanking me for singing and complimenting my efforts.

 

Katie...

was slated to be one of the alter servers at the Midnight Mass, so she and I returned to attend that Mass a few hours later. I thought I would be exhausted, but I can happily say that we were there 45 minutes before Mass began and I got to light candles for my prayer intentions and I prayed a rosary sitting in front of the creche and contemplating the whole scene and its implications....it was a beautiful night! We returned home at 2 a.m. and promptly fell asleep...to be awakened by a screaming Ellie telling us that the big man had visited in the night and to "get down here and open all these presents!"     :)

A wonderful Christmas for sure!

 

As in previous years....

I stitched my kids their yearly ornaments for the year 2012. Last year I stitched a family ornament using a large holiday pattern from Little House Needleworks ~ "Poinsettia House" and used small motifs to stitch my girls their ornaments for the year 2011. You can see those HERE . This year I decided to stitch a set of "Family Ornaments" again using a larger design from Little House Needleworks, but stitch an ornament for each of the kids. So without further ado, here they are:

 

 

~The 2012 Pfeiffer Family Christmas Ornament~

 

 

 

~Katie's 2012 Ornament~

 

 

 

~Ian's 2012 Ornament~

 

 

 

~Jake's 2012 Ornament~

 

 

 

~Ellie's 2012 Ornament~

 

 

 

~2012 Pfeiffer Family Christmas Ornament Set~

 

Design Motifs taken from "HOLIDAY HOUSE"

designed by: Little House Needleworks ~ Diane Williams

Copyright: 2012

All Stitched on: 25 ct. Lugana ~ Vintage Country Mocha

Family Ornament stitched 1 over 1

Children Ornaments stitched 2 over 2

Stitched using WDW, DMC and Crescent Colours as charted

(except I used Brandied Pears instead of Hazelnut for house and urn accent colors)

 

I placed the last stitches...

last evening and I finished them today. I love these! And I really love how they turned out. They look sort of vintage Victorian or something....I had gone to Joann's on Dec. 24 to pick out the perfect backing fabric (which is a black/green plaid), ribbon and beads to make up these ornaments. I knew what shape and how I wanted to finish them and to be honest, they turned out better than what I had anticipated. They will definitely be making a trip to the fair next summer ;)

 

Well...

Bloomington has experienced a blizzard over night and through today.....we have 12+ inches of snow outside. My kiddos have been in and out and out and in so many times...I think there is 12 inches of water in the basement from the ins and outs! LOL! But I love watching them play...they are having so much fun!

 

Mr. Pfeiffer...

has the whole 2 weeks of holidays OFF!! WHOOP! So its going to be a lot of relaxing and fun around here :) I love it! So back to the family I must go!

 

Until next time...

I'll be keeping my hands to work and my heart to God, just like always. Find some time to do the same.

 

XXX Vonna

 

 

Stitching the Flock...

Hello PEOPLE!
I'm still stitching away on my project, in between running here there and yonder, but I wanted to let you know that I set up a new stitch-a-long blog for Diane's new 12 month series Little Sheep Virtues . I fell in love with them as soon as I saw the sweet picture on Diane's blog. I also fell in love with the idea of a large wooden dough bowl filled with all 12 of the sheep in the flock of virtues. So, I figured I would invite all my buddies to join me!

If you would like to join the SAL, please click on this link: Stitching the Flock . There is a tab at the top of the blog that tell you how to join. Please read Diane's website (link above) to learn more about the particulars of each design. CUTE! Join me!

I want to wish all of my buddies, here in blogland, a very Merry Christmas. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I'll be back again soon! With something stitched to share :)

~ Vonna

Oh Thomas....

...how do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

 

I love  your proud stance on that little mound of grass....

and I especially love your primitive glance....

 

 

I love your little wing with its bright stripe of turquoise...

and your sweet little waddle hanging under your nose...

 

 

 

I love your date plaque with 1863....

and I imagine shaking those handsome tail-feathers brings all the female turkeys to their knees...

 

 

 

 

...and those flowering, trailing vines are the perfect added touch....

along with that key that I long to clutch...

 

 

 

 

Oh, sweet Thomas, you cut a fine figure....

your finish just fills me, overflowing with vigor!

 

 

 

"Thomas"

designed by: Notforgotten Farm ~ Lori Brechlin

Copyright 2007

Stitched on: 40 ct. linen shade: Hazelnut

using my own color conversion to hand-dyed cottons in Crescent Colours and Gentle Arts

 

I placed the last stitch...

In Mr. Thomas on Saturday afternoon. That butterball of his about got me! But I persevered and now Thomas lies with J.M. Gardner, awaiting a trip to my framer.

 

I moved on to another project and have a significant portion done on this pretty design:

 

Holiday House ~ by Little House Needleworks

 

I'm not stitching it...

as shown above, however, and that is my surprise for next time you come to visit! (there is a lot of stitching involved with how I'm doing it so....it will be a while!) But I can say, it is turning out just like I had it envisioned! :) and I bet you will like it too!

 

Saturday past...

marked the first day of the Advent Season, and my family and I went to Confession (followed by Mass), so that we could start the season out on the right foot. As we traveled home, we talked about the lighting of the first Candle on our Advent wreath and the prayers we say for the season. I try to make every day special for my kids, but during the holidays, I want them to experience the wonder and excitement as no other time,  as we await our Savior's birth. Then to be able to attend Christmas Mass with pure hearts and view the infant Jesus snug in his manger with Mary, Joseph and the livestock looking on Him. Yes, it is truly the tradition and repetition of our faith throughout the liturgical year that keeps us grounded and gives us goals of living life to the best and fullest of our potential. Our children are aware and learning these traditions as they grow, for that Keith and I are humbled. We have been mightily blessed and to raise our children in our Catholic tradition is our honor to do so.

 

I believe...

that does it for my little update. I had to share my sweet Thomas with all of you  :)

And know that until next time, I'll be keeping my hands to work and heart to God, as I stitch and pray and live as best I can.

Love in stitches,

Vonna