Anna's this and that

Time to show a bit of cross-stitch, don't you think? I've been babbling about all sorts of personal things when I returned to blogging (what a pleasure to receive visits from so many friends and meet new ladies!)...
Today, let's start with this star...

Christmas Star
by Faby Reilly Designs

Oh I must say it wasn't nice to stitch and took about two weeks to work and finish. Lots of color changes - which you don't see when it's finished. The designer charted it for DMC and used different shades of green and red. If I had thought about it earlier, I would have simply substituted all those for overdyes to get the same effect. And then the backstitching... eeeek. It doesn't follow the contours or anything. Now, when it's done, complimented with beads all around and in the poinsettia flower, I must say it's just gorgeous. I like so much Faby Reilly's designs so after a little time to breath from this type of chart, I will pick some other ones. Have a look at her website if you don't know her yet, some charts are just awesome!

Upon my arrival to Norway, I was greeted by this unexpected gift from Harmien... Oh the joy, oh the beauty! This cat angel by Bent Creek cheered us all through the Christmas period :) The idea for the finishing is superb, with the vintage bell hanging on a golden cord attached to the top... love it!

The next envelope was from Jennifer... a lovely card, a skein of funny colorful thread (always like to discover etsy sellers!) and lovely charts... What's best than receiving holiday cards from lovely people?


Earlier in December, Mylene sent me this nice package which took an awful time to arrive. The chocolate, as you can see, didn't survive the photo op'! LOL

Mylene stitched this lovely ornament for me... sorry the picture shows it a bit pinkish, it's not, it's a white-white fabric and the colors are so nicely coordinated, the finishing so well matched and neatly done... Love it, love it!!

One highlight of this Christmas was a package from my father and his wife, in which among others I found these amazing ornaments made of dough and seeds... it made me smile all the way not only because they are so beautiful, but also because it means she got me something "crafty" or "handmade", knowing I like handcrafts...
Almost the last thing for today, the lovely BD ornament I received from Cindy (NY) in the recent HOE Christmas ornament exchange. The hanger broke during transport (how weird!) so I will repair it and mask with a nice bead or something. Thanks again, Cindy!


And this week, we received a Christmas package from my brother who lives in Switzerland. Inside was a double Patrick Bruel's CD for me and for us both... lots of fancy French cheese! When my brother asked me what he could send to H. I mentioned camembert... but I was expecting only one! LOL
That and good wine and crackers completed our long evenings this past week... :)