Marvelous Monday Update 12/16/13

Yikes... How can it be that over a month has passed since I last made a blog update.  Alas, I've been busy working out (lost 10lbs so far, Yay!) and trying to get ready for the holidays.

HOLIDAYS
Last weekend, I managed to get up all my Christmas decorations.  Normally, I only put up my two 4ft trees.  However, this year I am hosting the family Christmas so the big tree had to be put up as well as more decorations.  So far, I have 12 family members confirmed and it could be upwards of 18 people total.

 

STITCHY STUFF
I've been focusing the bulk of my stitching time on a mailart piece.  Several months ago, Anne of Dolls Musings and I agreed to do a private exchange for a Christmas mailart.  This is the second private exchange I've done and am pleased that it worked out.  The person I did the first exchange with flaked out on her end, but I digress.  This is what I received from Anne:

I just love it! I had it with me when I visited my parents over the weekend, and even they were intrigued by it. My Dad was so interested that he pulled out the Atlas to see where Anne was from, LOL. Anne has not received hers yet, so I will have to wait to show pics.

Next up is progress on Balloon Glow which is the project I work on during my lunch hour.

Since I haven't worked on Yuku's backstitching for months, I plan on working on that project for a while. I've been itching to start a new project, but no-no-no! I have other things I need to work on first. *slaps hand* No new projects!

As part of their Black Friday sale, JoAnn Fabrics had OttLites for $20 which also included free shipping!  I couldn't pass up a deal like that (especially since I'd been kicking myself for not getting one back in October when they were $24.95).  I really wanted the light green one, but they were already sold out by the time I got up on Black Friday.

Winner!  Winner!  I was a lucky winner of a 12 Days of Christmas celebration at the Stitcher's Village.  From Glendon Place, I received a chart and beautiful floss.

SEWING
I was in a sewing mood a couple weeks back. Inspired by some bags I saw at the PALS retreat, I made a couple of lined project bags. I sent this one to Pam as a birthday gift:

I made this one for myself to hold my work stitching project:

I have some cute cupcake fabric that I want to make another one to keep my home project in.

WORK
My one year anniversary was last week!  Hard to believe it's been a year already.  I know I'm probably still in the "honeymoon" phase, but I have to say that it's the best move I've ever made.  Btw, how long does the honeymoon phase last? 

Those of us who have December anniversaries get to celebrate by having "Breakfast with the President" on Thursday.  I heard through the grapevine that we get gifts!

Until next time....