The Cross Stitch Giant

What have I been up to?

2012-01-22T19:14:00.014+01:00

Just a simple answer: a lot! :)
Knitting, sewing, cross stitching, study, work, household, driving my children to korfball/hockey competition and training...

I will share the nice ones of it with you, so here are some pictures of progresses and new starts.
If you like, click on the pictures for a better look.

What's new?
I started today with my latest hobby: Tilda! Who's she or what is it? (click on the name for a look on the great website)

One of the seven books I own.
Tilda is a craft brand started by the Norwegian designer Tone Finnanger in 1999.

Tilda is most known for the whimsical, comical and naive characters in the form of animals and dolls. Tilda's world is without a doubt a feminine one, and the most recognisable features are the faces, with two dots for eyes and rosy cheeks.

The Tilda range consists of craft books and craft products for sewing and paper craft. The products are produced and distributed by Panduro Hobby and available in most of Europe. The books are also distributed to other parts of the world like USA, Australia and China.

I'm making a sort of "quilt" curtain. I've cut 30 blocks this afternoon, and it's now time for sewing them together. Fifteen for the front and the same for the back.
See the curtain in the upper left corner.
What's new also: knitting. Done it lots of years ago, and now I took the needles again.
First knitting a scarf for Dorine (orange) and then one for Emma (purple)!

Now a progress picture of my "old" hobby: cross stitch!
You all know that I'm currently working on ELIZABETH MINNICHS DECORATED TOWEL from the Carriage House Samplings. And this how it look this far:

On some days the postman (or woman) is very good to me. I've received my give-a-way present, and search through my stash for the right linnen and threads.

I'm gonna stitch it on 32-count Belfast Linnen with the recommended DMC, but I've changed some WDW in to Bluecoat Red and Hunter in stead of the pink and blue colours. I will also use some Wisper on some parts, but that will be a surprise.

At last but not least, I bought some new stuff and the postman brought it to me! :)
From Nina, my Facebook friend.
From De Handwerk Boetiek.

Thank you for stopping by and reading this post!
Till next time!

Look what I won!!!!

2012-01-01T21:39:00.004+01:00

Unbelievable, just put my name in the comment for 1 day, and I won the give away from Carin. Feeling very lucky! Great start for a new year.

Vintage Christmas - Country Cottage Needleworks

Thanks again, Carin!

I didn't stitch today, so I'm putting my laptop down and go stitch some more on The Towel till bedtime!

Happy New Year for everybody!

Till next time....

Happy 2012!

2011-12-30T21:39:00.002+01:00

For all my friends who visit my blog, the last couple of years!

Happy New Year Graphics

Last week of the year! Time to look forward!

2011-12-28T12:44:00.005+01:00

2011 was a terrible year: almost bankrupted with my company and my health.....

I hope you haven't forgot me, and forgive me for the long time I wasn't here.

This is the last week of 2011 and I'm looking forward, not looking back. That's the only way to keep going.
We had a great Christmas time with the family this year! And my girls are doing great... I love them so much.

Dorine (8 years) on the left and Emma (10 years) on the right

I've started stitching again and finished a couple of little christmas projects:

This week I'm not working, so I made the first stitches again on Elizabeth Minnich's Decorated Towel:
Row 3

I'm stitching row 4 right now.
My plans for 2012 is spending a lot of time with family and friends; blogging at least ones a week, stitching a lot, and....
I'm going to start my own designing company. This is something that I wanted to do for many years and I think I have to do it now and don't wait any longer. Why should I?
Life is to short, isn't it?!

Do you have plans for 2012? I'd like to hear them very much!

This is it for today. So till next time... lots of hugs!

I'm still alive!

2011-06-30T09:18:00.003+02:00

I'm still alive, but I'm having lot of troubles with my company, and I still have.
So that's why I hardly put any stitch right now.

I'm gonna survive this, and then I come back again.

First the holidays to look forward to, and then a new good time, I hope!

You're all in my mind.

Lots of love.... till next time!

Happy 2011

2011-01-01T14:17:00.002+01:00

More widgets at Widgia.com

I wish all my friends a very healthy and happy new year.

Lots of love and hugs, till next time...

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T20:22:00.004+01:00

I wish everybody a very Merry Christmas!

Click here for my message to you!

Follow the instructions and enjoy!

Baubles December Finished!!!!!

2010-12-22T16:33:00.003+01:00

Some days later than expected. But I did it; I finished Baubles December from SamSarah just a couple of minutes ago.

Nine pieces of gloves. And you really need them right now with all the snow outside and the low temperatures.

Now I'm gonna stitch some more on Christmas Trees II from Prairie Schooler:

Can anyone give me a hint for a good (web)shop where to buy any of this kind of wooden spools?

Lots of hugs and love, till next time...

Snow, snow, snow and two finishes and Christmas WIP's!

2010-12-17T11:24:00.009+01:00

This morning I decided to go to my office but I went home again after 2 hours. Look at the pictures... and it's still snowing!

For all the pictures, click to enlarge, if you like.

Yesterday I've finished two (!) pieces:

Baubles November from SamSarah.

Traveling stitcher from Little House Needleworks.

And for the holidays I took one of my WIP's: Christmas Trees II from The Prairie Schooler.

Now stitching on number 5!

After this, still two to go! Great project for the Christmas holiday, don't you think?

Yesterday evening I've started on Baubles December and I hope to finish this today.

I hope you enjoyed the pictures again!

Till next time....

Some pictures to share!

2010-12-10T14:42:00.003+01:00

As promised, I'm sharing some pictures about my latest finishes and new starts.

First one: Baubles September - SamSarah (based on the Fall)

Second one: Baubles October - SamSarah (based on Halloween)

And a new start on Baubles November - SamSarah (based on Thanksgiving)

I'm going to try to finish this one and the one for December before the year is 2011.

Last Saturday we've had our first snow. Ofcourse the kids liked it very much.

In the afternoon there was a lot more of it. Now it's raining again and the tempatures are "warm" again. I hope that Christmas will be a white one this year.

Lots of love and hugs, till next time...

Just a quick note!

2010-12-06T21:53:00.002+01:00

Hi all,

So sorry that you haven't heard from me, for a very long time.

Carin... I'm still stitching, but not that much I really want. I'm currently working on Baubles November and I've just finished October.
For the Shores, I've finished a block, number 3 and started on block 4. I'm still stitching for my PIF-members. I won't forget them.

What happened you may think.... a lot. Lets try to explain some.

I've troubles with my business for a couple of months now. So I decided to search for a businesspartner and we are going to start a new accountancybusiness together next month. We had to search for a new office also and we have a lot of other stuff to take care off. Lots of stress and lots of headaches.

Also I had my knee surgery on August 20th, and it's still not good. I have therapy every week, and the doctor said to me: it will never be good again for 100%. My knees will always stay bad. :(

My father is going worse every day. Lots of visits in the hospital and more troubles with this body. He is getting a colostomy next Friday. The doctors decided that after removing 3,9 liter of urine out his belly.

So lots of things happened and are still happening. I'm a lot on Facebook now to play eggbuddies, just to relax a little.

But... my DH and two girls are doing great and we are now planning a pleasant Christmas with the whole family.

I will try to put some pictures soon, I promise. From december 24th till the end of the year, I won't be working, so.... I should must have the time to do it then.

You are all in mind.
Lots of love and hugs...

New progress on the Shores.

2010-08-17T18:03:00.003+02:00

I made some progress and put the pictures from The Shores of Hawk Run Hollow by Carriage House Samplings on my blog.
You can see them here.

Feel free to look, leave a comment and if you want to: please join us!
I surely appreciate all comments and love to read them.

Till next time, lots of love and hugs!

Baubles August finished!

2010-08-15T20:57:00.005+02:00

I just put the buttons on and finish this lovely one from Sam Sarah Design Studio:

Click to enlarge.

"Baubles August" is stitched over two on Zweigart Newport Natural 28 count linen with The Gentle Art and WDW floss.

For me it's a cute reminder of our last boattrip on the Greek sea, with the jumping fish and ofcourse the beautiful Caretta Caretta turtles.

Now I'm going to stitch some more on the Shores. I hope I can show you some progress at the end of the week.

So till next time...

Finally a little update!

2010-08-13T11:23:00.002+02:00

I feel very ashamed; it's almost 2 months ago, since my last post. I even doesn't read any blogpost of you all, simply I hadn't got the time. Lots of stress with my business is the biggest reason.

I didn't stitch much, but I managed to finish this one:

We came home last monday from our summer holiday, Zakynthos - Greece. We had a great time and the weather was very hot; above the 34 degrees in the second week.

Dorine and Emma in Water Village.

Me, during our boottrip, spotting turtles. I smiled, but I wasn't really happy, because I'm afraid of the sea.

Emma, dancing on Greek night.

Robert, dancing on Greek night.

I also didn't stitch anything during our vacation; it was to hot to handle.

When we were home, I made a start on SamSarah August, with boats on it. I will show you the pictures as soon as possible.

Next Friday I will be in the hospital for my left knee, so I hope to post soon again.

Lots of love and hugs, till next time.

Little pillow made in 4 hours!

2010-06-13T22:01:00.004+02:00

Just a quick update from me! Life can be hectic sometimes. So I'm glad today I had some time to make this cute pillow from Pine Mountain Designs: Bats in Flight.

About a week I have to go to the orthopedist. And that after 24 years with pain in my both knees. I hope he can help me! The rheumatologist sent her advice to him: operate and look inside! Mmmmm, but not before my vacation to Greece. I don't want to go there with crutches.

I'm planning to read al my friend blogs next weekend, because I missed your stories a lot.

Till next time... lots of love and hugs!

Back from the holidays!

2010-05-19T15:23:00.011+02:00

Hi all,

I'm back again; yes, from my short holiday with DH and kids:

We had lots of fun, but we also visit a War Museum: "Liberty Park" in Overloon:

Me and Dorine, still with wintercoats (cold animal also):

I even managed to do some stitching on The Shores. I've finished Block 2 and made a start on Block 3.

Lovely mermaid:

Some days earlier I had finished my first in a row of twelve needlerolls: A Mother's Love from Shephard Bush:

And if I made so much pictures, I could'nt forget this couple from Emma's 2nd performance of Streetdance:

Thuesday May 27th, we will celebrate her 9th birthday already. Kids growing fast!

Thank you for stopping by. Till next time...
Lots of love and hugs.

A big update and an award!!!!

2010-04-09T14:17:00.015+02:00

Life can be cruel sometimes. In my family lots of things are happening right now. I put all my energy in working, study and relationsships. So not much stitching done and also not in the mood for stitching.

The sun is shining again when bloggerfriends sent me, for example, an award, named:
The sunshine award

Thank you so much Patti for this sunny award. I needed this a lot and still do. You made my day very sunny!

And the rules for this award are:

1. Put the logo on your blog or within a post
2. Pass the award to 12 Bloggers
3. Link the nominees within your post
4. Let them know they receive this award by communicating on their blog
5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received the award

Here are my twelve bloggers:

1. Siobhan
2. Carin
3. Kim
4. Simone
5. Angela
6. Mylene
7. Lydia
8. Mayté
9. Terri
10. Melissa
11. Irina
12. Susan

Another example for a sunny day is when I received the PIF from Irina!
The hole package: a little notebook, chocolate, magnets and a very lovely sissorfob!

Did see know I'm a big coffee addict?

I didn't stitch much, but a little. So here is my newest progress: A mother's love needleroll from Shephard's Bush:

And two pictures of the Shores could be found here! You are all still welcome to join this blog.

And at least, but not least: my two big girls, Emma and Dorine, both have a new swimmingcertificate: Emma her 4th and Dorine her 3rd.

So also a lot of good things happened. And this is what keeps me going.
I hope you enjoyd reading my post again.

Lots of hugs and love and till next time...

Lots of finished stitching pieces!

2010-02-28T21:36:00.010+01:00

I haven't been sitting "still" lately. With a lot of work at the office, I managed to take some time to stitch. I've finished stitching three pieces. Just in time for the next month.
Two monthly Christmas ornaments from LHN and one February Floss Tag from The Needle's Content. All I have to do is to finish-finish them.

For all the pictures: click to enlarge, if you want!

The first one: Fa-La-La by LHN:

The second one: Pear Tree by LHN:

And least but not least: The February Floss Tag by The Needle's Content:

Today I went to the yearly market in Zwolle: De Handwerkbeurs. And look what I brought home with me. Lots of goodies.
A banddesign with birdhouses by UB-Design, 24(!) pieces of fabric (Romance style), a little purse to make with quiltfabrics and other little goodies (see below).
Isn't it adorable; with a tiny sewing machine.
Ribbon's and pins.

So the finishing of the 3 pieces mentioned earlier will be done the next Sunday. I hope you can't blame me!

Till next time, lots of love and hugs!

Started on my first ornament for this year!

2010-02-07T21:07:00.004+01:00

The package with the first two ornaments arrived!

I've started on the first one: All Dolled Up! from Little House Needleworks.

I stitch it on 30-count Cappucino with Venus threads instead of the recommended DMC.

Last week I finished stitching my third PIF project. Only two to go! I can't show you any pictures yet, but I can tell you, this one is adorable. I bought the finishing stuff for it yesterday; I surely hope the PIF members will like what I made for them.

Today I haven't stitch much, because I had to do some work done at the office. I also have a lot of reading to do, on all the blogs I love. Maybe next week.

Till next time, lots of love and hugs.

Your opinion, please!

2010-01-29T17:46:00.003+01:00

More than a month ago, I had my give-a-way for my first anniversary of my blog.
The winner never sent me her name and address. She doesn't react to messages on her blog or email. What should I do?
The give-a-way is still waiting for his next happy owner, but who?

By the way, I doesn't have any pictures to show yet. I started on my third project for my PIF-members(yes ladies, I haven't forget all of you!), and when I have enough time left I'm stitching on the Shores.
January is almost over fortunately, so I must get more time to stitch instead of working all the time.

Thank you for comments and stopping by. I appriciate them all very much.

Till next time, lots of love and hugs!

Just a little progress!

2010-01-24T10:29:00.007+01:00

I had promised myself that I had to put a new message here this weekend. Just to let you all know that I'm still here, but not very often. My work keeps me very busy this month. It even caused stomach-ache every morning. To much stress I think. Right now I also have to work on Saterdays and in the evenings.

That's also the reason for less time for my Shores unfortunately. But I managed to put some more stitches on it. So this is my progress for Block 1 so far:

And a little sneak peak...

Today I'm gonna prepare the first talk for school for Dorine. She's gonna speak about practise gymnastics. She will have it on March 30, so we have enough time to do it. Here are at least two pictures she want to show to her classmates:

and one with here coach:

When I have more time, I will read all your lovely blogs again.

Till next time, lots of love and hugs!

January FLoss Tag Finished!!!!!

2010-01-03T21:03:00.004+01:00

My first finish in this new year, the January Floss Tag from The Needle's Content.
I finish stitching yesterday and put it together today. My DH put the eyelet in for me.

Stitched on 32 count Heritage Linen from Picture This Plus with Simply Shaker threads by The Gente Art.

This is part of my goal for January, up to the next one! I hope that the Christmasornaments will arrive soon.

Till next time....

A new start, my progress on the Shores and snow again!

2010-01-02T10:45:00.007+01:00

Unbelievable, there's snow again! We don't have so much snow in one winter as this one. Not that much as two weeks ago, but still...

Yeah, here's my progress on The Shores of Hawk Run Hollow. As promised I finished Block 6 and 7 on the last day of 2009:

And I started with Block 1 after midnight:

If you are interested there's a new blog, started my me, for The Shores of Hawk Run Hollow from Carriage House Samplings. You can find the link here or on the left by "My bloglist"! You can participate when you are stitching or want to start on The Shores.
My first fellow stitcher is already participating! Thank you Loraine!

And this is my new start:

It's the January Floss Tag from The Needle's Content. One for each month! I started this one yesterday on the 1st of the month. Planning is to start each month this way. And because I haven't received the kits for the christmas ornaments yet this is my 2nd goal voor 2010.

I won't make a goal list for this year because I feel very dreadful when I can't realize them. My goals will came along during the year.

Till next time... love and hugs!

Happy New Year!!!! and a new blog started!!!!!

2009-12-31T12:15:00.012+01:00

I started a new blog for the Shores of Hawk Run Hollow lovers. Look at the left for the link and feel free to participate.

For all my Blogger Friends!

I wish you all a lucky, healthy and good 2010 with a lot of cross stitch finishes!!!!

And now I have to post some last pictures for 2009.

Some of you already know that my youngest Dorine is sick for almost 3 weeks now. She's recovering from a pneumonia and right now the medicine are doing good work. She's eating again and not throwing up anymore. That's why I was going to my office in the evenings. Because my works keeps me very busy the last month.

When she was getting sick already, she and her sister had a Christmas diner at school:
Cheese Croissants for Dorine's class.

A special salad for Emma's class.

Just a couple of days before Christmas it went snowing and snowing and snowing:

Lots of fun for Emma making a snowman. Dorine just a little bit ofcourse; here she was already throwing up, but she wanted to go outside for a short time.

Look how much; not normal for Holland.

Troubles opening and closing the backdoor.

This my DH's motorcycle, but he was wise enough to take his own car to work. Last year he didn't have a car, so I had to push him to the road, sitting on the motor. Can you believe it?

And a least but not least, my progress on The Shores of Hawk Run Hollow:

Block six and seven almost done. I'm going to finish this today.

And a little sneak peak...

I hope to start on Januari 1st with my first Christmas ornament. I'm planning to do these one per month. So I must have twelve pieces at the end of 2010.

This is my last post for 2009, so... till next year... lots of love and hugs!

And the winner is....

2009-12-21T16:15:00.003+01:00

Wow, it's one year ago! Let's celebrate!

So according to List Randomizer the happy winner is....

Grandma Yellow Hair (Maggie)!!!!!

And this was her comment:
Just found you tonight and joined you as a follower before I found your giveaway. Does that count. lol
Happy Anniversary!
Maggie

Yes, Maggie! That counts!
Please email me your complete address (look at my profile) so I can sent you your winning present!

Santa Claus is almost coming to town!

2009-12-15T17:24:00.008+01:00

Brrr.... it's really cold outside. Seven degrees below zero at night and one degree below zero at noon. That's why I could take this picture today.

The kids were both sick since last Friday, I couldn't go to work today. So I take the time to set up our Christmastree.

Sorry, no ornaments this year, but I'm going to change that for next year. I will follow the monthly club 3 "christmasornaments" from De Handwerkboetiek. I have to stitch one ornament per month. So I must end with twelve at the end of 2010.

Did you see Santa at the back? Look closer...

We all hope, that he brings lots of presents this year! lol

And ofcourse a progress picture. "Sailing home..."

And a little sneak peake of the sea from the shores.

Next Thursday the kids will have the annual Christmasdiner at school, so I have to spend some time in the kitchen that day. I going to make a lot of chees-croissants for Dorine's class and a special salad for Emma's class. I will take some pictures to show you later this week.

Lots of hugs and love, till next time...

The Story of Sinterklaas!

2009-12-06T19:48:00.003+01:00

Especially for the non-dutch bloggers, here's the story about the Dutch Sinterklaas, founded on the net:

Please only read this when your are interested!

The Feast of Sinterklaas, or St. Nicholas, is an annual event which has been uniquely Dutch and Flemish for centuries. St. Nicholas' Feast Day, December 6th, is observed in most Roman Catholic countries primarily as a feast for small children. But it is only in the Low Countries - especially in the Netherlands - that the eve of his feast day (December 5th) is celebrated nationwide by young and old, christian and non-christian, and without any religious overtones.
Although Sinterklaas is always portrayed in the vestments of the bishop he once was, his status as a canonized saint has had little to do with the way the Dutch think of him. Rather, he is a kind of benevolent old man, whose feast day is observed by exchanging gifts and making good-natured fun of each other. It so happens that the legend of St. Nicholas is based on historical fact. He did actually exist. He lived from 271 A.D. to December 6th, 342 or 343. His 4th century tomb in the town of Myra, near the city of Anatolia in present-day Turkey, has even been dug up by archaeologists.

This is his story:
Born of a wealthy family, Nicholas was brought up as a devout Christian. When his parents died of an epidemic, he distributed his wealth among the poor and became a priest.
Later he became Archbishop of Myra, and it is from here that the fame of his good deeds began to spread across the Mediterranean. Desperate sailors who called upon the Good Bishop to calm stormy seas were heard; prison walls crumbled when victims of persecution prayed to him. He saved young children from the butcher's knife and dropped dowries into the shoes of penniless maidens. Over time, St. Nicholas became the patron saint of sailors and merchants, and especially of children. After his death, the cult of St. Nicholas spread rapidly via southern Italy throughout the rest of the Mediterranean and eventually to coastal towns along the Atlantic and the North Sea. In the 12th and 13th centuries, Holland built no fewer than 23 churches dedicated to St. Nicholas, many of which are still standing. Amsterdam adopted St. Nicholas as its patron saint, and Rome decreed that December 6th, the anniversary of his death, should be his official Feast Day.
St. Nicholas' strong influence in the Low Countries - an area heavily engaged in trade and navigation - was primarily due to his role as patron of sailors and merchants.
However, his fame as protector of children soon took precedence.
In the 14th century, choir boys of St. Nicholas churches were given some money and the day off on December 6th.
Somewhat later, the pupils of convent schools would be rewarded or punished by a monk dressed up as the Good Bishop, with his long white beard, his red mantle and mitre (bishop's hat) and his golden crosier (bishop's staff) - just as he is still presented today.

All Dutch children know that Sinterklaas (the name is a corruption of Sint Nikolaas) lives in Spain. Exactly why he does remains a mystery, but that is what all the old songs and nursery rhymes say. Whatever the case may be, in Spain he spends most of the year recording the behaviour of all children in a big red book, while his helper Black Peter stocks up on presents for next December 5th. In the first weeks of November, Sinterklaas gets on his white horse, Peter ("Piet") swings a huge sack full of gifts over his shoulder, and the three of them board a steamship headed for the Netherlands. Around mid-November they arrive in a harbour town - a different one every year - where they are formally greeted by the Mayor and a delegation of citizens. Their parade through town is watched live on television by the whole country and marks the beginning of the "Sinterklaas season".

The old bishop and his helpmate are suddenly everywhere at once. At night they ride across Holland's' rooftops and Sinterklaas listens through the chimneys to check on the children's behaviour. Piet jumps down the chimney flues and makes sure that the carrot or hay the children have left for the horse in their shoes by the fireplace is exchanged for a small gift or some candy. During the day, Sinterklaas and Piet are even busier, visiting schools, hospitals, department stores, restaurants, offices and many private homes. Piet rings doorbells, scatters sweets through the slightly opened doors and leaves basketfuls of presents by the front door. How do they manage to be all over the Netherlands at once?

This is thanks to the so-called "hulp-Sinterklazen", or Sinterklaas helpers, who dress up like the bishop and Black Peter and help them perform their duties. Children who become wise to these simultaneous "Sint-sightings" are told that since Sinterklaas cannot indeed be in two places at once, he gets a little help from his uncanonized friends.

The Dutch are busy too - shopping for, and more importantly, making presents. Tradition demands that all packages be camouflaged in some imaginative way, and that every gift be accompanied by a fitting poem. This is the essence of Sinterklaas: lots of fun on a day when people are not only allowed, but expected, to make fun of each other in a friendly way. Children, parents, teachers, employers and employees, friends and co-workers tease each other and make fun of each others' habits and mannerisms.
Another part of the fun is how presents are hidden or disguised. Recipients often have to go on a treasure hunt all over the house, aided by hints, to look for them. They must be prepared to dig their gifts out of the potato bin, to find them in a jello pudding, in a glove filled with wet sand, in some crazy dummy or doll. Working hard for your presents and working even harder to think up other peoples' presents and get them ready is what the fun is all about.

The original poem accompanying each present is another old custom and a particularly challenging one. Here the author has a field day with his subject (the recipient of the gift). Foibles, love interests, embarrassing incidents, funny habits and well-kept secrets are all fair game. The recipient, who is the butt of the joke, has to open his/her package in public and read the poem aloud amid general hilarity. The real giver is supposed to remain anonymous because all presents technically come from Sinterklaas, and recipients say out loud "Thank you, Sinterklaas!", even if they no longer believe in him.

Towards December 5th, St. Nicholas poems pop up everywhere in the Netherlands: in the press, in school, at work and in both Houses of Parliament.
On the day of the 5th, most places of business close a bit earlier than normal. The Dutch head home to a table laden with the same traditional sweets and baked goods eaten for St. Nicholas as shown in the 17th-century paintings of the Old Masters. Large chocolate letters - the first initial of each person present - serve as place settings. They share the table along with large gingerbread men and women known as "lovers". A basket filled with mysterious packages stands close by and scissors are at hand. Early in the evening sweets are eaten while those gathered take turns unwrapping their gifts and reading their poems out loud so that everyone can enjoy the impact of the surprise. The emphasis is on originality and personal effort rather than the commercial value of the gift, which is one reason why Sinterklaas is such a delightful event for young and old alike.

And yes, we ate our chocolate letters too!

The next post will be about stitching again, till next time....
Lots of hugs and love.

Sint Nikolaas and a progress picture!

2009-12-05T17:29:00.012+01:00

On December 5th in Holland all the kids celebrate Sint Nikolaas. And he was early this year. Not in the evening like last year, but we came back from our weekly groceries and our living room was filled with two big bags full of presents. And ofcourse a lot of candy spreaded over the floor!
Please don't look at all the stuff around them. I haven't had the chance to clean the room.

And if you like, your can click on pictures to enlarge.

And yesterday he had already visit the school:

Lots of happy kids, but unfortunately it was raining very hard:

Emma waiting with her classmates.

Dorine with two schoolfriends telling Sint Nikolaas a poem about "zwarte piet".

And a last picture of Dorine. Later she asked: "Mam, why were your taking so much pictures of me?"

Sorry sweetie, I will stop. For now!

And at least but not least a progress picture of the Shores:

As you will noticed, I have done a lot of stitching. Quiting smoking is very hard sometimes during the progress. The Shores will keep at least my hands busy.

Thank you for stopping by and for your comments. I always appreciate them very much. Till next time... lots of hugs and love!

My first bloganniversary GIVE A WAY!

2009-12-03T17:16:00.006+01:00

On December 21th, I will celebrate my first bloganniversary. And because it's in December I have the following two new charts for my give-a-way.

On the left: Mystic Stitch - Santa Claus from Jo Moulton. (stitches 90 x 200)
On the right: Mystic Stitch - Snowman from Jo Moulton. (stitches 80 x 200)

If you'd like a chance to win this give a way please leave me a comment on this post only. And because it's almost Christmas, please read below if you want more chances to win!

If you leave me a comment on this post your name will be entered into the List Randomizer one time.
If you leave a link on your blog back to my giveaway your name will be entered three times.
If you are a follower your name will be entered five times for a chance to win.

Please let me know in your comment if you have done any of the above.

Anyone may enter this giveaway and I will leave this giveaway open until December 20th and will announce a winner on the 21th (on my bloganniversary).

Good luck and till next time....

She did it and a finish/start again!

2009-11-29T16:42:00.012+01:00

Yeah, our youngest daughter got her 2nd swimmingcertificate yesterday, and I think you must know how we feel: very proud! And because she is only six years old; she doing it very quickly.

Just ready and still not smiling.

"Sinterklaas" gave it to her (finally a very little smile):

Click to enlarge for a better view.

And today I finished the buttons on SamSarah - Baubles July! So this is number seven out of twelve. Still five to go before December 31.

Also I made a new start a couple of days ago. You probably think: again? Yes, but this one has a special reason. Maybe you noticed the ticker on the left? I quited smoking six days ago, and therefore I allowed myself to start on The Shores of Hawk Run Hollow from Carriage House Samplings. This piece will always reminds me to quit smoking and what a difference it makes for me. Ofcourse I had/have some(more) bad days, but the good days will keep me going through this.
Finally after 25 years and several moves to quit, can I hold on?
And for the against smokers amoung us: I never smoked around my kids, always outside or far away from them! My kids are very proud and happy for me, that I have the strength to do this.

So here's a little new progress picture:

Thank you for stopping by and your lovely comments earlier. Till next time...
Lots of hugs and love.

How should I finish these?

2009-11-27T14:40:00.003+01:00

There are different kind of ways to finish the monthly SamSarah's. I really don't know yet what I will do with them.

That's why I put a little poll on the left; scroll down a little bit.

I surely want to hear your ideas. Are there not the right answers, please left me a comment.

Thank you!

Thanks for visiting my blog and your comments, till next time...

Lots of finishes and progress-pictures!

2009-11-26T15:53:00.011+01:00

Hi, you all! Pff, time flies.... it's been a long time, but I made lots of progress and some finishes. I've finished two PIF's and I decided that I will mail them out all at the same time. I can't make a choice who's first, second ... so that's what I will do then. It gives me more time to search for goodies en stuff for my PIF-members. Ofcourse I can't show any pictures before mailing them out.

For all the next pictures: if you want click to enlarge for a better look!

The first finish is from SamSarah - May: (flowers and bees :) Finished last Sunday.

The second finish is from SamSarah also - June: (strawberries ofcourse) Also finished last Sunday

And a close-up: (I really hate doing french knots)

And the first progress picture is from Mary Margaret - Carriage House Samplings:

I've finished the tree; now I have to fill it up.

And an other progress/start: I've made a little start on this one.

And this is how he will become when finished. Spooky!!!!!!!!!!

And this is my latest WIP. Almost done already... SamSarah July.

Can anyone please tell me: what are these "things"?

Next weekend will be busy for us also. Our youngest, Dorine, will try to swim for her second swimmingcertificate on Saterday. Keep your fingers crossed!

Thank you for looking and your comments. I appriciate them very much. I hope I will be able to post my next message a lot sooner next time!

I'm feeling very lucky!

2009-09-28T19:16:00.005+02:00

The most of you know that I now have change my home office in a real working office.
This is the front side:

And this is "my door" to my workroom:

And why am I so lucky, you must think?
My neighbour have a store in.... beads and stuff. They also have a website: Mooiste Kralen. I was visiting him this morning and I was feeling like a child in a toysstore. It's feels the same, when I visit a store in cross stitch stuff. Do you know the feeling?

And a last picture I want to show you. My father had a good day last week and he wants to try my brother's motor! Only sitting though, that's safe:

No pictures yet from my WIP's and other projects to share. I'm working hard on projects for my PIF-member right now. Maybe at the end of the week; I'm trying to choose which projects I'm gonna start: something for Halloween or working on a WIP.

So till next time, lots of hugs and love!

A birthday present and a new stitching beauty!

2009-09-20T15:57:00.006+02:00

Look what the postman brought me last week:

Patti sent me this lovely birthday gift. Isn't she sweet, this little lady? She will have a special place in my living room. Patti, again thank you so much best friend!

An other package was sent to me last week, and that's what I ordered from Traditional Stitches:

I've ordered the complete kit: 30-count purple linen, dmc floss and ofcourse the Spooky Tin along with the finishing kit. (click on picture to enlarge if you want)
It's was a very crazy week for me. I went to the doctors and he did an ECG for checking my heart. That was oke! Then he sent me to the hospital to have a mammography. That was oke too, at least no breastcancer. Why, you ask. Because I have terrible pain in my left breast and chest. Now I have to wait a couple of days and then I will know what it really is.

In the meanwhile I've finished my first PIF and I started the second one.

Till next time, love and hugs.

Thank you for all the comments, I appreciate them very much.

Just a little note...

2009-09-15T20:04:00.002+02:00

Unbelievable but true...

My father came home from hospital yesterday! They haven't found anything "wrong" with his heart. His pacemaker is doing well, and his heart is going fast and slow, but that's not something new. I've said to him: "Don't pray to much about leaving this world, please." He is so strong! Unfortunately Parkinson disease is getting him really hard again. I wish I could take it away from him.

And a little update about stitching. My first PIF is finished. All I have to do is finish finish it, but that's for the weekend. My second PIF is waiting for some thread I haven't in my stash. Just now I've search some more projects for the other members and I found lovely charts for them. Be patient, please!

Thank you all for your prayers about my father! You all are the best friends I have around the world!

Love and hugs and till next time...

And the winner is....

2009-09-12T12:50:00.003+02:00

According to Random Org the winner is...

There were 5 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1. Lelia
2. Deborah
3. Mary
4. Dianntha
5. Conny

Lelia please email me with your full name and address and the punchneedle project will sent to you as soon as I have this information.
My emailaddress is in my profile.

Unfortunately some sad news. Last night I spent 3 hours in the hospital. My father went with the ambulance to the hospital again. His heart almost stopped (to slow) and he's now in intensive care. If it comes so far, he doesn't want any reanimation.
So hard times again for our family. Posting and thinking about all of you, have to take my mind off.

Anyway, I will keep you posted!

Love and hugs, till next time...

Last Day for the Give-A-Way

2009-09-11T16:35:00.003+02:00

Just a little reminder for all of you bloggers and blogreaders: today is the last day you can enter in the draw for my special Birthday Give-A-Way.

If you know any other people who love to do punchneedle, give them the message!

Everybody is welcome!

Now I must go to finish my first project for a PIF-member; just a couple of stitches more and then finish finish it.
So for today, just a little post.

Happy weekend with a lot of stitching time!

Lots of hugs and love!

Lots of WIP's!

2009-09-10T11:29:00.008+02:00

I was going through my very big WIP-basket yesterday evening, and I found this lovely Doll House again. So I couldn't help myself, and put some more stitches in a "new" room. No, not really new. I pulled it all out the last time. I had made a terrible misstake on some stitches unfortunately. It's stitched over one on 32-count. After three hours this is how much I've done. Not bad, isn't it? As far as it was earlier. A sweet tiny boysroom!

It's hard to choose from so many great projects, so I also made some little progress for one of my PIF members. I will let you take a little sneak peak on it.

Ofcourse It's just a little piece of the whole project, otherwise It isn't a suprise anymore.

Special thanks to Paulette, she teached me how to use my own camera for making close up's.

Thanks for looking and for your comments. I appreciate them very much.
Till next time...

Mary Margaret update.

2009-09-08T14:26:00.005+02:00

To proof (mostly for myself) that I'm stitching again, I have to show some progress pictures on my Mary Margaret.(Click on photo, to enlarge, if you want a closer look)

before
after
As you can see, last weekend I made a little progress with the tree on the left.
The other girls are waiting to stitch also, so I must keep the needle going, right?
Thanks for stopping by and your comments. I love to read them. Love and hugs!

Birthday Give-A-Way!

2009-09-04T13:38:00.006+02:00

It's a special day for me today; I'm now 40 years old! Live starts at 40 (they say), so lets cellebrate!

And one way to this with you all, is having a special Give-A-Way:

Punchneedle project Let it Snow.(NEW)
Never used and pattern on fabric included.
Click on picture to enlarge.

Every blogger or blogreader can sign in (from every part of the world) till Sept. 11th. 2009.
All you have to do is to put a link in your blog and/or leave a comment under this message.

Good luck everyone!

Love and hugs...

First stitches are made and some pictures from our holiday!

2009-09-02T15:48:00.003+02:00

Yeah, I have stitched the first cross stitches again, after a very long time. It's for the first PIF-member, so I can't show you any picture. But it's almost done, and then I have to finish finish it.

That's why I want to share a couple of pictures of our holiday to Crete - Greece this year: (click on picture to enlarge)

Our panorama from our balcony!

Robert in the swimmingpool! Smile to the birdie!!

Our whizz kids: very naughty!

Building a castle on the beach!

A beautiful sunrising; time 7.00am!

Thank you for stopping by! Till next time...

I'm feeling very ashamed!

2009-08-28T13:11:00.002+02:00

Oh oh, June 20th was my latest post. Shame yourself, Carin!!!! And I do, really!

I had a very busy and crazy time, unfortunately without stitching. Even during our holiday in Crete - Greece from August 3th till August 17th, I didn't stitch a single stitch on my projects. Now I had been sick there for two days there, but it was also to hot to stitch something. All we did was swimming and reading in the shade. The first week it was above 40 degrees.

Then the worries about my father (alive but fighting against his troubles), also my bad fingers and knees. And now we are very busy in my new (first) office. As you all know, I was working from home. But that was not working anymore (too much stuff and no privacy), so I had to hire a real office. It's only 5 minutes from my home, so that's very great. You never know... kids can become sick, or they have a holiday from school.
Last Sunday we (my DHB, my brother and I) did all the paintwork on the walls and put the plates for the window. Piece by piece cut on the same measurements.
Next Saterday and Sunday we are going to move all the cabinets, desk and other stuff to the office. So, for now it's time to fill the boxes with all of this.
Unfortunately I haven't internet there for the first 1,5 week, so I must work from home till then.

I planned the afternoons on Wednessday and Friday free for myself and my kids, so I hope that I'm getting enough courage to stitch on my beautiful projects again.

Hope to talk to you all soon; love and hugs... I've missed you all!

Busy, busy, busy!

2009-06-20T17:14:00.006+02:00

Do you know the feeling? Always busy with work, school and other things, but no stitching time included. Terrible, isn't it!
I surely hope that time is changing to stitching time!

Today Emma had her first show with Streetdance:

Great so see 15 girls on that big stage!

This evening we are going out for dinner! My sister in law had her first degree; she is a law student!

Tomorrow it's Fathersday! So, DH and my father must be spoiled!

Last week they started with our frontgarden:

Also lots of sand in the house!
Ik will keep you posted about the garden. It will be finished as a "Spanish Garden".

So also this weekend no stitching time. Maybe next week?!

Till next time, lots of hugs and love!

Finally good news!

2009-06-10T14:47:00.004+02:00

OMG, it's been a very long time ago when I post my last message. I'm so sorry about that. I feel very ashamed. But as always with good reasons.

Last monday I received the good news that my mother doesn't have breastcancer! Pfff, what a relief. All the prayers has worked!
My father is still at home and have his good days but also lots of bad days.

My rheumatism is very bad at the moment. Especially my fingers are giving my a hard time to stitch, to read, and almost everything else.
When they let me, I've been stitching on my first PIF. So, you're all in my mind and I will never forget you all.

Ofcourse no pictures to share yet, but they will come when I mailed the first one and the PIF member received it.

I hope you can forgive me for the silence from my side.

Lots of love and till next time...

Mothersday; happy and sad.

2009-05-11T17:42:00.002+02:00

I've been spoiled a lot: selfmade gifts and a new watch from Swatch: de Mothersday Edition. And even a great breakfast with different kind of sandwiches and a boiled egg. Really great!

But... Mothersday was also a sad day. My mother was a survivor of breast cancer (both sides). Yes, was! During her 6 months check, the doctors found "something" again. She is now waiting for a puncture in her right breast. We all hope that it's nothing to worry about, but everybody knows better than that.
All these terrible things around our family, when will it stop?

I surely hope that all you mothers had a great day! Thank you for stopping by. I hope I have better news the next time.

A litlle finish again!

2009-05-07T09:30:00.003+02:00

A couple of days to late, but I've finished Baubles April from SamSarah yesterday evening:

Click on the photo for a bigger one.

When I was ready with this one, I went through my stash, to grab all the things I want to stitch for my PIF members. I'm so full of ideas that it's hard to choose. Hopefully everbody likes what I'm going to make for them.

Last monday when I went home from a client of work, there was an accident on the highway. There was a traffic jam for about one hour, and that's really bad for my knees. When I finally came home, I hardly could walk inside my home. My knees were stiff and very swollen. After a couple of days now, they still are. Unfortunately I had to take my medicine against rheumatism again for three days. So I hope that it will be better soon; my stitching room is on the 3th floor in the house.

Lots of love and hugs!

Thank you for reading and leaving all the lovely comments. I appreciate them very much.

Look what I found!

2009-05-05T12:44:00.003+02:00

Finally I found two lovely baskets for my special stash. I found them in a Xenox store and they were the last two with roses.

The smaller one is complety filled in the colours: red, yellow/brown and blue:

And the bigger one (for now): 20 colours of ribbon, beads, eyelets and pins:

So filled with all the new stash won on Ebay.

Aren't they lovely? I hope I can found more of them later on.

Our holiday and my special PIF!

2009-05-02T10:57:00.011+02:00

We had a great time during our holiday last week. Nice and sometimes warm wether and I had time to stitch also.

This was our cottage for the week:

We did a lot of "exercise" in this week: soccer, jumping on the airtrampoline, badminton and swimming. We went to the zoo and to the Efteling. Here are a couple of pictures:

Emma and Dorine walking around in the little forrest around there:

Jumping on the airtrampoline:

Our daily swimming, we are glad that both of them had at least one swimmingcertificate:

Playing soccer with daddy ofcourse:

My stitching progresses; I thought I had some more stitching done, but the light was terrible, so it didn't go very fast.

Baubles April from SamSarah:

Mary Margaret from Carriage House Samplings:

And ofcourse A Needlework Garden SAL, look a the link on the right. I will put the picture there later on.

And now it's time for my special PIF:

There were 5 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1. Patti
2. Mylene
3. Jan
4. Terri
5. Loraine

As you can see I have five names now, so.....

I decided to stitch something for all five of you, ladies!
So please email me your address, you can find it in my profile.

Also the latest news on my father:
He went home on Friday the 24th of April!!!! Yes, it's true. He's doing great and we all hope that this will last for a long time. Very strong man!!!!

Till next time...
Lots of hugs and love.

My stitching plans for the next week!

2009-04-23T13:49:00.008+02:00

Tomorrow I will be on a short holiday for one week and what will I bring with me:

1. Mary Margaret from Carriage House Samplings;

this is my progress so far:

(click on picture to enlarge)

2. Baubles April from SamSarah (almost forgotten and April is almost over);
3. A Needlework Garden and Needlebook SAL.

I will only be stitching in the evenings, so I hope I have a good light there. We are planning to do a lot of little trips and spending a lot of time in the swimming pool with our kids.

Yesterday Emma had her first running experience; it's the Week of Sports in Holland and she had to run two kilometers. She did it in 15 minutes, so that's good for a first time though. She's wearing the schoolshirts, which I sponsored with my own company. My company name is on the back, which you can't see on the picture unfortunately.

As you can see, she's smiling, so she had a great time doing it.

Till next week...

PS Don't forget to sign in on my "special" PIF (see my earlier post)!

PIF (Pay It Forward) part 2!

2009-04-17T17:44:00.003+02:00

I tried a PIF and just Patti signed in. So this is what I decided to do:

Everybody who likes something made/stitched by me can sign in. Just put a comment under this message with your intrests about almost everything. Maybe you like candy, chocolate, books or old samplers, you name it. Do you have favorite designers, also put it in the message. It's also a kind of way to know all of you wonderful bloggers.

You can sign in for 2 weeks from now. When I'm back from my short holiday (May 1st), I will pick two more names besides Patti and they are gonna get something stitched by me, in the next year, related to there interests, in no particular order.

Have a great stitching weekend!

OMG, the postman brings me a huge package!

2009-04-16T20:55:00.006+02:00

Terri wants to sent me a small treat, to cheer me up! I was very surprised when the postman brings me a huge package from her today. And look what I found:

* two heart shaped boxes
* a kit from Blackbird Designs called Keepsake Box & Pinkeep incl. linen and thread
* Christmas Ornaments issue 2006 from Just Cross Stitch
* Sampler & Antique Needlework issue Spring 2009
* Premier Halloween Issue from Just Cross Stitch
* a Lunch-Pack (!) with original potato chips.

and... a very sweet personal note!

And that was not all of it. She even sent my two girls a sweet bag (one for each), filled with candy and a very cute Teddybear named Fuzz.

Look closely at this handsome bear
His texture is really quite rare
With golden highlights in his hair
He has class, style and flair!

"Thank you, mrs Terri from America!"

Terri, you made me speachless! I really don't know what to say and my thanks will never be enough. You made my day very sunny! I will never forget it, and so won't Emma and Dorine! Lots of love and hugs I'm sending to you.

Pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-04-15T13:07:00.006+02:00

As promised some pictures!

Here's going Dorine to start with clothes on. She was very nervous, and she didn't give us a smile the whole time.

After swimming with clothes on, it was time to swim on her back:

And then, very exiting, swimming under water for 3 meters and then further. You see her look at me with asking eyes: Did I do it right, mam?:

After this she had to do (front)crawl, (back)crawl, float on her back for 10 seconds and float on her belly for 10 seconds.
And yes! She made it! Here first swimmingcertificate! (still not smiling!)

We are very proud ofcourse!

Please feel free to look for my first progress picture on the A Needlework and Garden SAL. You will found the link at the right!

Till next time....

It's been awhile!

2009-04-14T18:20:00.002+02:00

Sorry to you all, that it took so long for a new message.

I have a lot on my mind at the moment: my father and mother, lots and lots of work, and lots of headaches.

First, my father is since last Friday in a nursinghome. He doesn't like it all and is very lonely there. So I visit him every (!) day. My mother got sick two weeks ago, so my brother had to take time off from work. She couldn't be alone at that moment! She is know recovering from a eye surgery (did I spell that right?).

My own accountancy business is so busy, I even did some work in the Easter Weekend. :(

All this stress gives me a headache daily.

But also good news: Dorine got her first swimmingcertificate on April 4th. Yeah, the first one, two to go.
I did some stitching on the A Needlewerk and Garden SAL on Sunday. But I didn't had the time to put the pictures from my camera to the computer.

I hope I can do that very quickly, so I can share them with you.

We are going away for a week on Friday April 24th; just a little vacation. I need some rest.

Thank you all for your patience with me. And ofcourse for the very lovely emails!

A Needlework Garden SAL

2009-03-31T11:42:00.006+02:00

Patti and I are going to start an SAL for this

We also started a blog for this and you can found the link for the blog on the right. If you want to join in, you can sent us an email, you are more than welcome.

In the meanwhile I stitched some more on my model. It's Fractal 149 Bookmark from Cross Stitch Collectibles. It takes a long time to fill in the middle part. From some colours you have to do only 1 cross stitch each time. So lots of colours changes.

This morning we also had a consultation in the hospital about my father. For now he must stay in the hospital; the catheter is back in again after one day. That's not going well. When there is no medical reason anymore to be there for him, he went to a kind of nursing home, for at least 4 weeks. Yesterday my mother has had an operation on her eye (cataract) and she can't take care of my father. We all think that she can't do it anymore in the future also. Terrible decision.

Also good news: next Saterday my youngest daughter Dorine is going to swim for her first swimmingcertificate. So keep you fingers crossed! We are very proud of her, ofcourse! She will be the youngest there.

Lots of hugs and love!

Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments.

New Mystery SAL!

2009-03-25T19:54:00.003+01:00

On the Legacy Board I found the message that Papillon Creations has started a new mystery SAL, Castles in the Air; it's not entirely a freebie as there is participation fee of 1 GBP payable through PayPal.
It is going to be a 24-month long project. Part 1 will be available when you pay the participation fee.

I have decided to participate, although not right away. First things first!
I can assure you, that the first part is very beautiful. You can choose for a cross stitch version, or a special stitches version.
You can see already the first progress pictures on the website.

To access the SAL, you must be registered to receive the newsletter.

I haven't any progress pictures to share right now. Even I'm very busy stitching.
Thank you all so much, for all the comments on my earlier post. I'm going to the hospital every day, and he appreciate it so much.

Till next time....
Lots of hugs!

My dad's struggle!

2009-03-24T12:20:00.003+01:00

I just want to let you know that my father is still struggling against different diseases. The Parkinson Disease is getting him hard. He has it almost voor 16 (!) years now and he's getting worse every single day. He can't walk anymore, and they are trying to get him on his feet again. Even speaking for him is hard to do. So last thursday they bring him to the hospital. Last sunday he suddenly got a high fever. Now he's recovering from a urinary tract infection!
It's hard to see a man struggle like this for so many years. He said a few times that it's enough. He doesn't want to live any longer. His words: "This is a martyrdom, why am I still living?" I can't blame him for this feelings and thoughts.
Because of this I can't sleep very well and often I have a good cry during the day. I'm not ready yet to say goodbye to him. Will I ever be, no I don't think so.

So I try to get my mind off a little bit, with working and stitching and spending a lot of time with my two girls.

Thank you all for your sweet comments and prayers. I appreciate them very much.

A finish, a WIP and it's finally springtime!

2009-03-21T11:46:00.005+01:00

On Dorine's birthday party Emma and Dorine made two lovely birdhouses. Come on birds, eat some peanuts!

Emma is helping her father with the new plants. Spring is finally coming along! Today the sun is shining again! It couldn't be better.

Yesterday evening I've finished the French Country Bunny from JWB Designs. I've bought this chart on the fair in Zwolle, together with the French Country Dog and others. I'm gonna finish this one as a pinkeep. So I spent the rest of the evening on Ebay and I was shopping the whole time. And I won different auctions: Pearl Head Pins, Assorted Eyelets and 20 (!) coulours of Silk Ribbon. Be patient please, when I finish-finish them, I will show the pictures. Special thanks to Patti from Legacy for the comic book boards and the skirtex. You will be the first one!

And ofcourse I've spent a lot of time on my modelstitching. De middlepart is going very slow, but I'm going there. The last part will be done very quickly.

No news about my father yet. He still spending his time in the hospital bed. His last walking around on his own was a week ago. Today we gonna speak with the doctor. I will keep you posted.

Thank you for coming along and your prayers. I really appreciate them and they give me hope.

Wow, I received my second award!

2009-03-19T18:08:00.006+01:00

When I was reading the received comments on my blog, I got my second award from Patti. Thank you so much, Patti. It means a lot to me!

In my turn these are the 8 blogs I'm nominating for the Award in no particular order I hasten to add:

1. Terri
2. Irina
3. Candace
4. Grace
5. Melissa
6. Kajsa
7. Karen
8. Brenda

and now here is what you have to do:

1. Copy the logo of the Kreativ Blogger Award in to your blog
2. Make a link to the person's blog who nominated you
3. Nominate 8 other blogs
4. Add their links to your blog
5. Leave a comment on the blogs, that they have been awarded

I'm sorry that I haven't post any pictures lately. My father is in the hospital again and he isn't doing very well. I tried to stitch every evening, to keep my mind off.

Till next time, thank you for visiting!

PIF (Pay It Forward)!

2009-03-13T11:00:00.003+01:00

I signed up for PIF on Irina's blog and this PIF is the second try for me!
The rule of the game (PAY IT FORWARD):
If you would like to receive some stitching gift made by me during one year (until April 2010) please leave a comment on this post before April 1st (for the Dutch people: No, it's not a joke), to say that you are interested, and the first 3 people will be my PIF members.In return, you should post the same offer on your own blog. And the chain goes on! Participants from any country are welcome.
Anyone can sign in, but I pick first three people, who will follow the game in there pages...

In the meanwhile I'm very busy on my modelstitching in the evenings. I will post some pictures but I want to have to stitch a lot first. It also has been a very busy week in my accounting business. Therefore I couldn't post a message earlier this week.

Thank you for stopping by and your comments. I love to receive and read them all.

One finish and two progresses.

2009-03-08T16:14:00.005+01:00

Well I can say that I kept my promise (mostly for myself). I've started SamSarah - Baubles March yesterday evening and a half our ago I put the last buttons on.
What a weekend full of birdhouses!

My first progress picture is Doll House. I managed to do the rooftops and a first start on a bedroom. It's going slow (for me, but maybe it's just a feeling) but I never feel sorry about it, that I have started this one.

And least but not least, a progress on my modelstitching. Like the most of you, not really my taste, but I like the way it's turning out with all the bright colours.
I'm going further with this one this evening. With the tv on Medium, Ghost Whisperer and other Unnatural programs, it will be very relaxing.

Thank you for stopping by and your lovely comments and special thanks to Patti for the great opportunity to participate in a SAL. I feel very lucky to know all the great people around here and on Legacy. Lots of hugs!

Dorine's birthday party yesterday!

2009-03-07T17:06:00.007+01:00

Sorry, it took so long for a new message. But we had a very busy week with at the end a big birthday party for Dorine. She is now 6 years old (already)!
At 03.30 AM she stood next to my bed, fully dressed up, to told me that there was a little animal in her bedroom. I couldn't find anything, so I took her to bed again, now with her clothes on.
On 07.00 AM we were going downstairs, where she found two big birthday presents.

After school, she had 6 schoolfriends over for a great party: eating pancakes, making (painting) birdhouses and after that, our family came over, so she got her favourite chocolatecake! (sorry Terri for the picture, this is very hard for you!)

These are the tractations for school we made: heartboxes painted red, filled with a heartbox with paint and notebloc and heartcandies.

After a busy week like this, we need a break right now. So I haven't much stitching done, but I have planned a lot of stitches for tomorrow!

Thanks for reading and your lovely comments earlier.

Holiday almost over!

2009-02-27T18:56:00.002+01:00

Our week free from school is almost over! On Monday they went to the movies with grandmother and my DH. (sob, I had work to do).

Tuesday there were very creative. Painting the rolls from the toiletpaper!

Wednessday we went to a children's farm called "het Geertje". There are allways young goats who you can give milk. So lovely to see all the little ones. On the way back home, Emma got sick. Headache, coughing and sneezing. So... in her pyama's on the couch for the last few days.
Dorine, not to high girl.
Mam, it's almost empty.
Lunch time!

In the meanwhile I had a very busy workingweek. I did some more stitches on Doll House, but keep it a secret for now. I will show a picture later this week, when I've finished something. :)

For now Happy Stitching and a very great and healthy weekend!

I received an award! And my new stash from the fair!

2009-02-22T18:45:00.006+01:00

I was totally surprised when I read the blog from Terri. She had given me an award: the Special Friends Award and "Love" Pendant. The description for this award reads:

"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These Kind bloggers aim to be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propogated. Please give more attention to these kind of writers. When you pass this award along please include these guidelines. I am to choose eight friends to share this with".

Thank you Terri for this wonderful award.
Now I'm going to pass this award to seven people. Although it's very hard to choose from all the lovely people I met here. Everybody have a special place in my heart!

I sent the award to:

1. Annemiek
2. Annemarie
3. Mylene
4. Barbara
5. Conny
6. Anne
7. Lisa

I've promised you a picture of my new stash from the fair in Zwolle. I'm very happy with it.

Thank you for looking, lots of hugs!

Dressed up for Carnaval!

2009-02-20T17:31:00.004+01:00

Today, my kids had a party on school. In Dutch it called Carnaval and it will last a couple of days in the south of the Netherlands. They got fully dressed up to school this morning. Emma as a Indian girl and Dorine as a "sweet" witch. Dorine hates make-up on her face, so she haven't any. Emma had a couple of lines on her cheeks and there were ready to go.

Aren't they sweet like this?

Now, we are gonna enjoy ourselves with one week vacation. No alarmclocks in the morning and taking it easy the whole day. Hopes that the wether will cooperate a little.
Sunday I will go to a fair in Zwolle: "De Handwerkbeurs" and I really hope that I can buy some great stash there. I will let you know afterwards.

Great weekend for everybody with a lot of stitching time.

A finish and an "old" WIP.

2009-02-18T11:52:00.003+01:00

Yeah, last Sunday I finished the ABC Pinkeep from With Thy Needle and Thread! Yesterday I've been shopping in the city and on Ebay (I found a Singer oil can), so I can finish him the same way as the picture from the designer mentioned. I will show a picture later this week.

I also took an "old" WIP out of my WIP box: Doll House. I'm stitch it over one on 32 count of "something". Yesterday evening, I finally finish the wallquilt on the left. The ABC Pinkeep was stitched over one, so I had to do some more. The progress is slow, but it's worth it.

Thanks for looking and your lovely comments about my father.

Secret Needle Night de-stash! SOLD!

2009-02-13T13:24:00.006+01:00

I've decided to de-stash my Secret Needle Night Kits from the Silver Needle. I could never make all my stash in this lifetime and some kits I'm a little disappointed about.

You can found them on Ebay, sellersname jannadesigns69. I have now a PayPal account also. (wow, I did it)
So please check them out!

I've started the ABC Pinkeep. After a little symbol alert I'm using the colorchart to stitch it. Some symbols are not responding with the instructions. After contacting by email, the designer will sent me another one. It is stitched over one, with one thread on 25 count. Maybe someone could give me a hint, to make a closer picture?

And... yes, my father is home again! It's his 76th birthday today and I wish him all the love, joy and happiness on this rainy but special day. Keep up the fight against Parkinson desease! Lots of love, daddy!My mom and dad

Big hugs and love for everybody who read this!

ABC Pinkeep

2009-02-11T12:06:00.004+01:00

I bought this "little" bird two weeks ago. And because it's wednessday I allowed myself to start this one. (My Baubles February is finished, so I can start a new one today.)
The piece in the family is back again (yesterday the hospital made a huge misstake to say that my father died on February 6th, even he's well alive and still staying in the hospital), so I think I need some rest and piece and I new start.

Thanks for looking!

Another finish!

2009-02-08T17:31:00.004+01:00

This a great stitching weekend for me, with a second finish. I've started this one yesterday evening and put the last buttons on 5 minutes ago.

Sorry for this bad picture, the wether outside is really grey, with some snow and rain.

This is Baubles February from Samsarah, with the recommended Gentle Art en Weeks Dye Works floss. I used Chalk from Gentle Art to put the buttons on.
It's the first "Valentine" chart that I have ever stitched and I'm planned to do this more often.

Thank you for looking!

Finished!

2009-02-06T17:51:00.004+01:00

Almost one week later than planned, the Necessities Sampler from Little House Needleworks is finished!!!!

I really love the colours and it was a quick stitch after all.

And now.... I'm going to start with Baubles February from SamSarah. :)

Thank you for your lovely comments, have a nice weekend!

Swimming with clothes and a little progress!

2009-02-01T16:30:00.005+01:00

Dorine was going to swim for the first time with clothes on this morning. She never realized how heavy it is. Me, DH and her big sister watched her when she jumped in.

Do I have to save her? This was really crossing my mind on different times. Hardly with her head above water.

Pff, she was still laughing about it. I got a few years older in 35 minutes.

And as promissed, a little progress on my neccessities sampler from Little House Needleworks. Maybe I can finish it this evening.

Thank you for your lovely comments earlier.

Novels about cross stitch.

2009-01-31T20:32:00.006+01:00

After reading the first three novels from Monica Ferris: Crewel World, Framed in Lace and A Stitch in Time, I decided to use a received token, by the largest online bookstore, for the next three novels.

I love Monica Ferris her books. They're easy and quick to read en kept you reading the story through the end.

In the meanwhile I put some more stitches on the Necessities Sampler, but I can't share a picture right now. The batteries from my camera are low, so I have to wait till tomorrow. I want to use it by the swimmingpool in the morning, while Dorine are gonna swim with clothes on for the first time.

Thanks for all the lovely comments, have a nice weekend.

A new start and a progress!

2009-01-29T17:20:00.004+01:00

It's already ten days ago, that I posted the last message. I'm so glad that January is almost over. Pff, I really hate this month. It was so busy that I had workingweeks with forty hours or more. You must know that I was working parttime for 8 years now.

But... I have a new start. It's the Necessities Sampler from Little House Needleworks. I stitch it on 32-count cream Belfast with the recommended DMC.

And ofcourse a progress on my modelstitching. Almost 50% done! :)

I hope that I can show you more stitchingresults in the next month. This is a little disappointing and I'm not happy with it.

Happy stitching everybody!

Proud on our two kids!

2009-01-19T18:14:00.004+01:00

We are so proud on our two girls. Emma with her platform diving! Here she's gonna jump from the 1 metre and sometimes she's also jumping from 3 metres. And Dorine with her swimminglessons. She's only 5 years old and she swims already in deep water in the swimmingpool.

I haven't any stitching done in the weekend. I give it another try this evening.

A little progress!

2009-01-16T13:07:00.004+01:00

I made some little stitchingprogress on my model. Right now it's a very busy time in accounting business, so I haven't much time as usual. But last night I had to do something, far after midnight I went totally satisfied to my bed. With a lot of snoring in the bedroom (from my DH and daughter - she's having a streaming cold) it took me a while before I finally fell into sleep.

Maybe tonight I get some more stitches done.

First finish for 2009!

2009-01-11T13:21:00.004+01:00

I did it!!!!! Baubles January from SamSarah is finished.

The little hearts are from Just Another Button Company and I personally think that's exactly what it is that makes it so lovely. I'm not really a french knot person. It took me three times, to get it right. Maybe because I want everything perfect.

One done, eleven to go!

Blog now in English.

2009-01-10T17:27:00.003+01:00

Specially for my English bloggerfriends I changed the language in English. I will also post in English from now on. Please, don't blame me, if I make some misstakes though.:) Comments and hints are always welcome.

I'm very busy with Baubles January and I think that it's finished tomorrow. So come back one day later, and you will see if I made it!

Another huge goal for 2009 for me is, that I want to quit smoking. And I'm going to start tomorrow!!!! I'm very afraid that it's not going to work, but I want to give it a good try. I lost a couple of pounds first, so I hope that will be enough.

Progress picture and Christmas gift arrived!

2009-01-09T11:13:00.004+01:00

Lang gewacht, toch gekregen. Mijn kerstkadootje is binnen, met nog wat kleine gadgets (houten speldenkussen en lange spelden). Ben altijd weer erg opgelucht, als het heel aankomt, en dat het uberhaupt aankomt. Er verdwijnt nog al eens wat in de post.
(Christmas memories Box - Liberty Hill)

Zoals ik al eerder vermeldde, ben ik begonnen aan de maandelijkse pakketjes van Baubles SamSarah, en dit is mijn "progress" tot zover. Alle sjaaltjes van de sneeuwmannetjes staan erop. Ik kan gewoon niet wachten tot het zondag is, dus ik ga gewoon er mee verder. Ik denk zelfs dat 'ie het komende weekend al klaar is.
(Baubles January - SamSarah)

Doordat ik met zoveel werkjes tegelijkertijd bezig ben, zit ik altijd heel onhandig met een heleboel losse draadjes, schaartjes en stofjes op mij heen. Ik heb via google, een hele mooie handwerktas gevonden, van Amy Butler.

Deze staat nu dus op mijn "wish list". Ben benieuwd wat jullie gebruiken voor de WIP's, om alles netjes en geordend te houden.
(What do you use, to keep your work clean and organised? Are you using a stitchingbag for your WIP's?)

New start Baubles January - SamSarah

2009-01-07T11:39:00.004+01:00

Het is woensdag dus tijd voor mijn maandelijkse projecten van Baubles. Ze worden geborduurd op 28-count Newport Natural/Cream Linen van Zweigart met de voorgeschreven Weeks Dye Works en The Gentle Art floss.

Hieronder staan alle Baubles van Samsarah over heel 2009 op de foto.

En ik begin natuurlijk met januari. De afgebeelde sneeuwmannetjes doen wel hun eer aan, vandaag. Door sneeuw en ijzel is het wit buiten en natuurlijk zeer glad. Gelukkig is het zonnetje doorgebroken, zodat het hopenlijk straks weer beter te lopen is.

Het is de bedoeling dat iedere maand apart wordt ingelijst en alle maanden in een blok op de muur komen te hangen. Ik zal dus eerst alles moeten borduren en dan 12 stuks tegelijkertijd naar de "framer". Kan ik ondertussen even sparen. :)

Model stitching and girls growing up!

2009-01-04T11:38:00.004+01:00

Het is een dag vol verrassingen vandaag. Dorine mag nu definitief in het diepe bad zwemmen. Pas overmorgen zit ze er een jaar op, dus ze gaat erg snel vooruit. Het is de laatste stap voor het diploma zwemmen. Trots dat we zijn op haar! Ik zal volgende week een foto maken vanaf de tribune. Dan zie je haar zwemmen van bovenaf.

Ook zie je de kids met de dag groter worden; ze fietsen nu allebei op een grotere fiets. Dorine op de "oude" van Emma, en Emma heeft hierdoor een nieuwe fiets gekregen, incl. versnellingen, trugtrap-en trommelremmen.

Emma voorop en Dorine er achteraan!

En ik... ik ben natuurlijk druk bezig geweest met borduren. De artritis is "rustig" in mijn vingers (rug en knieen helaas niet), dus daar maak ik dankbaar gebruik van!
Ik ben begonnen aan het modelstitching voor Handwerk.nl. Ik had het patroon nog nooit eerder gezien. Het is 75 x 200 steekjes groot.

Wie weet wat het wordt?

De foto is niet echt super, sorry! Het grijze weer hier werkt niet echt mee!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-02T17:02:00.002+01:00

Iedereen een heel gezond en gelukkig 2009 toegewenst.

I wish everybody an healty and happy 2009!

Ben natuurlijk al begonnen aan een nieuw project; het is een model voor een winkel. Ik heb besloten om op woensdag en zondag aan Baubles te werken en de rest van de week, voorlopig aan het model. Het gaat heel snel, dus wie weet start ik al eerder aan een ander project van mijn doelenlijstje.

We hebben vandaag een nieuwe fiets voor Emma gekocht, omdat haar vorige fiets is overgenomen door haar zusje Dorine. Pff, wat worden het al grote meiden. Nog een paar daagjes en dan beginnen de scholen hier weer. Dan gaan we weer in het gewone ritme zitten, en zal er weer veel en hard gewerkt moeten worden: jaarrekening, belastingaangiften etc.

Ik zal dit weekend weer wat foto's plaatsen.

Klaar in 2008! (Finished in 2008!)

2008-12-31T11:28:00.005+01:00

Op de valreep toch nog 2 projecten klaar voor 2008!

Needle Nick van Lizzie Kate moet ik alleen nog in een stand-up veranderen. De baard van Nick heb ik geheel wit gelaten, dat vind ik persoonlijk veel mooier.
Random Thoughts Winter van Erica Michaels is geborduurd in Seaweed van WDW en gaat naar de lijstenmaker. Echter wordt dat wel het nieuwe jaar.

Ik ben druk bezig met mijn persoonlijke doelenlijst voor 2009. Ik heb alleen zoveel nog liggen, dat ik moeilijke keuzes moet maken.

Ik wens iedereen een heel fijn uiteinde; wees voorzichtig met vuurwerk!

Needle Nick.

2008-12-28T21:45:00.005+01:00

Op 1e kerstdag heb ook ik in mijn box vol projecten gekeken, die lagen te wachten op het juiste moment. Op zoek naar dat ene, om te mee beginnen op 1e kerstdag, zoals elk jaar.
En wat kwam ik tegen.... dit leuke kerstmannetje: Needle Nick van Lizzie Kate.
Hij wordt geborduurd met DMC garen; alleen zijn baard, snor en wenkbrauwen met Whisper (een zeer harig garentje). De veters van zijn schoenen zijn met metalic gold garen gemaakt, net als zijn riem. Het is de bedoeling dat het een "stand up" gaat worden, net als het origineel. Maar dit heb ik nog nooit eerder gedaan, dus dat wordt nog wat. Omdat het zo heerlijk snel borduurt, heb ik besloten hem af te maken en niet te laten liggen tot volgend jaar kerst.

En ja... het was een heerlijke kerst: ontspannen, heerlijk gegeten (en niet teveel), en een heleboel kruissteekjes kunnen zetten.

De komende dagen zal ik mij ook eens bezig gaan houden met mijn doelen voor het nieuwe jaar. Ik heb nog geen idee, wat er allemaal op die lijst komt te staan, maar ik ben wel van plan om de maandelijkse pakketjes Baubles van SamSarah te gaan maken.

Eindelijk kerstavond.

2008-12-24T20:38:00.004+01:00

Wat een vermoeiende laatste dag voor Kerst, zeg! Vanmorgen om 10.00u waren in de supermarkt voor onze kerstboodschappen. En sommige mensen.... duwen je terplekke de schappen in omdat ze bang zijn dat ze iets niet meer kunnen krijgen. Daarna nog even snel een bakkie koffie naar binnen gegoten (echt waar) en dan heerlijk naar de kapper geweest. Zit ik net even lekker met mijn ogen dicht, word ik in mijn rug geprikt door de buurvrouw. Haha, we blijven elkaar ook overal tegen komen.

Terug van de kapper, even snel geluncht om vervolgens te gaan beginnen met het behangen van Emma haar kamer. Yeah, om 19.00u kon ik op de bank gaan zitten, na nog even snel het hele huis gestofzuigd te hebben. Volgende week dinsdag komt haar nieuwe bed, waarna we verder kunnen met opruimen (en weggooien :)).

Pff, eindelijk genieten van Kerstavond, met Harry Potter op de achtergrond en borduurwerkje in mijn handen.

Fijne feestdagen iedereen! Merry Christmas everybody!

Kerstvakantie werkzaamheden!

2008-12-23T15:32:00.003+01:00

Pff, we hebben het behang verwijderd van Emma (onze oudste dochter) haar kamer. Tenminste: 2 muren, de overige zien er nog heel mooi uit, dus we hebben een behangetje bij het behangetje uitgezocht. Ook krijgt ze volgende week haar nieuwe bed geleverd. Lekker hoog en met heel veel opbergruimte eronder. Nee... geen open gat met rotzooi, maar mooie diepe laden die afgesloten zijn. Dat zou een heel heleboel stof moeten schelen.

Ook gaat het werk gewoon door. Fijn hoor, zelfstandige zijn. Je hebt dus je verplichtingen richting klanten, dus kerstvakantie zit er niet altijd in. Maar goed... het meeste is gedaan, dus ik kan weer aan het borduren vanavond.

Ik ben nu op meer dan de helft van de Random Thoughts of Winter van Erica Michaels. Ik kom jammer genoeg wat Seaweed van WDW tekort, maar er loopt een bestelling. Nog twee rijen te gaan en wat kerststerren in Smyrna Stitch.
Zie hieronder mijn progress picture tot zover:

Twee beauties onderweg!

2008-12-22T10:51:00.007+01:00

Ik heb mijzelf twee mooie projecten kado gedaan!

De eerste: deze komt in februari op de Nashville Market 2009 beschikbaar. Natuurlijk ook direct alle benodigdheden erbij; weet ik zeker dat hij ook gemaakt kan worden.

De tweede is The Christmas Memories Box van Liberty Hill, inclusief alle gadgets. Bij deze heb ik nog de stille hoop dat hij voor Kerst geleverd wordt. Hij moet uit Canada komen, dus ben benieuwd.

Een nieuwe start!

2008-12-21T16:19:00.011+01:00

Ik ben nu zo vaak aan het testen geweest met diverse blogs, dat ik op zoek ben gegaan naar een gehele nieuwe blog en de keuze heb gemaakt met de naam: De Borduurgigant.

Waarom de naam, zou je denken? Nou.... ik maak op het ogenblik zo'n groot project dat ik de naam daaraan wil toewijzen.

Hiernaast zie je mijn eerste "progress picture" van de Towel.

Het is natuurlijk niet mijn enige project waar ik mee bezig ben. Zoals alle borduurfanaten, werk ik aan een -tig aantal projecten tegelijk.

Momenteel is het natuurlijk winter/kersttijd, en dat betekent weer andere projecten erbij. Zo zijn we van de straat nietwaar? En met alles kerstkribbeligheden (woord ontdekt in de Libelle) is het borduren toch altijd een ontspanningsmoment.

Vandaag is het ook een feestelijke dag: Martin en Gea: van harte gefeliciteerd met jullie trouwdag!!!!!!