Almost Christmas

No, I will not be able to finish my Christmas sampler in time. Here you see the result after week#13 and week#14.
Due to all my "real" work, I neglected my sampler a bit... And cross-stitching isn't something you can do full speed, I'm afraid.

It takes me a few hours to stitch a little flower.

It started to snow a few days ago, so with a bit of luck we will have a white Christmas! It seems that we had our last in 1986, I can't even remember it... I'm probably getting old.

Emily

And here she is, the beautiful cat Emily!

She came with a velvet ball...

...in an bag with her name embroidered on.

It didn't take long before she got company.

I want to make her a beautiful dress, and a sweater, and a scarf...

I'm back!

I finished my work a few minutes ago, time to start blogging again.

I bought a new cupboard/secretary in September, and I managed to paint it in between all my work.
The result makes me quite happy.
These cute little fellows paid me a visit one evening.

You can admire the work of their creator here, and if you would like to buy one for yourself, go to this Etsy shop.
I bought a cute Emily cat, more about that later.

Working

I've been busy, had to give up my October challenge of taking a picture a day...
This is what I've been doing: colouring an old book by my husband that will be re-edited in December. It's a comic book he made while still in high school.



While working, I enjoy songs like these:




I'll be back crafting and blogging in a week!

Day#25

Japanese crafting books are real eye candy. I buy them here.

Day#24

Something I want to do more often: drawing and painting. My days are too short.

Day#23

Paris is a city I'm absolutely in love with. I'm planning to go there for a few days before the end of the year.

Day#22

1. tea cozy, 2. Classic mittens, 3. pink nose, 4. Haverhill throw, 5. Homemade pillows in the sofa..., 6. I luv cappuccino + rabbit, 7. Fire, 8. Melhores Amigos [Best of Friends], 9. Granny Room
I have a bad cold right now, feeling chilly and tired... Drinking lots of tea, sitting by the fire, and making a Flickr mosaic of comfy things can be a good remedy.

Day#18

The sweet face of a cat!

Day#17

Quilting, a very soothing and relaxing pastime.

Day#16

Knitting.
I'm working on a sweater for a Christmas present.

Day#15

The days are getting cold now, what's more comforting than a cup of tea in the afternoon?

Day#14

Every other day, I go for a 3,5 miles walk in our neighbourhood. I really need this shot of oxygen.

Day#13

My grandmother collected china cups, I inherited them.

Day#12

Going to the movies, I love it!

Day#11

My favourite food? Heartwarming, simple, comfort food! No molecular gastronomy for me, thanks.
This is a pear tart with frangipane I made this weekend. Easy and delicious (I'm not a great baker, but I can handle this one).

Day#10

I've been a fan of Beatrix Potter's work since I was a child. Her work keeps amazing me.
This is a cross-stitched Mrs. Tiggywinkle for a laundry bag that I want to make.

Day#9

Flowers. These are pansies for my hanging baskets this winter.

Day#8

Jane Austen's sense of humour, and the unforgettable characters she created

Day#7

Vintage children's books (this is an illustration By Alice and Martin Provensen, 1962)

Day#6

This is the sixth crocheted afghan I'm working on. I crochet everywhere I can, in the car, while watching TV,...

Day#5

Reading, by far my favourite pastime (book pictured here "The Wind in the Willows")

I'm not giving up...

...on my Christmas sampler! I managed to work a few hours on it last week (the 12th week, by the way). I don't know if it will be finished by Christmas, at this tempo...

Day#4

The change of the seasons

Day#3

Little Golden Books
And here, as seen on Flickr.

Day#2

Vintage sewing supplies

What I like day#1

I need a new blogging boost, so here's what I want to do in October:
post one picture a day of something I like. If you like to do the same, post a comment and leave a link on your blog.
Day#1

The art of Carl Larsson

What I wore today

Fun group on Flickr: "What I wore today".
I already posted these two outfits:

Busy week

No time to enjoy the sun like these lads...


A lot of work (illustrations for a magazine, a lot of visitors, paperwork...),
but in the evenings, I did a marathon of watching this DVD.

I heard there will be a Cranford Christmas Special this winter,can't hardly wait!

Golden days

September glow on the pond,

the company of a lovely cat,

autumn flowers,

...and working on my sampler!
It has been a hectic week, lots and lots of work, but I tried to enjoy my garden as much as possible (a lot of coffee-breaks).

September resolutions

1. Old Books, 2. Untitled, 3. Orange Tea Pot, 4. DSC_0179, 5. Studio : Childhood Desk, 6. apple, 7. Late Summer, 8. Martine à l'école, 9. VelvRab-260x321.jpg, 10. Squirrel @ Shubie Park (20070927-141439-PJG), 11. Indian Summer, 12. Back To School Vintage Ephemera, 13. Alphabet, 14. Bright Yellow, 15. Trio, 16. The House That Jack Built--fab windows!--vintage Mother Goose Cover

September, the end of summer and also a new start: back to school for my kids, back to work for me (at my home desk), a pile of books to read, ...
I do remember vividly the smell of new pencils and books from my first schooldays, a long time ago now. Now that I'm a grown-up lady (ahum!), September is the time to start autumn-cleaning my house and get rid of the clutter everywhere.

Week#10

Although the weather has been very sunny and warm the past weeks, I keep working every day on my Christmas sampler. It's a bit strange to sew edelweisses and snowy trees at this time of year.



And since we're back home, I'm working every day to switch my children's room.
Girl's room has become ...

boy's room, and vice versa.

Since my son is away from home a lot for his studies, my daughter dreams to turn his room into hers. Because it's a lot bigger and she needs a big desk for Art School projects and painting.
So now I am moving furniture, painting, cleaning and reorganizing like mad.
A new room asks for a new crocheted plaid, I wanted it bright and colourful, like the flowers and berries at this time of year.