Reflections and New Beginnings

How are you all?  Did you have a good Christmas?  I hope so.  I had a lovely time once ground rules were in place: everyone helps out or there is no Christmas...and indeed everyone  willingly helped out and I'm sure that the positive attitude my family showed when tidying, cleaning, prepping and cooking helped this to be the BEST Christmas ever. 

I got some lovely gifts BUT what made it special, really special, was that all three of my kids were under my roof for Christmas for the first time in years.

It was amazing, and of course the presence of my granddaughter made it even better. She was so well behaved.  A really easy child to look after.

I'm allowed to share some photos (normally my daughter says no because anyone can look at blogs, but this time she is happy to say yes).

Normally the kids take turns to put the star on the tree. This year we did it a bit differently.  Granny and Alyssia put the star up together......A new tradition which hopefully she can carry on for me.

Until we realised it was a three-person job! 

She's a very special little girl, and definitely a granddad's girl! She adores him!

We wanted a low key Christmas this year: one where gifts were thoughtful and small.  I had absolutely no idea what my husband was getting me, no matter how I guessed.

On Christmas eve, when we opened our gifts to each other (a tradition from when the children were little, we would open ours and then Christmas day was spent concentrating on the children and their presents), I finally got to find out my gift was from him.

Steve had taken my original Holmsey illustration and had it professionally framed.  He also did the same to the photo of he and I standing with Santa, and a photo of us with our two younger children when I was pregnant with our third.

I cried and cried at his thoughtfulness  I'd given up finding a frame for Holmsey and I'm sad to say I didn't even realise he was missing while he was at the framers!  He now has pride of place over my fireplace.

I got my husband a car cover professionally made for one of his classic cars. Apparently I was just as thoughtful but I can't see it myself. I guess it's a car thing!

While granddad was being adored, I crocheted.  The little red and white poncho I made for her is a little too big so I made her a green one with a white flower. She really liked the flower!

I've got a stitchy start and a crochet start to share with you. I was hoping to get the stitching start finished in time for Christmas but who can stitch when there are cuddles and laughs to be had from cute little grandchildren?

A Tatty Ted being stitched for...guess who?  The chart was a gift from a fb friend, Bethan. Thank you Bethan!

I also started this cardigan for er...well, you know who!  It's in four ply and the little flowers form the bottom of it.  I think this is going to take a while so will probably start some dk crochet as well.

Which brings me nicely to crafting plans for 2017.

I've done so much while being on blogger.  I've been blogging for 8 years: 2 on my original blog and 6 on this.

In that time I've set up BAP blogs for those huge designs that we all need a little help to get finished. I've run giveaways, sals, and raks.  I've stitched from stash long before it was fashionable (because I lost my job when I first moved here and was frankly broke...not a lot changes haha) and become a designer.

Now I'm going back to being just a crafter. 

And I would love to play a more inclusive role within our blogging community. I'd love to be part of a group doing something crafty but I'm worried about doing anything long term for obvious reasons. I'd hate to let people down if my disease progresses faster than we hope. 

So, any ideas?  Is there anything out there I can join in with?  I'm happy to stitch other designer's work (not LHN or CCN for personal reasons) and if there is anything going on that isn't a year long, e.g. released every month up to xmas, I would happily consider it. I mean, if you are stitching a certain design and would like others to stitch it alongside you, then please let me know.

I look forwards to hearing all your suggestions and if I'm not back before, have a Wonderful, Happy and Safe New Year!