Wednesday 12 January 2011

Off to a good start

The year is definitely off to a good start. Last evening marked my return to the Tuesday night stitching group. I'd taken a bit of a break - a combination of weather conditions, fatigue and work overload. It was so good to be back and when I arrived I was pleasantly surprised to see that Dani had joined us for the evening. It was good to see her again since it's been quite some time since we've stitched together. I'm hoping she'll join us again in the coming weeks. My attendance will still be sporadic until spring although I'm hoping to join the group at lease once a month.

My visit with family in Windsor was a good one, although hectic. We had only 3 full days to catch up with everyone. We ate out for lunch and supper all 3 days that we spent there! I'm glad to come home to a home cooked meal again. I did manage to make a pitstop on our way there at Thread & Eye Needlework Shop. They had some buttons on hold that I need for one of the LHN monthly ornaments. I also picked up a new Qsnap and some small cuts of linen. After all, one can never have enough fabric!

One of our evenings out visiting involved a trip across the border to Michigan to visit my sister. We don't usually exchange Christmas gifts anymore but this year she spotted something special for me that she just couldn't pass up. It seems she was shopping in a Hallmark card store and couldn't believe her eyes when she spotted this ornament.


There are many of you who won't recognize this but if you
were born in the 50's or 60's you might remember the Chatty Cathy doll by Mattel. She was on the market from 1959 - 1965 and was second in popularity only to Barbie. I loved my Chatty Cathy doll. I had the original blond blue-eyed version and my sister had a dark haired one.

When you pulled the string on the back of the doll she would recite one of 11 different phrases. Well, this Hallmark version of the doll also has a string on her back and thanks to little watch batteries within her recites the same 11 phrases in the exact same voice.
In the photo below there is a picture of us and our cousin with our dolls. I think this was either Christmas 1962 or 1963. That's me on the left, my cousin in the middle and my sister (who doesn't look totally thrilled!) on the right. This picture sits on my dresser and my granddaughters discovered it during their visit at Christmas. I had just finished discussing it with them and telling them which one was their Grandmaman. What a coincidence to receive this nostalgia gift shortly afterwards. Thanks sis!




After returning home from our visit, I found the next gift waiting for me at the post office. On New Year's Day Angela drew two names for her end of year giveaway. She'd stitched 2 lovely pillows and I was fortunate enough to have my name drawn for one of them. How great is this, starting off the new year with such a fantastic gift?! Since my name was drawn first I chose this sweet LK finish.

Isn't it pretty? I love the fabric she used and her stitching is great. I was surprised at the size of the pillow too. It was much larger than I thought it would be. Although the holidays are over, I've left it out on display in my living room. I just can't put it away yet! Thank you so much Angela. I will proudly display it each Christmas.

Although my visit with family was a hectic one, I did manage some progess on my North Wind.
This is such a fun stitch. I took it with me last night to my stitching group but I'm afraid I didn't put in too many stitches. Far too much catching up to do! I also made a start on A Cat in Snowman's Clothing but I don't have enough done for a picture yet. Shortly though.


DH has just left for his first choir practice since the holidays and once again I'm spending a quiet evening at home. I fully intend on pulling out my stitching but quite often I find myself nodding off, needle in hand. Am I the only one who does this?
I hope everyone is having a super week. I know I'm certainly enjoying all the Crazy Challenge pics on the blogs. Keep 'em coming!

16 comments:

  1. Yep! I remember my Chatty Cathy doll - what a pal she was! I may have to look for that ornament.

    You did get somewhere on your North Wind - good job!

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  2. Love that NOrth Wind; it visited us last night and we had SNOW! Chatty Cathy was part of our household, too; many years later DD2 had that for her nickname.....

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  3. The North Wind has caught my eye :)
    Glad you enjoyed some stitching with friends !!

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  4. Oh Chatty Cathy - that was my nickname when I was just a little girl. Mom said I talked just like her and more lol.
    Your LK pillow is just gorgeous. What a lovely win.
    Love the new start. Hoping to get out of the north wind tomorrow.
    How nice to get together and stitch with a group. Sounds like a fun time.

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  5. Oh the memories of Chatty Cathy. Now I feel really really old, but in a warm fuzzy way. Thanks for the memories. Glad to hear you were able to get out to your Tuesday Stitching Group.
    Be always in stitches.

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  6. Oh, yes, I certainly remember Chatty Cathy! We are obviously "of the same vintage", Lynn :) I loved seeing the photo of you with her way back when.

    Congratulations on your win from Angela--her work is so pretty. And so is yours--love the North Wind progress. Stay warm up there (my son is actually working in New Brunswick and it has been warmer there than in many parts of Pennsylvania!)...

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  7. What a gorgeous gift from Angela!

    It was sooo good to see you on Tuesday... and yes, I'll be going back! Now that HWY 7 is divided I just FLEW home!

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  8. What a neat gift from your sister!! I see from the comments that I am in good company in having the nickname Chatty Cathy. My mother still says that! LOL What a gorgeous gift from Angela! Love your WIP, too.

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  9. Glad you had a nice visit away! Angela's giveaway gift to you is really pretty. I love the red fabric she chose. And I love North Wind! It's coming along nicely. As for nodding off while stitching...I've never done that ... yet. lol

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  10. I'm glad to hear you had a great time visiting family, what a fabulous gift! I love that picture too, you look very proud to be clutching your doll :) Great progress on North Wind and what a lovely prize to have won so early in the new year. Happy stitching to you.

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  11. Glad you had a great trip with family and even had time to get some stitching in. Great progress.

    I remember the Chatty Cathy dolls, but I never had one for whatever reason. But, I remember playing with her when visiting one of my friends.

    As for the catnaps...well yes I do sometimes!!

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  12. What a sweet doll. I never had one...hmm I'm too old but I do remember seeing them!
    A lovely gift from Angela .
    It is fun to stitch with friends now and again.

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  13. Beautiful gift you received.

    I love your progress on the Little House piece too. I just love all their charts. Have you seen the 2 new ones that are coming out soon? They are must have's for me!

    Have a good week

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  14. Cute ornament!

    Nice progress on your piece.

    I like your TUSAL jar I can't wait to see it full of orts.

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  15. Thats a great picture of you all with your dolls!! :-)

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  16. Love your story about the dolls, I don't remember them, perhaps they never made it to Australia. North Wind is looking great. I have been know to 'nod off' with needle in hand, I am glad that I am not the only one.

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