Big teaser..................

It's a big teaser! Only around 1800 stitches left so next time I pick her up will be a finish. It's Morning Rose (artwork by Linda Ravenscroft, the cross stitch chart is no longer available).

I have a new project I just can't wait to get started on so off to plan

happy stitching........

I had to share this with you.....

I don't know where this originated as my Mother emailed it to me last week, but I want to share it with you. There are times in our lives when hardships and trials eat at us and make us doubt our selves. If your not a believer, don't worry it's a nice fable. I especially like the last sentence and will always be remindful of this.

QUILT OF HOLES

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all. I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the brig ht hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.

My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air. Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was. I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.'

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!

God determines who walks into your life....it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go.'

Freebie from Chatelaine

I've put some stitches into this freebie chart, it's Christmas Mandala from Chatelaine. It's stitched 1x1 but keeping the original dimensions, so for each 2x2 X - I've stitched 4 1x1 X's. Is that confusing? Anyway, I love how flat and delicate it looks. It's stitched on a very light aqua with a few slight changes in the gold threads and have completely different beads picked out too. Can't wait to actually start putting beads on.

Our new pup Lucy is a hoot! She is so cute, running outside with those big floppy ears. Gracie is very sweet to her and seems to recognize that Lucy is a baby. Lucy is teething but really good about only chewing on her toys. She likes to chew on Gracie though! She thinks she is getting Gracie to play with her but she's just too rough on Gracie. She runs up and bites on her, pulling on her snout or laying on top of her and trying to chomp on her - and Gracie lets her! I keep waiting for Gracie to nip at her and make her stop but she doesn't. Of course I get onto Lucy but they are gonna have to work that one out on their own.

New Puppy

Here's our new mini-schnauzer, Lucy. We also have an 8 yr. old mini-schnauzer, Gracie. Gracie is a lady and Lucy is trying very hard to learn some manners.

It's been icy and cold here. No snow, just ice on everything. I even noticed some of my daffodils have broke through and are around 3 inches tall. The wonders of nature!

Yesterday I was in the backyard with the puppies and we have this huge oak tree with 100s of brown shriveled leafs still attached. Each leaf is covered with ice and when the wind blows they ring with a delicate chime like a huge crystal chandelier, so dainty and refreshing. I stayed out way longer than I should have - my nose and toes were numb.

I'm off to stitch on Morning Rose..............should be finished within the week.