Cross Stitch and Craft Cafe 2020

Coxy11

Hi everyone,
Hope you all had a good weekend - well as much as you can do given the restrictions etc.!
Good news from me for once - Dad's tubes were removed on Friday and we were able to have a short video call with him. He was a bit confused and groggy as still on drugs, but he looked a good colour and was responsive. Had another call on Saturday when he was much more awake and able to converse. Small steps. I think they are going to start lung exercises with him today and then get him up and about, as he's been lying down for 4 weeks #relieved  
I have now PM'd all those taking part in the card exchange. Plan is to send them out from Friday 4 December, but please don't worry if you're behind and send later. We are all busy with work/family etc, and will not mind the wait!
Grand total of 38 angels now knitted. Only 12 more to go!
We have been decorating our hallway/stairs/landing and put the first coat on the walls yesterday which looks fab. Second coat going on at the weekend, then Christmas decorations will be going up, including my new Christmas Pots stitched design - hurrah!
Have done a small bit of online shopping, but tbh most of our family are now in tier 3, so will be dropping gifts on the doorstep and backing away quickly. Just need to get something for my nephew and then will concentrate on my three adult kids.
Don't know about you guys, but just can't seem to get into Christmas this year - expect it's the same for most of us!
Have a good day all,
Coxy xx

Charly27

Hi Coxy glad you have been able to post some good news.
Stirling progress with the angels. A heavenly host ready to be released into the world.
I’m steadily stitching The Cotton and Twine box and I’ve completed the card for the exchange. Thanks for the PM. I have just got to mount it on the card, hope my recipient likes it.
I have found my advent candle ready to light tomorrow. I bought it in York minster in January when my sister’s and my DMum had a weekend away together in York. I shed a tear when I unwrapped it, such a special memory I will have every day I light it. It was the last time I saw my youngest sister this year. I luckily got to see my mum and middle sis in August.
This is my only Christmas preparation! Did I tell you all we are replacing our kitchen and work begins on 19th December, turkey pot noodle anyone?

nmm

Hi ladies 
Glad you have some good news coxy, gws to your DDad and well done on the angels not far to go now. 
Charly, get you finishing your card already, i'm about 1/3rd done, thankfully i have ready made aperture cards this year. We're not too fussed about christmas, turkey pot noodle sounds good to me, my OH would have pizza and chips if i let him 

Charly27

Hi nmm, the only reason I am finished with the stitching is that two things work in my favour. One I am so much better with a deadline, and two I am an obliger. Take Gretchen Rubin’s four tendencies quiz online, if you want to find out more about it. 

This means I meet all external goals without blinking but those I set, and reset, and reset for myself, I struggle to meet!!!!! I have to try and find ways to build in accountability from the outside. Therefore I have not achieved one of my five November goals.
I did love finding a free design online, using my stash and adding a bit of Christmas sparkle.

Coxy11

Morning all,
Wow Charly27 that's great timing for your new kitchen!! You are one brave lady  I was moved by you saying about unwrapping your advent candle from York Minster. I last saw my Mum and Sister in September, when lockdown was eased. We had a small send off for DD before she went to Uni. Apart from that I've only seen my Mum twice this year. It's really hard isn't it - zoom calls etc, are just not the same. We would normally have a family get together on Christmas Eve. I usually cook Nigella's Christmas ham and we do a nice buffet and family come and go over the afternoon/evening. Means we can swop gifts and see everyone. Nothing happening this year. Thinking about getting some posh Christmas yummy food as it will be just the 5 of us.
Anyway, I digress. I've finished my card  and I too used a free design (MSE mods please take note). I hope the recipient likes it. Will be popping to get some jiffy bags at lunchtime as need to post off a few bits, so will do everything on Friday. I have no regular Christmas cards so need to buy some pronto. Usually send around 30 to family and friends, and also need stamps....
Hoping to get the Christmas tree and decorations up this weekend. I'm sure DD will help (picking her up from uni on Friday all being well with her 2nd Covid test...) but we need to put away the Hallowe'en decs first - they are still on the mantlepiece  
Have a good day all,
Coxy xx

nmm

You 2 are putting me to shame, i'm about half way through, where is the time going 

Charly27

Posted my card today as I may not get away from my desk tomorrow. I’m enjoying my evening ritual of lighting my advent candle. (It was reduced as I bought it in January MSE mods alert). Supremely unprepared for Christmas this end. Only me, DH and the two dogs on the day. DS, DD and partner joining us on Boxing Day whether or not kitchen finished. I’ve not seen DS since August. It is really hard as you say Coxy. Hope DD tests negative and she gets to come home. She should be with you a while shouldn’t she, February was talked about on the radio. 

Couple more snowflakes stitched tonight and a couple last night. Only holly, two robins and the big reindeer to stitch now.

Coxy11

Hi everyone,
I too have posted my card - 2nd class - MSE mods please take note  Hope the recipient likes it 
DD's second Covid test was negative (hurrah) so picked her up at 12noon and were back home by 1pm. It's so great that she's not too far away. I pity those poor souls having to travel for hours to collect their children, or even worse, the students having to schlep it home by train. So cold today brrr.
Another angel knitted last night, but I've now run out of white dk wool. Will have a scout around in the craft boxes to make sure I really really have run out, and if so, I'll pop to get some in the town later. 
I'm also thinking about what I want to make next year. Here's my list from this year:

My list of makes for 2020:
1.Cross stitcher in residence by Lizzie Kate
2. Christmas Pots by Historical Sampler Company
3. Pretty Little San Francisco by Satsuma Street
4. Attic 24 Dune crocheted blanket

5. A Pair Tree

6. 50 knitted angels for JoGLE fundraising - 39 done so far
Will be thinking about what to make in 2021 over the next few weeks  

Have a good day all and hope you are all safe and warm.

Coxy xx

elliep_2

I finished the stitching for my card a couple of weeks ago but just mounted it on the actual card ready to send. I used a design from an old magazine that I really like so I hope my recipient likes it too. I'll get it in the post tomorrow, sorry for the slight delay.

nmm

Evening ladies, i managed to finish my card and post it today, deadlines are good for me too Charly  I sent mine 1st class, sorry MSE mods   Coxy, poundland sell DK wool, i think 3 balls for £2 so not a bad deal if you can't find cheaper. I need to make a couple more christmas cards then its back to The Junction, one of my favourite utube vloggers passed through it recently i was so happy