WHEW! What a busy days..!!

I wasn't able to get online after my short message the morning of my birthday.
It just that, it has been very busy on my birthday. Lots of family and friends drop by. The last visitors went home at around three in the morning. Seems everyone enjoys chatting and all!! After they left, we had washed and cleaned up a bit. Around 4AM when we finally went to bed. Still a few gifts that i didn't opened but it were mostly gift coupon. Absolutely no stash!! I mean from family and friends, but did received some from the yahoo exchanges group!! The next morning get up at 10 AM and packed, really rushing to catch the ferry at 12 that afternoon. We went to one of our friends at the mainland and spent x'mas with them. She's very good at cooking!!! Really prepared lots for dinner. The first starter was with shrimps, followed by mushroom ragout and then the 'turkey' with cranberry sauce..wow that was delicious. She has prepared three different desserts too, the first was creme caramel, stewed peer with ice cream and then 'Tiramiso'(can't find the word in english at the moment) but that last one we didn't taste it anymore we really had enough.Too much actually!! I am pretty tired from prvious days so i went in before midnight.
We got up at 9, freshen up and had breakfast. The children likes staying there too and doesn't want to leave but we are expected at my sister-in-law's place at around 12PM with the rest of Kees family. We nearly missed the ferry as they are a bit difficult and doesn't want to cooperate. We are on time and not the last one to arrive. Actually kees have a small family so it wasn't that busy.
After a couple of hours Grace has to leave for the church to prepare for the x'mas activity/play and we followed after half an hour to watch their play.

Finally comes home at around 4PM, took out the bagage and tidied up a bit, after an hour i left for work and now just came home. WHEW! What a busy days.

Now i am off to try and catch up on a few message board...

Happy Birthday.....!

....to me!!!! now i am nearly 40! Gosh!! i am 36 today!! No visitors yet, but they'll be here soon. I think it will be a very long day.

Still no stitching pics to show..

Still no stitching pictures to show. I haven't stitched the last days, instead i've been busy with this site

Hardanger link page

it is now finally approved! Kees had helped me a lot with it. Now that it's work still have more works and loads of time to keep it updated.
Any ideas or tips for this hardanger page is very much welcome.

Also busy preparing for my birthday on saturday(24th), and today for the children for their christmas dinner which they've really enjoyed. Tomorrow morning will be the last day for school and then they are home for two weeks.

Oh my...such an amazing surprise today!!

I am speechless when i opened an envelope/parcel that came in today from'sewandso'. It is from my SS from ILCS yahoo group. Leandre, what can i say...this is really a great great surprise, honestly i am in tears looking at all the things you have ordered for me. Thank you very very much!!! You've been so great!

The picture isn't so clear i think so i better name the things, 11 pieces of different Anchor perle 12, 2 kits of Victoria Sampler, Zweigart hardanger fabric, a chart of bookmark mania 8, a chart of waxing moon designs, John James needles.

The last finishes for a while!!

One of the completed rr that returned a while back and just finished it into a cushion.


I do love this LK pattern i stitched it again and used sampler threads, this one is for me....!!!



another two small ornaments, probably the last ones for a while, i need to work on a few rr's and other exchanges.

This weekend will be a very busy one for us, saturday is mainly for the children especially Grace for her swimming club and late afternoon they have to perform the first christmas play for the elderly here in the village. We, parents are not allowed.. we have to wait till the 26th when they will perform at the church.

The next day sunday, friends are coming over from the mainland.. a week before my birthday as they can't come the 24th.

cards, packages and a small cushion

It was a nice surprise when i came home late last night to find a lot of envelopes waiting for me. I didn't opened them yet...just took a pic of it this afternoon. The next pic is all the envelopes that has arrived so far, these are mixed, x'mas cards and b-day cards. The small cushion, i stitched it within two days and asked my friend to sew it for me yesterday. I am not really satisfied with the colour of the fabric but that is only what i have and i needed this one to be finish, it is now on the way to the U.K today to one of my penfriend.
Now i am off to catch up on writing back to a few penpals...i am really behind with this.

Christmas Tree is up!!!

Finally put up the christmas tree yesterday afternoon. It took us longer than we had expected, thought we still have the lights from previous years but i can't find it, so we went to town to buy one, came back home to put it around it wasn't the right one for this big tree so DH went back to exchange it. Now, is quite done with some of the ornaments i just completed recently and one received from an exchange, oh a few were from last year.
Next will be the christmas cards, i still don't know how or where to put them as i want to display my birthday cards which i have receive lots already. I had started opening a few this afternoon, i think i am not going to wait till my birthday on the 24th(Dec.), i won't have time then for opening them as we expect family and friends dropping by. And the next day we are going to spend x'mas at the mainland to one of our friends place.
Today, we have the two children of Kees sister, there parents went to see 'Mama Mia'
which was at the mainland. After lunch, we took them for a walk at the small forest here, wow! it was cold! But was good to be out for a couple of hours.

Biscornu

Just a quick note to show the biscornu i received from one of the yahoo dutch group exchange i am in. It's beautiful and i am really happy with it. This was 'sinterklaas exchange', and we have to guest who has made/sent the gift. My first guest was a good one but the one who rec. from me had tried a few times. Made a bookmark for her.

Celebrate 'Sinterklaas'

Sinterklaas day is tomorrow the 5th, we celebrate it late this afternoon as i have to work tomorrow till late. We had first an early dinner (gourmet), just the four of us. We have it in the kitchen which is quite a small area and because it smells we closed the doors, just the small window opened. Whew!!What a smoke!! But the food was great and children had enjoyed it. After that they both help with drying the dishes, i think they are pretty excited to start with the gifts so they wanted to finished off quickly in the kitchen. While me and the kids busy, dh went and placed the boxes full of gifts at the hall. When we are done in the kitchen we asked the kids to sing'sinterklaas liedjes'. Dh silently went out from the back door and went to knock at the front door, we had to play this as the youngest still doesn't know the truth about sinterklaas. When he heard the knock, he ran to the front door, and found the boxes of gifts.
He's so excited he can't wait to opened all his but we took turns. It was fun! Everybody love all their gifts. I am really pampered though by dh, nothing crafts but other things, but most is the set of earings with the necklace. Actually, he spend too much for me! A very expensive parfume (poison), a night dress, a book, and more other stuff. I am so grateful to have a very dh. i just feel a bit ashamed of what i had given him is not much.

Total of 4 ornaments

I am so excited, i just finished three more of these cute ornaments.
I am keeping these, being my first..but will surely try a few others later. I need to stitch a few x'mas cards for exchange on yahoo and b-day cards.
Received some envelopes recently, and just put it all in a box as i think it's all for my birthday on the 24th of Dec. It is getting difficult though...

Busy...busy....busy..!!!

What a busy day today!! Tomorrow is Chris six birthday. Yesterday, me and hubby went to the mainland for last minutes gifts, actually for both of us, as we had the things for the children early this month. These gifts is for 'Sinterklaas' which we are going to celebrate it on sunday (the 4th) instead of the actual day the 5th. I have to work that day and will be back home late.
Today, been for groceries and then made a few cakes. One, is for the teachers and the rest for here, i think a few friends and family will drop by after school of the kids at around four PM. As for the class (Chris), i will make a kind of snacks in the morning with cheese, pineapple and small sausages.
In between baking i manage to finish a small ornament, my very first in cross stitch and just with hand...no sewing at all!!!!Yipeeee
Ohhh and the card is for Chris, the stitching was done last weekend but just made it into a card today.
Now, i am off to do a bit of decorations and wrapping the gifts for Chris tomorrow.Will do the cleaning tomorrow morning!!

Snow..? but not here on the island!!

The last two days we heard a lot about the snow and chaos in some areas but nothing here at all. Mostly were on the southern part of Holland. Here was just rain and it was very cold.

Another small finishes for the week, the football one is for a charity quilt and the card for an exchange on yahoo.



Yesterday around six came a few 'zwarte pieten'. Grace is to a birthday party so only Chris..

St. Nicholas

Early Christmas package...

I received this package from Michelle B. ( x'mas exchange of one of the yahoo groups) , last week and finally opened it up today....Waaaaaaaaaaauw!!I am really touched of what she all made for me. She made a small pillow, a santa ornament, a kind of a pin cushion with my initial on it, x'mas card and other things enclosed; Dmc threads, book of herbs charts, beads. I am so happy with this gifts.

Still no pics...

Not much to report with regards to stitching. Though i manage to send most of the packages for all the exchanges i am in, only two left and hopefully by monday. Almost all the x'mas cards for overseas were sent as well, just a few more for penpals but i need to finish them off yet. I started cleaning/clearing up especially the toys of Chris to give more space for next week, his six birthday.
I did received a few packages this week, one is for 'sinterklaas exchange'which i have to guess who has make the ornament i had received on the 5th of December. It is a 'biscornu'(like pin cushion) and it is just gorgeous, will post a pic tomorrow. Another package i still have to open it up as i got a go ahead to do so. It should have to wait till x'mas but i send an e-mail that my b-day is on the 24th dec and lots of cards are already waiting for that day..hope she'll let me...

Small finishes!!!

Here's a quick update on my stitching this week. They are now ready for the post on monday. Still a few more things for exchanges but can't place the pic here yet. Not much progress as i wanted as it's very busy here. I am glad dh went alone to the birthday party tonight, now i am trying to organise the clutter of my hobbies especially the items for making cards. I am afraid i don't have much time this coming days for 3d's. If possible if i can get the chance i would like to try to make an ornament for myself. I am really envious whenever i see one completed those x'mas ornaments!!!



Sinterklaas came in today on the island. We are very lucky the harbour is very near where we live about five minutes with the bike. While we were waiting for the boat to come it started to rain and we didn't got any umbrella. Whew, it was coooooold.At that moment i think we are crazy standing there patiently waiting for him to arrive and as always he is late. They know the weather is bad and lots of kids are waiting still they don't try to come on time. We didn't stay long after he arrived as i can't feel my feet anymore...Later this afternoon, there's an special one organise for the children here in the village where the Sint and Zwarte Pieten can be with the children. It's organise from school, so every groups has to present a kind of show.

No stitching pictures...

I did finished an ornament but can't show it yet. Much as i want to stitch i really luck of of time. I've been out a lot. Yesterday, been with Grace in town looking at the shops, the first time she wanted to come shopping, ussually she prefers to go friends coming over here to play. When we were in town i let her wonder alone and told her where i am and meet at a certain place afterwards. She is now ten years old so i wanted her to learn how to be alone in a shop and pay what she wanted to buy. It might be late or early for others i don't know.
After an hour, we went to one of my friend for a cup of coffee. My friend let her play on her computer while we catch up on news...
Anyway, here's a pic of Chris and Kees playing Chess. Chris needs to practice it as he just join a Chess club every monday evening. So far, he's the youngest at the moment, as he is still five!!

More shopping done today...

I've been shopping today and came home quite late, the children are already in bed so the items are still here in the living room, will hide it later before turning in. I really need to sit down as my feet are so painful, my own fault the shoes i used wasn't the type for long day walking. Atleast, i am now nearly done with the gifts for the children for SINTERKLAAS. The Sint and Pieten are arriving here on texel coming saturday so from then on they can sing infront of there shoes in the evening and then expect some small gifts from sint & Piet the next morning. Since it still a long way before the real gift giving day which is the 5th of December, we told the kids that they will sing every other evening.

But first we still have Chris birthday the 1st of December, poor boy he has to wait a year for all the gifts and all but because it winter time for both occassion and mostly nice things to give are for the summer time we just buy it then, thinking we will give less on his birthday....but as i can see what we had bought for his birthday like the "Playmobiel Dragon Castle"which has cost 80.00 euros plus a few small games..it wasn't cut off at all. He really wanted this one though i tried to discourage him and better more on Lego's and K'nexx as he has lots of that already but he really wanted Playmobiel.

As for Grace, she is collecting Diddles items so i bought a few items of that, a DVD, a few games she has listed on and next week will buy the new Harry Potter book number six for her. I think the Dutch version is coming out this saturday.

For dh, better not mention here as i am not sure if he read this blog or not. Since he knows all about.
He's been asking about my list though since not only Chris who's birthday in December, me too...the day before x'mas day. A pity i can't list anything about Stash(cross stitch). But there are other things like books, perfumes...

NO STITCHING DONE TODAY!!!!!

Such a nice weather today

It's past 2pm, just came back from MIL's place, and it is really nice weather compare to the last days which was wet and stormy. In a minute we are going to the small forest here for a long walks. The kids doesn't want it but i said perhaps this will be the last that it's sunny and no wind so we better take advantage of it. Here's the pics of what i finished lately.

Chris kinderfeestje!!!

Chris birthday is the first of december but that first week of december is a very busy one here especially for children so we decided to give his party with his friends a few weeks early, which was this afternoon. He has only invited four boys and no girls! One boy came early, before ten this morning as his mother has to go to the mainland for a check up. The other three came at 12 noon. Just the five of them, WHEW!!! what a noise and not easy to control. I really can't, i'm not that strict enough with my actions/words but glad dh can control them. We had first lunch and oh boy i am really surprise at some for their language, really quite ugly ones and they are only five and six years old. After lunch we let them watch tv while we cleaned the kitchen.
When we are done with the dishes, Chris got out of the living room and then the rest went to hide their gifts. Chris called in and theyve really fun looking for all the items. When all that finished we took them to an indoor playground. It's surprising how energetic they are, after two hours still they don't want to leave. But we had too as we booked dinner at five, thought they are hungry but not one of them had really finished their meal, that was a bit of a waste. Anyway, brought them all home around seven and everyone said they've enjoyed it would like to do it again soon. hmmmm, i think next year but not soon!!
I am off to check some mails and then bring the kids to bed. DH just left for school, parents meeting.
Might do some stitching as tomorrow we are away for the day to the mainland.

WHEW! I'm tired...

Just came home from work half an hour ago, had heard all the events from dh for the day here while i am away, he has called up his mother to look after the youngest early this evening as he went to "condoleren"(sorry can't get the right explanation in English at the moment). Grace has chess club every monday but we noticed before that her brother has more interest with it than her and we asked the leader of the club if he can join too. He'll be six the beginning of December and tonight, dh heard Chris can start next monday. So, he's so excited!!
I would like to show a pic of the cards i had finished the beginning of last week. Two stitched one and a 3D's. I wasn't able to finished the one i had planned yesterday as we've been out for a visit.
Oh and added my progress of one of my recent WIP.

YES! did some sticthing..!

Well, did some stitching early this evening, stitched some simple charts for x'mas cards which i hope can make it tomorrow, together with some 3d cards too. I hope by next week to write off some x'mas cards that i would like to send overseas the third week of November in time for december. The earliest to send cards here locally is after the 12th of dec. and also for putting up the x'mas tree. I find it too late but then i am not alone in this house!!
Think, better get in it's over midnight....

X'mas package and b-day cards

I received a package from one of my penpals today and it says on the envelope to open it on the 25th of dec...but what is the date today..?? I am really eager and curious and received two b-day cards as well, my b-day is the 24th of Dec. I think i better hide it all in a box and wait...

Anyway, today; instead of stitching i did some cutting for 3D for christmas cards, still a lot to go though, perhaps this weekend but i need to stitch as well...hope i have enough time....

We went to the library early this evening, it's for the kids since the weather is not for outside activity and our eldest starts t read a lot and we encourage the youngest to take books too and then we will read it for him. They are hooked playing games at their computer, if not there game boys but we have to limit the time they spend on those games.

Don't really feel well today..

Haven't done much today as i had planned, cleaning especially. After lunch i just feel cold and put on a vest over my long sleeve shirt while dh has only a shirt on. I lie down on the couch and try to sleep but can't so just did some reading. DH went to pick up Chris from school after three and then he went off to one of his clients. Really glad he is home as i don't like to go out with the weather right now. Rainy and very strong winds. Chris wanted to watch tv so we settled down on the couch and i manage to stitch a bit. It was one of the Lizze Kate designs: Only dull women have immaculate home. Here's a pic of the rr i finished last week and the sachet for an exchange.

We're home!!!

We left friday at midday to Schagen at a friends place, arrived there mid afternoon had a cup of coffee and then we took them out for dinner. We went in very late i think about 2 AM so we got up quite late too but not the children, they went down and look at a disney movie film. After lunch, we left the guys home as they have lots to work on(computer) and we went to town. Wanted to buy a winter coat for Grace, jeans and sweater for me but wasn't able to find what we really wanted, so not much at all, except a play games for Grace. After that we took the kids for ice cream, it wasn't warm but it wasn't that cold either for the time of the year.
We called the guys to come and picked us up and then i and Beth prepared dinner. She's really a good cook, dinner was great!!
This time we went in quite on time as the clock change after midnight. The clock goes back, i mean when it was 3am it goes back to 2am.
After lunch which we had quite late about 2pm, we are thinking of getting ready to home and then the mobile of Kees rings...that was my boss, asking if i can help in starting from five pm but i said we are still at the mainland. Well, we had to take the ferry at 4:30 then and told the children we are going home but they enjoyed palyig here with the daughter of Beth and Friso they don't want to go home... Well, we have too...
Arrived at work 20 min. to six and it was very busy, my boss were really glad i came in. They compared it from last year and it was impossibly busy this sunday than previous years. We think because the weathe was really fine compared to before when it was rainy and cold but now is dry and warm. This is the last sunday that we are opened and then we are closed till end of March for sundays.
Well, got home after nine and red wine is ready...from dh... tried to get into Yahoo mails and groups but i can't get in. I don't know what is going on. I just hope this one gets in to my blog.

Away for a few days..

What a day! Heard a very unpleasant story today about one of the family. A pity can't write something about it as i don't know who is reading my blog.
Anyway, we are going away tomorrow, visit friends at the mainland and stay at there place for the weekend. Would be nice to meet up as we haven't seen each other since May, only through calls. Nothing about crafting though. The children are coming with us and they have one too, so we won't get bored. I am sure the guys had a lot to talk about work too! Computers and all. He works at Schiphol airport(automatisering). We might go shopping though, but first take them to dinner as she's working half day and rather not let her cook.
No stitching pics, though i finish one more rr but will take a pic next time. It's now too late to do it.

Recent finishes!!

This afternoon i had uploaded my recent finishes these last days, they are all
small ones though. The winnie the pooh and the friendship quilt are
stitched for a rr, http://www.myleneshobby.nl/fotoalbum/latest_items/index.html
I am finally done with the quilt for Shari too and last
was the hardanger coaster which i should have used 32 count rather than 28ct. Didn't really fit the coaster nicely. Well i am trying with overdyed threads. This one is from a Dutch designer.


I have two more rr's to do and hopefully will start some x'mas cards. I think i am not going to make a lot as i did the last years. I don't have much time anymore and i think many just throw it away afterwards.

One rr done...

Yes, finally one rr is done and able to start a hardanger piece,
a small one though for a coaster and some 3d cards completed yesterday.

We've been to a niece b-day this morning, not so many people so we were able to catch up on so many things. I think most are going in the afternoon as it is saturday and ussually a lot sleep in. We did try but the children woke up quite early and knows we are going to their niece b-day so they are quite excited. Everyone has jobs here, so we don't see each other a lot.

Wedding yesterday!

Went to a wedding service yesterday morning at the City Hall. But first had called another colleagues to confirmed it will really take place as she had delivered twins last monday, not here on the island but in Amsterdam. It was with Ceasarean so we thought they might have ppostponed it. The boys came out 9 weeks early but luckily they are fine but they have to stay in the hospital for a while. Around 11AM they finally arrived all the way from the city and both of their family, as both of them are not from the island. She’s been working here for 7 years and it was here where she met her friend that is why they wanted to do it here.

Yes, finally did some stitching today...!!

My first off day of the week, glad wasn't that busy the last two days at work even though it is Autumn break here. Weather isn't that great, very windy and cold so i think not many wanted to come to the island. We are supposed in Belgium today but at the last minute DH cancelled his course and hotel reservations, it wasn't what he has expected and i am quite happy with it, now i can atleast catch up on some stitching. Was able to work on two rr's today, hopefully i can start a hardanger piece tomorrow...and perhaps some 3D cards; that is if i can find the materials needed, as i haven't done much of it for the last months.

Weekend with friends!!

Friday afternoon, we all met up at the new ferry "Dokter Wagemaker" here on Texel. I think all of us except one, who is one of the director in this ferry, was our first time to go with this. And then to IJmuiden.. for the next ferry the "Duke of Scandinavia" going to New Castle. We've board in at around six. After taking the luggage to our respected rooms we gather at the lounge for drinks and wait for dinner, which was rather booked very late, at nine. I didn't drink except a glas of mineral water, as i had an empty stomach. Well, the meal was great! Buffet of lots of different kinds of salad and a few warm meals.
Arriving Saturday morning, took the bus to the centre, after a cup of coffee at the 'Starbucks cafe', we got in to the city sightseeing bus, along the way we stopped at the Millinium Bridge and went to the Art gallery. After that we resume our tour and then back to the centre for lunch. WOW! It was so busy everywhere and i think we had spent an hour walking, looking for a place for lunch and finally ended at the pub 'Northumberland arms??..sorry i am not really sure if that's the name of the pub. After lunch we had less than an hour before going back to the bus for the ferry, not much time to go shopping but i manage to go in to Waterstones bookstore and bought two books(not cross stitch), as i have difficulty buying English books here on the island. At six PM we are back at the ferry, the rest went for drinks as dinner was scheduled very late...at 9PM. After dinner stayed for a few more drinks till midnight and then went in. We arrived around 9:30AM in IJmuiden and drive straight to 'Snowplanet'. The last activity for this outing.
Will write more about this next time as i have to get ready for work....

thursday, 14 october

Here's what i had done today and will be sent out tomorrow. I just set my self no mail to a few groups i belong too as we are going away tomorrow with friends for the weekend. The children are going to stay at my MIL's place, so after bringing them to school, we will take their weekend things to grandma. We are going to New castle with the ferry, arriving their saturday and then....i don't know what the activities are for the day, we'll see.