wanna join us for the "New Year's Dive"....

....in the North Sea tomorrow??? I know, i am crazy, it is freezing outside! But i had promised to join the rest of the family when they did the New year's Dive the other year. I do hope i can make it as weather forecast is a bit windy tomorrow which makes it very cold. It's around 2-3 degrees today and i think the sea water temperature is about 5 degrees celcius. Oh my...!!!

Anyway, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH who took the time to stopped by and wish me a Happy Birthday. Oh well, turning 40 isn't scary as it seems, after all i am fine and healthy which is enough to be thankful. Received lots of gifts from hubby and the kids, from magazine, books, perfumes and other kitchen goodies. No, stitchy stash as those aren't much around here.

The drive to our friend's place last week went well, only the drive back home took us really long as there were some accidents happened along the way which has caused long traffic.
During our stay there, we joined them on their Christmas party the evening of the 24th. It was held on one of their friend's place who has a big house. I think about 50 people attended. They live in one of the big city here in Holland so lots of our fellow countrymen live nearby. It was our first time to join such a big party of most of our fellow countrymen. Lots of foods, drinks, music, games and dancing. Everyone had fun!

Here are some pictures taken from the party, i forgot to take pictures of the food, every family has brought one or two specialties mostly asian.




Wish you all a safe and Happy New Year!! Thank you all for being such faithful readers and great commenters! I love reading all your comments on all my posts.
Hope you’ll continue to enjoy my blog in 2010!

Today, i am 40!

I can't believe it...but i turned 40 today! It sounds so old and probably in looks i am quite old but i do feel i am still on my 30's. ha...ha...I've mentioned to one of our friends over here that i dreaded it and so i am not going to celebrate this year. Not really, it has been very busy here lately so we would like to get out for a few days. Oh well, it didn't put her off and brought me her gift and a card last week. The card really makes me laugh...i'll try to translate:
((you can click to enlarge if you want))
40 doesn't mean life is over, you still have lots to look forward too..
*menopause
*more wrinkles
*and more ointment to camouflage
*becoming 50
therefore be cheerful and on to 41!
These pictures was taken last week. I went to get my hair trimmed last week and afterwards i let it braided, i didn't remove for the night so the next day it looks like this. I love it but pity i can't braid it myself from top to bottom to get this effect whenever i want.

Since i am not going to celebrate it here at home i thought to celebrate it here on my blog with a giveaway and also as a special thank you for all your friendship. I am so very grateful for each visit you make, each comment you leave, and each email that you send my way. So, here is what i've finsihed so far, A scissor case with the matching scissor fob. I've only manage to complete the pink one for now but if the winner prefer the green one, i'm sure it will be finish by then.
The giveaway is open to everyone! Please indicate if you want to be entered and if possible to leave an e-mail address. It is open until the 4th of January.

I ám a bit of a hurry for this post as i need to do more packing and some gifts to wrap so i haven't the time to go and search who the designer is of this freebie. I will look for it when we get back after Christmas.
(i hope it will work as i schedule this post for the 24th)

Here’s wishing all of you a Happy Holidays, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy & healthy New Year!

We wish you a Merry Christmas!

Festive Feast
featured at Cross Stitch Crazy magazine, dec. 2009
Designed by: Zoe Halstead
25ct white evenweave
DMC threads

It is finished! But i can't finish it into something for this year anymore. I don't even know which kind of finishing. Before i started stitching this design i thought i would like to make it into a pillow but now i would like to frame it. Since i don't have time now to finish it off i have a year to think it over!

We should left today for the mainland but when i called our friend yesterday she said the roads are still quite risky because of the snow the previous days. We haven't that much over here on the island but in some parts of Holland they really have lots of snow. The roads are much better now so we are going tomorrow morning.

May you all have a wonderful CHRISTMAS with family and friends!

Christmas and birthday treats!

Thought to share a few pictures of the gifts i received recently.
I've stitched the Russian dolls or Matryoshkas, finished it into a pinkeep and sent it to Olga. I received the real wooden dolls from her back. Arent they soooooo cute. Thank you so much, Olga. So glad to hear you arrive safely back home.
What lovely pinpillow and very cute ornament from Lillie. See, the beautiful self made pins. Love them all!
Another great package from Anna. Such a cute cute doll and the Santa too. You might be worndering over the cookies, Anna but they were already eaten when i took this picture. Taste good!

As i haven't expected all these, it was really a very nice surprise! Thank you all so much.

This one, i've sent to Anna and happy to hear it has arrived safely.
While this one, i am afraid is lost in the mail. It is now, nearly four weeks and still haven't arrive to the U.S. I am so sorry, Shari.

I'm glad Annie received this one safely.

We are leaving tomorrow(22nd) heading to the southern part of Holland and will be spending Christmas at one of our friends. We will be staying there till the weekend. Have to be back the evening of 26th as hubby's family have a kind of family gatherings. A pity not everyone will join or can attend due to work.

Thank you all so much for stopping by and i hope everyone's enjoying the preparation for Christmas.

Cards & Ornaments!!

Christmas cards & ornaments
Designed by: Rhona Norrie
featured at: Cross Stitch Crazy,
Christmas issue 2009



Upon receiving the magazine beginning of November and saw these designs, thought to stitched some for gifts. Out of the 35 small designs i manage to stitched 21 pieces. A couple weren't on this pictures as they weren't completed into something yet and i ran out of ideas and time as i had to post the pieces before or atleast beginning of december.











((you can click on all pictures to enlarge if you want))
Most were already received except two i am still waiting to hear. I hope it will be receive soon.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog especially to those who take the time to leave me a comment. I do appreciate them so much.

Our Christmas Tree!

Thought to share a couple of pictures of our christmas tree this year. It did took me a while to accomplish this, as it's quite busy here with the kids activities in and out of school. Looking at it infront of me it seems too crowded but at the picture looks like still some empty spaces here and there. A few ornaments are from previous exchanges the last couple of years. This year i haven't join any christmas ornament exchange.



((you can click on all pictures to enlarge if you want))
Peace flatfold
Lizzie Kate from Cross Stitcher magazine 2004
Stitched on 28ct light blue linen
DMC threads
This was completed a while back but haven't posted picture of it, sometimes if i finish someting and put it aside i won't bother to take pics anymore.


These are a few i couldn't hang it on the tree. Still a bit bare here with decorations, hope to have some time and inspiration to do more later.




This is the last week of school for the kids, so quite some activities in and out of school. Chris had written down on the list at school that i will prepare some snacks for their x'mas dinner party on thursday evening. On wednesday, it's expected to pick up hubby and Chris needs to go to his guitar lesson and they had a short performance that parents are allowed to watch, i hope his grandma can bring and stay for a while. Also before the end of the week we have appointments with their teachers over their grades or performance at school. Why oh why...during the holidays! Aside from that, a birthday party to attend as well. So, i'm sorry if you won't see me stopping by on your blogs but hope to catch up whenever i get the chance.

Many thanks for all your lovely comments on my last post. Hope the week starting off well with everyone.

Needlerolls!!

No recent stitchy updates to show as i am still waiting for a few ornaments that are on the way to friends, actually i am worried now as it's nearly a couple of weeks that they were sent out and still no signs, while a couple of them where already received. I really hope they aren't lost.

October, November, December Birthstone & flower samplers
From a booklet of The World of Cross Stitching
(no designers was given)
Stitched on 28ct white evenweave
DMC threads

These needlerolls were finished just before we left the country last summer but haven't had much time to post pictures of them. When we got back, i cannot find the files where i stored the pics until i asked hubby to find it for me recently. So now, while waiting for the ornaments i'll show these ones instead. I am not yet done with the whole serie, i don't even know where the booklet is right now...i am a kind of disorganized lately! I'll look for it soon as i want to work on the rest of the series.

Here's all that finished, from June to December! So i have to work on Janaury to May!


((you can click on all pictures to enlarge if you want))



Thank you so very much, for all of your lovely comments about my ornaments! Hope everyone have a fun weekend!

All the ornaments together!!

Thought to show a picture of all the ornaments together. Since i haven't put up the christmas tree yet as we have to wait till "Sinterklaas" over. Was able to get down the boxes yesterday though so i hope to start it later this week.


((you can click on all pictures to enlarge if you want))


Thank you all so much for stopping by and all the kind comments.

Russian doll pinkeep!

I've sent out a few christmas ornaments recently and the last that went out was being the first that arrived safely as i heard from Olga last night. That was pretty quick to the U.S.it took only 5 days. When i received the magazine last month and saw this design i've thought of Olga, so stitched it right away to be in time for x'mas. I am really happy to hear it got to you safely.

((you can click on all pictures to enlarge if you want))

Christmas Greetings pinkeep
Cross Stitch Crazy Magazine, issue Dec.2009
Designed by: Rhona Norrie
25ct evenweave
DMC Threads


Can't resist so i made a start on this lovely design which i've posted a picture on my last post. This one also is featured at the same magazine from above picture finish. Maybe... i can finish it for this year...! I have to set it aside though for now as i want to stitch an ornament for this month, the last for this SAL Christmas ornaments! And need to stitch a piece for a RR but i am still looking for the right design. Her theme is birdhouses.

My neck/shoulder feels a lot better these last days, so when i went for the threapy early this week, she decided that'll be the last. I had to drive Dh back to the ship yesterday and i did felt bit of pain on my upper shoulder during driving and when cleaning the windows too. I think i have to take it slowly but i am really glad it is healing very well.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog especially to those who take the time to leave me a comment. I do appreciate them so much.

November x'mas ornament!!

Winter Sampler ornament
LHN designs
JCS 2009
28ct cashel linen
DMC threads







I would like to say thank you to everyone who sent birthday greetings to our son, Chris. He sure has a wonderful birthday weekend. Supposed to be only saturday celebration but one of our friends couldn't make it so they came in this afternoon.
As always, can't make any pictures during birthday celebrations here as i am always too busy especially in the kitchen. It became a tradition for us that we serve buffet during birthdays here at home but this is not common here at all.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!!

.....and the winner ...

.....is Lorraine!!!
Congrats!!Please send me your address info. and will send it to you on monday. THANK YOU you to everyone who entered and stopped by!


Here's a couple of my finishes recently.


Quaker Sampler
Cindy Mae Designs
32ct. linen
DMC thread #816





Thanks to Cindy Mae for sending me one of her designs. I've promised her to finish it off in a month but i did it in about three weeks. It's now on the way to her.


Autumn pincushion
Designed by: Christine
32ct linen
DMC threads

Last autumn stitching and finishing for a while...

I love this one, featured on the last issue (December 2009) of Cross Stitch Crazy magazine. But it's a bit late now to finish it off for x'mas.


Will have to wait for next year.



oh well, better be off here, i have lots to do as we are going to celebrate Chris b-day tomorrow. Actually, his birthday is on the first of December but he prefers to celebrate this saturday.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!!

December giveaway! x'mas ornament!!

I know it´s not yet December but since this is a x´mas ornament, i would like to send it out before the end of November, hopefully it will reach the new owner in time for Christmas.
Christmas Angel Ornament
Midsummer Night Designs
JCS 2007
32ct linen
DMC Threads

((you can click on all pictures to enlarge if you want))


As always, everyone is welcome to enter, but please indicate if you want to be added for the draw and if possible to leave your e-mail address so i know where to contact you.
It will be open until thursday, 26th of November.

With this i completed the whole year for my monthly giveaway. Did try each month with different finishing and i really really appreciate everyone who sign/or enter the draw. That really motivates me to continue till now. I do hope you will continue to visit me even if without the giveaways.
I am willing though...that is; for next year 2010!! to grant anyone's wish with a stitched piece finish into what they'll like either a scissor fob, pinkeep, floss ring tag, biscornu, mattress pincushion, needleroll, needlebook, hanging ornament or a flatfold. If anyone's interested PLEASE send me an e-mail: mboekel@yahoo.com , with your info of what kind of finishing, favorites color or designs (i don't have much choices though in my meagre stash and rely mostly on freebies).

Oh well, i went to picked up hubby the other day and i was feeling a bit nervous of his reaction over the dent of the car. Parked the car infront of their ship and went in for a cup of coffee and then i heard that i have to move the car but i gave him the key instead so he went to park it on another area. When he came back, i asked how he thought about the dent but he hasn´t even had a look at it. We left the shipyard after an hour going back to the island but stopped elsewhere for lunch before taking the ferry back, still he hasn´t had a look at it. Till we are parked at our garage and i told him to have a look and he said it looks worse on the picture i´ve sent than it really was. We will see over the repair later but not so soon...

Here some pictures of hubby and Max last night. These two are really close!!

Since hubby is home for two weeks this time i might not be online much. I´m sorry if i´m late visiting everyone´s blog, and i know I owe a few friends email back and will try to answer soon.

Thanks so much for stopping by and all the kind comments. I am not yet over with therapy but atleast it is getting better. I do hope everyone will have a wonderful weekend!

Autumn pinkeeps!!

((you can click on all pictures to enlarge if you want))
Finished stitching these a while back but haven't had the inspiration to finish them off. Now, i can't put them off any longer or else they will end up in the drawer. Atleast, i can still display them for a while now since i can't put up the christmas tree until after the 5th of December because of "Sinterklaas".


Autumn has come pinkeep
Helga Mandl designs
32ct linen
DMC threads





October pinkeep
Les grilles de Maryse
32ct linen
DMC threads






Picked up Max last week for his trimmings and asked the owner that i will keep him for a while. Especially that hubby is coming home soon, hopefully this coming wednesday. He miss him too!

For the Nov. giveaway...the winner is Jeanie!!
Please send me your address info. and will send it to you hopefully later this week. THANK YOU all so much who entered for the giveaway.

My shoulder/neck is much better lately except this evening, been for therapy at 5pm and to my ZUMBA class at 7pm. Half way through i really feel the pain on my shoulder so i didn't really joined in. The therapist said it's fine as it need exercise anyway but right at this moment...it's not a fine feeling. Hope it feels better to morrow!

Thanks so much to all of you for the kind comments and i sure appreciate your visits. I hope everyone's having a great start to the week!