First Tusal of 2013 and Homemade Gifts

Well the first part of 2013 has certainly gone by quickly.  I can't believe I've already had my birthday, Christmas and am starting a second week of work already! Whoooooshhhhh!!! Time flies!! So without further ado, I want to share with you some lovely homemade gifts I've received from my friends, my first TUSAL orts (lots of sparklies) and some stitching.

As many of you may know, I have a Russian background and many of my friends love to me anything that is Russian and a doll, since I am a Russian Doll!! Literally!!! Well, to my complete surprise, one of my dearest friends cross stitched me the most amazing gift ever.  A Matrioushka doll!! 

Isn't she a the sweetest doll ever?!!!

While I was in Prince George, I got to visit with one of my oldest and dearest friend.  We had a lovely time together and she surprised me with the most wonderful gifts: handmade soaps, scrubs, lipgloss, cream, little notecards, tags, and a pin cushion.  Both my mother and sister said that she should start her own business making these lovely things and I agree.  So A. if you are reading this, get an Etsy account pronto!! She also made the most adorable felted pin cushion I have ever seen complete with handmade pins! I will have a hard time parting with them!!

That mushroom pin I think I'll keep. It's too darling to part with!! As you can see, Titus got all involved as he likes to do.

When I arrived back home to rain (insert groan here) I had a number of little packages waiting for me.  One was from Tiki Stitches.  The other was from Mouse from Tales of a Stitching Mouse.  Tiki gave me some lovely fabric and tea. I already have a project lined up that will work perfectly with the fabric.  Thanks Tiki darling!! Mouse gave me a bourse to catch my orts!! That sort of rhymes doesn't it?! Thank you my dearest Mouse!! I love it!! So sweet of you both to think of me!!

Lovely fabric and tea from Diane

The prettiest little ort catcher from Mouse

My TUSAL picture didn't turn out as I wanted it to but someone popped into the scene to make it better.

Titus!!

Darling boy.  He missed us so much.  Our neighbour who looked after him, told us that when she visited him, he would often sit facing the door waiting for us to come home.  Awww, my big, baby boy! We are lucky though to have such a lovely neighbour come and make sure he's okay.

As for stitching, I didn't really stitch a lot during my  "holiday" with everything that was going on.  I forgot to take a progress photo of Baked Goods but there really isn't much to show.  I started two new RAKs for the Random Acts of Stitching Kindness blog.  I am nearly finished one and would show it but I can't since it would ruin the surprise. I also finally started Hannah Brassington tonight and am loving working with the silks.  Again I am mulling over whether to stitch 1 over 2 or 2 over 2.  Now that I've completed almost one flower with those pricey AVAS silks, I think I'll stick to 2 over 2 since I don't want to waste ANY of those silks!!! I think it'll be fine.  I'll post a photo to the Scarlet Letter Challenge blog tomorrow.  I do have some Tea Bath Fairy progress to show you.  Loads of sparkle!!!

I'll leave you with a photo of the Sister Cookies aka Sugar Cookies.  I designed the tree and angel.  They were really yummy!!

 PS: I still haven't caught up with all of you and your blogs...I feel so badly about it too :(  I really hope next weekend will be a bit slower although I have a feeling it won't as I'm trying to catch up with some girlfriends and I have to find the time to see THE HOBBIT!!! I can't believe I haven't seen it yet!! I may have to go on my own.  Anywho, when I do catch up I will be a happy camper!!