Sunday, January 13, 2013

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!!

35 comments:

Lesleyanne said...

Lovely birthday gifts.

cucki said...

aww super cute gifts..
love x

Unknown said...

Lucky you, receiving such lovely gifts!

Annie said...

So many cute and unusual items!
Love them all, but I l really dig the flower pot pincushion and the sweet little ort catcher.

Sarah in Stitches said...

You HAVE to see The Hobbit! It's a fantastic movie. All your gifts look absolutely beautiful, Anne, congratulations! :D

Kat said...

It sounds like you had a lovely holiday. You'll love the Hobbit. It's an amazing movie.

Mii Stitch said...

I LOVE the matrioushka doll! I'm always looking for a nice colourful design of one but so far, have not been lucky. They are quite hard to find :)

Mii Stitch said...

I LOVE the matrioushka doll! I'm always looking for a nice colourful design of one but so far, have not been lucky. They are quite hard to find :)

Maggee said...

Such pretty gifts! The doll is done so beautifully! And your sparkly fabric for that pattern is perfect! Look forward to more updates... Hugs!

Vickie said...

Oh Anne! That is great! I can't believe I missed that. You are a Russian Doll. tee hee!
I have already told you, YOU HAVE TO GO SEE THE HOBBIT!
Glad Titus is happy again. =)

Margaret said...

I'm in the same boat but with Les Mis. I so need to see that movie! The Hobbit is good -- hope you enjoy it! Love all the gifts you received -- so sweet! Love seeing Titus sneaking into the pics too. An absolute necessity! :D Can't wait to see Hannah! I so want to stitch that one! Your Tea fairy is looking good too.

Rhona said...

What lovely gifts!

Melissa said...

Beautiful gifts! :) The Hobbit was awesome! Probably not as good as LOTR trilogy but still such a great movie. I especially love the actor who plays Bilbo, although his name escapes me at the moment.

And as always - love the pics of Titus :)

Teresa said...

You got some lovey gifts in the mail. Enjoy them all. Those cookies look delicious, frosted cookies are my favorite.
Teresa's Heartfelt Stitches

Ann at Beadlework. said...

My son saw the Hobbit and loved it. Neat little ort catcher.

Anonymous said...

Anne,
What a beautiful stitching job your friend did on the Matrioushka doll.

You were treated well with all the other gifts. The pincushion is so adorable.

Mouse did a great job on the bourse.

The cookies look delicious.

valerie said...

What lovely gifts! The stitched Russian doll is great! As is the ort catcher from Mouse. Love the sparkly progress on TCF and Titus sticking his fluffy nose into the photo. He loves the camera!

Emma/Itzy said...

Looks like you got some lovely gifts - the Russian doll is so cute!

You must go see the Hobbit! I went for my birthday and I think it is one of those films you must see on the big screen to get the best effect, shame we have to wait till the end of the year for the next one!

Cristina said...

Happy Birthday!!! (it's a bit late, I know) I like ALL your birthday gifts, but I really in love with the matrioska (and with Titus, of course!!)
Hugs!!

Rita said...

So many and beatiful gifts!! Sounds you had a great time!! So the new year has started pretty good to you, right? I wish it will be all year like that!:)
kisses***

Melissa said...

Happy New Year, Ann! Lovely gifties. The Russion doll is super cute.

Poor Titus. Well at least you are reunited now and you can spoil him some more!

Take care in this cold, flu-y weather!

Giovanna said...

Lovely gifts! And what a sweet pic of Titus, he's adorable.

♥ Nia said...

How cute your matrioshka :) and the pincushion! another cutie =)
Lovely gifts received! :D
Wow! Great progress on your Tea Bath Fairy! I don't remeber seeing that much on your last update pic :D Well done!
hugs&smiles

Carol said...

Glad you were spoiled with your birthday gifts, Anne--you well deserve it :) The little doll is adorable--so perfect for you with your Russian heritage...

I, like you, am way, way behind on my emailing and commenting! Just can't seem to catch up after Christmas for some reason (think it was the trip up to my parents last week that REALLY put me behind!). Oh well, we'll get caught up some day, right? (Maybe!!)

Hugs to sweet Titus (and you, too!)...

Shirlee said...

Happy belated birthday! Great gifts! I also have a Russian background so always enjoy seeing things related to that country. (I'm hoping to buy a Russian nativity set this year.) I'm behind in things as well ... typical over the holidays I guess. It will get better for both of us as the year continues : ) Those cookies looks delicious! Poor Titus ... Sophie does the same thing when we are gone, then pretends she couldn't have cared less when we get home : )

twinpeakprimitives said...

I saw some lovely gifts as well as Matrioushka dolls!

Nice start for the New Year!

All the best

Lynn said...

Such lovely gifts!! Your friends truly spoiled you and you deserve it.
I am also waaay behind on my blogging and commenting. I miss everyone too!
Dear, sweet Titus!!! I adore that picture of him. Poor Clarisse sits by the door and cries after my hubby leaves for work. They do miss us terribly!
Great progress on your Tea Fairy!

Siobhán said...

What fantastic gifts! Lucky you! Sweet Titus, he's adorable. I hate leaving my dog when I go out--I always tell him where I'm going and that I love him (as my DH rolls his eyes, LOL). Happy belated birthday!

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

Great post. I love the Russian Doll. You certainly got some great presents. I got a Mouse Bouse or a Mourse Bourse too!

Veronica said...

Happy Belated Birthday! I'm sorry I haven't been around much either.

Such wonderful gifts. Every single one of them, to the framed Russian doll to the ort catcher to the pin cushion.

Ah, I've missed Titus too. I see he's still as cute as ever! :D

Hugs,
Veronica.

Anonymous said...

Hello

Just found your blog.
Your gifts are great!
Your stitching is lovely.

I love Titus, he's gorgeous!

Catherine said...

Wonderful gifts! Titus is such a cutie!

Dani - tkdchick said...

Oh my goodness what fantastic handmade gifts you've gotten they must of made you feel so special!!!

stitchersanon said...

Amazing gifts: really pretty.

Kathy Ellen said...

Oh Anne, I missed wishing you a Happy Birthday! Your holiday sounds wonderful, and what wonderful gifts you received. Love that great great pincushion.....so clever, and I don't blame you a bit for wanting to keep that adorable little mushroom pin.

Titus is is such a beautiful boy!

Blessings!