Monday, December 23, 2013

Just keep swimming...

Seems like many of us are feeling like we are behind in our Christmas preparations.  I am definitely one of those people.  But slowly we are getting there!  And I think I'm finally starting to feel in the Christmas mood.

Still some stitching going on amidst the prep.  Here's my Crown Sampler.


I've finished the top section and have dived into stitching the words.  If you see the needle on my cute little cat needleminder, that gives you an idea of the size on 50/62 count linen -- that is a size 28 petite needle.


This is just such a pretty piece!

This past week, there was a Christmas party for the NYC Google employees.  The theme was Dr. Who and you had to dress as someone from the 2380's, the 1980's, the 1880's, or the 1780's.  The father type took the girl child with him to the party.  Guess what era they were from.


They are looking confused because they are standing in a room that is for the wrong era.  lol!  There was a room for each era, very impressive!  Sounds like they had a great time.  Those Googlers know how to throw a party!

All during this cold winter that has finally become actual winter, Mia has refused to sleep in her winter bed that I bought her last year.  She loved it last year so much, so I was very surprised at her refusal.  She would sleep on the heating duct vent, or make her way under the covers on the bed and sleep there instead.  Today I finally decided to try lining the inside of her winter bed with bubble wrap, one of her favorite surfaces to crouch on.  And here is the result.


Yup.  She loves her winter bed once again.  lolol!

Thanks as always for stopping by and saying hi.  I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season.  Happy Christmas!!


48 comments:

Vickie said...

Love, love, love Crown Sampler so beautiful and tiny!
That picture of those two cracks me up!
Mia is so funny and quirky. Made me remember when Mabel kept climbing in the fabric toy basket. It still won't sit up right anymore. God bless you all this Christmas Margaret.

llknbillburg said...

Your Crown Sampler is coming along so nicely! I hope to start mine after Christmas. Aren't cats just the funniest creatures?! I bought one of my cats a new bed since he always seems to be sleeping on the floor and its cold now. He won't sleep in it either. Maybe I should try bubble wrap too!! LOL
Laura

Carol said...

What a fun party!! That Google must be such a great place to work :)

Your Crown Sampler is looking lovely, Margaret and I'm glad you figured out a way for Miss Mia to enjoy her bed once again--too funny!!

Good luck with the remaining Christmas preparations and enjoy the big day!

Ann at Beadlework. said...

I know cats like crinkly things but sleeping on bubble wrap is a new one for me!! Mia always makes me smile. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Mugwump Woolies said...

Much progress on your beautiful sampler! What a fun party that must have been...and how fortunate is your DH to work in such a company! Funny Mia...the girl knows what she likes!
Have Merry Christmas!
Robyn

Mary Ann said...

Lovely progress on your Crown Sampler!

WOW! What a fun party that must have been, and I always enjoy reading about Mia's antics--too funny that all it took was some bubble wrap for her to enjoy her bed again. : )

Merry Christmas to you and your family!!

Anonymous said...

beautiful beautiful stitching,
happy hollidays

Laurie in Iowa said...

Your Crown Sampler is beautiful. I look forward to your progress blog posts each week.

Little Mia is a kitty who knows what she wants and won't settle for less.
Such a sweetie!

Cari said...

You Crown Sampler is beautiful. I really, really like the 50 ct. fabric and the tudor silks. It's going to be a lovely piece.

The pic of your hubby and daughter is adorable. Sounds like a fun party as I love Dr. Who.

And Mia…what a nut. Isn't it funny that she would like the bubble wrap in her bed? She's a nut and I know you love her to pieces.

Merry Christmas Margaret !!

Cari said...

*Your (i should proofread prior to publishing) !!

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

Mia such a silly girl! And adorable. Crown sampler is beautiful

Vera said...

Beautiful Crown Sampler Margaret. Love the size. And Mia...what a character!! Merry Christmas!!

Miss Pants said...

The stitching looks great! And I can't believe Mia even goes near bubble wrap. It scares my dog.

Francesca said...

I always love to see your samplers progress and your lovely finishes ! Cats...fantastic creatures, Mia in special way ! Wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas time.

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

Lovely stitching! Mia is a hoot too. Oh those kitties!

Brigitte said...

Oh my, this Crown Sampler with the wonderful silks on this special fabric - a real beauty.
Ha, what a fun party with a fun theme. Guessing the era your DH and DD represent isn't easy, maybe the 1880s? But then, women were wearing long skirts back then. Anyway, they certainly enjoyed the party. It's an absolutely great picture.
Have a wonderful Christmas, you and your family.

Melissa said...

Oh that's so cute seeing Mia in her bubble wrap bed! How fun is that?!

Love your progress on the Crown Sampler!

Have a great Christmas, Margaret!

BrendaS said...

Your Crown Sampler is looking stunning Margaret! Glad your husband is enjoying his new job. What a cool themed Christmas Party.

Have a Merry Christmas!

Annie said...

Love the sampler...great progress in the midst of x-mas hoopla. What a cool party. I have no idea what era they are dressed for. I feel stupid. Who would have guessed that bubble wrap was the key to happiness!

Teresa S. said...

Your crown sampler is looking great! I'm so glad you are trying that new linen because I am too afraid to take the step until someone else does first :)

Robert said...

Merry Christmas Margaret to you and your family! Great progress on the Crown Sampler. I am also currently stitching this sampler with the Tudor Silks and fabric provided from the Attic. I am hoping to have mine finished in the next couple of days. Will post a picture as soon as I am finished. All the best...

Karen said...

Beautiful piece you are working on. Hope you have a very merry Christmas.

happy stitching...

Annette-California said...

The Crown sampler is gorgeous - all those tiny stitches, a work of LOVE! Great Google Christmas party.
Mia is so darling. Good idea you had and it worked getting her to use her bed. Hang in there you everything will come together for your family Christmas.
love and Merry Christmas -Annette

Chris said...

Great progress on your sampler. It looks like the party was amazing.
Funny Mia!!
Merry,Merry Christmas!!!

Jean said...

Your sampler is stunning, and WOW you are so brave to work on such a high count. Ours have loved the boxes from things coming from Santa, that's there favorite thing. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas.

Krista said...

Love that crown sampler! The colors are so pretty. Looks like a fun holiday party, I would guess the 1880s? Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

Ellen said...

Beautiful stitching, love your progress!

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Hugs,

Jackie's Stitches said...

So clever figuring out something that would get Mia in her kitty bed! Very clever!

I have a feeling your Crown Sampler is actually smaller that it blows up on my computer monitor. The petite needle looks rather long.

The Google party sounds like fun and they look like they were enjoying themselves.

valerie said...

Your Crown Sampler is coming along gorgeously Margaret! Just love the soft colors. And the costumes for the Google Party are great! I am sure DH and GC had a great time. Mia is funny! I guess everything needs to be lined in bubble wrap? lol I hope you and yours have a lovely christmas! :)

Linda said...

Merry Christmas to you and your family Margaret.

Linda

marly said...

Crazy cat! But I'll bet bubble wrap to her is like a foam mattress topper to us. Feels good! That sampler is amazing. Merry Christmas Margaret to you and your entire family.

Wanda said...

Margaret, what a gorgeous sampler! Mia is too priceless! Have a wonderful Christmas and may 2014 bring much health and happiness, Wanda

Mary said...

Such itty-bitty stitches - they're lovely! Wishing you and your family the warmest of holidays.

Glenna said...

Awww--Mia was COLD... Lovely sampler. Merry Christmas to you and your family, Margaret!

Sherry said...

The sampler is looking beautiful! You are making me want to pull it and start it NOW! Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Penny said...

What a beautiful sampler, and tiny too! Google must be a fun place to work - looks like they sure know how to throw parties. :) Mia is just too sweet all snuggled in her bubble wrap bed. :) I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!

Anne said...

Such a funny kitty! Bubble wrap to sleep in?! Well, at least it works for her!! Gosh, your sampler is gorgeous and coming along beautifully. I'm like you and way behind for Christmas, however, I still have two weeks left...hehehee! Love that photo of father/daughter caught in the 1980's! Great photo! That party must have been a blast!

Anne said...

Oops, Merry Christmas Margaret to you, your family and Mia!!

Evelyne said...

Great idea of the bubble wrap! Mia is grateful for that, I see!
love the crown sampler and you made such a progress.
Merry Christmas for you and your family and hopefully a great 2014.
Evelyne

Anonymous said...

I want to work for Google and go to Dr Who parties! What fun. :) Love your stitching and I hope your Christmas was magical.

The Inspired Stitcher said...

Looks like a fun time. I only got in the holiday mood yesterday. Sigh. Hope you had a good day today.

Susan said...

Amazing how we always feel so far behind getting ready for Christmas but all the important things seem to get done. Hope you had a wonderful holiday and got more stitching done on you beautiful sampler!

Sherry :o) said...

Belated Merry Christmas! Your crowns sampler is absolutely stunning!! Glad you had a good visit from your kiddos at Thanksgiving. Yes, I am just now catching up... hope all is going well and you are enjoying a great holiday season. Sherry :o)

Karoline said...

Your Crown sampler is looking stunning, great progress

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas

Solstitches said...

The Google Christmas party sounds a lot of fun and father and daughter look great in their costumes.
Mia is so funny in her bubble wrap nest :)
Beautiful stitching on your sampler. The colours are so pretty.
Margaret

Melanie said...

Oooo, don't you hate that when they suddenly give up a previously beloved bed? Especially if it's been washed and, you know, seems just as fine as always. Silly cats! I have a cat nip spray I use to get the little buggers interested in things like that. Little spray and POOF! Things are usually better.
I just started watching the 2005 Dr. Who series. Bit daunting because I'm soooooooo far behind. That party looks like it was awesome!

Catherine said...

Beautiful stitches! I bet working at Google is a blast! Oh, how funny about Mia and the bubble wrap!

Beth said...

What a fun Christmas party! Mia is like my cats - they are MAD about plastic of all sorts - it is just like catnip to them.