A Wonderful Christmas

Another Christmas has passed and I for one truly enjoyed mine. It was a tiny bit stressful as this year was the first year I hosted company in my little home on Christmas Day. Dear boyfriend and I invited our parents over for Christmas morning. We had a great time. I made a nice little brunch...mind you it was the first time I ever made a brunch. It took some help from a friend who loves to cook for some good ideas. I made a breakfast casserole that consisted of eggs, sausage, and cheese. I cooked some slices of ham, cooked some apples chunks on the stove topped with some sugar and cinnamon and made some biscuits with honey. We also enjoyed mimosas and had some coffee afterward. It all turned out wonderful. Our family had a great time. My son received some amazing gifts including a new keyboard and a bike. He was spoiled rotten. This was also the first time our parents met each other. They talked as if they knew each other for years. It was great. Funny enough they thought we were bringing them together to tell them bigger news like we were engaged or had a baby on the way. Not quite! It was a great day nevertheless.

Every Christmas I have to think long and hard about what to give my parents as gifts. For the last 3 or so years, I have made my stepmom a special gift for Christmas since she has everything it seems. Gift cards are easy and convenient, but I know she enjoys receiving something that I made. 

So here it is: A tote bag. This idea was so last minute that I stayed up late on Christmas Eve to finish it.

Front of Bag (The back looks the same)

Bag Inside with Pocket 

The pattern is not an original of mine. It was designed by the fabulous Susan Dunlop at SusieDDesigns. I really enjoy her patterns. They are really easy to follow and the results look so professional. I skipped one step of the design which was the flap to close the bag together. I was so tired at this point that I decided to cheat. The velcro works just as good plus I think the bag looks great without the flap.

My step mom was absolutely blown away by this gift. It was the reaction I was hoping for.

Now I can get back to my regular stitching schedule. For 2014, my resolution (yet again) is to stitch from stash. There are a few series that I really want to do this year, including: 

1) Cottages of the Month by Country Cottage Needleworks.

2) Santas Village by Country Cottage Needleworks.

3) Frosty Forest by Country Cottage Needleworks

4) Calendar Girls by Little House Needleworks.

Looking back at 2013, I believe I didn't get much done because I committed to too many large projects. I realized that finishing smaller projects is a nice motivation towards working on the bigger projects. When I finish a small one, it makes me want to take out a big one and work on it for a while. I will also continue to work on the WIP list on my side bar. I'm almost done with one of those too.

Tonight I have been stitching on the January Cottage by CCN. I love it so far. The snowflakes on the pattern really make me wish for some cold weather in Miami. It has been a warm winter so far. No surprise there. Christmas Day was in the 70s. Our winter usually starts in January. I really hope it does come around at least for a little bit. It gives us a nice break from the humidity at least.

Here is to a Happy New Year and a wonderful 2014. Be safe and Be warm!

**Hugs from Sunny Miami**

Jen