Thursday, January 10, 2013

I'm still here!

Happy New Year to anyone who may still be following me, and to any new followers too!  


I haven't finished any stitching, but I do have a quick little crafty project I can show you.  I came across this idea for a wedding invitation ornament on a blog just over a year ago, and thought it was absolutely gorgeous and a wonderful idea for a keepsake.  With Jase and Nic only having just had their December wedding (pictures here) I would have loved to have made one for them straight away, but with Christmas looming, and having to prepare for our move to Dubai, I really just didn't have the time.  Also, all the clear baubles I could find on the internet were sold out, so I wouldn't have been able to anyway.  Throughout the year I've been keeping an eye out for when the baubles became available again, and eventually found some during the summer, so was able to make the ornament in time to give to Jase and Nic for Christmas.  Inside the bauble is Jase and Nic's wedding invitation, with the key details cut into quarter inch strips.  Chota, their little Jack Russell played her part at the wedding too, so I've attached a stirling silver Jack Russell charm.  It was so easy to do, and I was absolutely thrilled with how it turned out.  When I get the opportunity I will definitely be using this idea again.  You can find the simple steps to follow here on Christy's blog.


It's been a busy few months for me, with yet again not a lot of stitching getting done, but I've been having a lovely time.  Towards the end of October and the beginning of November, Jason, Matthew and Nic came out to visit us in Dubai.  We had a brilliant time - sightseeing, cocktails at the Burj Al Arab, and going up the Burj Khalifa, currently the tallest building in the world, then staying until the evening for a meal while watching the Dubai Fountain show.  It was so lovely having them here with us, and we missed them terribly when they left to go back home! 

I love this photo that Jason took of the Burj Khalifa in the evening before the fountain show.

Jason, Nic and Matthew at the Souk Madinat, after a fantastic Friday afternoon Brunch at the Al Qasr Hotel, Madinat, Jumeirah.


Colin, Jason, myself and Matthew before cocktails at the Burj Al Arab.
Soon after they left I became very ill, only just recovering in time to make my own flight back home to UK on the 1st December, so that I could start preparing for Christmas.  Colin followed me home on the 18th for our first Christmas together in three years.  Jason, Nic, Matthew and Chota came home for Christmas this year too.  We had yet another brilliant time, and even found time to carry out our family Christmas tradition of doing a puzzle together.  This was a 2000 piece puzzle, not the biggest we've done, we've done one with 3000 pieces before, but this one was a little challenging with a lot of white and pale blue. 


And now here I am!  I arrived back in Dubai on the 7th, and can't believe that by the end of the month I will have been out here with Colin for a year! I'm hoping this year to get plenty of stitching and finishing done.  I know I've said it before, but I really must!  I have all my lovely stash here with me, so no excuse not to really.  So here's hoping to be blogging again soon!

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12 comments:

Julie said...

It sounds like you have some wonderful memories of last year Carol, i do hope this year is just as wonderful for you.

The memory bauble is beautiful.

Maria said...

Happy new year Carol ;)
ciao maria

Michelle said...

Lovely photos Carol and you look so well x Happy New Year x

butterfly said...

Happy New Year Carol, love the ornament, look forward to seeing your stitching this coming year.

Jeanne said...

We've missed hearing from you Carol. Glad you are doing well and hope to see some of your fabulous stitching soon!

zambak said...

Happy New Year for you and your family!

Sally said...

Lovely to see a post from you Carol. Happy New Year!

Mayté Bermúdez-García said...

Happy 2013, Carol!!

elenamac said...

Lovely photos Carol!!
Happy New Year!

love
elena

Anonymous said...

HAPPY NEW YEAR - BONNE ANNEE
The ornament is such a brilliant idea. I'll try to remember next Christmas and use birth announcements (there are 2 babies due in my family in 2013)to make custumize baubles. Thank you for sharing the idea.
Hope you get plenty of time for stitching and blogging over the next 12 months.
VALIE

Carin said...

What a great picture and I love that puzzle !!

Merilde said...

Happy New Year, Carol! It was lovely to see a post from you. I love the ornament idea - I will remember that for upcoming weddings. How nice to have had two great visits with your family. Looking forward to seeing some of your beautiful stitching!

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