2019 Christmas Open House

 

 Gitta's Christmas Open House is here
filled with Happiness and cheer

Fun for all that stitchers call
Our favorite time of the year

Christmas music in the air
meeting friends everywhere

Olden times and reindeer chimes
Our love for cross stitching we all share

Christmas spirits in the air

Stitching friends everywhere

Munchies feasted
And joyful memories shared

 

Christmas time is here

 

  Oh, at Gitta's we could always see
Such spirit through the year

But for the next Christmas Open House
We'll have to wait until next year...

Wishing all of you and your families a 

very Merry Christmas and 

all the best for 2020

Stitchers are a special breed, and we look forward to sharing our time with all of you, be it in the shop or on the phone.

Without our stitchers the shop would not be the success it has been for the past 33 years.

It is at this time of year we celebrate not only Christmas but you as well.  As in Christmas' past I have designed another Reindeer to share with all of you.  If you were unable to attend the Christmas Open House this year, we would still like to share this year's reindeer with you.

CLICK HERE  for your copy of the cover photo

CLICK HERE for your copy of the pattern

CLICK HERE for the colour key and stitching instructions

Finishing Instructions will be in the next blog post.

Merry Christmas

Sarah and Evan's Wedding

I am currently sitting up at the cottage and stitching, something I have not gotten to do for a while.   I brought with me a cross stitch I had started many many years ago; it's been so long I can't remember when.  I can, tell you that the pattern, "Commandments" by La D Da, was released in 2002.  So, it's time to complete it.  It's not that I haven't been stitching, it's just that lately I am a better starter. 

I did finish a small wedding sampler for the wedding, which I gave my daughter at the shower.  It's only half of the original design, "Rustic Wedding" by Imaginating.  When I saw the pattern, I knew it would be perfect.  Sarah had a rustic theme, and was going to use chalkboard signage, so I stitched it on "Charcoal" 28ct. Linen by Zweigart.  In the white Rustic frame I was thrilled with the result.  

It's now been three weeks since the wedding, and my husband and I are enjoying a quiet weekend.  The honeymooners are in Mexico, the visitors are all back home and life is getting back to the everyday.  

We are still awaiting the official photo's from the photographer, but I'd like to share some taken by us and some of our quests.  The Wedding was held at "Belcroft Estates" just south of Innisfil in their Marquee Tent.  The grounds are idyllic and other than some showers in the morning the day was perfect.

My beautiful daughter in the bride's suite just before getting into her dress.  And here she comes down the aisle with her Dad, having been driven up by a vintage white Rolls-Royce.




They had chosen a Handfasting ceremony and wrote their own vows.

They then drove off in the Rolls to have their formal photos taken with the bridal party.


While this was happening there was plenty to keep guests entertained.  There was the cocktail party with hors d'oeuvres held on the patio  and games on the lawn.  The games, such as giant Jenga, Croquet, bean bag toss, trivia (about the happy couple's history), bingo, temporary tattoo station, and more, were a big hit with everyone.

Upon their return we also took some family photos.  This one is of us with my Dad.

The reception started with the arrival of the Bride and Groom, and the rest of the evening was very traditional.  Dinner was delicious; starting off with soup, then salad, the main course and lastly dessert.  The speeches were held between each course, as the tables were being cleared.  David & I were up first, then Evan's parents, two of the Grooms-men, two of the Bridesmaids, and finally the Bride and Groom spoke.

Cutting of the cake

The first dance was to "How do I Live"

The dance floor was then open to everyone.
If it became too noisy at this end of the tent,

the patio, and even the furniture,  was all lit up for a quieter hangout spot.

 My sister and I with a few of our cousins had done just that.

To see more photos of the wedding visit my facebook page.

December 1st, 2018 Christmas Open House

It's Christmas time, and once again Gitta's was all decked out for our Annual Christmas Open House.

  Even Gitta's elves were dressed for the festivities. 

 It was a wonderful day, filled with lots of Christmas spirit,

 munchies, specials, good friends.

 

 

and of course the gift of another Reindeer.

For all of you unable to drop by the shop for all the happenings, we would like to share the pattern of this years Reindeer with you.  Click here for the cover photo.  Click here for page 1, and click here for page 2.  Enjoy.

All of us at Gitta's are grateful for all the wonderful stitchers that frequent our shop.  We love what we do, and we love to share our knowledge and

 love of stitching with all of you.

 

Wishing you all a festive Christmas Season with family and friends, and a wonderful New Year filled with peace, love, health, happiness, and many new stitching projects.

Mark your calendars for next year's festivities, Saturday December 7th. 

Gitta's Christmas Open House is always held on the first Saturday in December

Christmas 2017

As I sit here this evening, only 2 nights away from Christmas Eve, Gitta's Christmas Open House seems like so long ago.  This month has been busier than usual in the shop, and as I leave my decorating and shopping for at home until after the Open House, my evenings and weekends have also been hectic.
As, with every year, I feel this blog is most anticipated by both those that were able and those unable to join us for the Christmas Open House.



Our Christmas Open House is always held on the 1st Saturday in December.  And with the mild temperatures this year, a line was already forming while we were still finishing the final touches in the shop.

 From the time we opened our doors to the end of the day, the shop was filled with good friends and lots of Christmas cheer.

                                                The fabric table was the spot to be.
                         
                            At times, two of us needed to be cutting and one serging.

   

Every corner in the shop seemed to be filled.  At the framing counter

And even my Dad had lots of company throughout the day in our Needlepoint corner.

                                         And then, just like that, it was all over.

As in previous years, I had designed a Reindeer Ornament for the occasion.  This year's design "Reindeer Sampler" was kitted, and this kit plus a few other designs was my Christmas gift to all those attending this year.

I realize not everyone is able to drop by, whether it be other commitments or distance.  For those of you, please click here for your copy of this year's Reindeer.  

From left to right, Kathrin, Barbara, Monika, Sarah, and Margaret.  Carol was unable to be with us this year; she'll be back next year with her bells and reindeer antlers on.

All of us would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas, and a fabulous New year, filled with everything that makes us happy, good health, good friends, and lots of stitching.

                                                        God Bless

Closing out 2016

I'm about to say something that is said by so many of us, and holds true, every year.
"I can't believe a whole year has gone by already!"

Having wanted to get back to my blog, I figured the new year would be a great time to start.  However, before I do, there are some 2016 happenings, I wanted to share.  This year, was a busy year for me, both personally and in the shop.  My husband and I celebrated our 30th Wedding Anniversary in June; and Gitta's, likewise, celebrated it's 30th in October.
30 years, wow!
I wish my mom could be here to enjoy her accomplishments, she would have been so proud and thrilled.
I can remember thinking, many many years ago, when I started working at Bell Canada, that 25 years seemed so far far away.  My co-worker had just celebrated 25 years of working at Bell, and to me that seemed like a lifetime away.  Today, I feel, the past 30 years have flown by way too quickly.  Here's hoping I will savour every moment of the next 30 years.

As those of you having already seen the photos on facebook know, that my husband and I thought Hawaii would be the perfect place to celebrate our 30th Anniversary.                         
                                                                                                We had a fabulous time.  We walked along the beaches (white, black and green sand), climbed into volcano craters and lava tubes, saw a live volcano, watched the sunset at 13,800 ft on top of Mauna Kea (a dormant volcano),  visited some tourist spots, shopped along Waikiki, snorkeled with sea turtles, ziplined over waterfalls, hiked along ridge trails, and body surfed (not very well).
 
In October, we celebrated Gitta's 30th Anniversary.  I can remember first opening our doors in a smaller shop just down the road.  I remember thinking the shop looked a little bare, but after only 10 years we had outgrown that location and moved to the larger shop we are outgrowing today.  The shop has been like my third child, yielding a wonderful extended family of stitching friends and customers.  I have loved every minute, and could not think of anything else I would rather do.

My dad is still a regular fixture in the shop, and was there to help with the  Anniversary celebrations.  We had many wonderful donations from our suppliers, which we used for door prizes and gift bag stuffers.

We ended the year with our Annual Christmas Open House.  As always it was held on the first Saturday in December.
We prepared gift bags for everyone, laid-out the snack table, had a sale on everything in the shop, and prizes were drawn at the end of the day.

As I do every year I had also designed yet another reindeer, which we kitted as my gift to everyone that dropped by to partake in some Christmas Cheer.

Knowing, not all of you are able to drop by the shop, I would also like to gift this year's Reindeer with all of you.  With any luck Santa's reindeers will fly all around the world.
Click here for your copy.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with family & friends.
Wishing you all a fabulous New Year, filled with love, health, and happiness.