A Thank You, a UFO and a WIP

I'd just like to say a big Thank You for all the supportive messages: you're all so thoughtful and kind and they mean a great deal. I believe that what a person sends out into the world comes back to them threefold - you are all due to receive many blessings for your kindness. Thank you. :0)
I lit candles and incense and said prayers yesterday and it was quite comforting. DSis tells me the funeral was well attended - Norma was much loved and they did her proud.

Now on to other things before I go getting upset again.
As you all know, due to having a brain lapse this week, UFO Tuesday ended up as UFO Wednesday instead, so here is the pic of the progress from my delayed UFO night stitching:
There's at least another two or three nights worth of background stitching left....... or four or five if I go really slow >wink<........ so the metallic is staying firmly attached to the thread sorter for a bit longer. :0)
As this is a DMC kit and I used the fabric supplied I must say I'm amazed at how little fabric is left around the edges of this piece for framing purposes. I don't remember previous DMC kits I've stitched being that mean with the size of fabric before and think it's a false economy on their part: it will make me think twice about buying another of their kits in future. I know I'm not the only stitcher to have commented on this recently, so do wonder how much custom they are losing because of this?

Here is a pic of progress on my latest WIP as well:

Can you guess what it is now? Helen: it's definitely not another ET - once will definitely be enough for that particular piece LOL. Clue: it's a festive design.

Speaking of festive designs, Ina posted a link on the S'n'S forum yesterday for a gorgeous freebie from Gigi, which can be found here. Isn't it gorgeous? In a pre-planning mode I recently bought my first couple of skeins of Rajmahal Art Silks (No 256 Hot Plum and No 379 Titian) mainly to see what they're like, with a view to kitting up ready to start the Wal D Champs piece Arabesque some time next year (intended as a Wedding Anniversary piece for our 25th in 2009). Jayne recommended trying the threads out first, as they can be difficult to use so........ guess what I intend trying them out on? Yes, I think that freebie from Gigi will be ideal, so many thanks to Gigi for being so generous. :0)

Well DH got back last night from the course in Manchester and promptly filled up the laundry basket with dirty washing >rolleyes<. He brought me back a pressie. While he was in Manchester he and a colleague had a bit of a wander one night, while waiting for a tram to turn up, and found a Bavarian Market that was being held there. It got a bit cold so they had a mug of mulled wine and a frankfurter or two to warm themselves up before catching the tram back to the hotel. Yup, you guessed it: my pressie was the freebie mug he'd had the mulled wine in. A remark about being so tight I could hear him squeaking when he walked and a comparison to a ducks watertight bottom was made. ROFL Good job he knows I'm joking. I also realise it could have been a whole lot worse........... he could have brought back a cold, greasy frankfurter instead!

Many thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a great weekend. :0)