What a FABULOUS episode. I could feel the struggle of the rituals in your voice. Love your honesty. I am 68 years old and made the decision to stop giving Christmas gifts to anyone except my grandchildren 15 years ago. And, because they are teenagers, they now get money. I love no stress in shopping, they love money. I do a hodge podge feast on Christmas Eve. Always have for 38 years. Everyone picks their favorite food. We start eating around 5:30pm. We play games with no stress prizes. I buy my son and daughter and their spouses gifts throughout the year when something catches my eye. Christmas is no longer a nightmare. It is now truly Jesus's birthday. Pure joy. I hope you lovely ladies have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year.
Loved….loved….loved your opening comments. So very nice to hear I’m not the only one struggling this year. Thank you and Merry Christmas…..however you decide to celebrate.
I have a dear friend that was always stressed at Christmas. So one year she didn’t get her Christmas cards out. Soooooo along came Valentines Day and in my mailbox was her Christmas card She has continued to send them out for the last 40 years. We all just love it😍😍😍
I have simplified Christmas by giving my adult children gift cards, that way I know they get what they want and less stress for me. I still buy for the younger grandkids. The older grandkids live in Hawaii and so they also get gift cards now that shipping is so expensive. I love to decorate, so that brings me joy. I usually wake up while it is still dark, so I get up and turn on the Christmas lights and stitch by the light of the tree and my daylight lamp. So quiet and beautiful! Merry Christmas! Wishing you peace, love and joy in the New Year.
To Brenda and Laura, You are both blessings!!!!! Brenda, your house is beautiful!!!! I have been left speechless by your work. Ahem, Laura, we do need a tour of your stitchy room, soon!!! Anyway Ladies, thank you for your videos and being so infectious with your stitching! At the ripe old age of 58, I am now stitching samplers, and on 40 CT no less!! You have inspired and infected me!!!!!! That's all from a huuuuge fan in England!!! May you both be blessed with a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Laura, extra blessings for you on your birthday xxxxxxxx
Brenda and Laura, I hope you both have an easier time at work this week! It's a good reminder that we need an outlet for our stress, and cross stitching is just that! I hadn't stitched in years until I happened upon your Flosstube, and that's all it took!. I don't have the energy to stitch every day ( I have metastatic breast cancer to my bones), but when I stitch, the stress goes away, and I don't think about cancer. I pray for both of you that you have peace and joy this Christmas. It's about the little things, the love, and celebrating together. Thanks for sharing so many beautiful projects! Can't wait for your BIG 60 celebration! My birthday is in January too! Enjoy the journey!
Let's all give ourselves GRACE this holiday season. Get done what you can and let go of what you can't. Maybe next year 🙃🙃 Thanks for a fun filled year with you both. Love your tree Brenda and seeing the homemade stitched ornaments. So pretty. Merry Christmas from COLD North Dakota. 💝🙏🏼🎚🤶🎅🦌🎄
Merry Christmas Brenda and Laura! Laura, I'm right there with you. I have no tree, no presents wrapped on Christmas Eve. We had sausage and biscuits with gravy for our Christmas Eve dinner, nothing fancy. It's just my husband and myself this year. But, none of that matters. Christmas lives in my heart. I love Christmas as much now as I did when I was s child. I have the same feeling this evening as I did back then. That Baby in that Manger is everything to me. Christmas will come no matter what, That makes me very happy. Thankyou both for what you do, you have cheered me up so many times during these last few years.
I totally agree with you both about the stresses of the holidays. I couldn’t even stitch I was so overwhelmed. The older I get, the more it affects me. Love you both. Watching you gives me Joy! Merry Christmas to you both!
Laura, my heart goes out to you. Thank you so much for sharing. It has helped me with my stress. Ladies it has been a wonderful year spending every other weekend with you. (Plus all the watching of repeats, old and new. LOL) All the laughs you have given me. All the charts I have bought or put on my waiting list. All the tricks of the trade that you have taught me. The beautiful cross stitch the two of you have done and the ffo's. Again, a fantastic year. I cannot even think what will come in 2023 but I sure do look forward to it. Love you two ladies and see you in 2023. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Happy Stitching.
You both are such an inspiration to me to stitch what I want and leave off the parts or change the parts that don't give me joy. Thank you for being you..both of you!
You both are blessed to have so many wonderful friends! Loved seeing all your gifts, wips and finishes. Thank you for sharing! Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas!
Laura, you need to take care of yourself. Your mental heallth is very important. Praying you don't put too much stress on yourself. I wish I was there so I could hug you !! Thank Goodness you have your stitching to give you some joy. Another great flosstube!
I totally understand! I try to keep up all the traditions for my family, with my parents gone and have been gone for years. And work full time! Now thank the lord, I have retired finally! I have warned my girls for the last five years I can’t do this after I retire! Listen ladies take a breath and say it will be all right, be happy♥️♥️. Happy holidays
What an authentic discussion about the stresses of holidays! When our children were in high school, we decided as a family to alleviate the stress by stopping with all the gift giving and make a family donation to a charity. We let friends and family know this too. The kids would decide which one and we’d send a card and check. What we realized is that was such a gift to ourselves! We did decide to exchange books on Christmas Eve and have done so ever since…our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day focus was on the food we’d prepare and eat, along with games, music and movies. We now have grandkids and the “rule” set by our kids is something to wear, something to read, something they want, and something they need. So, we get the books and pajama’s and they open those on Christmas Eve. So much simpler and staying with the no stress. Although I’m now retired, Laura, I empathize with you on work stress at year-end. I’m sending soothing vibes to you and hope you can relax. Now, back to watching your flosstube! Merry Christmas to you both - you are gifts to me🎄❤️🎄
I told your story to my adult son as we have been stressing so much over the holidays and we decided to do the book exchange and contribute to St Jude's Hospital.🌲
As we near the end of another year I just want to tell you both how much I love and appreciate you for sharing your joy and providing endless inspiration. Thanks for an important discussion about how stressed you are feeling about Christmas. I hope you are able to find some solutions that bring some relief. Thank goodness for our stitching!!! Wishing the very best to both of you as we begin a new year (and celebrate a very special birthday)! Thanks as always.
It’s always such a joy to spend time with you two! I always feel like I’m sitting right there with you and sharing conversation, good times and friendship. I wish both of you the merriest Christmas and a very blessed 2023. Thank you for everything!❤
Thank you for sharing the stresses of Christmas this year. Sometimes you feel like your the only one that feels that way. Love the idea of gifting throughout the year. Thank y’all
You’re still a BABY at 60! Or even 61 Laura! I’m 80 and finally figured out how to get more stitching time in. I put on one of your videos! Of course, it gets to be a blast between the desire to stitch and the NEED to watch you two. All I’m going to say is “Quit enabling!!!” I’m not a sampler stitcher, Yet, but the two of you are an excellent resource ! Love the two of you, and need the two of you to stay safe and healthy! Be careful driving. Ok?!
Laura and Brenda, I count you as blessings all year through, but especially this year when it seems we are all experiencing COVID PTSD. Thanks for hanging in there and sharing not only your "ups" but your "downs" as well. My gifts to you are happy hearts, warm smiles, and many FFOs. Merry Christmas.
Loved your video. Our Christmas is going to be low key. Seven weeks ago I had surgery for a tumor on my spine. Four weeks ago I was taken be ambulance with blood clots in my lungs. This Christmas is about the joy of life and time with family.
I have been late to the party and have been binge-watching your floss tube and I love it. But this particular one strikes a cord because on this date in 2022, my mother had just passed away 6 days previous from breast cancer on the 12th of Dec. My son and I could not do Christmas. This year it will be one year and I am hoping we can make it a better Holiday this year. Many thanks for the untold joy you two bring me when I watch these.
I appreciate Laura's honesty about having a difficult Christmas season. Holidays are always very difficult for me and I, too, rely on my stitching to make it through. I think it's amazing how needlework helps with all types of emotions. It really is a gift we've been given to be able to stitch.
This is my first holiday season without my beloved husband of 44 years, who passed away six months. Christmas was always a very special time for us, and this year will be incredibly sad for me without him. There are no words to describe the ache in my heart.
This is my second Christmas without my husband of 46 years. It's a hard transition from "we" to "me". I try to remember the happy memories, but there are sad moments and always the missing hole in my heart. It's hard to figure out your new normal and make new traditions that help you remember. Give yourself grace and be kind to yourself. I'm blessed to have wonderful friends and neighbors that seem to always reach out at just the right time. I have a sampler I'm stitching in my husband's memory--I work on it when I feel especially sad. Hugs to you.
Your sharing of the stresses going on must have been difficult for you. Thank you for helping me feel in sympathy because I’m in the same place emotionally. Letting go of the inessential and focusing on the truth of Christmas, plus stitching of course, is such an encouragement from you.
Thank you, Laura, for helping the rest of us dealing with the stresses of the holidays. Sending you hugs. Brenda, I have never had anyone say to me that they love the Mitford series. I am hoping your revenge was for Jan Karon's wonderful series with Father Tim. I have the books and have read them all at least 5 times over the years. Her characters are like friends and neighbors. ♥️ Merry Christmas. Have a restful holiday, if it's possible. 🌲🧑🎄❤️ GO BLUE 💙💛💙💛💙 !
I am right there with you-my job is the most stressful thing I have done in my life. It will be ten years next March and it has literally sucked all the joy out of the Christmas season for me. Then I mash myself everyday that I am such a loser for not being able to balance everything😡 Finding the community of crafters on you tube during Covid was a blessing . . . It is so fulfilling to listen you two discuss your projects and admit when your not into something…..it’s freaking o.k. to have times when you just need to pick up something different and let your brain go in a different direction. I retired in October of ‘21, promised hub and kids, grandkids, great grandkids-now we are going to quilt and embroider and this and that, 2 months later my replacement sent the mayor a txt msg telling him the city cell phone and keys were in the night drop box. Who does that? So back I went, next hire did it again, at least she had the courtesy to give them 2 wks notice. Most days by the time I go to bed I can hardly breathe-I click on your videos (does not matter if I have watched before or not) and within minutes I am smiling at your projects and enjoying your stories of other artists…..I want you to know-people follow you two for more than just cross stitch, in my opinion, it’s the friendship, the acknowledgement that sometimes things aren’t perfect and your ability to share your skills and techniques, honesty about your love of the craft…. Life is tough enough every day, I am just questioning why some of us continue to work in extremely high stress positions, oh wait-maybe to keep us in floss🤭 I so appreciate the joy and laughter you to share with all of us. Thank you!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRENDA! You have several years to go to catch me. I wish i could go back to 60. As for Christmas, it is just not the sane anymore. I see it as creating more work for me. It is just my wife and I and to me, most holidays seem like just another day, especially since we both retired. Your love of samplers has inspired me to try the Hobby House HATS exclusive sampler. I did get the chart, fabric (36 count), and some of the silks (some are on back order). Have a good time for your birthday, and I'll be watching when you both return. Mike
Loosing both my favorite brother-in-law and my favorite brother last December has been extremely difficult. I lost a total of six family members this year and I was not looking forward to Christmas with only memories. My wonderful son sent my sister and I to Hawaii with the other son and his sweetheart as chaperones. We sent Hawaiian leis out to sea with a special prayer of love. Christmas will no longer be about the gift but sharing the gift of love. With every gift I give will be a card with a memory of a special time we spent together. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year’s.
This year I gave my credit card to my daughter in law and told her that when she goes christmas shopping to buy something for herself and my son. I gave money to my grand daughter and also filled her car up with petrol I( I have been using it to go for physio for my knee op ) as she is still studying and does'nt have time now to work part time! So end of story and stress for me! So can unerstand how you feel. Thanks for showing all the WIPS and stash. And wishing you both all the best for the New Year !
Thanks for sharing your stitching and stitching design selections . Most importantly thank for being open about the stress you feel around the holidays. We would all do better if we simplified our holiday celebration. Have a wonderful Christmas 🙋🏽♀️
Dearest Laura I have been where you are. I have not sent a card for years. Finally this year I sent one. It sounds like you are taking care of yourself by talking about it. A wonderful thing is we know what makes us happy. We pick up our stitching or sit in front of the sewing machine or talk to your friends and start laughing. Laughing is the best. I hope and pray you keep up the good work.
Hello Brenda and Laura! I have had a lovely evening by the fire watching and chuckling to myself whilst stitching a PS ‘December’. Absolutely love everything you show. Yes, I can get stressed out trying to make a magical Christmas for everyone but this year I am trying to slow it down and appreciate the little things. I am grateful we have a roof over our head, food in the cupboard and freedom. Have a lovely Christmas and I am looking forward to lots of stitching next year. I am also off on another adventure later in the year, yikes! Thank you for sharing all the fun of your stitching and other fun stories. Lots of love Alison x 💕
I think we all have had tragedy at Christmas personally affect us, I was married and my husband died on Dec 30th in 2002. I had 3 little girls and I was 1:09:30 so lost, he had a stroke and laid as a vegetable for 17 weeks. Honestly now looking back I’m not sure how we went on but, his life was a blessing for myself and the girls and I have remarried and I still miss him all the time😢faith carried us through and will continue! Jesus is the reason for this season and I would love to keep that in our hearts this year❤ blessings abound to each of you!😊😊
What a wonderful holiday episode - thanks for your candor about the stress of the holidays and gift giving - I like the idea of gifting when the moment is right through the year. Hope you both had a lovely Christmas and enjoy some great stitching time this week!
So fun to see all your stitching. For Laura, this fall we ended up just bleeding money with a new furnace, new A/c, new downstairs windows. Christmas gifting....I just can't. I put up my 4 ' tree and had to move it when the window guys came so it's all cattywonker. My husband and I will enjoy the holiday together and eat a lot of chocolate. No running around.
I’m with you on holiday stress…especially this year. I think I’m just so exhausted from the last 3 years. Looking forward to some changes and, I hope, better work-life balance in 2023! Loved seeing all the Christmas stitching (present and past). Looking forward to stitching Jane Hopkins and Martha Evans with you!
Laura, take a deep breath, it will be ok. 3 months from now no one will even remember what they even got for Christmas, but they will remember sharing time. I'm tired and it's a week before Xmas. I have sewing to do and pies to bake, what gets done get done and the rest I will do later! Branda, your tree is beautiful! Both of you have a wonderful, safe, and joyful holiday season!
Thank you, once again, for bringing the joy of stitching into my home. I am still enjoying my Christmas stitching too. It's just comforting this year, moreso than other years. Happy Anniversary, Brenda. May you both continue to build memories with the ones you love. Have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed, peaceful, healthy, stitchy New Year.
With you Laura! I worked in corporate for QVC for 15 years and my holidays were terrible. I came home spent and empty and braindead Then turn around and do the long commute and torture all over the next day to ensure customers' Christmases were perfect while mine was angst filled. I used to clench my teeth even in waking time! :( Thankfully things are different now. I say focus on your Blackbird book gazing this week! Hugs!
My husband and I lost the first 2 weeks of December going down with COVID. I was delighted to find Christmas presents in our local supermarket so thank you for sharing you are in similar condition. Ordered my pattern for Brenda’s birthday SAL. Haven’t started Laura’s yet😂. But think the 16th of Jan a good time for a new start. Have a wonderful Christmas ladies.
Thank you for your wonderful flosstubes over the past year. I'd like to wish you lovely ladies a peaceful and relaxing Christmas and a very Happy New Year xx carolxstitch
Brenda and Laura you bring me joy watching your videos and sharing you joy of needlework! As always beautiful stitching! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Laura I loved your baby yoga glasses! I laughed so heard I had tears!
Dear Laura thank you so much about talking about your stress. In March we lost a very dear friend of forty years. My Aunt passed in April on my birthday. I lost my older brother in August. If anyone would of told me I would of lost all three of these people in one year, I would of said your crazy. I am the youngest of five children. My three older brothers and an older sister have passed in the last nine years. It has been a lot to deal with. Brenda and Laura thank you for being the wonderful people you are. Merry Christmas, looking forward to seeing you in the new year.
God bless you ladies. Oh Laura, I am so sorry for the pressure you are feeling this year. We all want the 'perfect' Christmas but perhaps that only occurs for little children. I ramped down my gifts and my expectations this year and it was so much better. I must say I always, always find time to write out and send my Christmas cards. That is extremely important to me. That's not to say that I receive cards back from everyone but it doesn't matter. I know that I did what makes me happy. May 2023 bring you good health, happiness and wonderful stitching adventures. Thank you for being a part of my life.
I was in the same boat as you are for a few years….. I didn’t care about it. This year I am a bit more in the spirit…… I don’t go all out with gifts etc. I enjoy the lights on my tree and time spent with family. When it comes to gift giving I am the type that would rather send a birthday gift to special people because it’s thoughtful and you are celebrating the life of someone who you love and enjoy. Christmas can be a stressful time but remember to just enjoy the small things and your special friendships sending you both big hugs ((((🤗))))
Thank you ladies for sharing your beautiful stitching. I have really enjoyed getting to know you this year through flosstube. I’m looking forward to a new year of exciting projects and learning more from your videos. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you both and your families.
Beautiful stitching, gifts and stitchy haul! I just want to thank you both for another year of wonderful Flosstube videos. Wishing you and your families a Very Happy Christmas and a Healthy and Peaceful New Year ♥️🎄🎅♥️
I’ve been trying to be my old elf self for a few months and put away one Christmas “to do” after the next, with my words, “I just can’t.” I just put away a sewing machine project with the frustrated “I just can’t.” Then I sat down to lunch with you two and you shared where you are on Christmas! Me too! You made my day, thank you for sharing🎄❤️🎄❤️🎄
Had such a lovely Sunday afternoon stitching with you both!!! It would be such fun to stitch together around the tree. Happiest of holidays to you both.
Merry Christmas. I hope you have a great holiday. I was one of those nurses who made her own uniforms before they started wearing scrubs…😊welcome to the 60s club Brenda! (soon anyway)…thank you for sharing all of your fun stuff.
I am glad to hear that I am not the only one that can't get their butt in gear this year about Christmas! It was a majorly busy season at the garden centre this year and by the time I got laid off work, I was done right in! I usually have Christmas presents purchased and put away for the next coming Christmas (things that I get on sale after Christmas) but last year my husband had a heart attack on Christmas day and I spent the next month in hospitals and around home. I didn't get anything bought. Now I just wish Christmas would go away!
Tree is beauitiful and I love the ornament parade., beautiful pieces. Laura, I LOVE your glasses. I'm glad i'm not the only one not excirtd about decorating. It was like pullng teeth to get my tree up and I did minimal decorating House looks festive but not my usual. I just wanted to stitch . I am excited about seeing all my family so I'm not being a scrooge, just was not very motivated. Thank you both for a year of awesome videos. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!
Brenda----I love being at home too! I could stay in forever with only an occasional trip out to Dyeing to Stitch. I sometimes think there is something wrong with me, but I love to hear someone else shares my "sickness." Laura---I'm with you on the overall feeling this year. I'm praying I'll get the Spirit by Saturday.😔
Oh my gosh I can't believe this our wedding anniversary is on the 23rd we got married just before Christmas I too am having a real problem with Christmas this year I got gifts for my grandson and that's it so far and it's week before Christmas I wish you guys a very Merry Christmas and we saved them healthy
Oh boy Laura...I thought I was all alone in my feelings. I live in Georgia and decided that come hell or high water I was coming to see my daughter in Colorado this year because she couldn't get enough time off to come home. Everything has been so stressed and strained this year. I just can't feel the season. Please don't beat yourself up. Be at peace with it. Love you both and Merry Christmas to ya'll ❤️❄️☃️🌲🦌
What a great Christmasy episode thank you both so much. I am glad you discussed the stress that many have with gifting and preparing. I tend to buy during the year with just a hand made little something if time permits or a token gift. It is just about been together if not possible in person than in thought. So thank you for reassuring the many people watching your video that they are not alone and that it is fine to 'pull back' and enjoy the time off work. I thoroughly enjoyed the general chat, the lovely and thoughtful gifts from others to you both. Also the tree and I always love to hear the clocks. So have a lovely festive break and a very happy new year to you both and thank you for the many hours of pleasure you give. :)
Loved seeing you two and your progress again, and the Christmas tree made an especially festive backdrop :) I hope that you are able to enjoy these final few days of the season and spend time with all those you love. Thank you for sharing like you do (and enabling) - you girls really are the best. Merry Christmas and happy stitching! :)
I usually don't comment cause I watch on TV but had to comment on this one. I showed my hubby the clip at the beginning about holiday stress so he would understand that i wasn't the only one. He is so understanding anyway so maybe I just had to watch it again for myself so he understood that I finally get it. It isn't just me. I am so grateful to you both for sharing that snippet. My birthday is 2 days before Brenda's (2 days and 4 years!) so maybe instead of pushing myself to get Christmas gifts out, I GIVE birthday gifts to others on my birthday.
Merry Christmas Brenda and Laura! It was such a treat to see you today! I am totally calendar challenged during December and somehow thought you wouldn't be back until after New Year's. Good thing I found you as I have a quilt for my grandson to bind and it must be 4 miles around. So lots of floss tube and hand stitching for me this week. As well as having the grandson each day while he is out of school and Mommy works. Fun times....I think most of us get more and more stressed about this holiday as we get older. So many expectations from so many people. So many people we miss. And we just don't have the energy to deal with it. Our daughter requested Oreo balls and I went to make them and my husband had eaten over half the package of Oreos. Guess who made the trip out to get more. It cost him; I stopped at Joann's. I decorate lavishly but I do it for me as the family could care less. December is a hell of a month as we have 7 family deaths including 1 on the 23rd, 1 on the 24th, and and 2 on the 25th. My dad died on the 15th and I literally am paralyzed for the week before. I stitched 4 pieces for immediate family this year and decided that they will just be New Year's Day presents as I haven't finished them yet. For that matter, Easter will work too. Have a very merry Christmas and abundant blessings in the New Year.
Hello magnifique vidéo et travail de points de croix !! Brenda J'adore votre vidéo de présentation de votre maison !! 👏👏 bravo à tte les deux Coucou de la France 🥰
I am glad that both of you mentioned the stress of the holidays. I've been working from home for 2.5 years and also on the team to get our new office space up. It has been a long 9 months and I can't even think about decorating and baking cookies yet! I know I will get some of this done before Christmas, but it will have to be late Thursday and early Friday when I'm finally not working. I love your videos and I am so glad that you both get excited to see what each other is stitching (or has stitched) when they are at home. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos which at first comforted me and other stitchers during the pandemic but now have become something I look forward to and am excited each time a video is posted. I actually watch the video from my laptop while I am working from home! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Brenda, I'll see you at the Attic in January!
Laura and Brenda I love just the way you are. Always enjoy seeing you both. Merry Christmas and Happy New year to the both of you. Enjoy your special day Laura.
Wishing you both every Christmas joy. Christmas is the love in your heart, not the cards, the decorating , or the gifts. So be kind to yourself. Know you are loved. See you next year.
I think Christmas every year may look different for folks. I remember when my nine year old brother passed away we did not put up a tree that year, it just wasn’t the same. Two years later when my daughter was born, it was a huge celebration! As long as we remember what Christmas is all about, the birth of our Savior! Family! Friends! And our Heath! The older I get, the more I celebrate the memories and experiences, not the gifts. This year my husband and I had the flu during Thanksgiving, the time I normally decorate. Our tree looks sparse, and I’m OK with it. Our family is together, we are happy and healthy and that is the greatest gift. I am thankful for both of you and what you contribute to this community! You are a jewel, you keep us laughing, and, of course, stitching! I think I speak for others, when I say you are a tremendous blessing and a gift! Merry Christmas to you both 🎄
Greetings from the UK. I had just discovered Brenda on her recent sewing room and home tour, so checking in to catch up on more videos I get to now "meet" Laura for the first time. May I say (cut glass British accent) you ladies are authentic and refreshing. I have just had the best hour and a half with you both and loved every minute, so much so that the evening meal prep got delayed - I had to stay with you until the end! I'm knuckling down and determined to work on some festive stitcheries for Christmas 2023. My new start is A Saltbox Cabin by Lori Rippey and it's working up rather nicely. I don't have a channel so can't show you but your old friend Google, will I'm sure turn it up if you care to search! Happy New Year ladies!
Thank you for coming for a cuppa today. I really felt for you Laura and totally understand your feelings. It was so honest of you to talk about the stresses of normal life. Super video as always. Love to you both and Merry Christmas x
We decided a couple years ago to draw one name and be that person's santa. Buying a gift for one person has lifted the stress tremendously! Merry Christmas to you both... Love you ladies!!
Laura, I'm right there with you on the stress we put on ourselves at the holidays. Our tree wasn't put up until Christmas Eve and barely had an ornament on it. And yet, we still had a happy Christmas just being together and having time off from school and work. More and more each year, I'm appreciating that simpler is better. My husband and I don't even exchange gifts aside from a bottle of his favorite saki and maybe a cross stitch pattern for me from my wish list. I love hearing the Christmas music on the radio, and I love seeing all the lights people decorate their houses with, but I realized long ago that I'm not "that decorator" or "that baker" or "that shopper". I accept that I can only do what I can do. Some years I do more, but some years I do less. It's all good. You're not alone with your thoughts. Wishing you both a Merry Christmas no matter what it looks like this year! And lots of stitching, cause that what we really would rather be doing! 😆
The stresses of holidays can be an emotional roller coaster. The only reason I got cards out was because I addressed them in October! After losing my Mom in 2011, Christmas celebrations have never been the same. She enjoyed the wonders of Christmas like a small child every year. I miss her & her laughter so much during these days but we push on...to encourage my Dad who turned 93 this past summer. We have so much to be thankful for. I LOVE spending time with you gals; Brenda, I will be 68 the same day you turn 60 & Laura you will be 61 on what would have been my Mom's 91st birthday ...and my husband & I will have our 48th Wedding Anniversary, the same day as you & Mike celebrate! I wonder if there aren't many more things we have in common..Stitching of course, all the bags, flosses, scissors, charts we collect, I also am addicted to Jan Karon's Mitford series and have read them all many, many times. My husband loves them too and some nights we sit by the fire and I read aloud. The most beautiful things of Christmas, the gift of our Savior, the calm safety of home, the love of fellowship and thoughts of those we love near and far...mean more to me than any gift money can buy. I wish you & yours a beautiful, calm, happy, Holy Christmas and a Healthy New Year!!!
Thank you for being open and honest. Holidays are stressful. I've been where you are and my advice is to give yourself grace and let it go. Self care is good.
I am 67 years old and just getting over the flu. I did very little Christmas decorating before I got sick and now, for the most part, the mood has passed. The time of baking ALL the cookies and doing ALL the things is over. Lol I do miss my big tree with the train running around it and to be honest I am a little sad, but it takes me several hours to put up. Thinking about all the work I won't have to do putting everything away and cleaning up has helped. Merry Christmas to you lovely ladies. I just wish I could give you both a big hug! I so enjoy watching your Flosstubes!
Merry christmas to my favourite pair of great friends ,,, laura and brenda !!! Have a wonderful time next holidays, with your family abdvloved ones. As always im impressed with your stitching. Big hugs my dearest friends 🎊 😊❤❤❤
There are so many empty chairs at Christmas, so many broken hearts. At times it is hard to celebrate. Our nephew committed suicide the day after Thanksgiving this year, so it is especially hard right now. Gifting year around "just because" is wonderful, and I most especially love giving in secret. It is really fun sharing your happy mail, just seeing you be blessed. Have a lovely Christmas, know how many of us you bring joy to, and how many of us you just plain make smile.
Fun video! I thought I was going to lose my cookies when Laura put on the baby yoda glasses with Brenda closing her eyes….surprise! Merry Christmas to you both and your families. I do hope you do the grocery store Christmas gifts Laura. It’s a marvelous idea. Keep it simple. Keep it joyful. Blessings to you both and take care.
Every year I say I am going to make Christmas not as stressful, I have yet to succeed! I thought you were going to poke out Brenda’s eye 😂 such a lovely video ♥️♥️♥️
I believe. Laura, that you provided a much needed public service announcement! It is important for each of us to acknowledge our feelings and deal with them honestly. Put things into perspective. What is really important and what is not. Let go of those things that are not important and take some pressure off of ourselves. Our family is trying to focus on spending time with each other. We have lost too many family members in the last few years. ( One as recently as last April), so our time together is precious. Just as our time spent with the two of you, I am enjoying each moment at a time. Thank you and Merry Christmas!!!
We are in our eighties and this year we are having a smaller tree and kids and grandchildren are all getting money. I put it in a small bag with mutter butter cookies and rice chrispy snacks. But the real thing for us is they will all come home the following week. Got a sliced ham frozen scallop potatoes for the oven and kids are bring things. There are 18 of us and we have a small house . It’s very interesting time .
In your camp with the holiday stress this year. Thankful for stitching to bring me peace. Love seeing the two of you. Love the idea of giving gifts whenever. I’ve thought that for years. Bringing unexpected joy instead of the obligatory giving. If I’ve found something for someone I want to give it right away. Then along comes Christmas and nothing that calls their name yet there is that obligation. I’m excited about Brenda’s big birthday SAL. I can’t decide which floss. Thanks for sharing all the goodness of stitching. Wishing you a good Christmas and holiday season with of course lots of stitching time.
I am joining 60 club in February. I would love to join your sal. Starting my 100-3 collection. Thx for a fun time watching you guys. We have always referred to a difficult Christmas season as a “hard candy Christmas “. From the song!
Oh, Laura! You are a shining gift every single day to all of us. You don't need to do one more single solitary thing. Enjoy Mike and Mom and relax and rest. You are perfect just the way you are. 🎄
You gals are my favorite floss tube. You show the best projects with great leads on where to buy charts, fabric choices, everything!! Thank you.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and Christmas struggles. Beautiful stitching.
Seasons greetings to you two glorious women. Thanks for providing us all with hours of joy and inspiration. ❤️🇦🇺
What a FABULOUS episode. I could feel the struggle of the rituals in your voice. Love your honesty. I am 68 years old and made the decision to stop giving Christmas gifts to anyone except my grandchildren 15 years ago. And, because they are teenagers, they now get money. I love no stress in shopping, they love money. I do a hodge podge feast on Christmas Eve. Always have for 38 years. Everyone picks their favorite food. We start eating around 5:30pm. We play games with no stress prizes. I buy my son and daughter and their spouses gifts throughout the year when something catches my eye. Christmas is no longer a nightmare. It is now truly Jesus's birthday. Pure joy. I hope you lovely ladies have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year.
Loved….loved….loved your opening comments. So very nice to hear I’m not the only one struggling this year. Thank you and Merry Christmas…..however you decide to celebrate.
I have a dear friend that was always stressed at Christmas. So one year she didn’t get her Christmas cards out. Soooooo along came Valentines Day and in my mailbox was her Christmas card
She
has continued to send them out for the last 40 years. We all just love it😍😍😍
I have simplified Christmas by giving my adult children gift cards, that way I know they get what they want and less stress for me. I still buy for the younger grandkids. The older grandkids live in Hawaii and so they also get gift cards now that shipping is so expensive. I love to decorate, so that brings me joy. I usually wake up while it is still dark, so I get up and turn on the Christmas lights and stitch by the light of the tree and my daylight lamp. So quiet and beautiful! Merry Christmas! Wishing you peace, love and joy in the New Year.
To Brenda and Laura,
You are both blessings!!!!! Brenda, your house is beautiful!!!! I have been left speechless by your work.
Ahem, Laura, we do need a tour of your stitchy room, soon!!!
Anyway Ladies, thank you for your videos and being so infectious with your stitching! At the ripe old age of 58, I am now stitching samplers, and on 40 CT no less!! You have inspired and infected me!!!!!!
That's all from a huuuuge fan in England!!!
May you both be blessed with a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Laura, extra blessings for you on your birthday xxxxxxxx
Brenda and Laura, I hope you both have an easier time at work this week! It's a good reminder that we need an outlet for our stress, and cross stitching is just that! I hadn't stitched in years until I happened upon your Flosstube, and that's all it took!. I don't have the energy to stitch every day ( I have metastatic breast cancer to my bones), but when I stitch, the stress goes away, and I don't think about cancer. I pray for both of you that you have peace and joy this Christmas. It's about the little things, the love, and celebrating together.
Thanks for sharing so many beautiful projects! Can't wait for your BIG 60 celebration! My birthday is in January too! Enjoy the journey!
We are sending you a big hug Barbara!
Let's all give ourselves GRACE this holiday season. Get done what you can and let go of what you can't. Maybe next year 🙃🙃 Thanks for a fun filled year with you both. Love your tree Brenda and seeing the homemade stitched ornaments. So pretty. Merry Christmas from COLD North Dakota. 💝🙏🏼🎚🤶🎅🦌🎄
Merry Christmas Brenda and Laura!
Laura, I'm right there with you. I have no tree, no presents wrapped on Christmas Eve. We had sausage and biscuits with gravy for our Christmas Eve dinner, nothing fancy. It's just my husband and myself this year. But, none of that matters. Christmas lives in my heart. I love Christmas as much now as I did when I was s child. I have the same feeling this evening as I did back then. That Baby in that Manger is everything to me. Christmas will come no matter what, That makes me very happy. Thankyou both for what you do, you have cheered me up so many times during these last few years.
I totally agree with you both about the stresses of the holidays. I couldn’t even stitch I was so overwhelmed.
The older I get, the more it affects me. Love you both. Watching you gives me Joy!
Merry Christmas to you both!
Laura, my heart goes out to you. Thank you so much for sharing. It has helped me with my stress. Ladies it has been a wonderful year spending every other weekend with you. (Plus all the watching of repeats, old and new. LOL) All the laughs you have given me. All the charts I have bought or put on my waiting list. All the tricks of the trade that you have taught me. The beautiful cross stitch the two of you have done and the ffo's. Again, a fantastic year. I cannot even think what will come in 2023 but I sure do look forward to it. Love you two ladies and see you in 2023. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Happy Stitching.
I am right there with you Laura. Feels like I'm in slow motion.
You both are such an inspiration to me to stitch what I want and leave off the parts or change the parts that don't give me joy. Thank you for being you..both of you!
You both are blessed to have so many wonderful friends! Loved seeing all your gifts, wips and finishes. Thank you for sharing! Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas!
Laura, you need to take care of yourself. Your mental heallth is very important. Praying you don't put too much stress on yourself. I wish I was there so I could hug you !! Thank Goodness you have your stitching to give you some joy. Another great flosstube!
Laura, thank you for sharing your feelings about Christmas. I feel the same way. I enjoyed watching your video!!
I totally understand! I try to keep up all the traditions for my family, with my parents gone and have been gone for years. And work full time! Now thank the lord, I have retired finally! I have warned my girls for the last five years I can’t do this after I retire! Listen ladies take a breath and say it will be all right, be happy♥️♥️. Happy holidays
What an authentic discussion about the stresses of holidays! When our children were in high school, we decided as a family to alleviate the stress by stopping with all the gift giving and make a family donation to a charity. We let friends and family know this too. The kids would decide which one and we’d send a card and check. What we realized is that was such a gift to ourselves! We did decide to exchange books on Christmas Eve and have done so ever since…our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day focus was on the food we’d prepare and eat, along with games, music and movies. We now have grandkids and the “rule” set by our kids is something to wear, something to read, something they want, and something they need. So, we get the books and pajama’s and they open those on Christmas Eve. So much simpler and staying with the no stress. Although I’m now retired, Laura, I empathize with you on work stress at year-end. I’m sending soothing vibes to you and hope you can relax. Now, back to watching your flosstube! Merry Christmas to you both - you are gifts to me🎄❤️🎄
What a wonderful way to celebrate the season, and remove the major stressors that diminish the enjoyment and the reason why we celebrate. ❤️💚
I told your story to my adult son as we have been stressing so much over the holidays and we decided to do the book exchange and contribute to St Jude's Hospital.🌲
As we near the end of another year I just want to tell you both how much I love and appreciate you for sharing your joy and providing endless inspiration. Thanks for an important discussion about how stressed you are feeling about Christmas. I hope you are able to find some solutions that bring some relief. Thank goodness for our stitching!!!
Wishing the very best to both of you as we begin a new year (and celebrate a very special birthday)! Thanks as always.
It’s always such a joy to spend time with you two! I always feel like I’m sitting right there with you and sharing conversation, good times and friendship. I wish both of you the merriest Christmas and a very blessed 2023. Thank you for everything!❤
Thank you for sharing the stresses of Christmas this year. Sometimes you feel like your the only one that feels that way. Love the idea of gifting throughout the year. Thank y’all
You’re still a BABY at 60! Or even 61 Laura!
I’m 80 and finally figured out how to get more stitching time in. I put on one of your videos! Of course, it gets to be a blast between the desire to stitch and the NEED to watch you two.
All I’m going to say is “Quit enabling!!!”
I’m not a sampler stitcher, Yet, but the two of you are an excellent resource !
Love the two of you, and need the two of you to stay safe and healthy! Be careful driving. Ok?!
Laura and Brenda, I count you as blessings all year through, but especially this year when it seems we are all experiencing COVID PTSD. Thanks for hanging in there and sharing not only your "ups" but your "downs" as well. My gifts to you are happy hearts, warm smiles, and many FFOs. Merry Christmas.
Loved your video. Our Christmas is going to be low key. Seven weeks ago I had surgery for a tumor on my spine. Four weeks ago I was taken be ambulance with blood clots in my lungs. This Christmas is about the joy of life and time with family.
I have been late to the party and have been binge-watching your floss tube and I love it. But this particular one strikes a cord because on this date in 2022, my mother had just passed away 6 days previous from breast cancer on the 12th of Dec. My son and I could not do Christmas. This year it will be one year and I am hoping we can make it a better Holiday this year. Many thanks for the untold joy you two bring me when I watch these.
I appreciate Laura's honesty about having a difficult Christmas season. Holidays are always very difficult for me and I, too, rely on my stitching to make it through. I think it's amazing how needlework helps with all types of emotions. It really is a gift we've been given to be able to stitch.
This is my first holiday season without my beloved husband of 44 years, who passed away six months. Christmas was always a very special time for us, and this year will be incredibly sad for me without him. There are no words to describe the ache in my heart.
I am so so sorry for your loss. Praying for a peace that passes understanding as you go through this holiday season 😢
This is my second Christmas without my husband of 46 years. It's a hard transition from "we" to "me". I try to remember the happy memories, but there are sad moments and always the missing hole in my heart. It's hard to figure out your new normal and make new traditions that help you remember. Give yourself grace and be kind to yourself. I'm blessed to have wonderful friends and neighbors that seem to always reach out at just the right time. I have a sampler I'm stitching in my husband's memory--I work on it when I feel especially sad. Hugs to you.
My heart goes out to you…..
Sending you all the love in the world Rose!!!!!!!
@@susanoverstreet3640 Sending you all the love in the world too Susan!
Your sharing of the stresses going on must have been difficult for you. Thank you for helping me feel in sympathy because I’m in the same place emotionally. Letting go of the inessential and focusing on the truth of Christmas, plus stitching of course, is such an encouragement from you.
Thank you, Laura, for helping the rest of us dealing with the stresses of the holidays. Sending you hugs.
Brenda, I have never had anyone say to me that they love the Mitford series. I am hoping your revenge was for Jan Karon's wonderful series with Father Tim. I have the books and have read them all at least 5 times over the years. Her characters are like friends and neighbors. ♥️ Merry Christmas. Have a restful holiday, if it's possible. 🌲🧑🎄❤️
GO BLUE 💙💛💙💛💙 !
I am right there with you-my job is the most stressful thing I have done in my life. It will be ten years next March and it has literally sucked all the joy out of the Christmas season for me. Then I mash myself everyday that I am such a loser for not being able to balance everything😡 Finding the community of crafters on you tube during Covid was a blessing . . . It is so fulfilling to listen you two discuss your projects and admit when your not into something…..it’s freaking o.k. to have times when you just need to pick up something different and let your brain go in a different direction. I retired in October of ‘21, promised hub and kids, grandkids, great grandkids-now we are going to quilt and embroider and this and that, 2 months later my replacement sent the mayor a txt msg telling him the city cell phone and keys were in the night drop box. Who does that? So back I went, next hire did it again, at least she had the courtesy to give them 2 wks notice. Most days by the time I go to bed I can hardly breathe-I click on your videos (does not matter if I have watched before or not) and within minutes I am smiling at your projects and enjoying your stories of other artists…..I want you to know-people follow you two for more than just cross stitch, in my opinion, it’s the friendship, the acknowledgement that sometimes things aren’t perfect and your ability to share your skills and techniques, honesty about your love of the craft…. Life is tough enough every day, I am just questioning why some of us continue to work in extremely high stress positions, oh wait-maybe to keep us in floss🤭 I so appreciate the joy and laughter you to share with all of us. Thank you!
Thank you Jodi! I love your comment. I hope that you can finally retire for good very soon! love, laura
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRENDA! You have several years to go to catch me. I wish i could go back to 60. As for Christmas, it is just not the sane anymore. I see it as creating more work for me. It is just my wife and I and to me, most holidays seem like just another day, especially since we both retired. Your love of samplers has inspired me to try the Hobby House HATS exclusive sampler. I did get the chart, fabric (36 count), and some of the silks (some are on back order). Have a good time for your birthday, and I'll be watching when you both return.
Mike
Loosing both my favorite brother-in-law and my favorite brother last December has been extremely difficult. I lost a total of six family members this year and I was not looking forward to Christmas with only memories. My wonderful son sent my sister and I to Hawaii with the other son and his sweetheart as chaperones. We sent Hawaiian leis out to sea with a special prayer of love. Christmas will no longer be about the gift but sharing the gift of love. With every gift I give will be a card with a memory of a special time we spent together. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year’s.
This year I gave my credit card to my daughter in law and told her that when she goes christmas shopping to buy something for herself and my son. I gave money to my grand daughter and also filled her car up with petrol I( I have been using it to go for physio for my knee op ) as she is still studying and does'nt have time now to work part time! So end of story and stress for me! So can unerstand how you feel. Thanks for showing all the WIPS and stash. And wishing you both all the best for the New Year !
Thanks for sharing your stitching and stitching design selections . Most importantly thank for being open about the stress you feel around the holidays. We would all do better if we simplified our holiday celebration. Have a wonderful Christmas 🙋🏽♀️
Dearest Laura I have been where you are. I have not sent a card for years. Finally this year I sent one. It sounds like you are taking care of yourself by talking about it. A wonderful thing is we know what makes us happy. We pick up our stitching or sit in front of the sewing machine or talk to your friends and start laughing. Laughing is the best. I hope and pray you keep up the good work.
Hello Brenda and Laura! I have had a lovely evening by the fire watching and chuckling to myself whilst stitching a PS ‘December’. Absolutely love everything you show. Yes, I can get stressed out trying to make a magical Christmas for everyone but this year I am trying to slow it down and appreciate the little things. I am grateful we have a roof over our head, food in the cupboard and freedom. Have a lovely Christmas and I am looking forward to lots of stitching next year. I am also off on another adventure later in the year, yikes! Thank you for sharing all the fun of your stitching and other fun stories. Lots of love Alison x 💕
I think we all have had tragedy at Christmas personally affect us, I was married and my husband died on Dec 30th in 2002. I had 3 little girls and I was 1:09:30 so lost, he had a stroke and laid as a vegetable for 17 weeks. Honestly now looking back I’m not sure how we went on but, his life was a blessing for myself and the girls and I have remarried and I still miss him all the time😢faith carried us through and will continue! Jesus is the reason for this season and I would love to keep that in our hearts this year❤ blessings abound to each of you!😊😊
What a wonderful holiday episode - thanks for your candor about the stress of the holidays and gift giving - I like the idea of gifting when the moment is right through the year. Hope you both had a lovely Christmas and enjoy some great stitching time this week!
So fun to see all your stitching. For Laura, this fall we ended up just bleeding money with a new furnace, new A/c, new downstairs windows. Christmas gifting....I just can't. I put up my 4 ' tree and had to move it when the window guys came so it's all cattywonker. My husband and I will enjoy the holiday together and eat a lot of chocolate. No running around.
I’m with you on holiday stress…especially this year. I think I’m just so exhausted from the last 3 years. Looking forward to some changes and, I hope, better work-life balance in 2023! Loved seeing all the Christmas stitching (present and past). Looking forward to stitching Jane Hopkins and Martha Evans with you!
Hi gals. Love all the stitching stuff today. Hope you both have a wonderful holiday season.
Laura, take a deep breath, it will be ok. 3 months from now no one will even remember what they even got for Christmas, but they will remember sharing time. I'm tired and it's a week before Xmas. I have sewing to do and pies to bake, what gets done get done and the rest I will do later! Branda, your tree is beautiful! Both of you have a wonderful, safe, and joyful holiday season!
Thank you, once again, for bringing the joy of stitching into my home. I am still enjoying my Christmas stitching too. It's just comforting this year, moreso than other years. Happy Anniversary, Brenda. May you both continue to build memories with the ones you love. Have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed, peaceful, healthy, stitchy New Year.
With you Laura! I worked in corporate for QVC for 15 years and my holidays were terrible. I came home spent and empty and braindead Then turn around and do the long commute and torture all over the next day to ensure customers' Christmases were perfect while mine was angst filled. I used to clench my teeth even in waking time! :( Thankfully things are different now. I say focus on your Blackbird book gazing this week! Hugs!
My husband and I lost the first 2 weeks of December going down with COVID. I was delighted to find Christmas presents in our local supermarket so thank you for sharing you are in similar condition. Ordered my pattern for Brenda’s birthday SAL. Haven’t started Laura’s yet😂. But think the 16th of Jan a good time for a new start. Have a wonderful Christmas ladies.
Thank you for your wonderful flosstubes over the past year. I'd like to wish you lovely ladies a peaceful and relaxing Christmas and a very Happy New Year xx carolxstitch
Brenda and Laura you bring me joy watching your videos and sharing you joy of needlework! As always beautiful stitching! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Laura I loved your baby yoga glasses! I laughed so heard I had tears!
Dear Laura thank you so much about talking about your stress. In March we lost a very dear friend of forty years. My Aunt passed in April
on my birthday. I lost my older brother in August. If anyone would of told me I would of lost all three of these people in one year, I would of said your crazy. I am the youngest of five children. My three older brothers and an older sister have passed in the last nine years. It has been a lot to deal with. Brenda and Laura thank you for being the wonderful people you are. Merry Christmas, looking forward to seeing you in the new year.
Sending you a big virtual hug Virginia!
God bless you ladies. Oh Laura, I am so sorry for the pressure you are feeling this year. We all want the 'perfect' Christmas but perhaps that only occurs for little children. I ramped down my gifts and my expectations this year and it was so much better. I must say I always, always find time to write out and send my Christmas cards. That is extremely important to me. That's not to say that I receive cards back from everyone but it doesn't matter. I know that I did what makes me happy. May 2023 bring you good health, happiness and wonderful stitching adventures. Thank you for being a part of my life.
I was in the same boat as you are for a few years….. I didn’t care about it. This year I am a bit more in the spirit…… I don’t go all out with gifts etc. I enjoy the lights on my tree and time spent with family. When it comes to gift giving I am the type that would rather send a birthday gift to special people because it’s thoughtful and you are celebrating the life of someone who you love and enjoy.
Christmas can be a stressful time but remember to just enjoy the small things and your special friendships sending you both big hugs ((((🤗))))
Thank you ladies for sharing your beautiful stitching. I have really enjoyed getting to know you this year through flosstube. I’m looking forward to a new year of exciting projects and learning more from your videos. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you both and your families.
Beautiful stitching, gifts and stitchy haul! I just want to thank you both for another year of wonderful Flosstube videos. Wishing you and your families a Very Happy Christmas and a Healthy and Peaceful New Year ♥️🎄🎅♥️
I’ve been trying to be my old elf self for a few months and put away one Christmas “to do” after the next, with my words, “I just can’t.” I just put away a sewing machine project with the frustrated “I just can’t.” Then I sat down to lunch with you two and you shared where you are on Christmas! Me too! You made my day, thank you for sharing🎄❤️🎄❤️🎄
Had such a lovely Sunday afternoon stitching with you both!!! It would be such fun to stitch together around the tree. Happiest of holidays to you both.
I have enjoyed this video so much! I laughed out loud a few times! Thank you for that. So many beautiful things. Merry Christmas!
Happy birthday Brenda welcome to the 60s and over club so happy to have you with us!
Merry Christmas. I hope you have a great holiday. I was one of those nurses who made her own uniforms before they started wearing scrubs…😊welcome to the 60s club Brenda! (soon anyway)…thank you for sharing all of your fun stuff.
I am glad to hear that I am not the only one that can't get their butt in gear this year about Christmas! It was a majorly busy season at the garden centre this year and by the time I got laid off work, I was done right in! I usually have Christmas presents purchased and put away for the next coming Christmas (things that I get on sale after Christmas) but last year my husband had a heart attack on Christmas day and I spent the next month in hospitals and around home. I didn't get anything bought. Now I just wish Christmas would go away!
I am so with you this year, Laura. I am ready for 2023. Don’t pressure yourself…
Tree is beauitiful and I love the ornament parade., beautiful pieces. Laura, I LOVE your glasses. I'm glad i'm not the only one not excirtd about decorating. It was like pullng teeth to get my tree up and I did minimal decorating House looks festive but not my usual. I just wanted to stitch . I am excited about seeing all my family so I'm not being a scrooge, just was not very motivated. Thank you both for a year of awesome videos. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!
Brenda----I love being at home too! I could stay in forever with only an occasional trip out to Dyeing to Stitch. I sometimes think there is something wrong with me, but I love to hear someone else shares my "sickness." Laura---I'm with you on the overall feeling this year. I'm praying I'll get the Spirit by Saturday.😔
The tree did make such a glorious backdrop! Christmas love and hugs to you every day.
Oh my gosh I can't believe this our wedding anniversary is on the 23rd we got married just before Christmas I too am having a real problem with Christmas this year I got gifts for my grandson and that's it so far and it's week before Christmas I wish you guys a very Merry Christmas and we saved them healthy
Thank you Laura for sharing your struggles with balancing a stressful job and pending Christmas. Do what makes you happy. Love you both 💚🪡
Oh boy Laura...I thought I was all alone in my feelings. I live in Georgia and decided that come hell or high water I was coming to see my daughter in Colorado this year because she couldn't get enough time off to come home. Everything has been so stressed and strained this year. I just can't feel the season. Please don't beat yourself up. Be at peace with it. Love you both and Merry Christmas to ya'll ❤️❄️☃️🌲🦌
What a great Christmasy episode thank you both so much. I am glad you discussed the stress that many have with gifting and preparing. I tend to buy during the year with just a hand made little something if time permits or a token gift. It is just about been together if not possible in person than in thought.
So thank you for reassuring the many people watching your video that they are not alone and that it is fine to 'pull back' and enjoy the time off work.
I thoroughly enjoyed the general chat, the lovely and thoughtful gifts from others to you both. Also the tree and I always love to hear the clocks.
So have a lovely festive break and a very happy new year to you both and thank you for the many hours of pleasure you give. :)
Loved seeing you two and your progress again, and the Christmas tree made an especially festive backdrop :) I hope that you are able to enjoy these final few days of the season and spend time with all those you love. Thank you for sharing like you do (and enabling) - you girls really are the best. Merry Christmas and happy stitching! :)
I usually don't comment cause I watch on TV but had to comment on this one. I showed my hubby the clip at the beginning about holiday stress so he would understand that i wasn't the only one. He is so understanding anyway so maybe I just had to watch it again for myself so he understood that I finally get it. It isn't just me. I am so grateful to you both for sharing that snippet. My birthday is 2 days before Brenda's (2 days and 4 years!) so maybe instead of pushing myself to get Christmas gifts out, I GIVE birthday gifts to others on my birthday.
Merry Christmas Brenda and Laura! It was such a treat to see you today! I am totally calendar challenged during December and somehow thought you wouldn't be back until after New Year's. Good thing I found you as I have a quilt for my grandson to bind and it must be 4 miles around. So lots of floss tube and hand stitching for me this week. As well as having the grandson each day while he is out of school and Mommy works. Fun times....I think most of us get more and more stressed about this holiday as we get older. So many expectations from so many people. So many people we miss. And we just don't have the energy to deal with it. Our daughter requested Oreo balls and I went to make them and my husband had eaten over half the package of Oreos. Guess who made the trip out to get more. It cost him; I stopped at Joann's. I decorate lavishly but I do it for me as the family could care less. December is a hell of a month as we have 7 family deaths including 1 on the 23rd, 1 on the 24th, and and 2 on the 25th. My dad died on the 15th and I literally am paralyzed for the week before. I stitched 4 pieces for immediate family this year and decided that they will just be New Year's Day presents as I haven't finished them yet. For that matter, Easter will work too. Have a very merry Christmas and abundant blessings in the New Year.
Hello magnifique vidéo et travail de points de croix !! Brenda J'adore votre vidéo de présentation de votre maison !! 👏👏 bravo à tte les deux
Coucou de la France 🥰
I am glad that both of you mentioned the stress of the holidays. I've been working from home for 2.5 years and also on the team to get our new office space up. It has been a long 9 months and I can't even think about decorating and baking cookies yet! I know I will get some of this done before Christmas, but it will have to be late Thursday and early Friday when I'm finally not working. I love your videos and I am so glad that you both get excited to see what each other is stitching (or has stitched) when they are at home. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos which at first comforted me and other stitchers during the pandemic but now have become something I look forward to and am excited each time a video is posted. I actually watch the video from my laptop while I am working from home!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Brenda, I'll see you at the Attic in January!
Happy Birthday Brenda
I will also be 60 .. but in April!!!
Nice to see I’ll be in good company in the 60 club.
Laura and Brenda I love just the way you are. Always enjoy seeing you both. Merry Christmas and Happy New year to the both of you. Enjoy your special day Laura.
Wishing you both every Christmas joy.
Christmas is the love in your heart, not the cards, the decorating , or the gifts. So be kind to yourself. Know you are loved. See you next year.
I feel your anxiety this year. I feel more stressed than during Covid. Lets pledge to make our lives more simple and meaningful. Love you both!!
I think Christmas every year may look different for folks. I remember when my nine year old brother passed away we did not put up a tree that year, it just wasn’t the same. Two years later when my daughter was born, it was a huge celebration! As long as we remember what Christmas is all about, the birth of our Savior! Family! Friends! And our Heath! The older I get, the more I celebrate the memories and experiences, not the gifts. This year my husband and I had the flu during Thanksgiving, the time I normally decorate. Our tree looks sparse, and I’m OK with it. Our family is together, we are happy and healthy and that is the greatest gift. I am thankful for both of you and what you contribute to this community! You are a jewel, you keep us laughing, and, of course, stitching! I think I speak for others, when I say you are a tremendous blessing and a gift!
Merry Christmas to you both 🎄
Greetings from the UK. I had just discovered Brenda on her recent sewing room and home tour, so checking in to catch up on more videos I get to now "meet" Laura for the first time. May I say (cut glass British accent) you ladies are authentic and refreshing. I have just had the best hour and a half with you both and loved every minute, so much so that the evening meal prep got delayed - I had to stay with you until the end! I'm knuckling down and determined to work on some festive stitcheries for Christmas 2023. My new start is A Saltbox Cabin by Lori Rippey and it's working up rather nicely. I don't have a channel so can't show you but your old friend Google, will I'm sure turn it up if you care to search! Happy New Year ladies!
Thank you for coming for a cuppa today. I really felt for you Laura and totally understand your feelings. It was so honest of you to talk about the stresses of normal life. Super video as always.
Love to you both and Merry Christmas x
We decided a couple years ago to draw one name and be that person's santa. Buying a gift for one person has lifted the stress tremendously! Merry Christmas to you both... Love you ladies!!
Laura, I'm right there with you on the stress we put on ourselves at the holidays. Our tree wasn't put up until Christmas Eve and barely had an ornament on it. And yet, we still had a happy Christmas just being together and having time off from school and work. More and more each year, I'm appreciating that simpler is better. My husband and I don't even exchange gifts aside from a bottle of his favorite saki and maybe a cross stitch pattern for me from my wish list. I love hearing the Christmas music on the radio, and I love seeing all the lights people decorate their houses with, but I realized long ago that I'm not "that decorator" or "that baker" or "that shopper". I accept that I can only do what I can do. Some years I do more, but some years I do less. It's all good. You're not alone with your thoughts. Wishing you both a Merry Christmas no matter what it looks like this year! And lots of stitching, cause that what we really would rather be doing! 😆
The stresses of holidays can be an emotional roller coaster. The only reason I got cards out was because I addressed them in October! After losing my Mom in 2011, Christmas celebrations have never been the same. She enjoyed the wonders of Christmas like a small child every year. I miss her & her laughter so much during these days but we push on...to encourage my Dad who turned 93 this past summer. We have so much to be thankful for. I LOVE spending time with you gals; Brenda, I will be 68 the same day you turn 60 & Laura you will be 61 on what would have been my Mom's 91st birthday ...and my husband & I will have our 48th Wedding Anniversary, the same day as you & Mike celebrate! I wonder if there aren't many more things we have in common..Stitching of course, all the bags, flosses, scissors, charts we collect, I also am addicted to Jan Karon's Mitford series and have read them all many, many times. My husband loves them too and some nights we sit by the fire and I read aloud. The most beautiful things of Christmas, the gift of our Savior, the calm safety of home, the love of fellowship and thoughts of those we love near and far...mean more to me than any gift money can buy. I wish you & yours a beautiful, calm, happy, Holy Christmas and a Healthy New Year!!!
Thank you for being open and honest. Holidays are stressful. I've been where you are and my advice is to give yourself grace and let it go. Self care is good.
I am 67 years old and just getting over the flu. I did very little Christmas decorating before I got sick and now, for the most part, the mood has passed. The time of baking ALL the cookies and doing ALL the things is over. Lol
I do miss my big tree with the train running around it and to be honest I am a little sad, but it takes me several hours to put up. Thinking about all the work I won't have to do putting everything away and cleaning up has helped. Merry Christmas to you lovely ladies. I just wish I could give you both a big hug! I so enjoy watching your Flosstubes!
Wishing you a calm and beautiful Holiday season. You both bring such joy through your stitching video. Thank you for taking the time to share with us.
Merry christmas to my favourite pair of great friends ,,, laura and brenda !!! Have a wonderful time next holidays, with your family abdvloved ones. As always im impressed with your stitching.
Big hugs my dearest friends 🎊 😊❤❤❤
There are so many empty chairs at Christmas, so many broken hearts. At times it is hard to celebrate. Our nephew committed suicide the day after Thanksgiving this year, so it is especially hard right now. Gifting year around "just because" is wonderful, and I most especially love giving in secret. It is really fun sharing your happy mail, just seeing you be blessed. Have a lovely Christmas, know how many of us you bring joy to, and how many of us you just plain make smile.
May you and your family find peace this. I’m so sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Fun video! I thought I was going to lose my cookies when Laura put on the baby yoda glasses with Brenda closing her eyes….surprise! Merry Christmas to you both and your families. I do hope you do the grocery store Christmas gifts Laura. It’s a marvelous idea. Keep it simple. Keep it joyful. Blessings to you both and take care.
Every year I say I am going to make Christmas not as stressful, I have yet to succeed! I thought you were going to poke out Brenda’s eye 😂 such a lovely video ♥️♥️♥️
I believe. Laura, that you provided a much needed public service announcement! It is important for each of us to acknowledge our feelings and deal with them honestly. Put things into perspective. What is really important and what is not. Let go of those things that are not important and take some pressure off of ourselves. Our family is trying to focus on spending time with each other. We have lost too many family members in the last few years. ( One as recently as last April), so our time together is precious. Just as our time spent with the two of you, I am enjoying each moment at a time. Thank you and Merry Christmas!!!
I love Lori's sweater. I'm a cat lover also.
a book exchange or a cross stitch exchange would be divine!!
You guys made my evening last night and finished up watching you today. You make me smile and laugh! Enjoy your holidays and see you on the 8th.
We are in our eighties and this year we are having a smaller tree and kids and grandchildren are all getting money. I put it in a small bag with mutter butter cookies and rice chrispy snacks. But the real thing for us is they will all come home the following week. Got a sliced ham frozen scallop potatoes for the oven and kids are bring things. There are 18 of us and we have a small house . It’s very interesting time .
In your camp with the holiday stress this year. Thankful for stitching to bring me peace. Love seeing the two of you. Love the idea of giving gifts whenever. I’ve thought that for years. Bringing unexpected joy instead of the obligatory giving. If I’ve found something for someone I want to give it right away. Then along comes Christmas and nothing that calls their name yet there is that obligation. I’m excited about Brenda’s big birthday SAL. I can’t decide which floss. Thanks for sharing all the goodness of stitching. Wishing you a good Christmas and holiday season with of course lots of stitching time.
I am joining 60 club in February. I would love to join your sal. Starting my 100-3 collection. Thx for a fun time watching you guys. We have always referred to a difficult Christmas season as a “hard candy Christmas “. From the song!
Merry Christmas, happy new year, happy birthday Laura and happy upcoming birthday Brenda 🎉🎄🎁
Oh, Laura! You are a shining gift every single day to all of us. You don't need to do one more single solitary thing. Enjoy Mike and Mom and relax and rest. You are perfect just the way you are. 🎄
I lost my husband 4 months ago. So no interest in Christmas . I just started cross stitching again. I love to watch your videos. Thank you so much