Friday Framed Finish

 
Design - "Woodland Christmas"
Chart - "Heartfelt Sentiments"
Designer - Theron Traditions
Fabric - 36 count R&R Light Espresso
Fibers - GAST - 1 strand over 2 threads 
Started - 13 September1999
Completed - 3 October 1999

Over 200 single stitch snowflakes!

Framed October 2014 - 15 years later

I love the quiet gray frame.  This is the perfect time of year to display this - I just have to find the perfect spot for it.

I got photo-bombed while attempting to take a picture of "Woodland Christmas".  What would I do without all my Cat Helpers?

I've counted up to five Mourning Doves.  They were mostly AWOL this summer, so I'm glad to have them back.  

I'm not as good at identifying finches as I should be. I tend to say anyone with a bit of red is a House Finch, when it could be a Cassin's or a Purple Finch.  This handsome fellow is a Purple Finch - "a sparrow dipped in raspberry juice".     

In comparison this is a male House Finch.  He is much less showy. And has a striped chest.

No problem with IDing a Stellar's Jay!

I continue to be surprised at the presence of this male Lesser Gold Finch.

He is a bright spot of color on a dull gray day.

Nativities

Design - "Woodland Christmas" (Heartfelt Sentiments)
Designer - Theron Traditions
Fabric - 36 count R & R Light Espressso
Started - 13 September 1999
Completed - 3 October 1999
My notes for this piece say that it had over 200 single cross stitch snowflakes.  Yikes! 

It seems fitting on Christmas Eve to share my Nativity Collection.

This is our box that stores our traditional family nativity.  My maternal grandmother gave it to us when my brother and I very young as a gentle reminder about the meaning of the holiday.

 

My grandfather re-purposed a bird-feeder to create the manager.

The Italian set pieces were purchased from Newberry's for $4.99 circa 1962.

In the last few years my Mom and I have added a couple of dozen Nativities.

These are displayed safe from curious cats behind glass doors.

They vary from whimsical...

to traditional...

to contemporary. 

I enjoy getting them out each year and readying the displays.

Some are folk-art simple in style.

A couple are porcelain.

This is the newest addition to our collection.  It is called "Winter Carols" by Demdeco.  I like the elongated stylized look of the pieces and the quirky inclusion of Christmas trees with the manger scene.

This WilliRaye set is my biggest grouping.  The pieces are around 10" tall.

Peace be with you!