2020 Christmas Ornaments

 I guess I’ve not done very well with blog posting this year. I’m not sure anyone out there is even visiting, since my last post didn’t get any comments. I don’t do Facebook or Instagram, so this is the only place I can post my stitching and see other stitchers and what they are creating.  I stay very busy and find time to relax (mostly in the evening) with my stitching. 

I went through my cross stitch charts/patterns recently and pulled out quite a few that no longer “speak to me”. I think my tastes have changed as far as the larger designs. I’ve always loved working samplers, but how many do I really need? 😀  Also, I’ve really been enjoying stitching Christmas designs, especially Santa designs. After reading on Vonna’s blog, The Twisted Stitcher, about her wanting to stitch all Christmas designs for 2021, I’ve been toying with that idea as well. So, I found several Christmas/Santa charts that I’ve been wanting to do and have them kitted and ready to go by my stitching chair! I know I won’t stick to that all year, but it will be fun for a while!  I’ve done a lot of small, seasonal pieces to finish for my large dough bowl. I need to set aside some time to get many of them finished up. Here is what the bowl looked like for Christmas.  Even though my bowl is large, I’m running out of room!

I stitched the annual ornaments for daughter and SIL, and the 2 granddaughters.  This one is for daughter/SIL. I used Vonna's finishing directions and it turned out great and was so much fun to do!  When I went into my fabric stash, I was delighted to find the same one that Vonna had used so I thought, why not?  It matches the thread colors perfectly!

 

 

Merry

Heart in Hand Needleart

c. 2019

14 ct. black aida

Next is the one for my 6 year old.  She takes ballet and has seen the live performance of The Nutcracker and loved it, so a Nutcracker it was for her 2020 ornament.

 

 Nutcracker #2

Better Homes & Garden/A Cross Stitch Christmas

c. 1998

18 ct. white aida

And for the 3 1/2 year old who is obsessed with all things Sleeping Beauty, I thought this would be perfect for her.

 

Sleeping Beauty"Aurora"

found on internet/ Kandi Patterns

28 ct. white Jobelyn

They were all well received and now I'm on the hunt for the perfect ones to stitch for 2021!

Thanks for stopping by!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all!!

A Little More Stitching

Mini Sampler

The Sweetheart Tree

c. 1989

30 ct. linen

2 over 2

Christmas Pine and Hearts

Samplers from the Heart/Jill Siegler

c. 1986

28 ct. mystery evenweave

2 over 2

These two were started ages ago and have just been sitting in one of my boxes of WIPs.  Now they are finished!  Woohoo!  The top one will probably bee finished into a little pillow cover for a small pillow for use on my bench in the kitchen.  The 2nd will be finished into some sort of ornament.  

Thanks for stopping by!

Believe

 Believe

Mill Hill Kit (winter series)

c. 2011

6/2015 - 7/19/2015

 

I'm not sure how to finish this one off.  It may be a little big for the bowl so I'll have to figure something out to make it special.  It was a fun stitch and I loved adding the beads!

A Few More Finishes

Here are a few more finishes.

This canvas piece was stitched for DD and SIL.  Due to our move in 2013, it wasn't framed and sent for Halloween that year.  I did get it framed and sent for 2014!  I'm actually stitching another right now to keep with the extra thread that was left over.  A really fun piece!

Two Haunted Houses (canvas)

From Nancy's Needle

c.2009

 7/3/2013 - 7/24/2013

This was finished for DD and SIL as as ornament in 2014 even though it was stitched in 2013.

 Christmas Cheer Santa (Jim Shore)

Mill Hill Kit

c 2013

8/28/2013 - 9/11/2013

 This was stitched for my sweet baby girl for her first Christmas.  I had the hardest time trying to decide what to stitch.  But, I was going through my patterns and this popped out and it was absolutely the perfect one!  I love the way it turned out.

 A Child is Born

The Sampler Girl

c. 2006

11/30/2014 - 12/5/2014

 The back:

This is the 2nd time to stitch this cute design.  Had done it for DD and SIL several years ago, and had thread left over so stitched it to keep!  Like getting 2 for 1!  I was not able to find the "correct" peppermint buttons, so I had to make my own.  Used a dowel and cut disks, and drilled the tiniest of holes and painted.  Not perfect, but not too bad either! Another fun stitch!

Two Gingerbread Houses (canvas)

From Nancy's Needle

c. 2009

10/8/2014 - 12/8/2014

I think that gets me up to date through 2014.  Like I said earlier, not much done except for knitting and crocheting.  

Thanks for stopping by! 

Christmas Exchange and The Traveling Pattern

This past week our Thursday night stitch group had our Christmas party and exchange.  This was the only time everyone could get together even though it was after the "official" holiday time!  The Santa ornament is what I received.  It's Santa's Greeting designed by friend, Cindy, from The Stitchworks here in Tulsa.  I just love it!!

 

I stitched Snow Merry by Homespun Elegance and finished into ornament as my gift.

I've been chosen by Erica as the next one to stitch The Traveling Pattern shown on her blog, Bits of My Own.  I'm very excited to begin stitching!  Thanks, Erica!

Santa is finished

All-Weather Santa
Carol Emmer
Santa's Great Book/Leisure Arts
c. 1996

He's stitched, and I'm thinking of turning him into a little stand-up. I'd like to have a little group of stand-up Santas to display--maybe even year-round!

Now, back to my BAP!

More Pictures

Curly Ho Ho
Mill Hill kit
c. 2004
11/7/2011 - 11/10/2011

I stitched this ornament for DD and DSIL. Loved beading Santa's beard!! Since I had forgotten to take a pic before the trip, she sent me one after it was on their tree. This one I'll definitely have to do again!

Celtic Inspiration Ornament
Teresa Wentzler
TW Design Works
c. 2002
11/11/2011 - 11/15/2011

I stitched this ornament for my Aunt Becky and she let me know that she likes it. I have stitched this before and given it away, but will stitch again to keep! So simple, yet elegant.

This is a really bad picture, especially with the shadow of my arm. I started A Quaker Christmas on Christmas Eve 2007. Yikes! I want to get this beauty finished. This snap is how it looked when I put it away last time. Got a few stitches in last night and hope to get moving on it.

A Little Finish

The Santa Factory - January
Heartstrings
c.1997
1/13/2011 - 1/26/2011

My little Santa dude is finished! He was so much fun to stitch on this gorgeous 32 ct. French blue. I used the suggested DMC thread. Instead of stitching the light dots in the coat and hat, I used cream beads. The star on the hat tip is a Swarovski crystal.

Last Tuesday night DH and I were out doing a few errands and then stopped to get a bite to eat. We ended up sitting and talking for a long while and before we knew it, it was 9:30. We left to go home, and got on the highway (not an interstate, but a wide divided hwy with speed limit of 65). Had only gone about 1 mile and we noticed a car off the highway to the right that had overturned. It had just happened, as the dust was still visible in the headlights. Just at the second we saw the car, we ran over something in the highway. It was the light pole that the car had hit. It snapped off at the base and was across 2 of the 3 lanes. You would not believe what that jolt felt like! We immediately pulled over on the shoulder (as had other cars). Oil was pouring from the car. DH ran back to the wrecked car to be of assistance until the emergency vehicles got there. The girl was alive, but couldn't move, and they didn't try to move her. But, he said they would have if there was a fire. Ambulance and fire trucks arrived and took her to the hospital. DH came back to our car to look at it. It was dark but from what he could tell, the oil pan was ripped open or off. We ended up being towed home. There were several other cars that had run over the pole that were damaged and needed to be towed. The car was in the street in front of the house for several days. We ordered the parts and worked around sleet/snow and below freezing temps, but got the oil pan on and it's back in the garage. He'll be able to finish at his leisure, now. It could have been so much worse...the light pole could have fallen on a car and caused multiple injuries or worse.

We have been trying to get rid of a few pieces of furniture. We sold my piano and it was picked up yesterday morning. I spent the rest of the day re-arranging the living room. Needless to say, that was tiring! But,I still have a piano, as DH bought me one several months ago. It's an electronic, full size keyboard with organ and other multiple instruments. Also, I can use headphones when playing, so only I can hear. It's great! I really hadn't played much the past few years, but it's nice getting back into it. I'm pretty rusty, so the headphones are very nice right now!

That's about it for now. Thanks for stopping by!

Merry Christmas!

Wishing all dear friends a very Merry Christmas!

Santa Bent Creet c.2005 I stitched 2 of these-- one for DD and one to keep!