Tiny Stockings

These are the finished stockings! I actually got them done a little while ago, but haven't had a chance to take a photo until now. I got them hanging on the tree, which was set up last night, but not yet decorated. As I mentioned when I first talked about these, each family member (who lives in this house) were able to choose their stocking. No one has had a good look at the finished product yet, but I want to keep the suspense.

The one below is mine!

So, to all of you out there reading my blogs,

Merry Christmas and God Bless.

Friendship Card

This is a card I made recently for my best friend, Jenny.

I used plain white A5 card stock which I folded in half lengthwise.
The hedgehog and mouse stamp is a Penny Black design called Merry Band.
I also used a couple of stamps from the 'Think Happy Thoughts' set by Stampin' Up!

As I was making it, I debated whether or not to colour in the mice and hedgehogs, but realised that if I coloured one, I would have to colour all of them, so I decided to leave them as they were. I think it looks rather effective.

Popcorn

In honour of my blogoversary next week I have purchased 4 gorgeous Popcorn kits.

Actually that's just an excuse. I love these and decided it was time to get them.

Popcorn is a little brown bear, in case you haven't already guessed, and his little duck friend is named Souffle.

There is actually a whole set of friends - Popcorn, Butterscotch, Peaches, Blueberry, Coconut, Honey (all bears) , Souffle (duck) Biscuit (dog), and Candyfloss (doll).

What I didn't know is that the little flower after his name is actually a small paper flower. I just thought it was cross stitch. That will add something extra to each kit, and I think they won't be complete without them.

It really is a dangerous thing for me to be subscribed to cross stitch magazines and emails (this lot was via email from VicStitch).

Where Have I Been? you ask.

Yes, I have been stitching.

No, I don't have photos.

No, I haven't been blogging (at least not here - try my other blog).

I have finally framed and fully finished Beach Tranquility.

I'm very happy with it and currently have it sitting on the bookshelf (er, one of them) in my room. I need to get a 'plate stand' for it to go on because it can't be hung on the wall. The way it is framed doesn't allow for a picture hook.


I've also been working on the Tiny Stockings for this year's Christmas Tree Decorations (see my last post). So far I have 3 stitched. For the 4th one I am almost up to the backstitch. After that I have 5 to go.
I've decided to stitch them all and then make them up into the stockings. I'll get a bit of a production line going, I think.

As far as other projects go I have once again changed my mind as to how I'm going to make the patchwork doona cover that I have been planning for the past 11 or so years. I am actually going back to an idea I had near the beginning of a crazy quilt. It will work with what I have already done so far, which is have a backing peice with a cross stitch sampler in the middle.

Then there is the doona cover that I'm going to make to match my new curtains. I got some curtains in the 'As Is' section of Ikea - 2 sets in fact. One I'll be using a curtains, the other I will make into a doona cover.

Hmm ... what else is there. Well, some cross stitches that I will give as gifts need to be started, and I still haven't put the butterfly applique on the sheets I purchased (see an older post). My templates are still in a box that has not been unpacked since we moved.
With all my books now on the shelves, I realised that I don't have room to put my craft supplies on there like I'd planned, so I have to decide what to do, especially with all my scrapbooking papers and cardstock.

So that's where I'm at right now.

Christmas Planning

We have a Christmas tradition in our family that each person receives a new Christmas Tree decoration each year.

Some years they are purchased, other years hand made.

For the past few years I have been the one orgainising it. The decorations have included beaded items, painted plastic eggs, and mini guide dog soft toys.

This year I am again working on hand crafted items - tiny stockings with cross stitch motives. Each one will be different, but all are from the Bucilla 'Tiny Stockings' kit. I will be stitching and making 8 of the possible 30 stockings. And I've decided to start now so that I'm not rushing to get them done before Christmas.

Paper Fashions Prize

For those of you who read my stitching blog and are wondering why I would be doing something other than stitching on here, I guess you need to re-read my intro. I'm not just into cross stitch. I also do card making and dabble in scrapbooking.

And right now, I'm just wanting to win this pack! The ideas have started to flow, and I don't even own it ;)

So if you would like to enter the contest, click on the image or here.

Sweetheart's Gate

It's finished!

I put in the final backstitch stitches last night.

There is one tiny thing that I'm disappointed about, but it's the pattern, not my stitching that is at fault.

This one took me 6 months to complete. I started it on 15th November 2008 and finished on 14th May 2009. Much faster than the last one.

I haven't got a photo yet, but I'll do that as soon as I can and update this post.

Of course this adds to the growing pile of finished work to be framed. If I could just find a good picture framer in my area ...

I've also decided what my next one will be - Butterfly Profusion.

I was reluctant to do another Dimensions kit, however I have had this one waiting for a long time, a gift from my parents a few birthdays or Christmases ago (I'm not sure which, it's been that long).

This kit has printed aida cloth, however the stitching is all counted.

It also has a new tecnique for me - blending filament. I'm still figuring out how it will work. I think it's supposed to add a glittery sheen to some areas of the stitching. I'll fill you in as I go.

Backstitch 2

Yesterday I was talking about doing the backstitch on 'Sweetheart's Gate' and how it defines areas of the stitching. The photo above is one I took last night to demonstrate how it has been working. Have a look at the 2 tree branches in the middle of the shot. The one on the left has a distinct definition as to the edge, while the one on the right just blends in with the other stitching. You can also see some of the detail in the birdhouse.

The photo below is of where I'm up to. Once I have the backstitch done on the other tree branch, I'll be scrolling the frame down to work on the lower areas, where the majority of the backstitch is to be done. Each of the flagstones in the path and the pickets on the fence is outlined, as well as details on the hats, some of the flowers and the flower pots (not shown in this photo).

Backstitch

Ok, so I haven't posted on here for a while, and I don't have any current photos.
But, I do have some news.

Just a few nights ago I finished the main stitching on 'Sweetheart's Gate' and started the backstitch.
It looks good without the backstitch, but the backstitch defines certain areas and draws things together, like leaves on the trees.

This time I'm working right to left, top to bottom. I've almost got the top section finished. Last night I was working on the birdhouse.

What I've Been Working On

This is my completed square for the comfort quilt. I have now given it to the ladies who are constructing the quilt. I was told that what I had done, including the colours, would fit perfectly with the fabric chosen. I also found out that each woman who did a square chose a different Bible verse. I can't wait to see what the quilt will look like when it is finished.

And this is my progress on Sweetheart's Gate. My last photo showed the top half of the stitching, which I had completed except for the backstitch. I have now stitched all the way down on the right side (except backstitch) and last night I did the last few stitches over to the left side. Now I'll be working my way up to the top again, before completing the backstitching after all the main cross stitches are complete. Even without the backstitch you can already see the shapes coming out of the pots, basket, fence and paving of the path.

I can't believe I only started this project in Novemeber 2008. This one shouldn't take me 12 months to finish!