Hi Fellow Stitchers! It's been a busy few days at DJ's Digs. Since our new addition to our family, we now have more family (in-laws) than ever before! We love our DIL, but it can be a little overwhelming when we have "family" gatherings. We are used to holidays and celebrations being just the 3 of us since most of our immediate family live so far away...and now gatherings with the in-laws is more of a boisterous crowd affair. It's a little intimidating for this introvert...LOL!! It takes some getting used to...but they are a fun bunch! Anyway, I've been making ornaments for the closest ones and will be giving them out at Thanksgiving so they can hang them on their trees before Christmas. Rather than bore you with the "stats" on each one, I'm showing them in two groupings. If you are interested in the information on them, please check out the 2022 Goals page at the top of this blog and toward the middle there will be pictures of the finished ornaments with all the information about each one listed there. I still have one more to stitch and finish (wish me luck...I probably won't make it before tomorrow) but they will have it before Christmas. Anyway...here they are so far...
I also have finished my Friends and Family sampler from Linen & Threads which was their 2020 SAL still available on their website. It is stitched on 32 count Espresso over one with Manor Red Gloriana Silk threads. I enjoyed stitching on this...and as I was posting different pictures of my progress, I found that some initials could represent more than one person (who knew my friends shared initials...haha). Please don't feel left out if your initials aren't there. I truly ran out of room...maybe I should stitch another one? LOL!! And just for the record, Jo (if you are reading this) of course those are your initials....(they are also the initials of my MIL) but you know what they say about two birds, one stone...LOL!! I'm sure she doesn't mind sharing that "space" with you! And of course you should be included in the stitching friends. Several of my online friends are on there, as well as friends I made in High School, and College....I tried to mostly include those who influenced my stitching, so both my Grandmothers are there and an Aunt who really encouraged my crafty side. This was a work of heart for sure!
And that's all I have for today. I will be super busy tomorrow and can't wait to see family tomorrow for Thanksgiving. I hope you all stay safe and healthy and have lots to be thankful for as we celebrate tomorrow. Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Stitching!
Whew! I really need to write a New Years Resolution to blog more often. I've been on a mission to finish up things I started this year, complete some challenges I set forth for myself, and get some Christmas gifts finished up well in advance to get them fully finished before the season so I can relax and enjoy all the things leading up to Christmas. It's been a busy month as I've participated in some exchanges. To start with, anything I stitch from Just Cross Stitch magazine I consider a gifted gorgeousness piece because I've been gifted all of the issues that have been printed from my husband...who supports my habit...haha.
I have some catching up to do because I had stitched gifts but now that they are winging their way to their recipients, I can now show you what I made for them. I am participating in an exchange through Gift of Stitching...I stitched three items for my partner and will show the whole package I sent to her. First is When Cardinals Appear by Blackberry Lane Designs which I stitched only the bird and made into an ornament...
Next is Count your Stitches also by Blackberry Lane Designs. I love Marie's designs and have stitched some more than once! This one I framed.
Last is Down in the Valley by Blackbird Designs which I finished in a candle holder with a pedestal. I was very tempted to keep this one for myself! LOL Last is all the gifts I sent her. I hope she enjoys them!
I received some lovely gifts for my birthday last month, my pen pal sure spoils me!
I've been so busy with other things that I just can't keep up and didn't quite get everything together for my pen pal who's birthday is today. I promised I would make it up to her next month. I sent My Stitcher's Heart by Hands on Design finished in this little "frame" I found at Michaels. It was the perfect shape and size! Now I need to make one for myself! LOL
I also sent this pumpkin I found at Hobby Lobby and stitched this freebie I found from Shannon Christine as her November gift for Thanksgiving.
Her gift for October was this Pumpkin on Gingham by Sweetheart Tree that I found in a JCS magazine. I finished it into a frame I found at Michaels.
Her gift to me from November is below...she really does spoil me!
Sadly I'm going to have to give up stitching for my pen pal as I found it just too stressful with all I have going on with family and babysitting. I will miss stitching for her and receiving all the lovely gifts she sends too!
I've been working on this free SAL from Story Stitches since March. My DIL loves Beauty and the Beast. So I stitched this for her, but it may wind up hanging in my GDs room. I really enjoyed stitching all the little scenes from the story inside the castle "frame".
I finally finished up this Cottage Garden SAL by Wiehenburg Designs which the designer gave to me. I felt the need to finish the pattern as next month is already full of activities planned by my DIL who is all about creating memories. It's fun, but exhausting! LOL.
I've been working on this free SAL offered through Linen and Threads back in 2020. It's called Friends and Family sampler and I've been adding initials as I go along. I'm running out of room, so I sincerely hope I don't offend anybody. I've mostly added initials of friends and family who impacted my stitching. I love how this is turning out, and only have the December portion to finish.
I finished up several JCS Ornaments to finish out some challenges I had signed up for through December. Now that these are finished I can stitch pretty much whatever I want which frees me up to finish some gifts for friends and family.
Here are...Snow Desert For Me 2021
Twinkle 2011
Holly Berries Mini Biscornu 2008
Just a Little Flaky 2011
Be Jolly 2021 O Little Town of Bethlehem 2021
Christmas on the Farm 2021
I made the mistake of showing my hairdresser some of the things I've been stitching. When I showed her the ornament I made for an exchange she was speechless....so I decided to make one for her. I stitched ... now to finish it. This is When Cardinals Appear by Blackberry Lane Designs stitched on 32 count Nuthatch over two. I hope she likes it!
Last is something I finished up for a friend of mine who's birthday is next week. This is The Winter Is Past by Blackbird Designs. I just need to get it fully finished this weekend. Heading to Hobby Lobby for some inspiration!
And that is all the news. Sorry this was so long, hopefully it didn't bore you too much. Next month should be a little lighter haha. Happy Stitching and here's to fingers crossed you get all your holiday stitching done in time! I'm still worried I won't get it all done, so wish me luck! Take care!
