Frosty's Night Out!

Sometimes I laugh at the names designers give their patterns.  This one definitely made me laugh, but I thought that little snowman is just too adorable!  Until I started stitching him that is.  I stopped here last night and thought....eeeek he's a scary looking snowman!!

But then I continued on this morning and with his nose, and the grey color covered with the lighter color he looked less scary in the light of day!  I bought this pattern a while ago and couldn't wait to get him started.  I did have to substitute some of the colors as I couldn't find all the threads called for.  Now to figure out how to finish him off.  Oh that sounds bad, I mean fully finish him into something I can display.  I'll have to have a nosey at Hobby Lobby and see what I can come up with!

So this has been Frosty's Night Out stitched on 40 count Dapper.  I just love how he turned out on this fabric!  If you have any ideas about finishing, please comment.  I need something that is a little more in my price range...those wooden boxes tend to be a bit pricey!

Well thanks for visiting...and Happy Stitching until we meet again! 

Anniversaries of the Heart

You know me, I'm a sucker for SALs....sadly I can't keep up with all of them, I should scale back.  I say that every year and then I get sucked in to more and more...LOL!  I know, I'm crazy.  Anyway, little, innocent, Ms. Mouse over in the UK has enticed me into another one.  There she sits over there on the other side of the pond with her angelic halo...haha  Ok, I'll be honest, I begged to get into her SAL.  I have had these patterns for 10 years...yup that's right, 10 YEARS!!!  I had the fabric, most of the floss, and all the patterns, sitting in a box in my cupboard just waiting to get started.  She just gave me the incentive.  Ok, so we are going to stitch the patterns on one piece of fabric (There are 12 with a couple bonus ones in there) one each month working on them on weekends.  Well that's her plan anyway.  My weekends are usually chewed up with family stuff, church and the like.  So I will be stitching here and there while I throw a few little ones in the mix.  Whew...I'm long winded today....let's just say we will try to stitch one a month until they are done, hopefully by this time next year.  I've begun with the first one, Snow Garden.  I'm not going to say who the initials stand for or dates for now.  I finished it last night!  Yippee!  LOL  I'm going to wait until after the first of December to start the next one, I have a few little things I want to accomplish first.  So....here is a picture.  I'm stitching this on 40 count Vintage Country Mocha using the called for hand dyed threads.  Those initials stitched over one are going to be a challenge, but I do like the effect.  So far, I love how it is working up.

Hopefully I'll be back to finishing more ornaments (and getting a few more stitched) and I'll post to show my progress.  Happy Stitching Everyone! 

Finishing Frenzy

Hello fellow stitchers!  I've been on a mission to get some ornaments finished this year!  I decided not to participate in any exchanges this year except with pen pals, so thought I would dig out some older ornaments and get them finished up.  I made the "mistake" of posting some of them on Candy Cane Stitchers and that generated a ton of questions.  LOL  So...I will do my best to answer them here and if there are any other questions, you can ask in the comment section here.

As for finishing directions, please refer to the tab at the top of the blog that says Round Ornament Tutorial.  One thing that is missing there is how to gather ribbon to make the ruffled edges on some of these ornaments.  One of these days I will get that tutorial up there too, but for now, I knot thread, then take a running stitch along the edge of the ribbon, then pull the thread while pushing the ribbon into the ruffle shape I want.  I usually measure the circumference of the shape I'm using and cut the ribbon 2.5 times the length  of the circumference.  The smaller circles I use are 8 inches, so I cut the ribbon 20 inches.  The bigger  circles are 12 inches so I cut the ribbon 30 inches. If I have wire edged ribbon, I first bend the wire so it doesn't pull out, then I pull one of the wires on the edge.  Soooo much easier, but be careful you don't get poked by the wire!  Someone asked where I learned this...my grandmother was a dressmaker and she taught me all kinds of tricks for gathering ribbon, hand sewing and the like.  I tried  cutting different shapes for myself (and still do when I have to) but I'm not handy with an Xacto knife...haha so I went to the craft store looking for something in a round shape.  I ran across these plastic things to make buttons.  I nearly started jumping up and down in the aisle!  Haha  Eureka!  Then when I found an ornament I want to stitch, I figure out how large it will be depending on the stitch count of the fabric I have, and try to keep it within the limits of these two size buttons.  Since then I've found other things, I haven't quite tried them out yet, but if you follow my blog, you'll be the first to know when I do figure it out!  Then...I practiced, practiced, practiced!  One thing that I didn't put in the tutorial is cutting a small piece of batting, it keeps the backing fabric from showing through the front on the looser weave fabrics, and will help smooth out the ornament if there are knots or heavy stitching on the back.  I hope that makes sense.  I use double stick tape to hold it in place.  For the black ornament here, I covered the batting with a darker fabric first, that way the black wouldn't look washed out with a white color behind it.

The frames you'll see came from a few different sources, I've been collecting them for years.  My husband, who is my biggest supporter, will pick up a few at Christmas time when they go on sale at Michaels and wrap them as presents for Christmas.  I love that, then I can make ornaments throughout the year!  I've found some at the Christmas Tree Shop that I found in NY while visiting my family, and you can find them various other places too.  They are typically for photos, but hey.....any port in a storm, I always say!  The downside with these, is I find I have to cut them to size to fit them in the frames.  I figure, they are small, if I goof I can just stitch another.

As for the patterns, I have quite an extensive file of them.  I have collected the Just Cross Stitch Ornament Issue for years.  (You can buy back issues on discs if you don't have them, or go to the magazine's website and download some of the later issues).  Since I stitched some of these years ago I don't quite remember what fabric I used or substitutions I make, but I will tell you if I do.  I post information on the goals page for each year and lately have been listing fabric and patterns names and that information there.  Check out the 2020 goals page, you 'll see a lot of these ornaments there!

So...here are the ones I've finished yesterday.  First up is Peace Pin Button by Jeanette Douglas found in the 2012 JCS ornament issue.  It is stitched on 40 count light mocha.

Next is the Wedding Ornament by Shannon Christine Designs I found in their Etsy shop.  It is stitched on 40 count Burch over two.

Next is Christmas Robin by The Little Stitcher found in the 2019 JCS Ornament Issue.  It was stitched on 36 count antique ivory over one.

Next is Elf at Work found in the 2019 JCS Ornament issue stitched on 40 count vintage country mocha over two.

Next is Red Christmas from the 2019 JCS Ornament issue stitched on 40 count light mocha over two.

Next is Mary and Jesus Stained Glass ornament from the 2019 JCS Ornament issue stitched on 32 count black fabric over one.

Next is Snowman's Treat by Caitlin Baerg found in the December 2020 JCS issue.  This was stitched on 28 count dirty linen over one.

These next two are from a pattern called Heartstruck Snowmen by Midnight Stitching.  I stitched them both on 28 count over one on different fabric.  They are tiny!!  But they fit perfectly in these frames.

Next is Christmas Cardinal by Stoney Creek in the 2016 JCS Ornament issue.  This was stitched on 32 count over two.

Next is Quaker snowman freebie by Midnight Stitching.  I think this patter is still floating around on the internet.  You can google it and try to find it.  I've had it in my stash for years.  This was stitched on 28 count over one I think.  I didn't write it down...shame on me!!

Last is When Cardinals Appear by Blackberry Lane Designs.  I found the snowflake pattern online on her website, and didn't stitch the border around the edges.  It fit perfectly in this size ornament I thought!  

There, hopefully I've covered everything!  Someone asked where I learned to do this type of finishing.  I honestly developed it myself....just playing around...a few years ago when I finished up an Advent Calendar I stitched and wanted to make them all uniform.  The thought of trying to cut 24 circles the same shape and size was intimidating, that's why I went looking for something that would make it easier.  Since then I've been stitching 12 days of Christmas ornaments and have found this method the easiest to make them all the same too!  Necessity is the mother of invention!  LOL!!

Oh, one last thing!  I find my ribbon at JoAnns and Michaels.  It's so much fun to wander through the aisles with some finished ornaments in my hand and try to find ribbon to match.  Watch for the sales, but if you have something particular in mind, buy early!  They go fast!!  I hope this has helped, and I hope you enjoy making your ornaments as much as I do!  Happy Stitching!

November Gifted Gorgeousness

Wow, I can't believe it's November already...let alone half way through!  It's been quite a crazy year, hasn't it?  A lot has happened since the last time I wrote...so let's see if I can get through this.  If you don't know what Gifted Gorgeousness is, where have you been?  LOL!!  Just kidding.  Thanks to Jo over at Serendipitous Stitching, who is the creator of this challenge, you can link up to see what folks are stitching for this.  Basically we get to showcase (on the 15th of each month) what we have stitched that was given to us, that we are giving away, or that has been stitched and given to us.  I hope that makes sense, but if it doesn't, you can click here and go to the page on Jo's blog that explains it in more detail...and sign up to join us if you like.  It's never too late to join in the fun!  Or, if you are just curious and want to see what the rest of us have been up to, you can click here and look for the Gifted Gorgeousness post where we all link up!  Enjoy!

I have been busy stitching Christmas gifts, and getting some of them finished...but I can't show everything at the moment because not everything has been sent to their new owners.  I did finish up a few things that have been passed along.  First up is the ornament I made for my son and his lovely bride who were married in September.  This was a pattern by Shannon Christine.

I finished stitching the November installment of Birds and Blackwork Flowers by Lesley Teare which was a Christmas gift from DH last year.  He bought all the fabric I would need and all the thread too!  There is only one left, I can't wait to see what that one will be.  This was stitched on 28 count white over two.

One of my pen pals had a birthday this month...so I stitched a few things for her.  The first is the birthday bird by Alita Designs (a freebie!!) stitched on 40 count over two finished into a little ornament.

I also stitched these two for the November gifts...we were supposed to stitch something that represented a family member and I chose my Grandmother.  Her name was Violet (I was almost named for her but she said an emphatic NO!...she didn't like her name, but I'm sad because I really like it!!) and it was also her favorite flower...mine too!  Not to mention, it was the flower of the sorority I belonged to while I was in college.  Yes...that is where I got my love of the color lavender too, that was our color for the sorority.  I found these in the book 2001 Cross Stitch Designs by Better Homes and Gardens.

A friend of mine, who has  made our masks for us when this whole COVID thing started, asked me to embroider something on fabric for her to make her own mask.  I was really intimidated...but I decided to bite the bullet and stitch this.  It was done freehand, without marking on the fabric.  She was thrilled (whew, I'm glad!!) and sent me a picture of the finished product.  She says it's her favorite mask now!

I finished this off for my friend Mouse.  We agreed (since she was really  my first international pen pal) that I would stitch something for her once a month, and she really likes Little House Needleworks.  I have had these kits in my stash for YEARS, so...I'm going to stitch one a month for her and myself.  She is going to put them in a little flip book so she can display them during the month they are named for.  Here is January.  I already sent it to her with some things she couldn't get over in the UK.

I've stitched a few ornaments.  These are all from the Just Cross Stitch Ornament issues from different years.  DH buys me the subscriptions every year so I consider them gifted.  I'll put the year by them as I show them.    First up is Red Christmas by Nikyscreations stitched on light mocha 40 count over two 2019.

Mary and Jesus stained glass by Snoflake Stitchery 2019 stitched on 32 count black over one.

My Friendly Gnome by Ursula Michaels Designs 2020 stitched on 40 count ivory over two

Warm Hands Warm Heart by The Little Stitcher 2017 stitched on 40 count vintage country mocha over two.

Be Blessed, a freebie by Plum Pudding Needleart stitched on 28 count ivory over one.

I stitched this freebie biscornu from Kris Herber that I had for a giveaway for Breast Cancer Awareness month.  It's stitched on 28 count white over two.

I think I shared a long time ago what I stitched for a lady who makes Christmas trees for her church each year.  This year she had the theme of flowers and she asked others to stitch something she could add to her tree.  I stitched a violet (of course) and sent it to her.  Recently she sent me a picture of the finished piece.  I thought I would share it with you.  Didn't she do a lovely job?

I know I acknowledged these folks last month, but I thought I would add again the lovely things I received from stitching pals for my birthday.  From my friend, Mouse, in England, I received all these lovely goodies!

And from my pal from Texas, I received these things!

Again, I have a couple more things I stitched, but you'll have to wait until next month to see them!  haha  It will be here before you know it!  But I'd also like to share something I've finished in the meanwhile that really isn't part of Gifted Gorgeousness.  This is Mayflower Rose Ornament by Heart's Ease Examplar Workes.  It is stitched on 40 count Fog.  Parts are stitched over one, part is stitched over two.  I used the called for  NPI silks.  I have to say, this was a joy to stitch and I literally couldn't put it down and stitched it in 3 days.  I can't wait to decide how to finish this.

I guess that's it for this time.  I hope wherever you are that you are safe, healthy, and loving life!  Take care....and Happy Stitching!

The Mayflower has made landfall!

I have really enjoyed stitching on Coming to America!  While the original voyage landed on November 10, 1620, my voyage took just a little less time.  I'm happy to say the frog only visited once and just briefly!  And I really think I will miss stitching on this but my wrist will be thankful, it was beginning to feel the strain from the Q-snap I was using.  Now to decide if I frame it or make it into a bell pull.  Decisions, Decisions!  Thank you for all of your encouragement over the past few weeks!

That's all I have to report for today!  Happy Stitching everyone! 

Congratulations! We have a winner!

I want to thank all those who commented to enter the giveaway!  It was encouraging to hear that all of you have been going for your exams!  I'm just posting a quickie here to announce that Mary-Lecoeurceltique is the winner.  I will email her and get her address.  Thank you again for all your comments!  Congratulations, Mary!

Happy Stitching!!

It's been a busy month!

Whew...I've been keeping pretty busy with my stitching lately!  I recently signed up for two pen pals (I was only going to do one, but someone else asked and I just can't say no...haha).  With all that has been going on I have been sending things out towards the end of the month, but I'm going to remedy that in November.  I already have the stitching done, I just have to "finish" them off.  

So...since I have tracking numbers and I know that they have received their letters this month I thought I would show you what I sent.

Ms. C has already thanked  me for the package I sent.  I feel terrible as she told me her birthday was in September but I was so swamped with the wedding and other things, I just didn't have time to get her package together.  Here is what I sent her...

I thought you might like a little close up of the ornaments I finished...I thought they came out quite nicely, and now I want to make the Blessed Be for myself!  LOL

I also finished up Glory to God...this is sitting on my work desk in my sewing room.  I love these little frames I found at Hobby Lobby!!

Ms. K sent me such a lovely package for my birthday, and I think hers is coming up shortly if I'm not mistaken so I need to get creative again for her special package.  But I only sent her the stitching for October.  I hope she liked it, I haven't heard from her yet.  Here is what I sent her...

A friend of mine, someone I have known since my college days, was gracious enough to make us masks at the beginning of the pandemic.  She had seen masks that had been embroidered on and I told her I would stitch something for her.  I have done embroidery since I was seven years old, and though I do prefer cross stitch, I still know how to do some of the decorative stitches.  I hope no one asks me to do this again, I couldn't even get up the courage to make another one for me (although Ms. T...or as we affectionately called her in our college days, Ms. Spot...would have had to assemble it for me and I couldn't ask her to do more for us...)  Anyway...long story short, here is what I stitched for her.  I already showed it to her and it will be in the mail to her soon...I stitched this free hand.  I didn't sketch it out on the fabric, nor did I used waste canvas.  I just hope it stays together when she washes it...haha.  There are lots of fun stitches in it though!  

I'm still chugging along on Coming to America.  I have one more thing I want to stitch before I get back to this full time.  I love my friends!!  But sometimes I get myself into trouble with things I promise...haha.  Anyway, the "arrival date" of the Mayflower was November 10th....and though there is a LOT of stitches left to do, I think I will have time to finish by then.  Fingers crossed!!  Here is where I am at the moment...

I guess that's all the news.  I have stitched a few things that I can't show just yet, and I have a ton of finishing I need to get done too.  Well good news, there is an extra hour coming my way this weekend!  Maybe I'll spend it doing some finishing.  Wish me luck!  Till next time...Happy Stitching!!