a good start

I was worried that I wouldn't be on time with this, the first ornament of the new year for this SAL. Last year, I stitched over 20 ornaments, thanks to this SAL, but I wasn't very systematic about it. I'll have to do better this year!

Thank you, Jennifer, for the suggested themes. As usual, I simply could not make up my mind which of my fantastic holiday patterns to stitch ... and then this one popped up and it was a clear choice!

This is simply called "Christmas Ornament 2001" and is designed by The Needle's Content, a wonderful Dutch designer. Stitched in my choice of overdyed and blended DMC floss.

gifts for the better half

I stitched a design from The Sampler Girl (Merry Christmas My Love) this year for my DH, using VC silks on a 40 (?) count coffee-dyed linen. I just love how it came out. I made up the personalization on the backside.

Last year, I stitched a design from The Needle's Content for him. It was my first attempt at ruching, and because the ribbon was a thick velvet one, I had to improvise quite a bit but it came out looking pretty good. :)

gifts for the kids

Here are the three ornaments I've stitched for the kids for little surprise gifts. I'm going to make them a special ornament each Christmas from now on, as I also do for their wonderful Daddy.

Normally, I avoid aida but I just loved this deep, rich Victorian red. All three are stitched in either DMC or another colorfast floss for washability. ;) The talented designers are, from top to bottom: "Christmas Partridge" by Stacy Nash Primitives (Rowen's ornie), "Dash Away All" by The Sampler Girl (Max's ornie), and "Christmas Bear" by Beth Hendzlik (Nicky's ornie). Other than Rowen's ornament, I used my own choice of colors rather than those suggested, and made various other little changes.

Perpetual Christmas Card

Here's a little 'perpetual Christmas card' that I sent off to my Mom yesterday. Hopefully it won't hit a snag in the international mails and will arrive in time to hang from one of her windows (or wherever she decides to hang it - LOL!). The front side is based on an old Barrick Samplers design, but has been reworked for Christmas. The backside has all our names, using an alphabet very loosely based on a Brightneedle alphabet.

I used silks from my stash on a piece of 28 ct DMC natural linen. The twisted cord is a DMC metallic that I thought went well. The cuties in the picture are baby photos of my mom (top) and myself (bottom). ;)

catching up?

I have been stitching ornaments, and even finishing them, but then I hide them away till it's time to send them to their new owners. So, I keep forgetting to include them here. Oops.

Mary Garry, Christmas pin cushion
stitched on 30 ct R&R American Chestnut

The Needle's Prayse, The Gift
stitched one-over-two on 36 ct ivory linen

I'm sure there are more, but at least it's a start. ;)

Tree Farm ornament finish

Here I am, for one of my erratic and irregular appearances. I just finished Tanya's freebie into an ornament - forgive the hasty photo, it does look better IRL. ;) Astonishingly, I'm up to six ornaments - all thanks to this blog!

making up for lost time

Last month, I was too busy with school and other stuff to participate in the SAL, so I got the lead out for this month! I've finished four ornaments today - three were ones I had already stitched, but not yet finished, and the little elf ornament is one I stitched and finished today.

I love the little tassle for the Britty dog silhoutte, and the cording came out well, too. Yay, me! My oldest son's favorite is the reindeer from PS, finished on a hand-dyed cotton that's a soft blue/gray shade. Maybe that should be my favorite, too, as it was a no-sew finish. LOL.

Without further ado, here they are (all are clickable):