Gifts for My Parents

Last year I started a tradition that I want to continue doing for many years to come.  I stitched my parents and kids ornaments for Christmas.  For what I made my parents last year, click here and here.  The one I made my stepdad last year was a hit, on my blog and with him!

This year for my mom I made:

Santa and Rudolph by Water's Edge Designs

2007 JCS Ornament Issue

Fabric:  32 ct. ???

Fibre's:  DMC as charted

Embellishments:  pompoms, bell, twisted cord, ribbon

Finished as a flat ornament

I already have a few to choose from to stitch her for next Christmas.  While she was looking through my JCS ornament issues she pointed out a lot she likes, all with a gajillion colours :)  like charts by Serendipity Designs or The Vermillion Stitchery.  Not something you start the month before Christmas.

Here is what I made for my stepdad this year:



Santas and Snowmen Book #151 by The Prairie Schooler

Fabric:  32 ct. Platinum Belfast

Fibres:  as charted except red, used WDW Turkish Red

Embellishments:  Mill Hill Petite Seed Beads, pompom, ribbon, pins

Finished as a pinkeep ornament

I'll leave you a photo of Pumpkin enjoying Christmas morning with us:



A Very Merry Christmas to You and Yours

Merry Christmas to you all!

Have a wonderful holiday!

Let's Celebrate "Christmas"

I keep this blog mostly stitching related and pretty low key; no political talk, nothing about religion (FYI, we're Catholic) no comments about the horrible things that go on in the news, but there has been something that's really been bugging me that I need to get off my chest.

Since when has it become so politically incorrect to say the word Christmas?

CHRISTMAS is celebrated December 25th, not Holiday.  I don't bake Holiday Cookies, decorate a Holiday Tree, or go around the house singing Holiday Carols, though I do bake Christmas Cookies, put up 3 Christmas Trees, and have almost 500 Christmas Carols on my iPod :)  I'm a huge fan of Santa and I realize that there are people out there that don't celebrate Christmas because it's also the Birth of Christ, to each there own.  So, though as my own personal opinion I like to keep Christ in Christmas, I would also like to keep Christmas in Christmas!

If you've read my rant, thanks for "listening", it feels good to have let it out!  And...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

...of course ;)

My Halls are Decked

Since I don't have any stitchy things that I can show (exchanges) or things that are worth showing (OIP's - ornaments in progress) I thought I'd show a bit - okay a LOT - of my Christmas decorating.

Living room tree (multi-coloured lights) with all our ornaments we've collected over the years, as well as the ones the kids have made in school. My husband came up with collecting a new ornament each year that meant something to our family. We have New House, Baby's 1st Christmas, Baby on the Way...

Family room tree with white lights, smokey blue, brown and lime-ish green ornaments.


Niche in my front hallway. The green in the photo is a good representation of the colour in the family room tree.


Table in front hallway. My mom bought me those gorgeous glass trees last year. The etchings of the canals behind the tree are souvenirs I picked up in Brugge, Belgium almost 2 years ago. I just love how the Christmas ornaments look in that funky silver bowl.

Family room mantle with the Countdown To Christmas clock I bought at Costco years ago. I think that is the only Christmas decoration I've ever bought there.

Family room mantle.


Living room mantle. The multi-coloured lights really look pretty with the green and blue ornaments I have in the garland.

Dining room table. The tree is a fake feather tree I bought years ago when Martha Stewart first came out with decorations at Sears here in Canada. I found the reindeer vases at Home Outfitters (think TJ Maxx for the home in the US) for a steal. I was smart enough to pack them up with paper in the vases so I didn't have to redo ornaments in them. *pats self on back*!!!

This picture is of one of my FAVOURITE ornaments that I have. They're little lumps of painted clay all dudded up with curly doll hair, tinsel and bows. My daughter made them in Kindergarten. Notice the window frame on the left of the photo. Mysteriously they were near the back of the tree when I went to look for them so I could take this photo. :D

Thanks for all your comments on Jinglebell Reindeer! It's my most comments ever at 16!!! Who would have thought I would get such response from an incontinent reindeer!

Happy Stitching!

Blitzen Glisten Finished

It only took about 10 minutes to get this little cutie into this little 4x4 frame from Michaels. A couple Glue Dots and scrapbook tape and voila:

Blitzen Glistens! by Just Nan

Fabric: 32 ct. Zweigart Opalescent Belfast Linen

Fibres: DMC & Kreinik as charted

Embellishments: Supplied beads

Is it just me or is that one PO'd and disinterested looking reindeer???

Happy Stitching!

Ornament Challenge!

While emailing back and forth about getting ornaments done for Christmas with Sandra:) of Sandra Sews :) she mentioned starting an ornament today (in between emails!!!) So I proposed a challenge for the both of us...finish one ornament by Sept 7th. Wish us luck!

Happy Stitching!

Another finish!

Here is my latest finish! It is also my very first pillow ornament. I love how it turned out! I'm really glad I had my sewing machine serviced because it would have taken forever to sew it by hand.

Glory to God

Little House Needleworks

JCS 2008 Ornament Issue

32 count linen in Raw

Backing fabric olive green to match ribbon & DMC 730

Threads: DMC conversion

Royal Plum Mill Hill Seed Beads (#02012)