Saturday, December 27, 2014

Another Finish and Look What I have!!





This is a limited edition piece from Ink Circles called Immaculate Hart.  It came with specialty handspun threads.  ARGH!  What a nightmare those threads were.  It looks cool but geez.  If anyone would like the chart with the left over threads, write to me a taffystreasures@yahoo.com.  First come, first serve.


For Christmas my sister made the wooden plaque with a photo of the old cabin on it.  I am hoping to build a new one this year.  I love this and it will be hung up in the new camp.  She also found a metal bell similar to the one my Mom used to call us home at camp.  The noise was enough to travel up and down the river and even bring my brother in his boat back to camp.  Ahh - the memories.

Friday, December 26, 2014

Merry Christmas to All

I have been busy with friends and family.  Whew!  Things may calm down a bit now.  I did make a huge accomplishment yesterday - on Christmas day.  I finished the stitching on Victoria Samplers Christmas Etui.  I have been working on it for a couple of years.  Last night, late, I finally put the last of the buttons and beads on it.  Here it is.





Next up will be to get it put together. 

Friday, December 19, 2014

Christmas Projects Are Now DONE!!!

I am happy dancing here.  I am so happy to report that I was able to finish the last of the projects I wanted done by the big day.  Today I was able to finish the last of the ornaments.  I also cleaned the craft room closet and washed the windows.  I am easily distracted.


Thursday, December 18, 2014

I was a bit distracted today.





I have seven ornaments ready to go to the sewing machine.  While searching for jingle bells (I knew I had them) I ended up cleaning drawers and top shelves, finding some missing mini envelopes and rearranging my finishing tools.  It took all day.  I hope I get to the sewing machine tomorrow. 

The sleigh was from Foxwood Crossings and I believe the chart is Sledding.  My amazing girl friends did many, many of these both large and small.  They are so cute.  This is the sort of thing that you don't get to SEE when you only have the internet to rely on.  I so wish there was a shop near here.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

It is a good day!

I had nothing planned.  The weather guy said rain and fog but warm temperatures.  I decided that today I needed to clean up the craft room and reorganize some things in there.  Including getting some long ignored mending done.  I was in the midst of doing that when I had a surprise visit from my son.  (Always a treat to spend time with him.)  Plans went out the window and I have yet to touch a needle.  The mending did get done.  Packages did arrive and I have some things ready to leave. 

Let me explain.  I spent 8 hours ( count them -  - 8!!!!) doing the beading on a certain Santa.  I needed to get him ready to leave.  Here he is.



Then I found a package on my door step.  A dear, dear friend stitched me a sleigh!!  Here it is!!!





I was aware of these little goodies but I hadn't seen any 'in person'.  My friend had been talking about them, but I wasn't drawn to them.  But!!  They are fantastic.  So unique.  There is a lot of stitching represented here.  It is oh so wonderful.  ( You know who you are!)

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Zippity Do Dah!

The sun came out today.  I hadn't realized how much I was missing the sun.  It made the snow so bright that it hurt your eyes but I welcomed it anyway.


 I spent most of the day making Sugarplum the horse.  This is from Victoria Sampler - Down Jinglepot Road #2.  She was fun to do.

Yesterday I made Holly Farm House from the same chart.  Both will be ornaments soon.

Yesterday I put this one together.  Sweetheart Tree Door Knocker - Merry Christmas.  This will be a gift soon.  I was asked how I make these.  I generally cut some cardboard or foam core board the size I want.  I also cut some very thin shirt cardboard the same size.  I cover both with a piece of quilt batting.  I cover the stiffer board with the cross stitch piece.  I use double sided tape for small items.  I use an appropriate fabric for the thinner card board which is added to the back.  Place a hanger if necessary and sandwich it all together.  I then stitch around the edge, perhaps covering the edge with cording as in this case.  Wah Lah! 



Thursday, December 11, 2014

Finally - A Productive Day

I am not sure why I haven't been able to settle down this week but finally today I was in my room and working on doing some finishing.  Yes, we have yet more snow - I believe I have photos.  Then I worked on ornaments and such.  Then I started a new ornament.  It was a busy day.



Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Snow - Snow - Snow

I no longer have to dream of a white Christmas.  We will have at least several feet on the ground.  This is the view of my back porch this evening.  Trees blocked my driveway this morning so the snow plow guy couldn't do his job.  It was a rude awakening to my day.  It is snowing now and more is due overnight and into tomorrow.  We are looking at day number 3 of snow.


Meanwhile I have been stitching. I started a Santa by Mill Hill.  But I am using four strands of floss and it is a bit tight.  I cut my thumb the other day so I have set this one aside for now.
I started and finished a heavily beaded Mill Hill - - next for this is finishing.





Yesterday  wanted to do something different.  So picked up a Nordic Needle Fandangle.  I just finished it tonight.  As you can see, I have been busy.

Friday, December 5, 2014

Block #9 is done and the tree is up!

 The tree is up and this year I remembered to put on the many cross stitch ornaments that I have.  So many were made by friends and by myself.  It was thrilling to see each and every one of them.  I haven't seen them in two years because I forgot to put them on the tree last year.  It was fun.  There are ornaments that my husband made that put a few tears in my eyes.  I miss him.

Block #9 is now history.  I finished it today.  Then I took a photo of the whole deal.  I need to make a few ornaments so, for now, the afghan is going back in the closet.

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Christmas is Coming - -

I have a party to host next week.  Suddenly I realized that I should have the house decorated before that party.  So there is now a deadline.  Today the tree went up with lights.  Ornaments will follow.  Last year I forgot (can you imagine?) forgot to display my cross stitch ornaments.  Be assured that will not be the case this  year.  I haven't seen those ornaments for two years now.  I am looking forward to it. 

A few days after Thanksgiving, the toms came for a visit.  I now have eight Tom Turkeys.  Last year I had four.  I was able to get a photo as they went through the back yard.

The photo was taken with the Thanksgiving snow on the ground.  We had a brief period of time with no snow but now we have new snow on the ground.  Isn't winter fun?

I have been stitching.  I am enjoying the afghan.  I am almost done with Block #9.  I have a few flowers in the lower  right corner and back stitching to do.  The end is in sight.