Merry Christmas!

DECORATING THE TREE
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist

We are looking forward to Annabeth really enjoying this Christmas. I hope you all have a joyous time with family. I will be in Myrtle beach this coming week so I may not post. I'll see you all next year!

Christmas exchange.

Front of exchange sent
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist

My ornament was received today and I also received mine form the Hooked On Exchanging group.

The one I stitched was for Alison in australia. I did the brightneedle design from the 07 JCS the front frm the preview issue and the bk form the actual ornament issue. I am very happy with the finishing on this a beaded edge and hanger.


Exchange sent
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist

I changed some of the colors out due to the blah originals, I am stitching the front for myslf as an ornament, but not the back.

I also recieved my exchange from Deanne in Newfoundland today, It is a Lizzie Kate TIny Tidings done as a pillow finish and hanging on my tree already!.
Isn't it cute! I love Lizzie Kate.

exchange recieved
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist

Christmas is coming!

Just in case you haven't looked at your calendar. You have 17 shopping days left, 14 if you use Amazon as your shopping source.

I have 90% of my gifting done, who is left? My husband and daughter of course. Eventually I'll learn to withhold the good ideas for my own purposes instead of handing them off to the grandparents. Thats ok though school is over for me tomorrow and I will have some time to shop and think over the next couple of weeks.

We are decorated but without a tree yet, we need a non rainy evening to head out and get one, we have decided on a small one this year since we are leaving 2 days after christmas for a week at the beach with my parents. We did this 2 years ago when A was 6 months old and it helped deepen my post partum depression, but I hope this year will be better. A is walking and talking better than ever now, she has really progressed alot in the past 2 months (I'll have to put up some video for you all soon). She sings the alphabet song, and counts to 10, she is learning her colors, we definitely know red, others we still need some time on.


joy
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist

um Ok this was not supposed to be a baby post, sorry. Back to stitching. I finished another ornament (above) the Joy Tree by M designs (05). I have had the floss forever for it and just now got around to doing it...I should have plenty left for cording, although it seems a waste to use silk floss for cording. oh and just for fun, here is a better picture of the advent calendar (not it is not magnetic, just plain pressed board). I think it needs something else, Ian suggested a mirror in the center, but I am not sure.

Better pic
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist

Advent/countdown Calendar

Countdown calendar
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist

Growing up our advent calendar was a paper one with little windows you opened up every day to reveal a new picture. from what I understand this was a real pain because the pictures were changed out every year using old Christmas cards. We also had a felt one that had peppermint candies tied to it for each day in Dec.

I have been debating for a while what I wanted to do for my daughter for her Christmas countdown. There are lots of really cute ones out there but I wanted one handmade. My cousin Betz has the best one ever but seemed bigger than i wanted with alot of work to find the right book and my traditional cross stitch field was not yielding any thing I liked.

Then I saw this on Michaels store website, and thought, let me see if i can make that less cutesy and more festive. (and bigger). I am kinda surprised at myself as it is more contemporary than what I usually like.

close up
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist

My plan is to have lots of different things in the tins for each day,
Like one might have candy, the next an ornament to put on the tree, and the next a little note to tell of a holiday event to do that day, like decorate/bake cookies. I think i need to tweak it a bit, I used velcro to attach the tins (per instructions), but I am thinking glue would be better.

Sorry about the photo quality the shinyness of the tins combined with the flash kinda cancelled everything out.

This year's ornament marathon

This years ornaments
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist

Hello all, well I was able to finish all my ornaments for this year (I might have one or two still to stitch). 13 total. Most of these you have already seen stitched up, and one you will not see till give it out for an exchange on HOE.

I was also able to finish my craft gifts (no you can't see those, some of you are the recipients!) and my advent calendar needs a few more details so I will post that in the next few days.
We had a quiet Thanksgiving at home just the 3 of us, and I did not shop for anyone yet!

But lets take a closer look at my ornaments shall we?
First up are some that I stitched YEARS ago..maybe the late 80's?:

Redone ornaments
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist

These were actually 4 separate motifs on one piece of aida, finished for me as a potpourri pillow by my mom years ago, but the corner of the pillow was eaten by my dog a couple of years ago. I cut it up and made 3 small ornaments. The 4th, a Santa face, I have not figured out how to salvage since the cut/chew is right next to the stitching.

The next 3 are ones I had finished previously, but updated a bit:

Previously Finished
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist

Amy Brueken's I Believe (08) I had stitched this last Dec, finished it in Jan, but added beading this last week. Casey Buonaugurio's Purple Penguin (09). Jeanette Douglas' Christmas Ball ornament (08) I added a beaded edge to this one.

The next 3 are all finished as pillow ornaments:

Pillow ornaments
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist

Angel Stitchin's Santa's Buddies (09), Stitched From the Heartland's Heaven and Nature sing (pattern), Bent Creek's Joy Angel (00) I actually finished stitching her in 8/08 poor thing been in a drawer forever!

And finally the Brittercup ornaments:


Brittercup ornaments
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist

Christmas centerpiece (08), Christmas Puppy (06), and Christmas Kitty (05).
these are more flat style ornament finishes. I learned alot during and since my last ornament finishing marathon in 08, that the flat ornament finishing instructions in JCS mag SUCKS...which basically reads sew like a pillow orn but insert board before you stitch 4th side...yeah I ended up with a bunch of crappy ornaments that way. These were all done by covering 2 boards, one with the stitching and one with the back fabric, then gluing together and then blind stitching the edges. much cleaner looking. I have also gotten ALOT better sewing on my cording (thanks Anna) but still wonder if it would be better to glue it. I have considered going back and redoing my old finishes but then I thought it might be cool to see my progress in a tangible form. What do you think?


Thanks and see you for the next marathon.

Thanksgiving here I come

Brittercup Britty Kitty 05
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist

For your viewing pleasure...Brittercup's Xmas Kitty from JCS orn. Mag. 2005. done in most of the called for threads over 1 on unknown grey linen

I am so excited for this coming week, since i am only teaching labs this semester i do not have any classes next week. Day care is closed Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving, so A. will be there M-W instead of her usual W-F These two event combine to give me 3 whole days at home to get things done! Mainly sewing/crafts i have been putting off. I have at least a dozen ornaments to do, 4-5 christmas gifts, and an advent calendar to make since I finally found a design i like.

I will also hit the gym in a preemptive strike on Thanksgiving and go see New Moon, after all the screaming has died down.

Found a FABULOUS quote today "In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life, it goes on. " -Robert Frost

Poker face

I am stitching on some ornaments, but nothing to post yet.

I found this fun little blog and thought i would do the Friday Fill ins:

1. The last band I saw live was Trans Siberian Orchestra this time last year, fun once , but not again.
2. What I look forward to most on Thanksgiving is cranberries. (if you don't celebrate thanksgiving, insert your favorite holiday)
3. My Christmas/holiday shopping is just getting started.
4. Thoughts of prepping for next semester fill my head.
5. I wish I could wear high boots, but my calves are too fat, always have been.
6. Bagpipes rule.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to cleaning my room, tomorrow my plans include swim lessons with A and Sunday, I want to go to the Carolina Renissance Faire!