Christmas Ornaments

Hey Blog Buddies,

How's your weekend going?  Ours has been cloudy and gray, much like the last few weeks, but I'm not complaining because:  no snow (yet).  We know it's just a matter of time.

I've been stitching Christmas ornaments recently, some for exchanges and some for myself, and wanted to show them before the New Year.

This is a cute little spool ornament

which I made as a gift.

It's from EJV Designs, and it's called,

unsurprisingly, Peppermint Spool.

Very quick to do, and the kit

comes with everything you need

to make the ornament,

including the spool and bell.

 I participated in two

ornament exchanges this month.

This is what I made for the first one.

(It was well received.)

This is one of the Lizzie-Kate Jingles designs.

 

 And here is what I got.

This, too, was well received!

I believe this is one of

Susan Johnson's designs.

This is what I made for the 2nd exchange.

It will be familiar to long-time readers,

because it's one of my go-to ornaments.

All that is needed for finishing is a ribbon.

Gosh, now that I look at this photo,

I realize that my latest version

of this piece used white pearl cotton

for the eyelets!

I received two ornaments in this exchange!

Here are the last two ornaments.

Many of you will recognize

Foxwood Crossings' sleds.

The design is A Touch of Turquoise.

I'm keeping these two for myself.

 I also have three new starts

which I've been remiss in not showing

before now.
Well, they're not so new anymore...

First is Carriage House Samplings' Frederika.

I have a wing done, and a couple 

of her square spots. 

Next is Needle Delights Originals'

Summer Logs.

This is my ANG chapter's continuing project

this year.

Finally, blackwork enthusiasts may recognize

this very generous freebie

from Elizabeth Almond at Blackwork Journey.

And here is why I call it very generous...

The design came out in 24 separate "blocks."

I am on the first block,

and I'm not done with that yet!

Yes, it is humungous.

This will definitely be a multi-year project.

You can find this and other 

lovely blackwork freebies here.

I, of course, am planning a new start

for New Year's Day,

but don't worry, I'm not buying another chart.

It's going to be one of three

of the 37 projects I have kitted up...

Glendon Place's Tiramisu,

BBD's Loose Feathers 

Summer-Autumn-Winter

 design, 

or

Long Dog Sampler's Dawn Chorus.

I can't decide.

Yes, they're all on the large side, aren't they?

Any suggestions?

Wishing all of you a Happy Solstice

and Merry Christmas!

Thanks for visiting!

Final Turtle Trot 2014

Hey Blog Buddies,

It's December (already!) and that means it's time for the final Turtle Trot post for 2014.  So here's a grand review of how all ten of my pieces looked in January and how they look now, going in order from least to most worked.  I'll start off with my Walk of Shame...

1

This is a canvaswork project
taught by my EGA chapter in 2011.

The proceeds of the kit went to benefit autism research.

Don't recognize it? 
Probably because you never saw it this year.
This is the "before" photo.

And here is the "after."

My motto is: work on what calls to you,
and this didn't this year.

2

Continuing on with the Walk of Shame,

here is the "before" photo of Winter by Indigo Rose.

And here is the "after."

I will have to determine the ultimate fate

of these two pieces some time soon.

Moving on...

3

Here is the "before" photo of Pristine 
by Cindy Valentine Designs.

Here is the "after"--not an easy piece to photograph,

especially on a gray December day.

I finished the satin stitches on the star in the center,

and added the eyelets,

on 2 of the 4 small inner triangles

and 2 of the 4 large outer triangles.

You'll just have to trust me, they're there.

Maybe I can finish the eyelets in 2015.  (heheh)


4

Rosewood Manor's A Tree by Itself  "before."

Here it is now.

I was hoping to get more done on this one,

but it is what it is.

5

Ink Circle's 99 in January of this year.

Here's what it looks like now.

Lots more beer to choose from!

Hoping for a finish next year...

and for world peace, too.

6

Here's Harper in Stitches' Cool Cardinal.

Last January, I had a headless bird.

He's hanging on my wall now,

and looks better than this photo.

7

Debbie Stiehler's Autumn Pumpkin Patch

as of last January.

I don't care if it is an autumn piece,

it will stay on my shelf all year round!

8

Needle Delights Originals' Tangerine Twist,

as of last January.

 The frame is dark blue, and quite shiny.

But at least the glass didn't glare!

9

Another Needle Delights Originals piece,

Winter Logs, the "before."

And the "after."

I believe I may have photographed this

upside down from the first photo (oops!).

But you get the idea.

10

Last but never least, regular readers of this blog

know them well:  Wolfgang and Wanda.

 This is how little had been stitched

way back in January.

Cross My Heart's Mates.

And here they are now.

Are you ready?

 

Did I give away the surprise?

Yes, I was close last month,
but now they are finished!
We could put this photo
next to the word "perseverance"
in the dictionary.
Up until last month,
I didn't believe these guys
would be finished this year.
 They've actually been finished
for about four days now,
and I haven't started any new projects.
Yet.

So half of my Turtle Trot projects are finished,
and 3-ish are coming along.
This SAL has really helped me to focus
and make some pretty decent progress.
Thanks, Claudette!

To see more Turtle Trot wrap-ups,
check out the BAP Attack blog.

Hope you're having a wonderful December.
Thanks, as always, for visiting!