More Eye Candy!

 These pieces were made possible by the finishing skills of the very talented Claudia.  I only wish the  photos could show the real beauty of these ornaments.

First up is Christmas Rose by Nancy Pederson in the November 2011 issue of The Gift of Stitching magazine.  I used HDF fibers on a piece of opalescent Belfast linen.  Claudia made a pillow out of a golden raw silk fabric - just beautiful!

The next piece is French Square by Scissor Tail Designs.  I used HDF fibers on a piece of mystery linen.  I have since purchased many more designs from this designer - I love the elegance and simplicity of the designs.

Next up is the Mistletoe Ornament from this year's JCS ornament issue.  I used the recommended fibers and linen.  I'm too lazy to go downstairs and get the magazine to get the name of the piece or the designer.

This next design also came from this years JCS Ornament issue called His Gift from My Big Toe Designs - I used HDF fibers in my own conversion on a piece of mystery linen.

 

Next up is a shaped ornament  that is just charming.  This is a freebie, Noel 2012 couleurs from Broderies Passion .  I used HDF  fibers and mystery linen.

And finally, this little tree that I stitched long ago - I've forgotten the designer, but it is one of my favorites with the green, red and gold ribbons.  I know that I say everything is my favorite, but who could pick an absolute favorite?

And lastly, here is Part 2 of A Year in Cross Stitch:

I have been stitching on other stuff, but I can't stick with one project long enough to make noticeable progress.  So, with that, I will close.  Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!

- Margaret C

Lots to Show You

I have lots of things to show you, and all of it has a Christmasy theme.  First up, I am still working on the SAL Noel Sampler 2012.  Here is my piece, completed through Part 6.  Part 7 just came out in the last day or two, so I am pretty current on this one.  Completion before Christmas is a definite possibility.

And now I have some finished ornaments to show you.  I decided that I really enjoy stitching ornament fronts, but I do not enjoy the finishing as much - so I sent some of my ornaments to some of the great and talented finishers out there.  These were completed by Faye (carolinastitcher) - she did a fabulous job!

Some of these are pieces I stitched long ago - they have been languishing in my box of finished smalls for YEARS!  I decided to pull some of my faves out and finally have them finished.

First up is one of the free angels that Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum (?) used to design every year.  As I recall, there was a lot of work in this one - but what breathtaking results!

The next one is by Elizabeth's Designs - it has a cute bunny and a moon Treasure on it .  The picture does not do this one justice.

And the piece de resistance - this is the Byzantine Cross by Teresa Wentzler.  I have had this all stitched for years - and it has sat in a drawer, waiting for the beads to be added.  So, I finally added the 40 beads - it took all of 20 minutes - and look what a beauty!

This one was finished as a little bag - just right for holding candy canes on a tree.  I do not remember the designer for this one - but I'm pretty sure it is either LHN or CCN.  How could it not be?

And another perennial favorite designer,  this is the new one by Blackbird Designs from this year's JCS Ornament magazine - the fabrics and trim just make this one sing!

This is another ornament from Summer House Stitche Works from this years JCS.  This is a relatively new designer - and her designs strike a chord with me.  I had worried a little about this piece - I used the recommended threads, but the linen I chose was a bit dark - not a lot of contrast.  Faye's finishing just set this off perfectly.

Well, there you have it.   I am so pleased with my new ornaments - they do highlight how eclectic my taste is. If I were a bit more consistent, my tree would have more of a designer look - maybe someday I'll work on that.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving, if you celebrate that day.  We will have a traditional Southern  meal that I recall from my childhood - turkey, cornbread dressing with sausage and apples, sweet potato casserole, homemade rolls, and for dessert Karo pecan pie and sweet potato pie.  I have made a few substitutions in the menu through the years - cranberry chutney with pears and ginger, and winter squash au gratin (in lieu of the ubiquitous green bean casserole).  

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!