December 9, 2012

Christmas 2012


This song keeps popping in my head. I think it's because there's Only 16 more days til Christmas.... Are You Ready?????
 I still have some baking to do for my Neighbors. We exchange goody plates each year :)

I have several finishes to share. A couple are BAPs....

I started Joan Elliot's " Angel of Cross Stitch " in Jan. 2011. Stitching on her 1 weekend each month and the Plan was to finish her by the end of the year. My MIL ( Momma) became ill and came to live with us in Aug. 2011. She was my biggest fan of all my stitching, but AOCS was her favorite. She always asked about her, and wanted to see how far along I was. I had to for-go my stitching in August, and Momma passed in Oct. I finally picked her back up in Jan 2012 and had been very productive at stitching on her the 2nd weekend of each month. I finished all the X's, and truly dreaded even starting the BS.... Once I did tho, I got real anxious at how the design was coming alive. I had her finished in a week...To make the design different, I changed some of the colors and omitted the border completely. I chose a wood frame to compliment all the wood tones in the design. I know Momma would Love her too! 
Check out all the differences in the Photos...


Without Back Stitching






                                        

                                                          With Back Stitching



Angel of Cross Stitch / Joan Elliott
Kit Version
Started 1/2011
Finished 12/2012

I did a SAL in the Sticklounge group of Kelly Searles' Windows 1. This was a 16 month project. The design measures about 2ft square. This is the largest design I have ever stitched. I chose purples and mauves as my colorway, and really like how it turned out. From the start, my plan was to frame it like my windows and hang it in my bathroom where there is no window. LOL..
We recently got new windows and a carport door for our home, so I happened to have some leftover door trim that matched my window trim, and DH cut some 1/2" strips to create the lip for the glass and pic to rest on. He did a Great Job!!!

  
After a trip to Lowes for the glass, backing and hanging hardware, here's my finished piece...


Windows 1 / Southern Stitchin
14ct Blue Aida ( Thanks Anita for the fabric)
DMC Threads 

I have also finished the Button-Up birdie series by Cathy Jean. 


You can see a pic of each one here. along with a few other Christmas ornies that I have done.

BTW, she now has added a #7 leaflet (which I added to my wishlist) LOL!

I've been making plans for my stitching next year, and I have enough kitted up to last a few years LOL :) I have challenged myself not to purchase any stitching supplies for 1 year. Only exception would be a gift for someone, or when gifted to me. I hope to clear some of the part of the stash that I just don't want to get rid of by getting my Stitchy on.

I hope everyone has a Wonderful Christmas Holiday, and I hope you like my gift..
Here's a little doodle tree for you. Ideal to use some of those orts in your stash.
Be sure to email me a pic of your stitched design so I can post it in the Gallery section.


Merry Christmas!
Happy Stitchin!!!

9 comments:

Kaisievic said...

Oh, I love Angel of Cross Stitch - such a gorgeous design and a lovely story to go with it. Could you tell me where I could purchase the design? I looked on 123 stitch but they didn't have it? Another design for my wishlist (sigh!)

hugs, Kaye

Meari said...

Congrats on your finishes, Karen! They all turned out really nice.

Berly said...

Wow, they are both beautiful!! Thanks for the doodle tree!

Tazura Seiple said...

Congratulations on your finishes! The Angel of Cross Stitch is lovely.

Faith... said...

You had lots of great finishes for the year Karen! LOVE the Window and thanks for the tree

DUSTY said...

Congrats on your finishes, that Angel is stunning and I love the framing !! Enjoy your HD --it is well deserved !!

Mary said...

Your angel is just beautiful. I love how the bs just makes a project pop. The frame goes wonderful. I just love all your ornaments. Congratulations!

Marcy said...

The angel is so pretty and I love the birds, very sweet. Congrats on your finishes.

xstitchlibrarian said...

Love your Angel of Cross Stitch. It amazes me time and time again the difference a little back-stitching can make. It really changes the whole look of a design.