It's hard to believe it's been a full quarter of a year since I last posted.  I admit it was busy, full of woe  and ill health.  Most of which I will not bother to report.

The woe portion is the death of two friends.  Melinda and I belonged to the same stitch group for a long number of years.  She left us in November.  The other was the more recent death of Carol Lake, a well-known needlework teacher whom I became friends with over the years of teaching.

In October I did get sick and went to the doctor which started a longish journey of blood works and other tests to include an ultrasound.  In the long run, I got my gall bladder out in early January.  By the time I got to see the surgeon in late December, he was surprised it had not burst and then got me scheduled as soon as possible.  Ironically the only cancellation that happened was the patient scheduled immediately before me on the day of the surgery.  Recovery is going well.  And the weather is cold  (-3 today) so I stay in which helps the recovery as well.

I now have a way to work around the awful glasses that I have and whatever the problem is with my eyes.  I now wear a pair of "peepers", hold the fabric up close and have my Ott light right there almost on top of things, then I can stitch, slowly.  Meanwhile I can't see anything else literally.  I have to raise up the glasses to see to change a tv channel, to see someone else (like one of the cats).  But I am stitching some now.  

I am also crocheting which I can do with out the peepers and with the awkward glasses.  Last year I stitched 3 prayer shawls, each being about 30 in wide by 65 inches long, as well as 5 preemie blankets and 1 scarf for the homeless.

I decided to start the new year with a new project and go back later in the year for The Potter's Shed and a few smaller things I had started and not finished.

Here is A Plant of Rapid Growth:

This is the cover photo.

I changed the fabric

I have used DMC for some of the overdyes

progress shots

As of this morning

1-14-2024

The start of the 1st prayer shawl for 2024

And that's the scoop for today.

Today is also SAL day for me.  Please check out these other stitchers:

Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, 

Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, 

Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Helen, MaryMargaret

Stay warm!

December

To say I haven't kept up this year is an understatement. I thought I would pop on to show what I was able to finish. 

Merry

Heart in Hand

My 12 Days Stocking ornaments made no progress since March. They are definitely on my list for 2024.

Not an ornament, but in the spirit of the season.

Hares' Christmas, Plum Street Samplers

Wishing one and all, A Happy and Productive 2024!

Suzanne December Ornaments

 

This month's theme was a Free Choice so I went with the Christmas song "I'll Be Home for Christmas". These are from The World of Cross Stitching Magazine Christmas Doorway by Amanda Gregory. I make house or door themed ornaments for my two nieces since they bought their homes. These are stitched on 14 count red and light green Aida with called for DMC threads. 

It's been a great year of stitching for me and I hope it's the same for all of you. 

Suzanne's November Ornament

 

I'm getting close to the end of my ornaments for 2023 gift giving. I'm following the Christmas Song theme and this month is Run Rudolph Run. I thought this was perfect. From JCS Ornament Preview Issue 2013 by Angel Stitchin. 

I stitched this on 18 count Oatmeal Aida finished as a flat ornament and red twine with snowflakes. 

I hope everyone is stitching happy things!

Suzanne's October Ornament

 Hello Everyone! I hope you all have been well and enjoying your stitching. I am continuing with the song theme and this month is Santa Baby. I stitched Prairie Schooler Santa from a digital magazine I received as a freebie, www.tgosm.com, Issue 34, November 2008. 

He's stitched on a scrap piece of light green 14 count Aida with called for DMC threads. He's so cute!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see your stitching soon!

Suzanne

I'm Baaaaack....Did you miss me? LOL!!

Oh my goodness, it's been a crazy year.  After becoming a Grandma two years ago things have taken on a whole new rhythm.  I guess I shouldn't call it a rhythm...it's more like going with the flow.  LOL!!  I've been keeping up with stitching the ornaments, but finishing has come in waves.  I'm sorry I haven't been posting...but I'll spare the details and get right to the point.  I've finished all the challenges for Theme Three.  I had been working on 12 Days of Christmas after receiving the Prairie Schooler Santas set, but you know...things got in the way.  I have finished stitching three of them, on 40 count Vintage Country Mocha over one  (I know...crazy...)  but they aren't finished yet...  I'll show them here unfinished, and hopefully will get the rest done before the end of the year.  Wish me luck!  

Here are the rest of Theme Three... I've finished them all for the year, and fully finished them as of last night too!  Woo hoo!  Starting with May...2021 Christmas Snowflake by Gulia Punti stitched on 32 count Summer Skies by Sparklies    

June 2001 Bearly Waiting For Christmas by Black Swan Designs stitched on 32 count beige over one  

July Free Choice 2015 Little Christmas House by La-De-Da stitched on 36 light khaki over two  

August 2013 Traveling With Santa by Imaginating stitched on 32 count white opalescent over one (I know...never again it about drove me crazy!!)  

September 2011 Lantern Santa by Sue Hillis Designs stitched on 32 count twilight over two  

October 2022  Deck the Haul by Saving Graces Fine Needlearts stitched on 14 count plastic canvas  

November Free Choice 2016 Snow in Love by Alice Okon Needleart Designs stitched on 28 count cream over one.  

December 2005 Holly 'N Hardanger by The Sweetheart Tree stitched on 32 count Natural opalescent over two.  

Whew!  Now I'll let you go back to your regular programming...and if I get any more Prairie Schooler Santas finished (from the 12 Days theme) I'll try to remember to post!  Thanks for looking and Happy Stitching (and finishing)! 

Suzanne's September Ornament

 Good Morning! It's a rainy day here but we do need the rain. My ornament this month is following the Christmas Song Theme of Let it Snow. I stitched Fresh Fallen Snow by Little House Needleworks. This is from the JCS 2011.

I can't believe it's we are on the home stretch to Christmas! I hope everyone is doing well. 

Suzanne's August Ornament

 Hi everyone! Only one ornament this month staying with Theme 2 Christmas Songs which is a free choice. I stitched Happy Holidays from Country Cottage Needleworks found in the 2012 JCS Christmas Ornament Issue. I used the DMC substitutes on 18 count Oatmeal Aida.

I have been stitching on my Twelve Days of Christmas but they are too wrinkled to show right now. 😁

I hope everyone is well. See you next month!

Suzanne's July Ornaments

Hi everyone! 

I'm continuing with the Christmas Song Theme and July is Frosty the Snowman. First is Peppermint Paul by Helga Mandle Design. I didn't have the beads so I just used large French knots. 

Next is from JCS 2013 Frosty Snowflake from Needle Bling Designs. I'm trying to use up some scraps in my stash so this one would have been better on a smaller count but I'll find a friend who likes large ornaments 😁

I hope everyone is well and taking some time to stitch. 

Suzanne's June Ornament

 Hello Everyone! 

I've got my stitching mojo back and have finished several ornaments but only one that fits a June Theme. I'm working on Theme 2 Christmas Songs - Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree. 

This is from JCS 2012, The Stitcherhood, Christmas Morning. Stitched on 18 count Oatmeal Aida with called for DMC threads. I finished it as a flat ornament using crinkle ribbon from DL.ART. The ribbon matched perfectly with the green(I was just lucky). 

I hope you all are well and see you next month. 

Suzanne's May Ornaments

Hello Everyone!

I haven't been stitching much and I'm getting behind on my Christmas Ornaments but I did manage to fully finish this month's ornaments for Theme 2 - Jingle Bell Rock. 

The first ornament is from JCS 2011, Fresh Threads Studio, Christmas Tree Sock Hop. I changed the colors a little bit because the white didn't show up too well on the pale blue Aida. 

The second is the same designer from JCS 2012, Christmas Gift Sock Hop. 

I made these for a brother and sister. I hindsight, I would use a smaller count Aida but they're very cute. I thought they fit the theme of Jingle Bell Rock too!

Can't wait to see everyone's stitching. Take care!

MIA DJ Who finally came up for air...

I've been thinking about you guys (sorry I haven't posted comments in a while) but it's been a crazy year!  While I've been stitching on theme three consistently since the beginning of the year I though if I made myself completely finish the ornament before I posted, it would motivate me to finish them before there is a mad dash at the end of the year.  Best laid plans and all that....LOL  As you can see, it didn't happen the way I planned but oh well...life goes on.  I did make myself sit and get some finishing done this month because I'm participating in an exchange...so...I made myself finish off these ornaments too!  It took me three days to finish up a stack I had set aside...so here goes...  

January I stitched Christmas Night by Sheila Kelly from the 2018 JCS Ornament Issue.  This was stitched on 32 count white over two (don't faint Jo!  LOL)  

February I stitched Poinsettia by Punochka (again...I think this is the third time) from the 2020 JCS Ornament Issue.  This was stitched on 32 count natural over two (no this isn't becoming a theme, Jo...LOL)  

March I stitched Christmas at the Farm by Pickle Barrel Designs from the 2022 JCS Ornament Issue.  It's stitched on 32 count petite over two (ok maybe this is becoming a trend, Jo...LOL)  

And this month...April, I stitched Come & Behold Him by Fancy Work.  It's stitched on 32 count antique white over two  (what happened to me??  OH!  I know...there was some over one stitching in part of the pattern...whew...was thinking I lost my touch!).  

All together I fully finished 16 pieces in 3 days, most of which are gifts.  If you want to see them all, you can check my blog.  The last finish was a biscornu, which was tiny and taxed my patience to the max, so I'm going to hold off on any more finishing until next month.  Don't give up hope on me, I was having trouble deciding on which 12 Days of Christmas ornaments I wanted to do this year...I REALLY wanted to do the Prairie Schooler Santas but in looking for the patterns, the ones I found were outrageously priced...BUT...I found a sale the other day and sent for them.  When they arrive I'll get started.  I'm only 4 behind, right?   I even think I know how I'll stitch and finish them...so watch this space!  I'm going to leave you with a little ornament I stitched for my husband.  I really love how it turned out...and this cracked me up!  I found this years ago on the Living on the Rainbow blog and it was free when I printed it.  Not sure if it's still there or not.   Happy Stitching everybody!

Suzanne's April Ornament

 

Since this month was a free choice in the song theme, I chose this super cute Country Cottage Needleworks Merry Christmas from the 2011 JCS Ornament issue. I think it fits lots of Christmas songs. 

Stitched on 18 count Aida in the called for DMC threads. 

Can wait to see everyone's progress!

Gwen: March

 Well February wizzed right past me but I was able to get my second ornament of the year done. I am working my way through Annie Beez's Forkart 12 days of Christmas Stockings. I have a start on #3. Can I get 2 done in April? Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

Suzanne's March Ornament

 

Hello Everyone! 

I stitched this Forest Tree Ornament by Graphs by Barbara & Cheryl, Inc. found in the 2000 JCS Ornament issue. I'm continuing with the song theme - White Christmas. This reminds me of both the song and big Christmas tree from the end of the movie. I was all ready to create my blog post when I noticed that I didn't stitch all the white. I took the ornament apart and finished stitching. Why couldn't I have noticed that when I was ironing, putting it together or taking its picture? 

I can't wait to see everyone's stitching this month. Take Care!

Kaye: February 2023 post

  Hello Lovely Christmas Elves, 

Well, I am happy to report that I had great success with all four themes this month - Woo Hoo! 🎉

So, without anymore ado, here we go....

THEME ONE: 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS: TWO TURTLE DOVES

This is my ongoing piece designed by Keen Stitch: (sorry about the lack of ironing)

THEME TWO: CHRISTMAS CAROLS/SONGS: SLEIGH RIDE

This design is by Lila's Studio and is from one of her Spirit of Christmas Ornament series. I bought it online from her Etsy shop.

THEME THREE: JUST CROSS STITCH CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT MAGAZINES: 2020

This is Frosty Christmas Tree by Luhu's Stitches, you can find it on page 78 of the JCS 2020 Christmas Ornie Mag. I personalised it by adding more pink colour variation and beading. I am quite pleased with how I FFOed it (not really my forte, but I try!).

I am rather in love with this backing fabric, too.

THEME FOUR: A CHRISTMAS CAROL: CHRISTMAS CAROLERS

Now, this is a finish that I am really proud of as I amalgamated a couple of designs and changed other things around (the singer, the wording, the beading on the lamp post and I played with colour with the blue dress). 

So, I amalgamated these two designs:

They are both from the 2015 JCS Christmas Ornie Mag, #1 is Dear Santa by The Little Stitcher and #7 is Christmas Carols by Mani di Donna.

I stitched the lamp post and little dog from #7, adding a sprinkling of snow and a vine made of beads and added more musical notes all in black.  From #1 I used the top border, changed the wording to Deck the Halls and using the girl mailing a letter as the basis for the carol singer. I felt quite inventive! Thanks to the two designers for the inspiration.

I then framed it in a find from my local TK MAXX (only AUD$10) - a bargain.

Best of luck with all of your Christmas stitching this year.

hugs, 

Cathy's February Ornament

My ornaments this year will be coming from the Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament Issues.  My February Ornament is from the 2020 issue.

This is Deer in the Forest by Saving Grace Fine Needle Arts (Elizabeth Spurlock).