The Stitch Up

2020 End of Year Wrap Up

I didn't get as many Christmas crafts done as I had hoped this year however, my friend Teresa and I did do another Christmas themed craft exchange since last years Elf exchange went so well.  This year we decided on Christmas nesting dolls and we got crafty with it.

 

I decided to try making a set of dolls based on the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer cartoon.  I made Hervey the elf, Rudolph,  Yukon Cornelius, Sam the Snowman and the Abominable Snowman.  I'm not a skilled or practiced painter so I sketched things out a bit before I picked up the paint brush which helped.  Overall this was a really fun project and I'm happy with how everything came out.

 

My friend made a more traditional matroyshka style set of nesting dolls with a Christmas spin and they are so cute!

 

Teresa is pretty amazing with a paint brush.  I don't think the photo captures how perfect the tiniest nesting doll is, but it's amazing.

 

As always I had a lot more crafting planned for the Christmas season.  I wanted to make more progress on the table runner I started last year, plus FINALLY complete the tablecloth I've been planning for years.  But despite the fact that COVID has made this a much quieter Christmas season without as many social obligations, work and trying to get gifts out to everyone in time for the holidays put me off my game a bit. 

 

In general, this year was a learning one for me.  I had what I thought was a great plan to pick out 3 or 4 WIPS to do each season so I could really move through my backlog of projects.  And initially I had some good momentum and thought I'd really cracked the code on working through my stash. That lasted about one season. 

 

The WIPs I chose for the Spring season took much longer than I'd thought they would and it threw off my plan for the rest of the year.  The needlepoint bag and the knitted shawl are both still in progress - although the shawl is much closer to completion then the bag .

 

While I didn't get all the projects done that I'd hoped this year, I did learn quite a bit about pacing myself, setting realistic expectations and accepting that sometimes life will throw the occasional twists and turns that might change my plans.

 

I'm hoping to use all of those lessons in the New Year with my NEW PLANS to work through some WIPs. (Yes I am undaunted by last year!) I'm still focused on using the materials and projects that I currently have rather than buying new items - just another resolution to add to my list for 2021!

 

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year that brings health and happiness to all!  See you next year!  (Sorry I can't help myself)

Christmas Doings

We kicked off Christmas this year right after Thanksgiving with a trip to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania for the Christkindlemarkt.  It's a pretty impressive Christmas Market with a bunch of great vendors, local wineries and distilleries, and really good food.

The coolest thing about the market though is that it's located in the old steel works factory which was pretty amazing to see.

When we got back home we got to work on decorating.  The husband took over decorating the mantle this year.  In past years I have broken out my deer collection and gone deer crazy on the mantle.  For reference, my mantle from a couple years ago:

Peaceful and enchanting right?  This year the husband designed what he called "Christmas in Deadwood":

It's a little more violent than the deer display but it's pretty awesome.  There is, in addition to the culturally inappropriate shootout, an impending bear attack.  I'm choosing to believe that all participants stop fighting and sing Christmas carols before anything really dark happens. 

I also designed an ornament pattern this year!  It's a little rough and hand drawn, but it gets the job done.  I'm still working on my adobe skills so maybe next years version will be a bit more polished.  In the mean time, the pdf for this year is here Download Cactus Ornament.

It's a pretty simple ornament - just two parts.  You can really just decorate it however you want.  I took a few pictures as I put it together:

Feel free to get someone to help you with this project -

In addition to my own creation I made ornaments for my nieces using the first of the 12 days of Christmas pattern from mmmcrafts.  This is the partridge and pear tree pattern set:

These were fun to make and the pattern was easy to follow.  I'm not sure I'll make it through all twelve of the  patterns but they are so cute I"m going to try!

I've packed in a bunch of crafts so far but I'm still hoping to knock out a table cloth this weekend.  I do tend to overload my craft schedule around Christmas but there are so many fun things to make I just want to do it all.  

Of course my Christmas preparations were not complete until I broke out all my Christmas salt and pepper shakers.  I did get a little crazy and decorate my little display case to give it some extra holiday pizazz.

Now I'm just down to sending out cards and doing some holiday baking.  Putting this all down in one spot makes me feel kind of productive - but I'm ready for a little relaxing by the tree.  

I hope everyone's holiday is wonderful and peaceful.  Merry Christmas!

 

 

Fall Wrap Up and Christmas Prep

We are firmly into Winter and I didn't post anything about Fall.  Some years are like that but this year in particular has seemed to fly by.  So a quick summary here of Fall and some of the stuff I made in preparation for Christmas.  This will make me feel like I'm starting the New Year all caught up and ready to start fresh - so bare with me!

I finished a few projects on my WIP list.  One was a cowl from a Wool And The Gang kit.  I love the color and it knit up really quick.

The other project was a wedding quilt I had hoped to finish BEFORE we went to the wedding in July, but at least I did finish it up and was able to send it just a couple months late.

I made a couple of trips.  One to central California where I did a short trip up to Sequoia National Park.  I am still awed by the size of the trees.  The whole forest at that elevation feels like something out of a German fairy tale.

We also made a trip to Ohio for Thanksgiving and hit the Kent State University Museum.  They have a really nice costume collection.  They are always rotating new exhibits so I look forward to going back soon.

I went a little crazy with pics there so head over to my Flickr feed if you love historical clothes.  I have you covered!

I made a few Christmas ornaments this year - I actually got them done before Thanksgiving so they kind of count as a Fall craft.

I had to modify a couple of patterns for the tiger and the hippo, but I also made on of Alicia Paulson's ornaments which are always a strong stand-by and require no changes!

I also tried my hand and making infused booze to give as Christmas gifts this year.  

It is...very strong.  I made pear liqueur using this recipe from Larder Love.  I actually like the recipe and her website in general, but I do think I need to play with the amount of pear etc. next time.  I'm kind of addicted to making flavored alcohol after this so I may try experimenting with a whole bunch of different fruits.  I'm still holding out hope that the blackberry bush goes nuts this coming summer and I have more fruit than I know what to do with.  For now, the pear liqueur is all bottled up and being given to unsuspecting friends and family.  

Whoo!  Which brings us to Christmas!  I hope everyone is having a wonderful day.  It finally feels like I have a chance to catch my breath and it has been a very nice peaceful day.  Looking forward to all that 2017 will bring!

 

Halloween Stitchalong

Is anyone else doing the October stitchalong at Feeling Stitchy?  They have an adorable witch pattern from Cherry and Cinnamon.  I used it to stitch up a t-shirt that I plan on wearing when I'm handing out candy.

I don't have a costume this year but this t-shirt makes me feel in the spirit.

10/31/12 - Edited to add: The shirt was mentioned on Feeling Stitchy!  I really liked doing a stitch along, It was fun to be part of a group stitching the same design.  I hope to do more in the future.

 

 

Goodbye 2011

After our quiet Christmas we went out to visit my parents for some fun and some more relaxation.  Mom and Dad live out in the desert.  It's beautiful and serene, and we always have a nice time when we visit.

We played games, walked in the hills and just enjoyed family for a few days.  I brought along a travel project - a cute 2012 tea towel by Curious Doodles and got quite a bit done between the plane rides and time spent around the kitchen table chatting with Mom.

We got home just in time for New Year's Eve which we spent quietly.  We took advantage of the weirdly warm weather by grilling outside.  

After dinner we snuggled on the couch to talk about the past year and what we hope for the new year.

I will of course have resolutions or plans for 2012, but I've enjoyed just feeling the excitement of the start of a new year and all the hope and possibility that it promises.  Happy New Year to everyone!

On to Christmas!

I refuse to think about Christmas before I've celebrated Thanksgiving.  Well, technically I guess that's not true.  I try to start some of my Christmas crafts before Thanksgiving.  But, Christmas songs, Christmas decorations, early run-ins with Santa Claus?  I don't want any part ot those things until after I've stuffed myself with turkey and stuffing.

The Christmas crafts I started are going to be hostess gifts.  I decided to make some coasters with cute Christmas fabric on one side and a little embroidery on the other side.  So far, the unfinished process looks like this:

I'm using embroidery patterns from The Floss Box, Martha Stewart, and the book A Rainbow of Stitches. 

I've got a ton of cute Christmas fabric.  Not all of it will be made up for coasters.  To be honest, I'm not sure how I'll use it.  I went a little crazy in the fabric stores but I guarantee I'll figure something out.

I fell in love with this Alexander Henry fabric.  I'm thinking it might look cute as a Christmas apron.

At the very least I could put a frame around this and enjoy it that way!  

Now that I'm ready for Christmas it's full steam ahead.  I hope there will be plenty of time to finish these Christmas crafts and others.  Merry Christmas all!

Seasons Greetings

Due to crazy work hours this holiday season is kind of getting away from me.  I DID have a great Thanksgiving with my folks and my brother and his family in Arizona.  It reminded me of growing up in California where the holidays involve putting lights on palm trees and having the doors and windows wide open on Thanksgiving day because it is just too hot in the house otherwise.

 I've really come to enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas on the east coast, the snow and cold mark the change in season and make if feel special.  But there is still a lot to be said for being able to wear shorts in December!

Despite being distracted by work, the weather here is getting me in the mood for Christmas.  I did a little decorating, had some friends from my book club over for a Christmas cocktail party, and am now wrapping up gift buying and stocking up on egg nog for the big day.

So despite lots of work I have found time for some Christmas play.  My one regret is I have not had time this year for any Christmas crafting.  I did buy Alicia Paulson's felt ornament patterns and I plan to make a few of these over Christmas weekend, when I finally have some time off.  I figure I won't be late for this year, but rather a year EARLY in preparing for next Christmas.

Sadly, I'm off to the office now - Merry Christmas all!

 

o-HI-o Road Trip

We decided to take a road trip to see the Hubby's parent in Ohio for the 4th of July.  It's a pretty trip through Pennsylvania and Ohio is a great place to spend the 4th.

Our first stop when we get to Ohio is a local burger place that makes THE BEST burgers: Swensons.

 

Mmmmmm.  People - I'm not kidding.  THE BEST burgers.  I get the hot fudge milk shake, Hubby gets the coffee shake and we get our cheeseburgers with the works.  Heaven.

There are always a lot of fun community activities going on around the holidays in this area of Ohio.  We went to a great concert with the Cleveland Symphony playing patriotic marches and songs and we hit the local 4th of July parade.

Watching the 4th of July parade required another food stop:

The fact that the parade started at 10 am did not stop us from getting some frozen custard.  It was hot out after all, plus...frozen custard!  Enough said.

Blackberry frozen custard the breakfast of champions!  The Hubby said watching me eat this cone was like coming across a crime scene, but people, let me say again - it was hot out!  And the cone was melting!  And I don't think this is all that bad:

 

Harrumph.  Let's move on to some pics of the parade shall we?

The parade route.

The local American Legion post.

   

 

 

 

 

Some patriotic cars from the parade.

 

 
 Some of the cool floats in the parade.

I love a good parade and this was a great one.  The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays and this was a great place to celebrate it.

 
 
 
 
 

 

Happy Mother's Day

Just a quick note to say Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's out there, including my own.  She is the very best.

 

Christmas Crafts - The wrap up

Yes, it is almost February and I still have some Christmas notes to make.  I am proud to say that we have managed to take down the Christmas tree and lights though, so that's something.  I wanted to post on the hostess gifts I made this year for Christmas.  The idea was that these would be accompanied with a plate of cookies, however I was lucky just to get a couple of these to their intended owner.  The cookies were one step to far.  I have high hopes for next year though!

I made some tea towels with Christmas designs.  They were fairly simple designs which just used an outline stitch and a few french knots here and there.  But they came out pretty and I think you could jazz them up however you wanted with trim or beads or what have you.

The first designs were free patterns from The Floss Box.  This is a great embroidery/craft blog at any time, but she has great design ideas for Christmas.  I put three ornaments on each tea towel and tried to mix up the patterns with each towel:

 

A couple close ups of the ornaments:

 

 

I also did a couple of Christmas trees designs as well.  This is from the always awesome  Badbirds blog.  Again, this blog is great at any time of year for people who love to embroider.  She usually has a free pattern every month and they are fun and quirky and like nothing you'll find on any other site.  The Christmas tree pattern is lovely:

  

So that's the last of my Christmas crafts.  I'm reminded again this year that if I want to get things done in time for Christmas - I need to get started sometime in June!  I've book marked a ton of great patterns and ideas from other bloggers in preparation for some really organized crafting for 2010.  We'll see how it goes!