The Stitchiest Time of Year

I think one of the reasons I love Christmas so much is because of the decorations. Also, I get to make Christmas decorations! With a small condo I have to keep my decorating to a minimum, so I have to limit my craft projects to about 1 new thing a year.

My Grandma Wilson made me some darling snowflakes last year for Christmas. So this year I had to find a fun way to use them.

I have this great architectural feature in my house, in the living room I have to different ceiling heights, so as the highest drops down there is ledge or beam of sorts. Anyways I really wanted to put a long pretty garland along that edge. Well, I tend to think of these things at the last minute, and the length of the room is kind of odd. In order to fit a garland all the way across I would need 2, and that can be really expensive.

I took a quick trip up to Tai Pan Trading and wandered around looking for ideas, and this is what I came up with.  I think it turned out pretty cute.

My other favorite decorations include this cute wreath. My husbands Grandmother used to buy him and his brothers Christmas ornaments every year when they were young. I am kind of a picky decorator, and my tree is very specific colors, and I want it took a certain way. I think Justin was a little sad that I would not use the ornaments on the tree, so I came up with this idea. The wreath has all the ornaments he got throughout the years.

Next up is my awesome tree, it's even more awesome this year because of the beautiful tree skirt my Grandma Wilson made for me. I went to visit her today and found out that she made 14 of these tree skits. She said she was pretty sick of them by the time she was done.

I also get to put out this adorable Santa my Grandma W made. I don't think I can mention enough how incredibly talented she is. She is an inspiration. We were talking about all the Christmas decorations she had made throughout the years, it totally blows my mind!

So, I lied. I did make something else this year, but they are not quite done. I will do another post when I get them both done. So far they are turning out really cut.

I hope everyone has a very merry Christmas!

Its Fall!! and other fun projects...

I feel so lazy, I have not done a post since August! But I have been busy. I started a new job, so my stitchy time has been cut back a bit.

This evening I was able to finish my fall wreath! (I was only 9 days late from when I wanted to have it finished).

 I always seen to do some stupid mistake with every project that I do. This was no exception. I got 2 or 3 letters stitched, and realized that I was stitching on the wrong side of the ribbon. There is really only a minor difference between the two sides, but I was still mad at myself (but not surprised that I did).
The letter pattern came from Cross Stitch and Needlework Magazine  September 2010 issue.

I was working on a bunch of little projects as well the last couple of months. They all turned out really cute so I will share.

Halloween Swap Projects:
 I am so loving a new book that I got a few months ago. "2001 Cross Stitch Designs". Most of my ATC patterns come from this book.

The Halloween ornament patterns are from Just Cross Stitch Halloween Ornament issue. There are tons of cute designs.  I've purchased those special Halloween issues for the past couple of years, totally worth it! Also they just released the Christmas Ornament issue, this years issue has a ton of cute designs.

 

 Bookmarks!
These are so much fun to make! Both were actually made for the same person. I sent the first one off, and sadly it was lost in the mail (I'm still hoping that it will make it back to me one day, so I can have it) 

Miscellaneous Swaps
I think the 2 part dog ATC is my favorite!

I love Somebunny!

It's finally done!! I got a new nephew in June, and was able to gift the blanket a couple of weeks ago.

This is my brothers second child, and for there first, Lily, I made a Somebunny to Love blanket, so I decided to keep the theme and make one for Flint.

 

Lily's blanket was made about 2 and half years ago. It was the first blanket I made on this fabric, Its pre made, specifically for cross stitch baby blankets. It was a trial figuring it all out, so I think the quality of stitching on Flint's blanket is much better.

I gave Flint a cute little cow that matches the blanket, and Lily promptly stole and snuggled it. I don't blame her. It was super cute and soft.

I got this post all published and remembered that I had done another Somebunny to Love blanket! So I wanted to share that one too. It was made for my Husbands cousin's first child Anna.

Swap Swap Swap

I have not been doing as much swapping these past few months. I'll blame the wedding season for that. I come home from work completely exhausted, take a nap, and then go cater a wedding. There has been no time to stitch. I did manage to get a baby blanket done, but I will post about that later.

I did however find a little time to stitch, but mostly just ATC's. I thought I would share the last few months.

May (Fantasy Theme) - I only did one in May. We went to Zions National Park, and with lots of weddings, that is about all the time I had.

June (Letter B, Camping, Food and Drink Theme) - I did a few more in June. Mostly because I found patterns easily, and they seemed like fun themes.

 July (Birdhouse, Beach, Summer, and Oriental Themes) - I did even more, along with a Christmas ornament.

August has been busy, but I did sign up for a few, stay tuned to see what else I've done.
I also revamped my swap board this afternoon.

XXX Happy Stitching XXX

Help! What's Next?

I'm totally stumped. I have no idea what to do with this finished project.
I had the idea of making it into a purse, that was why I originally made it. But now that its done and looks so awesome, I don't want to make it into something that's just going to get trashed because I use it all the time, so back to my original statement, I'm totally stumped.

I need some input. Tell me what I should do with this? What would you do?

Material size = 9inX13in" and the Design size = 12inX9.5in
Stitched on 28count gray linen (oh and FYI, this was my first attempt with something other than aida)
I found the patterns in CrossStitcher Magazine, April 2012 issue 251
Designed by Felicity Hall

Color 1 - Dark Blue

Color 2 - Bright Green

Color 3 - Bright Blue

Color 4 - Lighter Green

Finished with Color 5 - Gold

It Must Run In The Family

This past weekend I got the greatest gift from my Grandma Wilson. She made me the most gorgeous tree skirt. She's so amazingly talented! Grandma has made me other things over the years, so I thought that I would take some pictures and share.

I'm so excited, I am going to have the prettiest Christmas tree this year. I asked her to make it white for me, and I love that she finished it off with sparkly yarn.

Quite a few years ago she made a bunch of these baby blankets and we got to pick what color we wanted. I love love love the teddy bear pattern that she used. I hate having it stored away, I can't wait to use it one day.

The blessing dress is amazing! I also hate keeping this one tucked away. I have to keep telling myself that one day I will get to use it.

Now I'm not sure if she did the cross stitching, I assume she did. But I know that she did the crochet edging which is beautiful. One day when I have a bigger house and a guest bedroom I want to decorate the room around these beautiful pillow cases and show them off.

This is only one Christmas project that she has done for me. I got this one a few year ago.  (Can I have more of these?)
I wish my Christmas decorations were not buried in the closet or I would take pictures of the other ones.
I have the most beautiful Santa which I got years ago. I admit I didn't appreciate it as much when I got it, but now it's one of my favorite decorations that I have. Every year when I open the box I just smile. I feel so lucky to have such an amazing gift made by my amazing Grandmother.
Last year I also got some awesome snowflakes that she crocheted and starched. I have plans for those this year....is it Christmas yet??...only 149 more days!!

I am so lucky to have such an amazing Grandma. Thanks for all that you do, and  inspiring me with your creations.

Buzz Buzz

Summer is here, and that means a new wreath. I had so many ideas for this one, and in the end I'm pretty pleased with the way it turned out.
I got the pattern from issue 250 of CrossStitcher Magazine. This is one of my favorite issues. It is the same one that I got my Easter bunnies from, and I have no doubt I will continue to return to this issue for more projects.

The bees turned out so cute buzzing all around the flower. What I did for the little curls was took floral wire and wrapped it in yarn.  I also used tacky glue to keep the yarn from unraveling easily. The flowers were also a find. I just happened to be a Michael's wandering around and found these in their bins of cheap stuff. I think they were only 1.50 each.

The lady bugs were an after thought. I was talking to by Mom one morning and she suggested I add lady bugs with the bees. She didn't know this, but it just so happened that the pattern I was using was of bees and lady bugs. So I decided to do some lady bugs as well.  The ribbon was originally suppost to look like a picnic blanket. That was what I originally visioned. But after stitching the white, I don't think that's really what it looks like, but its cute and summery, so I like it.