Tag: Christmas Ornaments

Christmas Ornaments, Cross Stitch, Finishes, SBQ

SBQ and another ornie

Anne S

Thanks for the words of advice and comments about my shoulder – I tried Nurofen and stretching etc for the first 24 hours, but it didn’t do anything.  The last time this happened I put up with it for a couple of weeks and felt like a wreck due to the lack of sleep etc – I eventually got the name of a ‘nerve manipulator’ in Heidelberg, and she fixed it.  It’s not very pleasant while she’s manipulating it, but it’s all over with in a couple of minutes and well worth every single cent spent.  I checked yesterday, though, and I had a crappy pay (my overtime comes on next payday) so things will be extremely tight for the next fortnight … mind you, Jan (the manipulator) told me that if you don’t treat a trapped nerve it can eventually affect your breathing and you could end up being hospitalised, so now I’m more educated about it I’m happy to get it fixed as soon as it happens (but I’ll always give it 24-48 hours to see if it clears itself first).  It just means I’ll stocking up on essential food only for a fortnight again 😦

Anyway, I sat and had a glass of sparkling wine last night to help ease the pain (yeah, OK, the truth is I just really really felt like having one! LOL) … and I managed to finish one last ornie for the day (even I have to admit my needles have been smoking the last 2 days!). This one is so much prettier in real life in the magazine photo – the DMC 498 is so rich and scrummy, I love it! 😀

Elizabeths-Design-Christmas-Rose-a-02May07

“Christmas Rose” by Elizabeth’s Designs
from 2002 JCS Christmas ornie issue
Stitched on the same 28ct ‘mystery’ evenweave as yesterday using the recommended threads

  Now, before I head off and do some tidying up and general housework for the day, I’ll answer the last two SBQ’s, ‘cos as per normal I’m behind in answering …

2 May – Today’s SBQ was suggested Kathryn and is:

How many WIPs do you have? How many UFOs do you have? When does a WIP become a UFO?

Hmmm, good question … first of all I guess I class a project as a UFO when I haven’t touched it for about a year.  As for how many WIP’s I have, I’d say 8 in my current rotation, although three of those technically became UFO’s as I hadn’t touched them for just over 12 months (Egyptian Garden Mandala, Winter Queen and Le Jardin Silk Sampler) … as for other UFO’s, I’ve managed to finish a few over the last two years, and I’m down to a sum total of 30 now – but there is a pretty big mix of what type of project they are, ie they’re not all XS.  Breaking them up into categories, I have:

  • 5 Stumpwork (all by Jane Nicholas) – Needlework Accessories set; Dragonfly; Pomegranates and Beetle; Honesty and Heartsease; Oriental Poppy
  • 13 Cross Stitch/Counted Thread – TW’s English Garden Sampler; Mediterranean village scene; Love and Affection by JBW Designs; TW’s Noah’s Ark; Nature’s Resting Place by Stoney Creek; Topiary Tree bookmark by Textile Heritage; Christmas Welcome on plastic canvas; Butterflies & Hearts needleroll by Lorri Birmingham (I’m going to unpick and change the colours); Apricot Elegance by Cindy Valentine; Hussif by Martha Schmidt (class project); Egyptian Garden Mandala by Chatelaine; Winter Queen by Mirabilia; Le Jardin Silk Sampler from JCS magazines
  • 1 Beading – 3-dimensional beaded fish
  • 2 Quilting – Golliwog applique quilt (from a class – just has the binding to be finished, but I can’t remember how to do it); cot quilt (my first attempt – I really need to get this finished!!)
  • 1 Goldwork – Goldwork pea (class project)
  • 6 Surface/Wool Embroidery – Summer Fruits pincushion from Inspirations magazine; Hussif by Monica Hunt (class project); Bullion rose facecloth (likely to just unpick and start using it!); Wool hotwater bottle cover (class project); Berry Delightful Bag (class project); Wool beehive needlebook from Inspirations magazine
  • 2 Canvaswork – Frogs in longstitch; Ornamental Delights (Group Correspondence Course through EGA)

19 Apr – Today’s SBQ was suggested Danielle and is:

Are you on “The Wagon?” If so, how long have you been on and how “serious” are you about it? If not, have you considered it?

I’ve been on The Wagon for about a year now – more for financial reasons than anything else.  I’ll occasionally buy something if I truly truly love it, but I haven’t been buying charts for a while now.  Once I complete my 50 Project Challenge, though (if finances permit), I’ll be doing one reasonable sized order … the key thing being “finances permitting”.  I have been buying any threads for charts already in my stash that I can’t find a substitution for.  In the meantime I’ve been really enjoying stitching from my stash and re-discovering the awesome charts I already have 😀

Christmas Ornaments, Cross Stitch, Finishes

Christmas is finally here

Anne S

Well, maybe not Christmas itself, but the Christmas ornie SAL is here anyway … I’ve finally managed to get an ornie stitched up … in fact TWO ornies to make up for lost time (I’m only a week late!). I managed to hit these out in 5 1/2 hours today while listening to an Audible book – I’m tempted to try put the starting stitches into one more, but I’ll see how I feel once I’ve cooked dinner. It was annoying that both of these charts had minor errors in them … which I only found out later, so both ornies had a small amount of frog-stitching hmmmm. 

 
Cardinal Snowflake by The Victoria Sampler
from 2004 JCS Christmas ornie magazine
Stitched on 28ct Kiwi Illusions Jubliee in Alpine Spring (Countrystitch)
using my substitute threads from my stash
(this is such a teeny little ornie – very cute!)


Merry Christmas by Glory Bee
from 2003 JCS Christmas ornie magazine
Stitched on 28ct mystery evenweave
using recommended threads except substituting Crescent Colors Toasted Marshmallow for GAST Porcelain

I managed to trap a nerve in my shoulder blade during the night two nights ago, and I must have aggravated it doing so much stitching yesterday so I had a bad night’s sleep last night thanks to it … perhaps it’ll do me good to have a relaxing night with a break from the needles … but maybe not 😉

Thanks for all your wonderful comments as always – your visits and words are always very much appreciated 🙂

Christmas Ornaments, Cross Stitch, Finishing, Quilting

Finish-along weekend

Anne S

This weekend was the first FAL weekend on the Focus on Finishing blog, and it was a pitiful effort on my part … although the fact that I’ve been at work both days and been home for a sum total of 3 hours all weekend (ie tonight) might have been the key factor in that.  Seeing as I set the date, and supposed to be leading the FAL, I just had to finish ‘something’ before I went to bed tonight!  I managed to finish two Christmas ornaments – one of the first ornies Mum ever stitched for me (Prairie Schooler Santa), and a Lizzie*Kate ornie I stitched early last year some time.  Not the most flash finishing ever, but at least it’s two items out of the to-be-finished/FUFO pile!

  

I also forgot to post a piccie of some goodies that Mum and I picked up while we were out thread-hunting at the LNS’es last week … some gorgeous navy and turquoise fabrics that scream out to be made into part of my proposed quilt (I grabbed every little bit I could find in the remnant bins – Mum and I had the entire contents tipped out going through them, as there was nothing left in a bigger piece on the bolt), as well as some other turquoisey fabrics that just screamed my name.  We also picked up some Altoid tins from the USA Foods shop (both shops in Bentleigh) – there’s actually another red Altoid tin floating around somewhere, but Mum’s pilfered it so she can eat the mints 😉

I’m determined to attempt my first quilt this year, along with dear Isabelle, and these fabrics are one teeny tiny step closer to that goal 😀

Christmas Ornaments, Cross Stitch, Finishes, Stitch-alongs

Christmas Ornie SAL

Anne S

This month I cheated a wee bit – instead of stitching a new ornie from scratch, I pulled out a half-finished one and put the final stitches into it.  I can now say I’ve set a new record for myself for the smallest piece stitched!  The ornie used a Just Nan charm frame, which I didn’t have, so right from the start I thought about stitching the middle part on a separate piece of fabric but using a Nun’s stitch around the sides and attaching it at the end.  Last night I stitched the wee over-one section and did the Nun’s stitch tonight before putting it all together.  Now it’s headed for the finishing pile with the rest of the ornies 🙂 


“A Little Joy” by Just Nan, Inc
from 2002 Just Cross Stitch ornament issue
stitched on 28ct Mushroom Meran, and 32ct Flax Belfast
using recommended threads and beads

Here’s a couple of photos using Mum’s hand as a model, and a packet of Piecemaker needles, to show just how tiny this little centre piece is.  I was originally giving this one away to an online stitching buddy, but I have to say I don’t think I’ll face doing that over-one section again, so I think now I’m going to be keeping this one for myself! 😉

The other stitching news is that I FINALLY finished off my Peace needleroll ornament into a needleroll – but I forgot to take piccies, so I’ll have to do that later.  It’s been pinned together for so long just waiting to have the seam stitched, I’m surprised the pins haven’t gone rusty! LOL.

Nothing else to report, really – I’m partly through my Etui stitching, but not entirely happy with my colour choices, as they seem a lot paler with just a couple of strands … I need to replace my Soie Cristale blue with something a tiny bit deeper, so tomorrow we’re hoping to drop into Bustle & Bows in Surrey Hills to check out their silk selection – ideally I’d like something similar in colour to Needle Necessities 101 floss (or just slightly darker), so fingers crossed we can find something.  It means there’ll be a bit of frogging to do, though, as I’ve almost completed 3 of the little pyramid triangles (apart from the edges, as I’m still waiting for the threads to arrive from Hand Dyed Fibers).  I won’t bother showing you a piccie until I’ve got all the colours to hand and I’ve got at least one piece totally stitched.

Rightio, off back to the TV where I’m pretty sure Mum has just fallen asleep … I think I’m going to have to start taping her favourite TV programmes for her – every night we’ve watched CSI ‘cos she loves it, she’s fallen asleep halfway through!  She’s a worry!!

Christmas Ornaments, Cross Stitch, Finishes, Stitch-alongs

Christmas Ornie SAL

Anne S

I finally put the last stitches into my Christmas ornie for this month’s SAL – I’m sorry to say for my recipient’s sake the bullion stitches aren’t exactly fantastic, but hopefully she won’t look too closely! 😉  I know I had a few of you stumped with the actual design, but I can finally reveal the details … I just have to find something to place in the ‘blank heart’ as I don’t have the button called for, then it’s ready to be officially ‘finished’ and sent off on it’s way … (I’ve removed the recipient’s initials for secrecy’s sake)


Christmas 2000 Sampler by Douglas Designs
from the 2000 JCS Christmas Ornie issue
using recommended threads, on a mystery 28ct linen

I also finally put the finishing touches into an ornie that Mum stitched for me – she just had the french knots left to do, and very kindly left me to do them, as she knows just how much I adore doing french knots! 😉  It’s supposed to have JABC star buttons, but I don’t have any left, and I think it looks just fine without it.  Thanks Mum, it looks just lovely! 😀


Rejoice by Lizzie*Kate
from the 2004 JCS Christmas Ornie issue
using 14ct red aida and recommended threads

Christmas Ornaments, Cross Stitch, Stitch-alongs

CA Wells in Melbourne

Anne S

I sent an email off to the Perth organiser this morning to find out whether any spots are available for the CA Wells classes over there in April … fingers crossed.  (I’d managed to get the wrong contact person previously, so hopefully it’s not too late.)

But there’s also a possibility of her coming to Melbourne for an additional class in April, date to be advised, if there is enough interest.  Georgie is organising this, so if you’re in the area and you’re interested, drop her a quick line and let her know – apparently we need 20 people in total to sign up so it can go ahead, and at this stage there are still a huge 16 spots left to fill.  It would definitely be a wonderful opportunity 🙂

Now, something else I’ve been thinking about for a wee while now … I want to try my hand at Cartonnage … for those of you who’ve never heard of it before, there is one blog that is the ‘ultimate’ reference for Cartonnage … Cartonnage et Compagnie!!  Some of the pieces presented are just magnificent – you definitely have to check out the archives to see some of the amazing projects.  The main thing I personally want to make is something that holds all of my Kreinik metallic threads … something like a bigger version of the teabag holder in this blog here, with little individual compartments.  At the moment I’ve been using my little Ikea drawers, but it’s a pain when you buy a new colour and have to rearrange every single row just to add one little spool into the mix!  Actually what would probably work is to have internal segments inside my longer Ikea drawer, which would allow me to utilise the entire space of the drawer, as well as the flexibility to add new colours as they’re needed (although these days there aren’t that many I still need!), as well as keeping most of my stitching stash in one place.

I’d also love to make a proper teabag holder (a bigger version), as at the moment I’m using my old stitching floss box that I no longer use, and it would be much better for the tea if it was closed in with a lid … perhaps that will be a challenge for 2008! 😉

And if that wasn’t enough, check out this gorgeous sewing caddy … just gorgeous! 😀

And on that note, I’m off to bed!  I still felt a bit squiffy earlier today, but tonight I feel a fair bit better, so I’m hoping to get to work tomorrow … It was supposed to be my weekend off, but I swapped with someone to help them out so they could get the day off, and I’ll be taking Tuesday off instead – just in time to start my overnight shifts yuk!  I didn’t quite get my Christmas ornie finished this weekend for the SAL, but I might try and add a few more stitches into it tomorrow night before the weekend is over …

Christmas Ornaments, Cross Stitch, Exchanges, Finishes

Down, Down Under

Anne S

Well, I managed to arrive safe and sound on the shores of Auckland city at 3am on Monday morning … which was absolutely exhausting seeing as I’d worked a 6am shift on Sunday and hadn’t had any sleep at all since then (as well as working 6 days straight) – unfortunately the plane was late leaving Melbourne, so a late arrival into Auckland. Got into bed at about 4am and managed to get about 4 1/2 hours sleep before an unexpected wakeup call hmmm. Let’s just say I was a bit of a zombie, and to be honest I still feel quite wrecked 3 days later! I’ve slept for 10 hours both the last two nights … fingers crossed I’ll be starting to feel a bit more ‘normal’ again soon …

I haven’t managed to get much done … although my priority has been to parcel up all my XS charts etc, ready for freighting, and I’ve nearly accomplished the mission – still have to go through my books as well … and I think there will be quite a number of charts heading over to Ebay when I get them home. There are LOADS of rip outs from magazines that I know I’ll never stitch in a month of Sundays, so they’ll all be free to a good home for the cost of the postage if anyone wants them …

The rest of my time has been spent trying not to get Dad’s blood on the carpet … to say it’s been “trying” at times would be a serious understatement. I had to jump in the shower last night before I lost my cool at him. I love my Dad ‘cos he’s my Dad, but I don’t always like him very much. I’d forgotten when I come home that usually by the 2nd day here my tension levels are sky high, and my patience levels are very slim. Mum and I went out for dinner in Auckland city last night for her birthday, which was lovely … and much to my Mum’s disgust it was my shout yay. Dad, of course, being the miserable sod that he is, refused to come out with us, even though we chose a steak restaurant that he would have enjoyed. Considering we had a party for his 70th birthday two years ago, Mum had already been warned we weren’t allowed to have one for her … I’ll leave my comments unwritten on that score, but I think it’s pretty poor … but then again, that’s my Dad to a T – very very selfish. Oh well, we still had a good time out, and to be honest it was probably more enjoyable with just the two of us …

As for stitching, I didn’t even get out of my PJ’s on Monday, so did a bit of stitching instead to try to keep my eyelids open … I started Santa’s Stash by Full Circle Designs, as part of the Ornament challenge/SAL on the Welcome Friends BB. But I forgot to pack the Mill Hill beads, and needed to buy some buttons and two of the DMC colours before I could finish it, so Mum and I popped out to Spotlight on Tuesday, and by midnight Tuesday night the final stitches were put into place.

If you were wondering why there are amazing shifts in weather patterns at the moment, you can blame my Mum! At the grand old age of 70 she’s finally decided she wants to learn how to XS haha. So we bought her a little kit of Frangipani (gee whizz, I wonder who chose that?!!), and she managed to put a few stitches in before I got chance to teach her … she’s keen! I bought some aida cloth offcuts over for her to try stitching on, and we’ve been looking for some easy Christmas designs for her to stitch some ornaments – now I’ll have to start hiding my stash from her teehee. She used to do tapestries and she knits, so she’ll be just fine 🙂

Mum’s dial-up connection is absolutely appalling, but I finally managed to get Blogger to upload more piccies – I just have to share these before I get home … these photos are of a scissor fob that Pauline stitched for me as part of the StitchNZ scissor fob exchange, and posted to Mum’s address … it is the most awesomely exquisite fob ever! The colours are just to die for … they are so “ME” … totally stunning! I will always treasure it – thanks so much Pauline 😀


Rightio, I suppose it’s back to the salt mines again … aka “the garage” … groan … Mind you, by the sounds of it, Dad’s already brought more boxes into the lounge for me to sort through – a less than subtle hint! haha. If I manage to find my way out again, I’ll see if I get time to post again – otherwise it won’t be until I get home again. I think I need an entire month to go through all my stuff – I’m starting to wonder how in heck I’m going to get everything done that I’d planned 😦

Hope everyone is having a good week 🙂

Christmas Ornaments, Cross Stitch, Gifts TO BE FIXED

Happy Mail Day!!

Anne S


Just a quick post to say “I got mail” today … I received the first ever stitched item from someone else. I was very lucky to be the recipient of one of Jenna‘s ornaments – the Peace needleroll … I adore it! The blue is gorgeous, and the stitching and finishing beautiful 🙂 I can only apologise for the poor photo I took – my camera just wouldn’t get focused on it properly in the bad light tonight … and I was too impatient to wait until tomorrow to take a photo! It is also the first ever stitched ornament I’ve owned … since my own first efforts still sit unfinished hmmm. And the great thing about this ornament is that it won’t look out of place sitting in my stitching smalls basket, so I can enjoy it year-round. Thanks again, Jenna – you’re a real sweetheart!! :)) I also can’t believe that mine arrived at the same time some of the ones are arriving in the USA – Australia Post rocks! 😉 So tonight it is sitting pride of place on the very front of my little Christmas tree, and it looks lovely :)) Jenna also sent along some threads that she used to stitch a needleroll that she has in her photo album that I fell in love with – yet another very generous gift … the colours are stunning!! I really, really adore them – the Blue Lagoon threads by the Caron Collection are to die for, and the Blue Lavender Waterlilies is truly beautiful 🙂 I can’t wait to stitch with these threads – yummo!!!

Re the carrot saga – I have to admit, Carol (in PA), I actually bought some orange Fimo to try making a carrot nose myself, but then I saw the buttons while I was ordering some opalescent fabric I needed for an ornament exchange I’ve joined – seeing I was ordering the fabric anyway, I figured I might as well pop those into the envelope too. As it is, I’ve got a FOTM order still with Country Stitch, so I’ll probably still order the medium one – but I may have a go and make the Fimo one too and make my decision later. Regardless, it won’t be finished ready for this Christmas, as I’ve decided to make it into a flat-fold finish, and don’t have the time or energy to do that just yet … might as well make use of that Fimo, though 😉

We’re having a ‘Hotline’ breakfast tomorrow – I’m on a 5am shift still, so it will coincide nicely with my lunch break yummo … Eggs Benedict sounds like a wonderful lunch at 9am LOL.

Might have found one thing to buy with my Christmas money – Mum and I were shopping at Camberwell after work today, and popped into the local sewing machine shop for Mum to get a reel of cotton, and I spied some beautiful Klasse scissors in the window … I had a blonde moment earlier in the year and had my beautiful Gingher scissors confiscated at the airport (I forgot I’d taken 2 pairs with me to NZ, and only remembered to put 1 pair into my suitcase, with my good Gingher ones in my carry-on … hmmm, bye-bye scissors!! – pretty blonde thing to do considering I work for an airline haha). So, Mum suggested I buy myself some good scissors again – great idea … I get to buy something related to stitching as well as being practical – and so much prettier than an iron 😉 LOL.

Anyway, off to bed I go … just a quick post, as I’m running late with everything – and it’s almost 8pm, past my bed time yikes!