A place to document my cross stitch projects. No one ever shows the back of their work, they only show the front - I'll show both. You won't hear much about my family or personal stuff in my life. This is about cross stitching and every once in awhile, some other craft project I happen to do.
Merry Christmas to you and your families. Thanks for stopping by and taking a look. Thanks for indulging me while I show off other things I create. While cross stitching is my first love, I really like trying new things in the crafting world and seeing where it takes me.
I hope you have a wonderful holiday, full of love and laughter. I'm on vacation until the beginning of the new year and just maybe I'll have some time to create a little more.
Every year we get a live 7' tree that is placed in the front window of our living room. This year, I just haven't been able to find the energy to go get a tree, put the lights on, and then get all the ornaments out of our garage. I just don't like it when Thanksgiving is so late. It throws me off balance.
I was in Target last week and saw a 4-1/2' pre-lit artificial tree, on sale. I knew I could work with that. Over the past few years, I've folded a lot of origami. I realized that for the last two years I've always had a separate origami tree to show off things I've made. Well, this year, the family tree is smaller, not in the front window but sitting in a corner, and it is completely covered with handmade origami ornaments. I love it. The stress of getting the bigger tree ready has now left me and I'm happy with our little, charming tree.
Also, I never realized that if you stick your tree in a corner, you don't have to decorate the back!
Happy Holidays!
Monday, December 2, 2013
2013 Ornament Swap
Ornament swaps were hard to come by this year. I did find one on swap-bot and since everyone had to have a high rating to participate, I thought I would join in. It was a simple ornament, using all of my old stash. Unfortunately I can't remember which book I pulled the pattern from. Oh well! I think I have as much fun packaging them as I do making them.
I decided to pick up another crafting skill. I learned the basics of crochet when I was a child, but never really did anything with it. When my son wants me to watch something on TV with him, I do not have the ability to just sit there and watch. I have to be doing something. I don't like doing cross stitch while watching TV since I need my magnifier which is mounted on my desk, and I can't cross stitch without it any longer! I needed something to do that I didn't have to concentrate on very much, and I started noticing a trend in crocheted blankets using color blocks. I loved the look.
To make this short story longer, my son is the last grandchild in the family. He's number 16 (I have three older brothers that produced 15 kids between them). A fun fact is that these original 16 grandkids range in age from the youngest, my son, at 12, to the oldest, who is 42! From those 15 grandkids (my nieces and nephews), they have now produced (I think) 29 great-grandkids (I keep losing track)!
Well, there is always another baby being born in the family, so I decided to try crocheting again by making simple, single crochet, color block afghans. Each color block is exactly one skein of yarn. So simple to make. I've now made four, and the blue one was sent to the latest great grandchild just a few weeks ago.
So, without further ado, here is my latest stitching.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
September 12, 1993
That's the day I married my best friend. We dated for 5 years prior to getting married, so I've been with my husband for 25 years at this point. Today is our 20th wedding anniversary and, if given the choice, I would marry him all over again. We've been through a lot together; happy, sad, funny, mad, unforgettable and silly.
We thought we would never be able to have kids, tried for 5 years, nothing seemed to be wrong, just seemed to be bad timing or just not meant to be. We stopped thinking about it after Year 2. No biggie, we would travel the world, just the two of us. We couldn't imagine any better company than just the two of us.
In January 2001, I took a pregnancy test, then off to the doctor who did an ultrasound...yep, 2 1/2 months pregnant and I didn't even know it. Our son was born on September 7, 2001. Now, we can't imagine our life without him.
It appears that September is a good month for us as a couple, and, as a family.
Life is good.
I have never done any cross stitch with my husband in mind. It's always been for me or for a special friend or family member. There is a song by Death Cab for Cutie entitled, "I Will Follow You Into The Dark." The song is a love song, but it's sad. And the initial sentiment actually makes me smile because I always think, if my husband asked me to follow him somewhere, scary or unknown, my response would always be to him, "I will follow you into the dark."
With this in mind, here is my husband's anniversary present.
I stitched this with glow-in-the-dark thread. It's really cool with the lights off but I'm having a hard time getting a picture of it!
While I do have some stitching lined up to start working on, I'm currently playing with paper. My latest obsession is Polish Stars. I just love them and when they come together, it's Magic! Here's some of my latest creations.
Aren't internet friends the best? I've met a couple of people on-line and I've actually gotten to know them a bit. One of the best things is how generous they are. Look what Chris from Tot Hill Farm Stitches sent me.
She does great work! It's a great ornament and it's all one over stitching. I'm always impressed with that since I don't have as much patience with it, but it's a joy to behold! The funny thing is, I sent her this year's origami ornament and I swear these ornaments waved at each other at the post office - great minds think alike! Thanks so much, Chris!
Here is the haul from all my ornament exchanges this year. Every year, crafters impress me with their imagination and skills. This photo does not do them justice. Each one is amazing!
Last year, my origami tree was a 2 foot tall feather tree with miniature ornaments. Some of my origami ornaments this year are much bigger and looked rather silly on a 2 foot tall tree. I decided to "branch" out this year, and I'm really pleased with the results. I've even got some extra ornaments boxed up and ready to be given out to any unexpected friends that might drop by.
Here's a close up of the inside of the vase. It looks like cranes are falling and settling at the bottom. Love!
I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday! I hope you are all surrounded by those you love and those that love you. When the daily news weighs heavy on my heart, I count the reasons why life is a celebration. Everyday is a gift.
