Christmas Break

 I'm stitching some, and planning a lot, but I can't show what I'm doing until the new year. Our Family gathering is December 31.

 In the meantime, I'd like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas!

Best wishes for

 a wonderful

 happy and healthy

and safe New Year!

Christmas Spirit

 Last weekend was full of holiday spirit!  I was stitching these Bargello stockings: Star in the Meadow by Patricia Mazu, an ANG web special project from a while back. Stitched in luscious silks.  I should have time to finish it soon--I've gotten the fabrics out and ready to go.

Clown tree by local organization

 On Saturday we went to the nearby Indiana Welcome Center in Highland. They have a special Christmas Story exhibit. It was INSANE!

Saturday was a special day with a food vendor (smelled great!), rides for kids around the parking lot in a special Santa train, a replica of the visit to Santa from the Christmas Story movie, where the kids climbed up to see Santa and then slid down on a slide.  There were projects for the kids to make and Movies and events in the theater. Long lines snaking everywhere. Oh, and the display windows from Christmas Story from Fields/Macys. 

Lithuanian tree

It was full of great spirit and we enjoyed looking at the tree displays that were throughout the center. 

Polish tree

 If you'd prefer fewer people, I'd suggest going on a weekday. I didn't mind the crowds, but we didn't stay long, either.  Everyone was in good spirits and well behaved.  Although there a few screamers when they were placed on Santa's lap for the required photos. 

Antique toys from a local shop

 After the Welcome Center we drove over to Munster, to the Center for Visual and Performing Arts.  Once again full of happy kids--a children's play had just let out and we peeked in at small ones posing for pictures with Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eyore and the rest.  

The lobby was filled with trees decorated by local groups and businesses, much like the ones at the Welcome Center.  After viewing in the trees, we went into the main gallery and viewed a special exhibit of the art of here and here for examples.

It was a thought provoking exhibit. A bit sad--I think her life was not happy.  Intense and interesting. The works on display were not originals--her husband's will prohibited them leaving Mexico.  The copies were carefully made to match color, materials, technique, and spirit. The artwork is complemented by replicas of her clothing and jewelry.  I'm glad we went.

 I went back home to work on more stockings. Another needlepoint, changing the order of the colors.

And I've stitched two more "One More Stitch" stockings from Just Cross Stitch's ornament issue.  They're with the backing and lining fabrics, ready to be finished.  

I'm on a stocking kick this year, it seems. 

Thimble Pips

I recently needed some gifts for friends and decided to make "thimble pips."  They're small containers, usually to hold a thimble.  I made these a bit larger so my fellow Japanese Embroidery friends can use them to hold some of the screws and washers from our stands.

I noticed Clover has kits with precut plastics in a few sizes, but I didn't have time to find them. I had some quilting template plastic that I cut into the circle sections needed. And I had some left over very heavy Pellon stiffener that I used used for the rest of the circle sections. 

Circle Sections?  This piece is made with three stiff "almond" shapes--You sew them together, leaving one side completely open. When you squeeze the ends, the pip (after an apple seed) opens and you can put small items inside.

To get your shape, you draw two overlapping circles.  The yellow shape is the shape of the pip pieces.  

I actually used six--three for the outside layer and three inside.  So I laced my fabrics over each of the stiff shapes. Then I stitched them in pairs, with the right sides out. I used the softer Pellon on the outer side, and the thinner plastic for the lining piece. Then, last, I stitched two of the sides together with an overcast stitch to make the pip.  They don't take long at all.

Remind you of the old rubber coin purses?  Same principle.

Here's how they open.

Holiday Party!

 It's been so long that I'm loosing track of what I've been doing. Things are busy!  On December 2 my EGA chapter Needle Artisans had their Chirstmas Party and also celebrated our Twentieth Anniversary!  Charter members received lovely handmade cards as a gift.  This is mine. 

I participated in the ornament exchange and received this lovely Owl. Thanks, Southpaw Stitcher!  

 

We just love the owl! 

Here's the ornament I stitched for the exchange: Susan Johnson's Ice Crystal Ornament.  She recently posted the free pattern on Facebook.