First and Last Finishes

 On our play day in November, my sister and I made fused collages.  I took one of my pieces and traced large initials onto it and stitched around them for gift tags.  The wonky label shape was done freehand in a bit of empty space. I think they were fun.  Everyone got one.  (the M is mine)

 I took the other collage and cut it into four, backed it, and made fabric postcards.  These were my last finishes in 2014.

And, ta daa!, my first finish for 2015.  I had completed the embroidery, but I finally finish-finished it over the New Year's weekend.  I feel quite ahead of the game, ready for next year.

Family Christmas

 We had our family Christmas gathering on New Year's Eve day.  We missed Pat, who was under the weather, but everyone else made it.  I didn't take pretty pictures of the feast before we demolished it.  It was great, as usual.

 My sister's living room is sunny and bright.

 

 Getting things ready.

 Pffffttt.

 Stockings come first.  It's out of focus, but things move fast once the gifts begin appearing.

 My sister gave me this lovely pendant. It goes perfectly with the navy dress that was my gift from everyone.

She also gave me this awesome quilled tiny tea set.  I'm in awe of the maker. 

I was the lucky recipient of a lot of cool things, including a hand-knit mobius cowl (which I haven't photographed yet because I've been wearing it), spices, and other goodies. 

Post Holiday Shopping

I hope your holidays were as good as mine. I took a short break from work over New Year's and it was just wonderful. We had a great family gathering (more on that later) and I did lots of stitching.

Now that the New Year is here, Chicago is in the deep freeze. Brrrr! it's cold. Today is sunny, though, which helps when it's 0 out.  The Chicago weather pattern I grew up with (very cold + sunny bright or a bit warmer + snowy/gloomy) seems to be making a comeback. 

The big news from the family gathering is that I'm going to be a great aunt next summer. Woo-hoo!  

Since I had a day off work, I thought it was a good excuse to visit Country Cupboard. I haven't been able to visit there for years because they're up stairs, above an antiques shop in old Orland.  I found the kit on the left (on sale) to stitch up for the baby.  The bib on the right was also on sale, at Jo-Ann's. 

Check out their website--and if you haven't been there in a while, they have new hours.  They also have open stitch gatherings on Tuesdays (5 to 7:30 p.m.) and Wednesdays (10 a.m. to noon).

Country Cupboard is having some good sales right now. These two Shepherd's Bush kits were on sale. Now they're in my UFO pile.

Along with this one that I knew would appeal to hubby.  I got some silks to stitch with, but found fabric and more threads in my stash.

And a last add to the UFO pile.  I really loved this design and it was on sale.  Twist my arm.

I think I was overly ambitious with all the new projects, but I had a blast so I don't regret it. I'm still working on a holiday project that's taking me longer than I'd hoped.  I really like how it's coming out, but won't show it until it's been finished, sent, received, and opened. 

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.