Saturday, December 24, 2011

THE SMELL OF PINE

AWWWW Christmastime - How I love it - the music - the lights - the decorations - the festive occasions - seasonal stitching.

Here is something I have been working on for the past couple of weeks and am really loving how it is coming out. It is Poinsettias and Pines by Blue Ribbon Designs. I changed my fabric to the lovely Sugar and Spice linen from Australia - I ordered it several years ago and I think it is called Marble Crunch. I love how Naomi does her sparkly linen. The threads are Belle Soie as charted except I had to change the white to a pale silvery gray on the snowflakes so they would show up better on this linen.  In the new year I hope to get a real camera so I can take better photos - I am using my IPhone and think they should be better but alas they still look fuzzy and crummy.  My nice Canon digital got stolen when our house got broken into a couple of years ago and I did not ever replace it.  Anyway you get the idea - I am missing one tree there but I will finish it up today.



The other piece I worked on earlier in December was Merry Christmas by BBD from the Joyeaux Noel book.  I am shortening it up a bit from what was charted but I know the wording will fit.  It is on a leftover piece of R&R fabric with the called for Crescent Colors cotton.  It will be a cute pin pillow one day.

I am starting a new project tomorrow on Christmas Day - It will be a fun one instead of a serious repro sampler.  I am starting 6 Fat Men by Lizzie Kate.  I loved the bright colors she used - all overdyes and I am using some long stashed 28ct Antique Cotton linen by R&R - I thought using a larger count linen might make it more whimsical - of course for those who do beautiful over one stitching or on a very fine count - that also has the same wonderful effect to make some things very whimsical.

I'd love to hear what from you if you are starting a new project for Christmas Day or New Years.  Our sampler guild (Azalea) is starting Ann Dale as an SAL for 2012 (and maybe the rest of our lives LOL).  I hope my supplies will be here for a NYE/NYD start but most of our group has been wait listed along with the rest of the country for the vintage pear linen.  I managed to find a piece from Traditional Stitches - Janice is great to deal with - I had ordered the Mystery Sampler and several other things from her in 2011 and was extremely pleased with her customer care.

Well - I thank each and every one of you for visiting my blog this year.  I have new followers but it still vexes me as to why those followers don't show up on my side bar any more.  I see this same thing on others blogs so I know it's not just mine.  Anyway if you are new to my blog - welcome!

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas spent with family and friends and that you find time in the hustle and bustle of the holiday weekend to spend time with your needle.

Merry Christmas ~ ~ ~ 

15 comments:

Joanie said...

Merry Christmas, Mel! I wish you and your family a very blessed Christmas! Love to you!

Beehive Needleworks said...

Dear Melody...Wishing you and your family a splendid Christmas! May your heart and home be blessed with love, laughter, and joy!
Holiday hugs,
Judy ox

krayolakris said...

Merry Christmas! Have a lovely time with your family and enjoy your projects!

Margaret said...

I love all your projects! And your Christmas start -- I think that piece is so cute! I love it! As for Ann Dale -- yikes, she is so big! She is too scary for me. lol! But I might succumb once I see everyone's WIPs online. We shall see!

I hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas!

Laurie in Iowa said...

Merry Christmas! All your projects looks wonderful and you've picked a great Christmas project.
I started my Christmas project today, Emma Miles by The Scarlet Letter.
I think Ann Dale may be just too big for me... I'm taking a wait and see attitude.

Rugs and Pugs said...

Mel ~
You've been working on some wonderful pieces! Your new project sounds FUN!
Merry Christmas to you and all your loved ones.
Hugs :)
Lauren

blue star stitcher said...

Merry Christmas to you!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

I love your WIPS and your new start will be fabulous :) I love my six fat guys, although I only have two of them stitched as yet...
I am starting BBD Anniversaries of the Heart for New Years (fingers crossed). Can't wait to see your Ann Dale, she's a beauty!
Merry, blessed Christmas to you!

Sassafras and Winterberry said...

This week, after I finish a little hooked rug mat, I'm going to try my hand at cross stitch...I hope my eyes can handle it. I just love the samplers and the pin keeps!
Your projects are beautiful!
Merry Christmas!
Courtney

Nancy said...

Beautiful projects, and enjoy stitching your fat snowmen! I look forward to seeing a picture of it.

Merry Christmas!

Laura said...

Merry Christmas Melody!!!!! Love this post with all the stitchy information. Love all your projects. I am working on Joy to the World by PS today. It is on the Songs of the Seasons leaflet. I think that is the name. I just got a gift cert. from my husband to Inspired Needle so as you can imagine my thoughts are all a jumble as to what things I can get!!!

Marjo said...

Oh, I want to start 6 Fat Men...did you get the button pack for it. I love the Poinsettas and pines design as well. Hope your Christmas was awesome.

Siobhán said...

Merry Christmas, Mel! I hope you had a great day. I love your WIPs, and will enjoy watching your progress on 6 Fat Men. I love that design! Ann Dale--gulp. It will be STUNNING!

Karoline said...

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and your wips are looking lovely. Best wishes for 2012

henri said...

. . . a little late but I love your projects, beautiful!
Have a very Happy New Year.