I LOVE looking at all the pretty snow photos on Facebook and blogs, watching Hallmark movies and dreaming of spending Christmas in the snow, riding in a horse drawn sleigh. Oh my - sitting by a fire and having a hot beverage - all stuff of dreams.
Considering it's 80+ degrees here in the deep south - that is simply all it is "a dream" ! I don't want to sound bitter but I really do wish it was at least cold or cool enough to wear one of my hand knit shawls. Oh well - one thing is for sure - I can't change the weather so on to a few finishes of late.
This is part of a club series with The Needlepointer in Wa. - it is Hats , Bats and Boots by Pippin Studios. They are quick and fun to stitch but the finishing OIY!!!!!! It took me about 8 hrs to finish up this little beast. It is nothing fancy for sure but I am proud of the way it came out. It has a pre-made silver beaded border that was ticky to apply. anyway -it's a FFO !
Here is the back !
Next is another Pippin club piece with The Needlepointer. Fanciful Forest was from a couple of years ago - at this rate one tree a year I'll be done in 2025 LOL ! I have really enjoyed all the clubs I have done with the Needlepointer. They have used some new to me threads and the stitch guides are simple but interesting enough. I've already started another one - much taller than this one!
This is DF Ruth C who picked my exchange gift in our duClay EGA Chapter exchange. I'm pretty proud of the BBD Sewing Bird. It was expertly finished by
The Twisted Stitcher Finishing Service.
Vonna did an excellent job finishing this exactly like I wanted it done. I hope Ruth will enjoy it for many years to come.
This is my mom's exchange gift to Carol P. It is a With Thy Needle piece called Tulip Fantasy. Again another fine finish by Vonna. She did a flat fold stand up on this one - just perfect and I know Carol will enjoy using it - she does gorgeous work and truly has a "stitchers home". Funny thing - I drew Carol's piece for my exchange - shoot ! I should have taken a photo of it. If you are on Facebook - you can search for the duClay FB page and look up all our beautiful work that was displayed at our Christmas luncheon.
.Just so my hooking friends don't think I have given it up or forgotten how to hook - here is a WIP shot of a dear UFO I have neglected to finish year after year. I really love working on seasonal projects in the season. Once Christmas is over - well ............ this rug gets rolled up and put in the old red cupboard. It is an adaptation of two WithThyNeedle charts in case you want to know. The color plan was done by my DF Dianne Kelly of the Woolen Cottage in Ohio. It is mostly in a 6 cut.
Maybe next Christmas I can show you a finish !
I always get excited about hooking this time of the year. One reason is our local rug hooking camp opportunity is in early January. Of course I'm going ! It will be my 19th consecutive year of attending this camp. Of course I am starting a new rug - you'll just have to wait and see next month what I've chosen.
My last finishes of the year are two shawls - the limited edition Christmas colorway was started two years ago on a trip to Gatlinburg. After the holiday season was over - I put the project away. I enjoy working on seasonal things - in the season. I found it when I was plundering for something else and thought - WOW - this thing could be finished and worn this year if I put those turbo needles to work. Which I did ! We had one stinkin day last week that I was attending a work Christmas function and it was cool enough to wear it. ONE DAY ! it's really pretty - for the interested knitters - it's Blue Moon - a special colorway called Peppermint Stick Forest. The pattern is Fractal Danger by Martina Behm a German designer.
This lovely shawl belongs to my mom. She saw it in a shop a couple of years ago and asked me if I could make it for her. I said of course I can. She picked out her own yarn with a little guidance from me. Baah La Jolla is the brand and type. Pattern Valley Breeze. I hope it gets cool enough this year to wear it - it's quite large but I think turned out really well.
Well my friends - I hope each and every one of you has the brightest of holiday seasons and no matter what holidays you celebrate - I hope they are the loveliest ever. I will wish you all a Merry Christmas because that's what we celebrate, the birth of Jesus Christ our Savior. I enjoy hearing your comments - If I don't get to come back before New Years - hope you have a happy one. Are you starting a new project on NYE? that's a tradition with many stitchers. Of course I am - I'd love to hear what you are doing. Cheers Mel
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