Monday, December 17, 2012

Not much happening....

Not much happened here over the last couple of days....


Both of my boys were under the weather, and the funk I found myself in, after learning of the events in Newtown, CT didn't put me a very productive mood. As a mother I can't imagine the pain the parents of the slain children are feeling. All I can offer is my prayers.

Like Big Dude I spent a lot of time vegging and a little time stitching. I got my first installment of the Little House Needleworks Santa's Village in the mail about a week ago. I was too late to sign up for the stitching blog that is showcasing people's progress, so I'll just be showing mine here.

After a 3 store search for DMC 321 Christmas Red, I was finally able to start. Here's what I have so far.


Now I am doing this on 28 ct. evenweave. The color is Glass Blue. This is from my fantastically good purchase (75% off) when a local shop cleared out all its cross stitch merchandise. On this larger count, my houses will be about 5 1/4" high by 6 1/4" wide. I'm going to do them side by side on this one piece of evenweave.


Here you can see the area to be stitched rolled up on the right. This piece of linen is about 65" long. I could never have afforded a piece this large if it hadn't been for my good fortune at their clearance sale. At first I thought I would have this framed, and I was going to start saving my pennies dollars now. But after further thinking I hit on what I believe is a great idea.... I'm going to use this long band of cross stitch as the focal band in a another Christmas quilt! It will be a lap/twin size quilt. This band of cute little Santa houses will run width wise and I'm going to do some very simple pieced blocks above and below the stitching in Christmas fabrics. If I keep up with the releases (and I saw on the internet that the next house is ready to go) and I start sewing the pieced blocks in say July, I should have a top together before the next holiday season rolls around. Keep your fingers crossed - oh wait if you do that you can't stitch- never mind!

As for the demon Christmas tree, DH being an engineer, was certain he could make those burnt out lights work. After about 5 hours of labor and some un-Christmas-y language, he gave up and put on extra strings as I had suggested. It looks nice. Just need to finish adding all the ornaments.

So are you ready for Christmas??? If you are I don't want to know. I'm almost done. All the stuff I ordered online better show up in time. The delivery dates I was given should work out fine. There are always a few last minute goodies I pick up but otherwise things are manageable. I don't think there is going to be a lot of crafty stuff finished between now and next Tuesday, but I'm hoping for a dramatic increase in craftiness starting on December 26th.

Happy stitching-
carol fun

8 comments:

  1. Oh, how I have felt like your kitty looks the last few days!
    Love your stitches and love your idea of how to finish them!!!

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  2. Wow, three stores for Christmas red??? That is dedicated :) The stitchery looks lovely so far. I like your idea to use it in a quilt--good planning for next year! The tree woes transferred to your DH, good for you :)

    I am NOT ready for Christmas. It seems I drag my feet longer and longer each year.

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  3. Neat project you've started Carol! Ready for Christmas? Hah! It'll be a race to te finish (as usual) for me anyway!

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  4. Your stitching is nice.
    I like the pattern.

    Have a nice week, Manuela.

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  5. Hey Carol!
    I love the way you are stitching the village. It is going to be fabulous.
    I love the cat pic too, I think many of us are feeling that way.

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  6. Love the stitching. What a great idea to make this into a quilt. It's going to be beautiful.

    Hope your boys are feeling better. There is some really nasty flu going around.

    Hugs to you and big Dude, too...and if I don't get to chat with you before Tuesday....hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas.

    Blessings always

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  7. I love your Santa's village start--
    I have signed up for the Little House Needleworks--Little Sheep virtues through the shop called Beaches--I think that one starts Jan 1st---I will be using Cosmos thread--
    most likely--so we will be good stitchers in the new year together!!!
    Hugs, Di and that miss gracie

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  8. Your Christmas house quilty is a brilliant idea. Can't wait to see it.

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