A Stitch For Christmas

Majestic Bird

Design by Sandra Sullivan, Homespun Elegance

Just CrossStitch 2013 Christmas Ornament issue

Working on a little stitch from Homespun Elegance. Will I keep it or give it away as a gift? Such is my dilemma. 

While Sandra's suggested linen is 30 count espresso from R & R Reproductions, I decided to use what I have on hand; it is either 28 or 32 count linen in sand, not sure about the count, but I love this linen, the color is very vintage-looking. I also decided to use DMC floss instead of over-dyed: DMC 500 for the green, and DMC 355 for the old red. Sandra suggested DMC 356, but it looked washed out on my linen and I love 355 for an old red. I am leaving off the word "Noel" under the linen in case the recipient, whomever that may be, wants to keep it out all year.

I found a very nice advent calendar this year at the local Fresh Market. Utterly Victorian and each little window opens to reveal a delicious little chocolate coin which Mr. K. and I share. Beneath the coin is a tiny image. I took this photo on December 1st. I have to have an advent calendar every year, but this is the first year in many that I obtained one with the chocolates. I take a bite and Mr. K. gets the other half. Yes, chocolate before breakfast!

The decorating is almost done, but the gift-making is in full swing. Time to put down my needle and head off into the arms of Morpheus! There is so much to do tomorrow.

Oh, by the way, the stone sitting pretty on my linen is called spiderweb jasper. Isn't it beautiful? And so appropriate for a stitcher.

Tangled in threads and stitching madly,

Mrs. K.

Happy October!

Autumn

The morns are meeker than they were,

The nuts are getting brown;

The berry's cheek is plumper,

The rose is out of town.

The maple wears a gayer scarf,

The field a scarlet gown.

Lest I should be old-fashioned,

I'll put a trinket on.

Emily Dickinson

(1830 - 1886)

Finally... October is here and all the wonderful feelings and things that go along with it. Apple cake and a crackling fire; making pomanders and Halloween crafts; and lots more lovely autumn goodies. I do love this time of year!

I am beginning a Halloween project, stitching what reminds me of an advent calendar, but for Halloween, by The Primitive Hare. I have a little design to stitch each day - 31 in total. They are small designs so I think I can do this and have each one completed at day's end. Of course there is the border, but I'll do what I can and enjoy it. The Primitive Hare has a blog here and an Etsy shop, where designs can be purchased (in PDF format - instant gratification!) here . I love this designer's work, it is a real favorite. She offers a few little freebie charts at her blog as well. Isn't this wonderful?!?!?! I shall post a few photos as I go.

Time for breakfast, a little cleaning, then an afternoon of stitching!

Deliciously yours and tangles in threads,

Mrs. K.

Loving September!

It's that time again, September! I love autumn even though I live in a place without much seasonal change; it is in my home that I make sure everything shouts autumn. I decorate with that theme in mind and I am cooking up our favorite fall recipes, like Fresh Apple Cake from my old Fanny Farmer Baking book, and Apple Cider Beef Stew.

Once again, it is time to make apple butter, so that's what I will be up to in the upcoming two weeks. My home will smell luscious. I also need to make more pomanders, another item on my agenda that will scent my home. I am heaping my fall pot pourri into my large pottery bowl, as well as some smaller bowls to scatter about the house. Fun, fun!!!

I found what looks like a luscious cookie recipe at this blog, Fill The Cookie Jar. Frosted Apple Oatmeal Cookies sounds yummy and very autumn; I'll be whipping up a batch later today. I also found a recipe for a quick pumpkin cake on Facebook. I don't generally use boxed cake mixes, but this sounds so quick and easy, and yummy too, I think I'll try it. Sounds like it could be whipped up while dinner is in the oven and baked while eating. You can find the recipe here, at Big Red Kitchen. There are plenty of comments with suggestions for variations on this recipe. I guess this goes on my agenda too.

Of course I'm stitching away on some Halloween designs, as well as a Goode Huswife design. I have a few more small Halloween designs I hope to get done in time for the holiday; if not, well there's next year!

I hope you're enjoying September where ever you are.

Deliciously tangled in threads and apple parings,
Mrs. K.

Stitching Ornaments

To be honest, by this time of my life, after years of collecting and stitching, I have enough ornaments and more! However... that doesn't stop me from stitching new ones or, at least one new one every year. I have a stash of ornament designs to choose from and now.... The Stitcher's Village, click here, will have a free ornament each day until December 1st. This began yesterday, so there are two ornaments so far.

Yesterday's ornament, Colorful Christmas Trees is from Rosewood Manor, a designer who's work I really like. It is very pretty and looks like a quick stitch. Today's design is by Moonflower Designs, Linked Hearts. She stitched it on silver perforated paper and the colors do not appeal to me at all, but stitched on linen in either one color, or some others, it has potential. I prefer more primitive and traditional designs, so other's milage may vary.

If you sign up for the newsletter, you will have access to the designs. Who can't use free designs? Many thanks to the designers for donating their design freebies and Stitcher's Village for hosting this ornament design give-away!!!!

Now... back to my holiday cleaning marathon, tearing apart our little condo and scrubbing it down within an inch of its life!!!

Tangles in threads and dustballs,
Mrs. K.

Leaf Bowl

I thought this was really nice when I saw the photo on Facebook. There is a great tutorial and the bowl is easy to make. Thought I'd share, so take a look!

http://www.hellolucky.com/wordpress/2012/10/25/diy-autumn-leaf-bowls/

Tangled in threads, at the moment!

Mrs. K.