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.

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.

Farewell Marilyn

Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum, in the garden

Such sad news! I just heard that Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum, the wonderful cross stitcher designer, passed away on August 12th. She was the creator of many beautiful designs. I first became acquainted with her work years ago, the late 1980s, I believe. The stitching group I belonged to decided to have a special meeting night just to stitch the Told In The Garden designs, which are very country-style, Amish inspired designs. We were just crazy about them; I still have a very large collection of the designs. We even called the group Told In The Garden. This is one that I stitched and finished in 1990:

The Quilting

The words, "The Quilting" were designed to be stitched under the quilters, but I decided to leave it out. I think the large, blue quilt has over 3000 stitches, LOL! Marilyn went on to create many other designs, under the Butternut Road, and Lavender and Lace, design names; all beautiful. She was a prolific designer.

Spiritdancer, Butternut Road

 Celtic Banner, Butternut Road

Firefly Fairies, Lavender and Lace

My favorites, though, are the Told In The Garden designs. These designs have a special place in my heart, as does the group I stitched with, and as does Marilyn. 

Farewell Marilyn, stitch away in the stars above.

Tangled in threads,

Mrs. K.