Winter Bird

 

I picked up my framed bird this morning from my local framing shop.  I hung him in my kitchen above my sink.  I also noticed, as soon as I was about to pay for it, that I had messed up on the tail feathers.  Looks like I forgot to skip a line.  *sigh*  It was only after I started doing cross stitching that I realized I could not count!  I must have missed that day at school!!  Oh well, I love my quirky little bird.  He will be fine for the winter months and he still makes me smile when I look at him.  

Lady Bug Kitchen Timer

When I got home today, my swap had arrived from Linda.  You know, good things comes in small boxes and this was a beautiful box!!  I wonder how she knew I have a weakness for pretty boxes?!!

This is what I saw when I opened the box.  Cute wrapping paper - right?  I need to find a way to reuse it!

 

When I opened it, I saw the cutest little kitchen timer ever!   I love ladybugs.  I believe they are considered good luck in China.  

 Thank you Linda!  I love her!!

Ornament #7 - Silent Night

Design:  Silent Night

Designer:  Heidi at All My Scattering Moments

Another ornament finished!  This one is Silent Night by Heidi.  I hope it is OK with Heidi that I changed the colors of Silent Night and added a cross to the little church.  This little church reminds me of some many of the little country churches around here.  I just love this ornament.  My goal is to make at least 12 ornaments this year, this is number seven so I am well on my way.  Let me know what you think of the ornaments!  I always enjoy reading your comments.  Thanks for looking!!

Ornament #6 - Goodwill to Men

 

Design:  Goodwill to Men

Designer:  Heidi at All My Scattering Moments

I finished another great freebie from Heidi at her old site Needle Necessities, Click here for this pattern.  Heidi's pattern called for a red bead but I used french knots instead.  I have really enjoyed stitching these ornaments.  When I start back to work tomorrow, I won't have as much time which makes me sad.  But, I am thankful for the time I did have this past week.  It was great!!

Ornament #5 - Warm Hands & Heart

 

Another design from Heidi.  You can find this sweet chart here.   I may just leave this one out until winter is over.  I found this material in my mother's stash which makes it very dear to me.  Thank you Heidi for this sweet design. 

I have more of Heidi's design to finish.  I have them stitched and just need to decide how to finish.  I hope you come back soon!

Ornament #4 - Peace on Earth

 

I stitched and finished another ornament from Heidi's free ornament designs.  This one is part of two offered in April 2009.  You can click here for the pattern. Thanks Heidi for the pattern!!

Ornament #3 - Candy Canes

 

Design - Candy Canes

Designer - Heidi

I decided to stitch this sweet little ornament this afternoon and I had one problem after another.  Ever had a day like that?  First, the candy canes should be red and white but the white did not show up on my cloth.  So, I had to improvise.  I like Heidi's original design much better but this will work.  Now I just noticed that I did not put the year on there.  *sigh*  My sewing machine didn't want to stitch and kept clogging up in the bobbin.  It was just one of those days!  So, please don't judge Heidi's creative endeavors by my poor stitching!  She is very talented and I can't wait to stitch all of her Christmas designs!

What I am working on...

 

I thought I would take a picture of what I am working on today.  I took this picture this morning and have finished the stitching.   I need to decide how I want to finish it.  

Ornament #2 - NOEL

 

Design:  NOEL

Designed By: Sandra Longan Miller

This is a freebie offered by Sandy on her site, Stitchin' and Life in a Small Town.  I just love her designs.  She has another one, Merry Christmas, that I would like to stitch as well.  I changed the colors she had listed because I used what I had on hand.  This just goes to show that a great design will hold up to a variety of color schemes.  Thank you Sandy for offering this to us!

Felt Monogrammed Ornaments

My goal this year to make more ornaments. These are the first ornaments that I have made for 2011. They are monogrammed felt ornaments. I think they are cute. I used black and red for Nikolai since those are the colors for Univ of Ga (his favorite college.) Deniska's is in orange and white (for Clemson Univ.) and mine and Dennis' are just in Christmas colors.

Click here for the tutorial. The only change I made from the tutorial is that I printed out my letters and traced them onto freezer paper. Then I cut them out of freezer paper and ironed them on to the felt so I could cut them from the felt. I did not have a marking pen. This method worked well for me.

I also made a "C" for our last name. These are very easy and quick. I might even make these for my annual ornament exchange for next year!