Christmas is coming ...

... and it is never too soon to get some ornaments done. This one is for the EGA Christmas luncheon.

Calorie Free Cupcake

The pattern appeared in the Christmas ornament issue of Just Cross Stitch this year. Unfortunately I decided to stitch this one long after the kits were no longer available. So, silicone cupcake liners were purchased at Walmart, the cute gingerbread people found at JoAnn's and the rest scrounged up from my stash ... STASH IS GOOD!

Ornament Exchange

A couple of friends and I  have stitched Christmas ornaments for each other this year. While I was in South Bend, IN in October we met for lunch and did the exchange. Over the summer I had found the perfect little tree to display them (and hopefully future ones) ... along with a moon ornament that reminds me of paper lanterns we had in Germany when I was a kid.

On the left is my collection of scissors (no, I do not have enough, yet!)

On the wall is a  hanky my great-grandmother crochet the lace on.

Merry Xmas by Prairie Moon

Nothing like power stitching. I had ordered the fabric over the summer but it wasn't till about 2 weeks ago that it finally arrived. Wanting to give this piece to my son for Christmas (AND take it to Indiana myself in 2 weeks) I had to get out the power needles and put other projects aside to get it done.

As usual, I had to adjust the pattern slightly. I used some variegated threads I had in my stash (the DMC colors given in the instructions were too crass) and some stitches are done in glow-in-the dark DMC thread. I added 2013 to the topper and hid my initials in her skirt (only visible in the dark)

I will take the piece unframed and leave with the framer in Mishawaka for Christopher to pick up later ... just not sure if the framer here can get it done in time.

Christmas Ornaments for the Museum

The South Bend EGA chapter members were asked to stitch replacement ornaments to go on the trees they decorate at the Center for History. These are my contributions:

The Magi .... completed

Caspar

Melchior

Balthazar

I really had been dragging my feet lately about finishing this piece ... not exactly sure why. Well, here they are, in all their glory (but without frame, yet). I ended up putting the gold kid glove leather piece on the crown of #1 but stitched a different lid for the box.

Magi 1, part 1

This is too much fun and actually works up pretty fast:

I already "got in trouble" with the teacher as we were not supposed to work ahead - something about little bits from the silks transferring to the light brick work ... so far I have not had any problems with that (knock on wood). For me it was just a matter of timing as I want this piece done by Christmas and other stitchings are in line to be worked on.

The Christmas Stockings

I got them both finished a few months ago and now they are hanging in my living room - they are too nice to hide them all year and only bring them out for Christmas.

David's:

mine:

TGOSM Christmas Ornament Exchange 2009

This year I received an ornament from Lynn, which, incidentally, also is one of my Facebook friends. The pattern came from the 2004 Ornament issue of Just Cross Stitch.

TGOSM Challenge

We were given a small pattern to "do something with". This is what I came up with. I turned mine into a Christmas ornament for our tree, since I totally forgot to make one this year.

Christmas Stockings

I finally finished something again. My stocking had been done for a while, David's has just received the last paillettes. Now I just need to find someone that can turn these pieces into actual socks. If only I knew how to sew more than just a straight line ...

David's Christmas Stocking

The main motif of the stocking is done:

Christmas Biscournu

I found this pattern on the web somewhere (if anyone recognizes it, please let me know who the designer is, I'd like to give proper credit). It perfectly lent itself as a biscournu design. I jazzed it up with some beads and crystals to go on my Christmas tree this year.

Christmas Heart Ornament

Before we know it it will be Christmas - again.

This heart was stitched on 18-count canvas, padded and backed with red felt.