Sinister Craftiness

Christmas in Virginia by Betsy Morgan
2011 exclusive Christmas in July ornament, Swan Sampler Guild
Stitched with Gloriana silks and DMC perle cotton

This pretty needle book was a quick stitch and finish, and will make a lovely year-round stitching accessory.

I’m picking away at a few other Christmas ornaments and trying to finish up the Button-up Birdies series.  Thing Two is impatient with my lack of progress, but now that he’s in kindergarten, he’s not around to nag me — and I can actually make more progress on stitching — so we’ll see how many small and Christmasy things pop up on the blog over the next few weeks.  The empty nest is taking some getting used to, but I’m loving all the extra stitching time.

Button Up Birdies 1, 2, 3
Victoria Sampler Designs by Cathy Jean
Natural linen (30 count)
Stitched with GAST and WDW

Right after the sampler guild class I came down with a bad case of the flu which sent me to bed for quite a while.  I’m wobbling around now, still dealing with a nasty cough, but at least I’m getting my energy back.  I’ve been easing back into things by finishing up the first three sets of Button-Up Birdies, designed by Cathy Jean for Victoria Sampler.

Set 1:  November chickadee and December cardinal

Set 2:  January tree sparrow and February whiskey Jack

Set 3:  March house finch and April robin

Thing Two is thrilled to have these finished, and he’d really like me to begin working on set 4 (bluebird and goldfinch), which arrived in the mail this week.  However, I’m hoping to escape from the birdie sweatshop for a while to finish up my class piece and Hardanger exchange, and catch up on several other neglected projects.  Although some fruit juice and a nap is sounding pretty good right now, too …

Christmas Robin, Victoria Sampler Designs by Cathy Jean
Just Cross Stitch 2010 Christmas Ornament issue
Natural linen (30 count)
Stitched with GAST and WDW

Between the Crazy January Challenge, other WIPs, and other projects I’m hoping to tackle, I wasn’t planning on making time to stitch ornaments this year.  However, my little stash enabler (Thing Two, age five) can be very persuasive.  He’s been an avid birdwatcher for a few years now, and can identify many of our native birds.  He also loves to decorate the tree at Christmas time.   (Guess where this is heading.)  Unfortunately, the little guy has been sick all week with a bad cold, so I thought making one of the “Button-Up Birdies” from Victoria Sampler would cheer him up.

Here’s Thing Two showing off his new Christmas ornament.  Yes, he’s wearing two hoodies.

This Christmas Robin isn’t part of the series; the chart was published separately in last year’s JCS ornament issue, but I’m adding it to the button-up flock.  Now Thing Two is eager to see the rest of the birds stitched up, and is looking forward to the next birds in the series.  They stitch up quickly, so I think this charming series is a doable addition to this year’s projects.

Thing Two quickly identified all the birds in the first three charts (and the sneak peek at chart #4 featured in the Victoria Sampler newsletter) save one:  February’s Whiskey Jack.  Victoria Sampler is a local designer, so we guessed that this must be some sort of native bird to our region, but we couldn’t find it in our field guide.  A little further research revealed that Whiskey Jack is another name for the Gray Jay, a bird we’ve seen in the mountains.

And now Thing Two has stopped by the computer to ask “Why haven’t you started stitching the cardinal yet?” so that’s my cue to get going.

Another Crazy January Challenge finish:  the Shepherd’s Purse by Shepherd’s Bush.   This is a beautiful little purse with a few rows of specialty stitches to keep it interesting, and it finishes up very quickly.

The purse is folded in thirds, and the ribbon ties around the flower button to hold the purse shut.  Lining fabric isn’t included in the kit, but this pattern from Moda’s A Morris Tapestry was a lucky find on the remnant table at the fabric store.  I’ll have to look for more A Morris Tapestry fabric; the small scale designs and color palette are perfect for finishing stitching projects, especially Shepherd’s Bush.

While I was working on the purse, the mail brought the new companion to the Take Joy box top I stitched during the holidays.

Warm Heart by Shepherd’s Bush
Dove WDW linen (30 count)
Stitched with WDW and Threadgatherer Silk ‘N Colors

Warm Heart is just beginning to be available in shops and can also be purchased directly from Shepherd’s Bush.  It’s matched with an antiqued white box (purchased separately) and the pair will make a nice set on my mantle next Christmas.

Souvenir of Paris by Blackbird Designs
St. Valentine’s Blend R&R linen (30 count)
Stitched with GAST and WDW

This pretty little stocking ornament comes from Blackbird Designs’ project book Joyeux Noël which was published in 2009.  I stitched this for Thing One to commemorate his school trip to France this year.  Around the Eiffel Tower, key chains are a ubiquitous cheap souvenir; Thing One negotiated a vendor down to €1 for five key chains, so he brought home enough little Eiffel Towers for everybody and then some.

Take Joy by Shepherd’s Bush
Parchment linen (30 count)
Stitched with Soie d’Alger and hand-dyed silk

The goal is to be good and wait for my LNS to receive the latest Shepherd’s Bush holiday smalls, but I wanted to be sure I got one of these boxes, so I ordered it directly from Shepherd’s Bush.   Thing Two was fascinated with the idea that the box lid could be taken apart to put stitching inside, and is of the opinion that we need more such boxes.   I’m also working on a few older SB Christmas designs, but haven’t chosen a way to finish them yet.

Have a great week!

Christmas Sheep pocket by Just Nan
Country Blue Cashel linen (28 count)
Stitched with DMC, GAST and Gentle Art Simply Wool

What can I say … I’m a great fan of limited edition stitching projects and of Just Nan designs, so when the two combine, I can’t resist.  This little pocket from Just Nan is just adorable, as most of her creations are.   Not only is it cute, it stitches up and finishes quickly.  A mini candy cane, thread winder, or gift card would fit inside – it’s quite small.

My linen turned out to be a more grey-blue than shown on the package, which I like (it looks like the  overcast winter skies around here), but if you’re expecting a brighter blue, be warned.

Christmas Sheep is very limited, so why not treat yourself to an early little stocking stuffer or gift pocket for the holidays?

Over the Top/In the Tin 2009 series:  Glow by Just Nan
Opal Sparkling Promise Cashel linen (28ct)
Stitched with DMC and Kreinik #4 braid

First finish of the new year!  Glow rhymes with the rest of the year’s tins, but this tin top and humbug are all about sparkle, from the linen to the metallic braid, and the beads and charms.  Like the fireworks on New Year’s Eve, this is a dazzling end to a very enjoyable series of small projects.

2008 Santa Ornament by Homespun Elegance
Vintage Exemplar Lakeside linen (28ct)
Stitched with DMC, Crescent Colours, WDW, RG Wisper

What stitcher doesn’t need this ornament on the tree?  I think this is the last piece I’ll be able to stitch up before Christmas, despite Thing Two’s long to-do list.  He would like to see this year’s Homespun Elegance ornament all stitched up, and a few more Shepherd’s Bush needle rolls.  But until Santa brings me more time to stitch, I don’t see it happening.

Wishing the best to all my stitching friends this holiday season!

2000 Years Ago and In A Stable by Shepherd’s Bush
Vintage Country Mocha Belfast linen (32ct)
Stitched with GAST, WDW, DMC

Thing Two, my stitching helper, loves the simple verses on these Shepherd’s Bush pieces.  He calls them “Christmas stitching stories”.

The framer finished these over the weekend, just in time to put on the mantlepiece by the Christmas tree.  The Jill Rensel mats are beautiful; they make these little stitched pieces into very special holiday decorations.

A star shone with heavenly light
Shepherds gazed with awed delight
Wise men came with hearts alight
The Christ Child was born that night

Holy Night by Shepherd’s Bush
Summer Khaki Cork linen (19ct)
Stitched with Crescent Colours, GAST, WDW, RG Petite Alpaca

While waiting for the others to return, this was a fun piece to stitch up for Christmas.  Currently saving up for its special Rensel mat, to be framed some time next year and displayed for Christmas 2010.

I’d also like to work on three other large “showpiece” Christmas projects next year:  Theresa Wentzler’s Holly and the Ivy, and Victoria Sampler’s Heirloom Nativity and Carol Singers samplers.  I’d be happy if I could get any one of these done.