Jingle Bells (#130)

Pattern #130
201 Cross-Stitch Christmas Designs
by Kooler Design Studio

I stitched this piece for my Friend From Work for Christmas, 2008. It was stitched on 14 count white Aida by Charles Craft.

Fantasy sampler

I worked on it at lunch again yesterday and today. You still can't tell much difference between what I'd already had done when I pulled the project out of my stash and today. I've stopped working on the pegasus and switched to stitching on the leafy inner border.

To prove it, here is the BEFORE picture . . .


. . . and here is the AFTER picture.


Not much difference, huh? Here's a slightly better picture of the section I've actually worked on.


When I started this project all those many, many years ago, I was still basically a cross stitch virgin. I didn't know about separating the threads and letting them twist out. I didn't know about railroading. And I certainly didn't pay much attention to tension. Looking at what I'd done before putting the sampler away, I can see all sorts of mistakes I don't make today.

Oh, well. Despite how much I hate working on jobelin, the project is too far along to just discard. It may take me another ten years to finish, but, by golly, one of these days I will.

Fantasy sampler update

I remember why I stopped working on this sampler. I hate stitching on jobelin. But, I have persisted and stitched a bit every night so I am happy to report the lion in the upper right corner is done and the pegasus in the upper left corner has been begun.





And for once, neither Heru nor Mouse had any interest in helping me either cross stitch or knit. They were busy looking out the window and ignoring me.

Fantasy Sampler

Fantasy Sampler
Dreamscape Leaflet #97
Teresa Wentzler, Designer

This is a project I started more than 11 years ago. Between one thing and another, I haven't touched it in six or seven years. I've decided to dig it out and finish it. I'll post periodic WIP pictures as I struggle along. It's being worked on a 28 count white jobelin.

I'll be trading between this and knitting the scarf for the time being. I've done so much knitting the carpal tunnel is setting in in my right hand so I need to take a little break.

First chickadee

First Chickadee
Christmas Traditions
Stoney Creek Collection, Book 28


I stitched this ornament for my best friend for Christmas, 2005. It was done on 14 count white Aida by Charles Craft.

Polar bear

Polar Bear
Lots of Christmas
35 Designs By Carol Emmer
Leisure Arts Leaflet 894


I stitched this ornament for my granddaughter for Christmas, 2005. It was done on 14 count white Aida by Charles Craft.

Candles

Candles
Christmas Ornaments Plain & Fancy, CSB-197
Cross My Heart, Inc.


I stitched this ornament for my step-daughter for Christmas, 2005. It was done on 14 count white Aida by Charles Craft.

Candle

Candle
Christmas in Stitches, CSB-151
Cross My Heart, Inc.


I stitched this ornament for my brother and sister-in-law for Christmas, 2005. It was done on 14 count white Aida.

Peace on Earth dragon

Just Cross Stitch, 2002 Christmas Ornaments issue
Designed by Jennifer Aikman-Smith of Dragon Dreams, Inc.


I stitched this ornament for my eldest nephew J for Christmas, 2005. It was done on 14 count white Aida by Charles Craft. I modified the pattern by stitching the words in DMC 498 instead of white so they would show up on the white background.

Choo choo train (#103)

Pattern #103
201 Cross-Stitch Christmas Designs
by Kooler Design Studio

I stitched this piece for my son's friend C for Christmas, 2005. It was stitched on 14 count white Aida by Charles Craft. I changed the smoke from white to one of the greys so it would stand out. I don't remember which one I used.

Lollipop (#93)

Pattern #93
201 Cross-Stitch Christmas Designs
by Kooler Design Studio

I stitched this piece for ~ insert recipient here ~ for Christmas, 2005. It was stitched on 14 count white Aida by Charles Craft.

(~ I'm not really sure yet who is going to get this piece for Christmas. I started out thinking I would give it to one of my son's friends, but then my best friend put in a request for it and I kind of like it, so who gets it is still up in the air.)

Updated 3/22/05: I've decided to give this one to the Prodigal Son's girlfriend. I have an idea or three what I'd rather make for the Best Friend.

Cactus (#92)

Pattern #92
201 Cross-Stitch Christmas Designs
by Kooler Design Studio

I stitched this piece for my Favorite Aunt for Christmas, 2005. It was stitched on 14 count white Aida by Charles Craft.

(Yes, I know it's a cactus, but every year my mother sends her some kind of Texas kitsch - you know, armadillos and cow patties, that sort of thing - so when I saw this cactus I just had to make it for her to add to her kitsch collection.)

Not a creature was stirring

Just Cross Stitch, 2001 Christmas Ornaments issue
Designed by Jennifer Aikman-Smith of Dragon Dreams, Inc.


I stitched this ornament for my youngest nephew W for Christmas, 2005. It was done on 14 count white Aida by Charles Craft. I modified the pattern by leaving off the border so I could make it into the pillow ornament.

Sunflowers in basket

Leisure Arts Leaflet # 2278
Sunflowers
5 Designs By Sandy Lynam Clough

My mother stitched this for me for Christmas, 1998. I am currently working on the companion piece which is sunflowers in a blue speckled kettle.

Red butterfly

Just Cross Stitch, August, 2001
Butterflies of Summer
Marie Barber, Designer

I stitched this for my granddaughter for her birthday, in 2003. It was stitched on 28 count white evenweave.

Yellow butterfly

Just Cross Stitch, August, 2001
Butterflies of Summer
Marie Barber, Designer

I stitched this for my granddaughter for Christmas, 2001. It was stitched on 28 count white evenweave.

Unicorn

Dreamscape Leaflet #96
Teresa Wentzler, Designer

I stitched this for myself in 1992. It took me two years, off and on, to finish it. It was stitched on 25 count black Lugana.

Apple Basket

Just Cross Stitch, October, 1992
Actual Title and Designer Unknown

I stitched this for myself in 1992 for no better reason than I like apples. The piece was stitched on 25 count cream Lugana.

I do apologize for the quality of the image. I took it while I was still trying to figure out how to use a very cheap digital camera I got as a promotional item.

Strawberries

Just Cross Stitch, April, 1990
Actual Title and Designer Unknown

The piece was stitched on 18 count cream Aida. I stitched this for a friend in 1991. It was meant to be her Christmas gift. She never received it. She committed suicide before it was done.

The Castle

Dreamscape Leaflet #5
Teresa Wentzler, Designer

I stitched this for myself in 1990. This was the first project I ever stitched. It was stitched on 14 count white Aida. If I knew then what I know now, I would not have stitched it on Aida. I would have used an evenweave like Lugana.