IHSW Jan 2013 : the results

Wow, reality must have been off watching football or something because I actually made some progress!  No before shots, but the fact that it looks like this now

 

 

is impressive.  I started the weekend with the top five rows and the sky in front of the boat complete. (to the dark blue line) Now you can tell there’s a boat!  The bottom is basically one color, except for the white caps and other random shades of blue.

I thought I’d include a couple of late pictures of things I had finished.  First is the piece I sent to Momuboocrea Island for our Santa/Christmas exchange.
 

 

There was a hanger on it when it left.  I just took this picture before I figured out what it would be.

Then there’s Reindeer Yoshi.
 

 

He’s a scamp.  I stitched it, I washed it – it bled.  Which basically left me with only one thing to do.  Pre rinse the thread and stitch it again.  Version two actually got sewn together and hung on the tree.  After Christmas, some clever soul (who shall remain nameless) decided to iron out the wrinkles before finally stuffing and sewing it closed.  Guess what happened?  Spots!  Sigh.  I still have to sew it closed but I’m beginning to think it looks good flat.

Be sure to check out Random Ramblings for all the other IHSW participants.

Happy stitching World.

Special Happy Dance

I received my exchange piece from Kate at Momuboocrea Island.  So much fun!!

This banner is so cute.  Santa reminds me of a cartoon character which is cool and I love the metallic threads on his outfit and the words.  This will be a great addition to my Christmas decorations.

That wasn’t all!  There’s a great bag with my blog name embroidered on it.  And now I have a cute little kit which I can’t believe I haven’t started yet.  To top it all off, a cute Santa tray I can put my chocolates on. (I can’t believe I haven’t opened those yet either)

Thank you so much Kate!!  Your talent and generosity is much appreciated.

Holidays

Holidays are so inspirational.  Take this house that’s been haunting me. (Please?!)  A couple of boards on the windows, a light in the doorway and it’s spruced up in time for Santa’s visit.  If the backstitch is done by New Year’s Eve there may even be a party.

While I’ve been neglecting the house and my other two projects I did do a little something else.  My Santa exchange piece with Kate at Momuboocrea Island is called “Checking it twice” by Dragon Dreams.  It’s from the 2007 Just Cross Stitch Christmas ornament issue.  I tweaked a couple of things along the way but I was pleased with the result.  Mine hasn’t come in yet but that just gives me more to look forward to.  Thanks again for doing that with me Kate.  I'm glad you like it. J

I really like Santa.  Traditional and not so much.  Lucie Heaton’s “Have a Cosmic Christmas” and Claire Crompton’s surfing Santa are good examples.   I’m planning on finishing the surfer into a pillow too.  I have some snowflake buttons and the perfect ribbon.

So now we’ve come to the end of this long ramble.  Hope everyone is nice and warm and having a good day.  I’m off to play more Christmas music and find another Santa to make.

Happy stitching World.