Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Christmas Stitches

Merry Christmas! I have been enjoying seeing all the posts of decorations and Christmas trees and ornaments on the blogs. All the posts have been cheerful and uplifting to get to see. I'm sure you feel the same way too.
Next week is Christmas and this week has been great so far. I am so excited to share with you my Christmas Eve sampler that I had picked up from the framers just last evening. The last time I had a sampler professionally framed was back in 1989, my very first cross-stitched piece (I will have to take a photo of it for you). Since I got back into stitching I have done all the frames myself, but for this one design that I loved so much I wanted to get just the right color frame for it.

 A look at the detailing of the frame. Can you see the cross stitches on the frame itself? 

 Christmas Eve by Prairie Schooler
Fabric hand dyed by me. I think its 28ct linen.

When I went to have it framed I wanted a chocolate brown one. Well I was looking at the woods and the salesman showed this one. Leather, chocolate brown and he pointed out the cross stitches designed on the frame itself. I am not only pleased but I must say I love it. I feel like a grown up now that I got to have this framed. OH YES! I had a 60% plus 15% off additional coupon to have it framed totalling 75% off. I did not have glass and am now thinking that maybe I should of. Oh well! I am still thrilled with how it turned out.




Winter-ize by Lizzie Kate
25ct Flax Dublin Linen

This was a kit that included the chart, linen, buttons and a needle. This darling kit was a gift I had won on a giveaway that Shirlee from The Easily Influenced Stitcher blog had a while back. Thank you very much Shirlee I sure enjoyed stitching this. I saw this kit in my stash and wanted to have it done in time for this Christmas. Also I wanted another ornament to stitch. I can't help it that I've been totally feeling the Christmas spirit. And this design was very fast to stitch, it took me longer to decide on what threads to use. Will get this finished as a ornament in the next few days.

Speaking of which here is a list of what threads I used:

Hunter    -  Petite Glass Float  silk by Dragonflylotus Designs Handspun Thread 
sky         -  Petite Fae silk             by           "                 "              "             "
deep sea - Petite Moonlit Lagoon silk  by     "                "              "             "
crimson   - Wine and Roses silk by The Thread Gatherer
aztec red - Christmas Red  50% wool and 50% silk,  by The Thread Gatherer               
whitewash - 991BB by Needlepoint Inc, Silk 

Victorian Merry Christmas by Nancy Turner - The Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe
14ct white adia and threads by The Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe

If you are not aware Nancy from The Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe blog is having the 12 days of giveaways. And let me tell you that she is Santa Nancy by gifting so many stitchers with her love. Well one of her day giveaways I left a comment telling mentioning that I really wished for her chart "Victorian Merry Christmas". And after I had posted early in the morning I got a response in a few short minutes and Guess What? Santa Nancy gifted me her chart. I was soooooo surprised and it totally made my day. I had bought some Christmas colors of Nancy's threads last year with hopes of one day getting to stitch her gorgeous chart. My WISH came true. Well after printing and kitting it up I started on it immediately. I took this photo late last evening and today I (after being gone all of today and yesterday) finished stitching the "C" letter. I plan to get this all stitched in the next few days (hope to anyways). Then I will pin it to some foam board and make a hanger for it because there's no way I can frame it in time for Christmas but it will be on display for this Christmas:)  The color of Nancy's thread so far for all the lettering is "Paprika" that's what I had in my stash. Yesterday I was a lucky winner of Nancy's giveaways. There is still time for you to leave a comment on the days that she has not posted winners for yet of her giveaways. Thank you Santa Nancy for spreading your love and good cheer.
So are you deciding or have decided on the menu for Christmas Eve and Day yet? I haven't. 
Wishing you much Joy, Love and my Appreciation - Annette

27 comments:

Shirlee said...

Wonderful projects Annette! I love the frame! Our Christmas menu is always the same here. On Christmas Eve I make potato salad, then bake a ham & a turkey breast. The past 2 years John has also wanted me to make our Thanksgiving Jello salad for Christmas. On Christmas morning I bake orange rolls using refrigerator biscuits.

gracie said...

Beautiful stitching. The frame is perfect. 697 ndaADen

Jackie's Stitches said...

The dark rich frame is just perfectly - it really sets off our beautiful stitching!

Mii Stitch said...

The frame is perfect for your finish! I love the cross stitch details on it as well as the leather material, it is fabulous!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

How beautiful is your Christmas Eve! I love it! A lot!!!!
And I adore, adore, adore the frame :)
PERFECTION!

Margaret said...

Love all your projects! Your framing is just perfect! That frame really offsets the piece. Love the piece too!

Vickie said...

Wow! What a frame! The piece looks so gorgeous Annette.
Until last year, I hosted Christmas Eve dinner every single year of our marriage. My in-laws now want it at their home, it is easier for them to stay put at their house. So I only have to bring sweet potatoes.

Denise said...

Love Christmas Eve and the frame you picked out for it. Very Gorgeous!!!!
Happy Stitching
Denise

Melissa said...

Wow, I absolutely love that PS Santa piece! The frame is perfect!!!

Melissa said...

Everything is so beautiful Annette! That frame is awesome!!!!

Myra said...

What a beautiful, unique frame! Just perfect for that piece. Your little ornament is so cute. Nancy is a generous lady, isn't she? Congratulations on your win.

Andrea said...

What a gorgeous frame. The whole piece is just stunning. Your gifts and giveaway wins are lovely too. Looking forward to seeing more of Victorian Merry Christmas.

Hazel said...

Beautiful projects. Love the PS one and that frame!! xx

Catherine said...

Love it ~ what an awesome frame!

Barb said...

What a perfect frame!!

Chris said...

OMG!! The frame on your PS piece couldn't be anymore perfect! So gorgeous. Your other holiday projects are coming along too :)
Hugs!

Anne said...

Loooove the frame that you chose for the PS! Cross stitches around the frame is genius!! Great start on Nancy's Victorian Christmas. She is quite the generous lady! Big hugs to you dear Annette!!

Carol said...

Such a perfect frame for a cross-stitched piece!! Sounds like you got a great deal on it, too, Annette :) And how very sweet of that generous Nancy to gift you with the chart--it is looking gorgeous with those red threads :)

Ellen said...

Wow, Annette....what a wonderful frame! Love it!

EvalinaMaria said...

I absolutely love your frame and all of your projects. Have a wonderful Christmas!

Brigitte said...

Annette, this frame is absolutely perfect for the PS design. I love the effect that the frame colour and shape have on the design. Looks beautiful!

Giovanna said...

That's a great PS design, and you've done full justice to it, with the stitching and framing - congrats on the finish!

Sally said...

Love your framed Christmas piece. It is gorgeous.

Cute LK design!

Merry Christmas!

Karoline said...

Christmas Eve is gorgeous, great framing and the LK piece is very cute.

I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas

Shebafudge said...

That frame is gorgeous! Wonderful detailling on it.

Simply Victoria said...

That frame couldn't be any better for your finished stitching piece!

SoCal Debbie said...

That frame is fabulous! Your Prairie Schooler cross stitch looks perfect in the frame. Thanks for sharing the photos!