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