Thursday Thirteen 186: A Year of Stitching

In comments to last week’s post, Recently Read, Bratty said: "And yet you claim you spend much time making hand-made ornaments and such things." Just for her (okay, and maybe a few other people, lol), here are thirteen pictures of projects stitched in 2010. I know I've said this before, but for those who may have missed it or forgot, I do most of my stitching during the cold winter months. Also, I'm not usually one of those people who can just veg in front of the television. If I'm watching a TV program or football game or movie, I usually have either my journal or some craft project in hand.


"Green Paw" was stitched for Kim's birthday last March. She is owned by two black cats, brothers she adopted several years ago. These are from a series by Calico Crossroads, and there are already a dozen or so in her "gallery." This one was stitched while watching hours of Olympic coverage.



"Orchid" was stitched for Kat's birthday in July. The matting and glass came with the kit. It is cross-stitched, with some long stitches on the larger petals.



Various cutout ornaments. Cross-stitched and backed on felt, then trimmed within one or two rows of the stitching, some closer than others (like the cat). I added short loops of embroidery floss for hanging. The polar bear was made for a friend's mom who collects white bears. The gray horse was for my niece, aka The Bug, to commemorate last summer's Pony Camp.



A couple of "whimsies" — these are all stitched on 14-count plastic canvas. It's more durable than perforated paper, but it can be a bitch to stitch on. I went through at least half a dozen needles between the dozen or so stitched last January and February. You don't even want to know how much cursing I did while adding the wires in November and December. Sure, they look really cool, but working them through the plastic was a pain—both literally and figuratively.



Frolicking reindeer. While about 97 percent of everything I make is for others, I could not resist stitching these up for my own little tree. Each took one evening to stitch.



More "whimsies" made for a number of friends, although I did keep one of the celtic angels for myself (the other was sent to a friend of Irish ancestry). The reindeer went to my younger sister (baby sis did not rate one). The snowmen were for two friends who collect them—I always have to give them the same snowman or they try to steal them from each other. Seriously.



Cows whimsies were made with two internet friends in mind. You know who you are. *g*



Bear ornaments made for a few kids I know.



"Nature" is actually embroidery, which I rarely do, not cross-stitch. It is mostly satin stitches, with a chain stitch for the stem. I had difficulty getting a good picture of the finished project due to the dual panes of glass it is pressed between (reflection was a major issue). Gold floss was wrapped around the ends and knotted in back to make the "frame."



"Noah's Ark" trio are to add to friend Manda's collection. I actually did two of the giraffes—one for another friend (Nina) who loves the creatures.



"Sassy" was stitched for my favorite fashionista, Stephanie, the 12-yr-old daughter of one of my closest friends. She absolutely loved it!



"Santa's Surprise," made for above mentioned friend who has two black cats. These usually stitch up really quick, eight or ten hours, max. Come back tomorrow to see more of these.



This is one that didn't quite get finished. The cross-stitching is done, but it needs to be pressed and sewn, and a ribbon added for hanging. At least I can say I have a start on next Christmas...right?




And there you have it—some of the many projects stitched during the past year. All that and I still managed to read 104 books, work, walk at least three days a week, and do some writing!


LINKS TO OTHER THURSDAY THIRTEENS:(Please leave your link if this is your first visit!)
Stephanie Bennett * Bratty * Alice Audrey
Maddy Barone * Jennifer Leeland * Savannah Chase
Hazel * Colleen * Shelley Munro * Janet * CountryDew
Darla M Sands * Brenda * Xakara * Kimberly Menozzi Jeanne St James * Sarah * Harriet * Paige Tyler
Tatiana Caldwell * Madelynne Ellis * A Catherine Noon
Miss Mommy * Mary Quast