Thursday, January 20, 2011

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



37 comments:

Unknown said...

OMG I love these! They are so cute! Now, when do you find the time for so much murder and mayhem? Hmmmm?

Unknown said...

I just found you on Goodreads BTW. Is that a cow????

Heather said...

Bratty: I thought you might approve. *VBG* As for when i have time for murder and mayhem...getting rid of cable last year freed up a lot of reading/writing time. When I had cable, I would often find myself pulled in TCM, USA, ABCFAM, etc. I still miss a lot of the shows and movies aired on those channels, but...I have survived. Barely. LOL

And yes, that is a cow. LOL -- It's a headshot of the Wizard of Oz cow from CowParade Wisconsin (see tag in sidebar). I used to have Mother Moo-se, another CowParade cow, as my GR icon, and have three more Wizard of Oz cows too. I thought them appropriate avatars for a book site. *G*

Alice Audrey said...

Thank you! Thank you thank you thank you. You do excellent needle work.

Jennifer Leeland said...

you are amazing! I love these!

Heather said...

Alice: ROFLMBO... Thank you. You were one of the people I thought might especially like this one. *g*

Jennifer: Aw, shcuks... *blush and grin*

Shelley Munro said...

These are lovely. I bet the recipients loved them. I like the "Sassy" one too. It's tres cute.

Janet said...

so talented! I especially like the glass...very nice!

Stephanie Bennett said...

You are so talented, Heather! These are awesome. I especially love that Sassy one. Happy Thursday!

Hazel said...

Love your stitching projects! You got gifted hands.

Darla M Sands said...

These are wonderful! Thank you for sharing.

Mia Celeste said...

Really cool. I like the ones with cats. Happy TT!

colleen said...

I especially like the one with the leaf. You are very productive.

Xakara said...

Wow, such cuteness and impressiveness in one! The occassional crocheter in me, bows before your talent :)

Happy TT,

~Xakara
13 Comforts

CountryDew said...

Ooo, very nice! I have "return to cross stitch" on my to-do list for this year. So far, not, but hopefully... You do very nice work.

Maddy Barone said...

You are so talented! I can't decide if I like Green Paws or Nature better. They're all great!

Sarah said...

Wow- those are adorable. All the Christmas-y ones makes me want to rewind to Dec 1st. =)

Heather said...

Shelley: Thank you. I really liked "Sassy," too, nad it was absolutely perfect for Stephanie.

Janet: Thank you. I thought framing a piece between two pieces of glass an excellent idea. I may have to try something like that for another project this year.

Thanks, Stephanie! "Sassy" seems to be a huge hit all around. *G*

Heather said...

Hazel: Thank you. I credit my maternal grandmother, whose love of needlepoint first got me interested in needle crafts.

Thanks, Darla! Thank you, I'm glad you like.

Brenda: Thanks! The black cats especially are always fun to whip up, mostly because they stitch up fast and there are so many different designs in the series.

Heather said...

Colleen: Thank you. I was pleased with how the leaf turned out as my embroidery skills are rather rusty.

Xakara: Crochet is one thing I do not know how to do. I have friends who could teach me, but what I've really wanted to learn is how to knit.

Anita: I remember seeing that on your new year's resolutions. My advice is to find something small and easy to get back into it. There are a lot of cute kits out there on the market!

Heather said...

Thanks, Maddy! I love hearing which ones people like best. *g*

Sarah: Thanks you--though I would really rather not go through December again. At least not for another ten and a half months. *vbg*

I am Harriet said...

Wow. wonderful job!

Have a great Thursday!
http://harrietandfriends.com/2011/01/13-consumer-tips-from-the-consumer-action-website/

Paige Tyler said...

You're very talented at that! I'm so not good with a needle and thread! LOL!

*hugs*
Paige

My TT is at http://paigetylertheauthor.blogspot.com/

Kimberly Menozzi said...

The kitty ones are my favorite, by far. Squee! :)

Happy TT!

Vincent Copsey said...

Aah! They're really cute! You're a talented lady.

Heather said...

Thanks, Harriet! *G*

Paige: It really depends what I'm doing with said needle and thread. I have little talent for actual sewing, the way Alice or my younger sister does.

Heather said...

Kimberly: That wouldn't have anything to do with your own little fur baby, would it? *g*

Madelynne: Thank you! : )

Tatiana Caldwell said...

Wow, what talent you have! These are amazing! I'm impressed - there's a couple here I would hang on my wall. Do you sell any of your handiwork?

A. Catherine Noon said...

These are beautiful! I love stitching. I also knit, but stitching was my first textile craft 'back in the day'. Your cards/paper art is a particularly lovely adaptation!! Thank you for sharing your passion!

Happy TT!

Heather said...

Thanks, Tatiana! I have nto sold any of my work before, but an acquintance recently asked if I could do a kit for her that she bought some time ago -- she's an older woman and has difficulty with her eyes. Being near-sighted, I thankfully do not have a problem with reading or handcrafts. *G*

Catherine: Thanks you -- I would love to learn how to knit, but - of course - then I would have to fit it in around everything else I do. lol

Miss Mommy said...

Wow! You do some beautiful work. I'm really impressed.

Heather said...

Thank you! *vbg*

kayerj said...

you are very talented--my favorite was the orchid, although that sassy fashionista was pretty cute.

Unknown said...

Heather, we choose not to have cable as well. Hubby's favorite nighttime hobbies are reading and falling asleep in his chair! We are soooo exciting as you can tell. But saner than most who absorb all the t.v. news, I think.

Heather said...

Kaye: Thank you. "Sassy" was definitely one of the favorites stitched last year.

Bratty: I think a lot of people, like me, have dropped cable over the last year or two in order to save money. Having only an antenna can be a pain when it's really windy, but $70/month was getting ridiculous, and at least I get all the major networks and then some (a total of 14 channels right now).

Savannah Chase said...

Oh wow those are so pretty...I have never tried to stitch.

Heather said...

Thanks, Savannah! : )