Saturday, December 12, 2009

It's that time of year again...


Ah, it is that special day of the year today - the day I look forward to and savor for as long as I can! Today I shall finish my Christmas cards, and then... off to hang all these special cross stitched ornaments on my tree! I will see if I can get a decent photo of the tree this year, but that is always a trick for me. We display our tree in the upstairs landing/open foyer of our two story Colonial house... tricky, tricky lighting issues for me. This is my basket of treasures, and they mean more to me than I can ever, ever begin to say! A peek into the background shows there is snow on our back porch already!

I also want to share a photo today of the pretty Christmas Exchange I received from Carolyn. She stitched me this stunning redwork snowflake and made it into an absolutely perfect circular pinkeep with a pretty beaded edging. I adore it!! She then went nutty and sent me so many goodies - FQs of red and green holiday fabrics, holiday socks, a bead box, a JBW chart, and a Whitman's tin (I do have the chart this calls for!!) that is filled with Threadworx flosses, JJ needles, a needle threader, a pretty fob made from holiday fabric (that matches the back of the pinkeep), red beads... and a tool that I cannot identify but want to use - LOL - it is a green plastic box with what looks like a dry sponge in it.... someone tell me, how do I use it??

**Edited to add: OK, I went and took photos of the tree - remember, I warned you that I cannot take photos of my tree with any kind of talent... if you sent me an ornament and do not see it, don't fret - it is there! I just couldn't get a picture of it!

My tree holds only ornaments made by my friends, except for only one that I made myself, or are store bought ornaments given to me by stitching friends... the sole exception is 4 silver and 4 gold bells that I have had forever and will always be on my tree...

I had to go downstairs to the front door to get a photo of the back of the tree... there is lots of space here for more ornaments too ;-)

And... I also wanted to add that today's mail brought a lovely Christmas package from my dear friend Katrina - she stitched a JBW ornament for me, and sent me another of her fabric ornaments too! I love those!! Plus other treats - thank you so much, dear friend!


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Currently Stitching On: Stitching on a Christmas ornament

17 comments:

Barbi said...

I love your basket full of ornies! I can hardly wait to see them on your tree.

Susan @ Real Girl Designs said...

I love the idea of the Christmas basket with the ornaments - I know you are planning on putting them on your tree, but I think I will adopt the basket idea to display my ornaments, as my tree is not large enough to put all my ornaments up.

The snowflake ornament you received is lovely!

valerie said...

Beautiful ornie and goodies from Carolyn. I love your christmas basket of ornies! The basket lining is precious. I think it's a great idea too....for the years like this one when I'm too lazy too put up my tree.

Rowyn said...

Lovely basket of Christmas oraments, and I think you did a super job of getting a photo of your tree. It is beautiful!

DonnaTN said...

Your basket full of ornaments and your tree are lovely. I think the sponge in the box should be moistened and then used to smooth/straighten your floss. Sort of like Thread Heaven, but I don't know how effective it is or how over dyes, etc. will work. Or maybe it is just so you don't lick the ends of the floss to thread your needle.

Nima said...

wow...love your ornament collection and your beautiful tree

Brigitte said...

Looking at your little basket full of ornaments is a real feast for the eyes. And the tree even more. Wonderful pictures!

Vaida said...

What a wonderful collection of ornaments! And your Christmas tree is wonderful

Erica said...

You've got some lovely ornaments!

As for the green bit of sponge in a box - if you get the sponge wet/damp and you're working with a persnickity fibre (say rayon), you can dampen the fibre with the damp sponge. Just run the fibre across the damp sponge (I leave the bit of sponge in the box), let it dry for a minute or two and then stitch away. It's a handy tool, but doesn't work for fibres that aren't colourfast!

Enjoy your gifts!

Jinger said...

I love all your ornies! Just beautiful!

Einschies blog said...

Your tree is wonderful....some days I will have enough ornies to get mine done the same way...but till then I have a traditional German tree....we also have this tree thing in a different way here, we decorate our tree on christmas day and then have it until the 6th January;-)))The kids normally don´t see the tree before exchanging gifts on late christmas eve. But I also would love to have it earlier so perhaps we buy the tree next weekend and decorate it with the kids together;-))Thatßs much fun too;-)))

Have a wonderful Sunday,
Gaby

Andrea said...

Love the basket of goodies and the ornaments on your tree. A lovely exchange from Carolyn and gifts from Katrina.

Kim B said...

Gorgeous ornies! Gorgeous tree!

tkdquintmom said...

Ok after seeing your 'stitching' tree..I may have to beg my husband into letting me do one! It is beautiful!!! :)

stitcherw said...

What a wonderful basket of ornaments, and beautiful exchange goodies too. Your tree looks gorgeous.
Sue

Sherri said...

Your tree is lovely! And such a nice place for it on the landing.

Janaina said...

OMG!!!! I see the little LK one made you! Was it this year? Lat year? I cant remember... But its there!!! Jumping on my chair right now! =)
Big kiss for you, Carol!*Ü*