As my faithful readers know, stitching takes me to my happy place! So, this means 2023 must have been overwhelmingly cheerful - seven completed projects, and two more well underway! Let's go to my virtual sewing room!
In my January 11, 2023 post, I showed pictures of my first blackwork piece in progress, a cross-stitch destined for my oldest sister. Initially I had planned to give her only the finished cross-stitch, but once I decided that I would hand-carry it to her in October (on the same trip as our daughter's wedding), I was inspired to bring her a fully completed pillow.
This project tested my ingenuity. First, I wanted to "hide" the back of the cross-stitch. I devised a plan to sew the cross stitch onto a solid piece of fabric, which would then be sewn to a second piece of fabric to form the pillow case. Second, it seemed ugly to leave the raw edge of the cross-stitch fabric in full view, so I took a page from some of my past Christmas ornaments and added ribbon around the edges. Third, I discovered "invisible" zippers while researching how to sew zippers, and I decided to give it a try. This also meant learning how to change the foot on my Mom's sewing machine to an invisible zipper foot - for many of you long-time sewers out there, this process may seem old hat to you, but I had to call in my local engineer (Spousal Unit) to help me with that one!
The next large project of 2023 was a Christmas stocking for our son-in-law-to-be. In fact, it was finished the night before we would fly to Cincinnati for the wedding!
This time last year, I had completed a stocking for our daughter (see my December 21, 2022 post). My heart danced to see both stockings hung on the mantelpiece at their new house for this Christmas!
Of course, in the midst of all this I also crafted the wedding handkerchief for our daughter (previously shown in my Wedding Bells post on October 30, 2023).
On one of our recent visits to the UK, I came across designs for cross-stitch bookmarks, and they were perfect choices as Christmas gifts for our son and daughter.
Several years ago, I instituted the tradition of selecting a Christmas ornament design for each of the kids (including our son-in-law). This year, to commemorate the new house for our daughter and son-in-law, I created a single ornament for the couple. And the Monopoly ornament is for #1 Son, reflecting our shared love of board games.
And now to works in progress! As soon as I wrapped up the Christmas stocking for our son-in-law, I embarked on the new stocking for #1 Son. (I have "child" stockings for our daughter and son, which we have used for years. Two years ago, I offered to "replace" them with adult stockings, and this is the design chosen by our son.)
Now that Christmas is past, and it is obvious the stocking will not be completed until NEXT Christmas, I am going to take a little break from it, allowing me to return to my 2023 Stitch-A-Long. I wrote about this project in my January 11, 2023 post. "During my time in the blogosphere, I have seen many mentions of stitch-a-longs, and viewed creativity in action when my fellow bloggers post pictures. This year, I finally decided to jump in. Somebody out there introduced me to Loretta Oliver, and I subscribed to her email for access to free cross-stitch patterns. On December 29, when the Great Big List of Stitchalongs to Join in 2023 popped into my email inbox, I decided to take a look. Imagine my delight when I found The Steady Thread Botanical Blackwork Stitchalong. Flowers AND blackwork, a perfect combination for me!!! And it's free!"
March 21 marked the last time I took a picture of this project (12 hexagons completed), but at the moment I suspended stitching, I had 36 full hexagons in the design, so that must have been the beginning of September! (Steady Thread released one hexagon per week, so I calculated 36 weeks.)
I have 13 hexagons to go, plus the leaves that frame the pattern. I chose my own color palette for this project, and so I will also have to think through my approach to the leaves and stems! As most of you know, I am a "follow the recipe" person, so this is stretching me (just a little!!!!) *NOTE: when I went to the Steady Thread website to retrieve the 13 remaining hexagons and the leafy frame, I learned that the Stitch-A-Long is closed and there is a charge for any designs I need. It's not a lot of money, and I certainly don't begrudge the artist who created this lovely design - just a memo to me for the future!
I asked for the above book for Christmas, and I leave you with this Navajo song (from Night Chant, for the ninth song). Praying that 2024 brings you the desires you hold close in your heart. Happy New Year!
May their roads home be on the trail of peace.
Happily may they all return.
In beauty I walk.
With beauty before me, I walk.
With beauty behind me, I walk.
With beauty above and about me, I walk.
It is finished in beauty.
It is finished in beauty.
******
Joining LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color for I Like Thursday - prompt this week is: Does your family have a favorite appetizer? Bean dip. Sausage, Pepper Jack and salsa - need I write more? Can you share the recipe? See photo below. Would you rather have buffalo chicken dip or artichoke dip? Artichoke dip - sometimes the buffalo is too spicy for me. What do you try first when you go to a party with snacks? I prefer savory snacks, and I like to try different things, so I would gravitate to anything new that is also savory.
Linking to Thankful Thursday
Linking to Slow Sunday Stitching
Linking to Needle and Thread Thursday
Linking to Mosaic Monday
...what patience you have! Take care and stay warm and well in the New Year.
ReplyDeleteWOW, your stitchings are absolutely beautiful! Happy New Year from all of us!!!
ReplyDeleteLovely post Angie, your cross stitch is stunning!! Have a wonderful New Year.
ReplyDeleteYou have accomplished a lot of stitching this past year, Angie. The Christmas stockings are beautiful and represent much time and love.
ReplyDeleteI like savory snacks best, too. Your bean dip looks good.
Happy New Year! and Happy Stitching!
You have fashioned lovely hand stitching projects this year, Angie. Love the stocking you stitched for your son-in-law. Don't those two stockings look fabulous hung from the mantelpiece. Those embroidered hexagons are beautiful. Here's to lots of pleasant hand stitching for you in 2024. How beautiful those words in the Navajo song are. A blessed New Year to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteYour stitchwork looks beautiful, the Christmas stockings are so cute and I love the handkerchief, it is lovely. The Navajo song is beautiful too. Happy New Year to you and your family, wishing you all the best in 2024!
I love the Christmas stockings and bookmarks. All the best for 2024!
ReplyDeleteLooks like your stitching brings you joy and also joy to others that you gift your creations to. The ornament tradition is great. I'm one for a savory snack and right now I'd enjoy some bean dip. A very Happy New Year to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteSuch a wealth of beautiful stitchery projects here on your lovely blog!
ReplyDeleteThose little stitched hexies look cool! Happy New year!
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful projects, Angie! I love the Christmas stocking, and the pretty hexagon project. I bet your sister loves her pillow, too. The bean dip sounds yummy - my husband would love that!
ReplyDeleteLovely stitching! Wishing you and yours all the best for this new year, dear Angie, hope it's a good one!
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
You certainly accomplished a lot in the stitching department in 2023! I love thé stockings that you made. I made stockings for my daughter and twin nieces when they were born and they are still using them every year, 32 and 24 years later respectively! Welcome to the slow Sunday stitching crew! Gail at the Cozy Quilter.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the pillow finish! And so many wonderful projects you finished this year... those stockings are amazing! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteAll your counted cross stitching projects are beautiful! I'm so impressed with your work. Counted cross stitching is something I've never done. Keep up your lovely work, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOMG I love those Xmas socks that you made they are so pretty, I need to show my daughter those
ReplyDeleteYour Christmas stockings are amazing! I like the truck one - it's harder to find good 'guy' designs and my son would like that one (but he already has a hand knit stocking LOL).
ReplyDeleteThe holidays are finally over. Dear Angie, I am delighted to read in today's post about your valuable sewing work, which I envy you a little. It's amazing what you've created.
ReplyDeleteNow we are curious to see what the turn of the year will bring? Hopefully more peace, more insight into sustainability for the whole of nature. It is urgently needed!
Thank you so much for this wonderful post, including these words from the Navajos on
MosaicMonday
Warm hugs from Heidrun, I wish you and your family a healthy, happy new year 2024
Oh I am impressed with the stockings... I know how much work they are and yours are beautiful!! Thanks for stopping by my blog... I noticed you said you were in Cincinnati for a wedding... I live in the Deer Park area of Cincinnati... hope you had a good time at the wedding. I'll be stopping by your blog to see what you've been up to... lots of creativity here! happy stitching!
ReplyDeleteYour stitching is amazing! I love those stockings - they look like a photo. Wishing you a peaceful 2024.
ReplyDeleteYou made lovely works. Those stockings are heirlooms. Here's to another productive year! Enjoy! ;^)
ReplyDeleteSo many wonderful projects over 2023, your stitching is lovely to see and I especially like the cross-stitch bookmarks.
ReplyDeleteAs we move ahead in 2024 I wish you and your family a happy and healthy New Year.
My good wishes.
All the best Jan
https://thelowcarbdiabetic.blogspot.com/
Hey, don't worry about the thumbnail on the Linky list, several were having problems yesterday. Moving forward it will just be a straight link, no thumbnail required. Thanks for joining Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
ReplyDeleteYour handywork is very clever, I don't have the patience for it but I like what you've done.
ReplyDeleteYour needlework is just beautifully done!
ReplyDeleteLove this post. You were very productive this year. I have offered to update my son and daughter's stockings, but they want to keep the originals.
ReplyDeleteYou do beautiful needlework ~ your 'joy' show in your stunning creations ~ thanks,
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Happy New Year! All your projects are beautiful. You are very talented.
ReplyDeletethe stockings are heirlooms!!! so so so pretty, and love the book mark, the hexies too! but, the bean/sausage dip sounds great and now I want some!
ReplyDeleteLeeAnna
What wonderful projects. Fun to see them all lined up. The song is beautiful. Such lovely and meaningful words. Thanks for sharing, a very nice beginning to the new year.
ReplyDeleteHello Angie! Thank mew ever so much for visiting us at BBHQ, and mew are so very talented, we love what mew make, everything is absolutely EPIC! 😻🐾🐾
ReplyDeleteSo much gorgeous stitching!
ReplyDeleteaww..... stunning works....
ReplyDeletehappy new year to you and yours
Waving hi as I make my blog rounds and hope all is well with you.
ReplyDeleteI love the Indian song! I need to write it in my journal today. You've done so many pretty cross stitch projects...the stockings are just gorgeous!
ReplyDelete