Sunday, December 31, 2023

2023 Stitching, and a lot of it!

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 StitchalongFlowers 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

 Slow Sunday Stitching

Linking to Needle and Thread Thursday

Needle and Thread Thursday 

Linking to Mosaic Monday

35 comments:

  1. ...what patience you have! Take care and stay warm and well in the New Year.

    ReplyDelete
  2. WOW, your stitchings are absolutely beautiful! Happy New Year from all of us!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lovely post Angie, your cross stitch is stunning!! Have a wonderful New Year.

    ReplyDelete
  4. You have accomplished a lot of stitching this past year, Angie. The Christmas stockings are beautiful and represent much time and love.

    I like savory snacks best, too. Your bean dip looks good.

    Happy New Year! and Happy Stitching!

    ReplyDelete
  5. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hello,
    Your 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!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love the Christmas stockings and bookmarks. All the best for 2024!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Looks 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!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Such a wealth of beautiful stitchery projects here on your lovely blog!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Those little stitched hexies look cool! Happy New year!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Such 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!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Lovely stitching! Wishing you and yours all the best for this new year, dear Angie, hope it's a good one!
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  13. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great job on the pillow finish! And so many wonderful projects you finished this year... those stockings are amazing! Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  15. All 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!

    ReplyDelete
  16. OMG I love those Xmas socks that you made they are so pretty, I need to show my daughter those

    ReplyDelete
  17. Your 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).

    ReplyDelete
  18. The 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.

    Now 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

    ReplyDelete
  19. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Your stitching is amazing! I love those stockings - they look like a photo. Wishing you a peaceful 2024.

    ReplyDelete
  21. You made lovely works. Those stockings are heirlooms. Here's to another productive year! Enjoy! ;^)

    ReplyDelete
  22. So many wonderful projects over 2023, your stitching is lovely to see and I especially like the cross-stitch bookmarks.

    As 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/

    ReplyDelete
  23. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Your handywork is very clever, I don't have the patience for it but I like what you've done.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Your needlework is just beautifully done!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Love 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.

    ReplyDelete
  27. You do beautiful needlework ~ your 'joy' show in your stunning creations ~ thanks,

    Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Happy New Year! All your projects are beautiful. You are very talented.

    ReplyDelete
  29. the 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!
    LeeAnna

    ReplyDelete
  30. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hello 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! 😻🐾🐾

    ReplyDelete
  32. aww..... stunning works....
    happy new year to you and yours

    ReplyDelete
  33. Waving hi as I make my blog rounds and hope all is well with you.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I 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

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...