Late or Early

This is Uber Turkey by Bent Creek. I tried to finish it before Thanksgiving, but didn't quite make it. It's late for this year, but early for 2011! ;-)
This is stitched on 32 count lambswool linen, with WDW, Crescent, and DMC. The pattern called for 18 count linen, but it would be pretty big stitched that way. Oh yes, it is UBER Turkey!
This time of the year I usually am thinking about the things I'd like to stitch in the coming year. And I hear there is a challenge to start 15 new things in January and try to finish them in 2011. You all probably know what I'm talking about and I forget the name. I have made a little list and I think my New Years start will probably be Paradise Lost by Plum Street. I've had everything to stitch that since the chart was released and it's time to get cracking on it! I love that sampler! Without having my book right here with me, some of the things I can think of from that list are some Little House, Blackbird, Lizzie Kate, and a million others, sigh....
I have quite a few WIPS and the thought of starting a lot of new things sounds kind of fun, but kind of stressful too. I'll probably not start more than a couple in January, but will have fun reading about others' new starts!

Christmas Ornaments

Our stitching group has an annual Christmas party and ornament exchange, which was last weekend. Pictured above are the two that I received in the top picture and in the bottom picture is the one I made. It's by Val's Stitchin Stuff and is from (I think) last year's JCS ornament issue. I changed the fabric color, and the wording color so it would show on this fabric. And following the instructions included in the magazine, I finished it into a 'pocket' type finish and then added the wire & bead hanger after the sewing was complete. I always enjoy the exchange and seeing what everybody stitched and how they finished their ornament!

Comet & Blitzen

Here are 'Blitzen' and 'Comet' by Nora Corbett from her Christmas Eve Couriers series. I finished them as flanged pillows made from decorator fabrics, the backside of each pillow is a burgundy swirl that matches the buttons. These were actually very fun to stitch. All of the beads make them so pretty and sparkly and oh I just love them!