More Black Belt Stitching Wizard Stuff

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Busy, busy, busy!

Christmas is almost here and I think each and every one of us can agree, we're VERY busy right now. Friday night I very gladly turned off my 6AM alarm until January 6th!

I didn't realize it's been about two weeks since I last posted. I've done a little stitching, a little more finishing, out for lunches, breakfasts, parties, and getting ready for Christmas.

In the last two weeks I stitched and/or finished a few more ornaments.



I did the finishing on this last Lizzie Kate, just a simple beaded edge on this one.







I stitched up this ornament and finished it for my friend Tracey's sister. It's double sided from Rosewood Manor's Red Threads. This is stitched on mystery fabric using Carrie's Hearts on Fire. Again, finished with a simple beaded edge.



I stitched up this little piece at my Sister's request. She keeps asking me for a rude cross stitch. I thought this fit the bill nicely. This little pattern is from the book Subversive Cross Stitch, which is full of all kinds of not so nice sayings but with pretty flowers and what not. I've stitched this on 28ct white lugana using DMC and using Carrie's Hearts on Fire, Blue Dreams and Sassy.



I just finished up Dragon Dreams 2013 Holiday Treat! This chart can be found on the Dragon Dreams Facebook page. It is so cute and I'm very happy with the fabric I picked, 28ct Bedazzled Blur Lugana. I've stitched it with the recommended threads.













Last weekend I finally put up our Christmas tree! It's been a few years... I always find it best to put it up in stages.... First just the tree, so that the cats can check it out/climb/chew on it.



After an hour or two I'll decorate it. I've decided it was best not to put anything breakable on it as Zeus likes to chew on our fake tree!



I know I've mentioned in the past I work in a school. This last week we had spirit week, each day is a different dress-up theme. I think I totally rocked ugly sweater day! I stole Todd's Toronto Maple Leafs jersey, I got a lot of great reactions. To help you understand if you're not into NHL hockey, out local team is the Ottawa Senators and one of our biggest rivals is the Leafs! I've found you either love or hate them.

I'm now into the final preparations for having my family over on Christmas Eve, the first without our Mum. I've not changed anything from what we've done in the past. Hopefully we'll still enjoy the evening.


- thanks for reading!

27 comments:

sharine said...

Everything looks great. Merry Christmas:)

Barb said...

The little ornaments are great and such a funny one for your sister! Have a wonderful holiday!

Mouse said...

love the wee ornaments and the saying ..lol
and well done on the tree.. ours hasn't even come out of the attic ....had a giggle at the jumper and I wish you a wonderful Christmas and a very Merry Stitchy New Year .
love mouse xxxxxx

Annette-California said...

Love the finishing and beading on your beautiful ornaments. Awe your tree is so pretty - smart for not adding any breakable ornaments on it. Those inquisitive kitties. You so rocked spirit day at school - GO DANI!!!
Merry Christmas, love Annette

Lesleyanne said...

Loving stitching. Hope you have a lovely Christmas.

Jackie's Stitches said...

Being off until the 6th is going to be wonderful!

I've seen lots of pictures of cats in christmas trees. I didn't realize they climbed trees so much! Good idea to stage out your tree going up.

Vickie said...

Enjoy your long break Dani. God bless you this difficult Christmas.

Brigitte said...

Great little ornaments and a funny piece for your sister.
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas holiday.

Carol said...

Your ornaments are all so cute, Dani--love the beaded edges... I can't imagine how hard this Christmas will be without your dear mom. Mine is 86 and I dread the day she is gone... Try to keep busy and remember the wonderful memories of Christmas traditions you two shared...Sending a big hug your way.

Anonymous said...

We will be doing the hockey thing on the 28th!

Go LIGHTNING! Beat the Canadiens!

Emma/Itzy said...

Oh how lucky to turn the alarm off until Jan!

Have a lovely Christmas and enjoy the rest :)

Annie said...

Very nice set of finishes. Youfr fingers have been flying. Have a wonderful holiday and enjoy the vacation time.

Annie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Susan said...

I have to do the same thing with our tree. Ours is pre-strung and one of the cats is constantly trying to pull the lights off - I will never understand what makes them tick (although I'm not really supposed to)

Andrea said...

Beautiful ornaments. I'm sure your mum wouldn't want you to change a thing and to continue to enjoy yourselves.

Have a very Happy Christmas.

D1-D2 said...

Now that I've seen your Holiday Treat all stitched up, I wish I'd stitched it too. It looks awesome!

Chris said...

Lovely Ornaments.
I hope that you have a wonderful Christmas!!

Julie said...

I'll be thinking of you Dani on Christmas Eve, sending you ((big hugs)) xxxx

Kate said...

Gorgeous ornament finishes. Cats are just so curious - hope the tree lasts.
I hope you and your family enjoy today and share lots of lovely memories.
Merry Christmas

Anne said...

Wonderful ornaments Dani!! I had to get a kick out of the cats sniffing/chewing the tree since that's what Titus is doing. My friend uses Subversive Cross stitch a lot. They have very tongue in cheek designs. Have a Merry Christmas!

Giovanna said...

Merry Christmas to you all!

♥ Nia said...

Merry Christmas!!! :)

Karoline said...

I hope you've had a lovely Christmas

Sara said...

Nice finishing as always, hope you had a Merry Christmas!

Bekca said...

The ornaments are very sweet :) I hope you had a wonderful Christmas Dani, best wishes for the New Year.

Melanie said...

Yay! More ornaments! Can never make too many of those. :)
My bitty kitties are still too young to mind their manners with a tree so we didn't put one up this year. Boo hoo. *sniff* Yours looks very nice. I'm living vicariously through all of your trees instead this year and this one will do quite nicely. :)

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

Beautiful ornies, love the red L one in particular.

The tree looks good even with the decorations!

And I can't comment on the sweater although I can imagine it's like wearing a blue and white Ipswich Town football shirt in a green and yellow Norwich City pub!