More Black Belt Stitching Wizard Stuff

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Long Time... No Blog...

I guess I fell off of the blogisphere after my last post in... November I believe?  Not only did I not blog again but I've also not visited any blogs for months!  There's no one real reason why I stopped for awhile.  Life was busy, I'm trying to get my weight back under control (which can be quite time consuming!).  For most of December I was plagued by a headache that never really went away so many things suffered like working out, eating right, stitching, and so much.  I think also when I found time I just wanted to be stitching!  Though I was off of work for two weeks over the holidays I found we were just so busy!  Either we had company or we were company, there were also parties, get togethers and prepping for Christmas too!  On top of feeling like shit most of the time with that headache which persisted despite being off of work.

So lets get away from all of that boring and mundane stuff and get onto what this blog is all about, stitching!

I have been working away on The Accolade, but I'll save that for WIP Wednesday (yes I still want to at least do a once a week entry for you folks)!

December ended up being a flurry of stitching and finishing ornaments!  My fingers were just flying and the hot glue gun didn't get much of a chance to cool down!

 The masterpiece Todd and I collaborated on - our first ever!

My first Christmas party was a gingerbread house building party (it was a riot!) hosted by my good friend Marline and her new husband!  I love giving ornaments as hostess gifts instead of chocolate or a bottle of wine.


I decided barely a week before the party that I had to stitch Lizzie Kate's 1st Christmas for their tree!  A flurry of stitching and heartache over heart-shaped finishing here's what I produced and not only I but Marline was so happy to put it right onto her tree!  This is customized with their last name thus I covered it up when I took this picture.

1st Christmas by Lizzie Kate for Landon, Lucy, and Zach, Carter's did not get photographed

 The back of all of my 1st Christmas ornaments

Stitching the ornament for Marline started a crazy avalanche!  I decided most of the new babies I knew out there should have one!  Actually first it started with my favorite little man Zach who I stitched TW's Birth Announcement for back in the first half of 2014.  Then it just snowballed into one for the son of the little girl I used to babysit (I recently reconnected with the family on Facebook), one for the Chaplain's little girl at work , and one for my good friend Tracey's Nephew (which I stupidly forgot to photograph... I never do that!).  In all I stitched 1st Christmas 5 times!!!!

Roaming Reindeer
Blue Ribbon Designs
Just Cross Stitch Ornament Issue
Stitched on 40ct tanzanite linen

I had also stitched up this lovely Blue Ribbon designs ornament since my last blog entry and did the finishing on it. I liked this one so much I kept it for my own tree.

I've done a lot of finishing since my last entry as well, in no particular order:

 A Merry Little Christmas
Lizzie Kate
Flat fold

 Merry Cats'mas
Freebie - unknown

 Peace Button
Jeannette Douglas Designs
Just Cross Stitch Preview Issue

 Ribbon Reindeer
Freebie - Daffycat Designs

Wreath Reindeer
Freebie - Daffycat Designs

In November/December I took part in an ornament exchange organized by Angela at Hooked on Stitches.  This exchange renewed my faith in exchanges as the last one I took part in did not go well, at all.

Bell Ornament
Jeannette Douglas Designs
Just Cross Stitch Ornament Preview Issue 2008

This is the ornament I sent out to my partner in the UK, and I was shocked that it arrived in under a week!


In return I got this fantastic ornament that I was just so pleased with and I want to learn how to do the ribbon trim!!!


Over the holidays there was one day the living room was off limits while Todd put together a new entertainment unit.  Its best to just stay away when he's putting something together.  So I de-cluttered my stash room and put together this little display area of smalls I've received, and my scissors in their scissor frogs.  Just love it!

Red Threads
Rosewood Manor
Stitched on: mystery fabric

At some point I also had a small stitching finish... I can't remember when.  This will be finished into a bead edged ornament at some point when my finishative comes out to play!

Now finally onto this year, 2015!



January 1st saw the annual emptying of the ort jar!

I've also had two small finishes so far in January, I admit both of these had been started in December but they are my first finishes of 2015!

Red Threads
Rosewood Manor
Stitched on: mystery fabric

 Fa la la la!
Freebie - Plum Pudding Needleworks
Stitched on: 40ct Natural Linen using DMC

Well, that's it!  I've been busy that's for sure!

49 comments:

Anna van Schurman said...

You have been busy! I only stitched First Christmas twice and I thought that was a lot! LOL. I also sent mine to be professionally finished to the tune of $44 each. Bet that makes your heartache over the heart shape feel worth it! All your finishing is lovely.

Erin said...

Good to "see" you posting again! I'm trying to be a better blogger this year, too....but it is only January 11, so we'll see how that goes. :)
Lovely stitching, as usual!

Ele said...

wow! you have been a busy bee :D
Lovely ornaments you stitched, they are really beautiful!
hope you feel much better now
Happy new year

Robin in Virginia said...

What fabulous ornaments you created, Dani! I like the 'red thread' littles from Rosewood Manor (off to check out the chart) and the Plum Pudding one. Wishing you a wonderful 2015!

Robin in Virginia

Susan said...

You were busy! Love the gingerbread house party idea. Heart finishing is the hardest one for me too - I did a dozen (monthly designs) and hope to never do one again. Yours turned out great and I love the backing fabric.

Claudette497 said...

Your ornaments came out beautifully - the finishing was well worth the heartache (to me at least!)

Blu said...

So many lovely finishes! They look great.

Kalu V said...

lots of beautiful ornaments ! they all look great ! =D

Vickie said...

Wow! Back with a bang! ;) Looks fabulous. Take care.

Justine said...

Welcome back! So lovely to see your blog pop up in my reading list and see all the lovely ornaments you've made. I think the flatfold finish is my favourite, it's just perfect.

Cindy's Stitching said...

AWESOME. sorry you had s headache all month. Your ornaments so pretty. And flatfold :))). I hope this year is a great one for you.

Linda said...

Awesome update Dani. Well worth the wait. Congrats on all of the stunning finishes. They are all great and hard to pick just one. I love you and Todd's masterpiece.

Linda

Barbi said...

Well welcome back Dani! I just posted my first blog post since June!!! So I guess we are all gravitating back...which is nice. I love the backing of your 1st Christmas ornies. What a great fabric!

Anonymous said...

Wow GIRL! You did some amazing stitching (and finishing).

As for all those scissors....do you USE them all or are some just for show?

Kate said...

Welcome back Dani - you certainly have been busy with your stitching, it's all gorgeous.

Bea said...

Beautiful stitching and finishing. Love the first Christmas ornaments in particular - and great backing fabric. Sorry to hear about the headache - and hope you don't have a repeat.

Mary Ann said...

It's nice to see a blog post from you. Dani! And, what a post--lots and lots of lovely stitching and finishing!!

I hope you are feeling better.

Barb said...

I missed your blog. You have so many wonderful stitched ornaments and they are FINISHED! I'm impressed!

Jackie's Stitches said...

I hope your headache is gone! That sounds very painful and not fun at all.

Love your ornaments. The ribbon trim is really cute too! You really do an excellent finishing job!

Mindy said...

Wow! Look at all those beautiful ornaments. No wonder you weren't blogging as much during the holidays. Great job. :) Hope you are feeling better.

Christine said...

Lovely stitching and finishing Dani. I hope you are feeling better now

Brigitte said...

So nice to see a new post from you, and sucb anewsy post. You were on an ornament stitching and finishing spree lately and produced some absolutely great ornaments. I loved to look at them all.

I hope your headaches will vanish completely soon. Looking forward to your next post.

Julie said...

A post full to bursting with beautiful things. You have been busy with needle and thread. I hope the headache has now left and you have started the new year feeling much better.

Bette said...

Wonderful finishes, Dani. I know what you mean about blogging. I hope to spend more time myself this year keeping up with my blog.

riona said...

What a lovely group of ornaments. I'd say you have your priorities straight: if time and energy are limited, stitch instead of blog.

As to the chronic headache, it can be a sign of adult onset Type II diabetes. You might want to check it out. I speak from experience.

riona said...

What a lovely group of ornaments. I'd say you have your priorities straight: if time and energy are limited, stitch instead of blog.

As to the chronic headache, it can be a sign of adult onset Type II diabetes. You might want to check it out. I speak from experience.

riona said...

What a lovely group of ornaments. I'd say you have your priorities straight: if time and energy are limited, stitch instead of blog.

As to the chronic headache, it can be a sign of adult onset Type II diabetes. You might want to check it out. I speak from experience.

Annie said...

What a fabuous set of ornaments. Just love your finishing techniques. Those hearts are really perfect pieces.

I know about those headaches that won't quit. Last week was a nightmare for me. But I too get a burst of energy when they finally stop!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Stitching dynamo! I loved see all your perfectly stitched and finished ornaments! Not to mention your delightful and delectible gingerbread house :)

Starry-eyed stitcher said...

So happy to see you are back. Some beautiful ornaments for some lucky people. Irene xxx

Barb said...

WOW! I'm so impressed with all of your stitching and finishing - your work is beautiful and very creative. You inspire me !

Suz said...

I love your ornaments, they are all beautiful and constructed so well.

I look forward to the 2015 "emptying of the ort jar", since I didn't really get going last year. I've repurposed a juice container ;)

Anne said...

You've done brilliantly with all the ornaments you stitched Dani! I saw all of them on IG which is great but so nice to read about them here in a post. I've been remiss with posting as well...seems that it takes a wee bit longer than just sending a photo over IG. I hope that headache has subsided now. That's really not good to have one all the time. Hugs to you!

Shebafudge said...

Crikey! You are excused from blog duty...wow...you have been busy!

Loads of wonderful stitching and finishing! Your gingerbread house is wonderful! Did it last very long?

Von said...

Putting all your ornaments in one post emphasizes just how busy you've been, Dani, especially when you consider the holiday craziness that happens to all of us. Something has to give at those times! :D

Ruth said...

Wow -- you are an ornament wizard! And you obviously have missed your real calling as a gingerbread designer because that's an amazing piece of work. Feel better and happy stitching!

Miamina said...

Stunning stitching and made into such gorgeous ornaments! I'm sure they will be treasured!

Carol said...

I'm so glad you're back, Dani! We've missed you :) And just look at all you've accomplished--your hearts turned out great! I'm still too chicken to try a heart shaped finish...

Love the reindeer, peace, and kitty ornaments so much. Will definitely need to stitch the Cats'mas one for my son :) And that ribbon edging on the ornament you received is stunning. I wonder if there is a tutorial online?

Hope your new year is a good one with no more headaches and great luck in your weight loss journey, Dani :)

Meari said...

Wow, lots of stitch eye candy!! They all are beautiful, Dani.

Albeit late, Happy New Year!

Giovanna said...

Lots of lovely finishing! I know how you feel about blogging/visiting blogs - I'm falling behind too, it seems as if time is continually shrinking :-(

Unknown said...

Great you are back blogging again. Wow so many gorgeous finishes!

Kerryp77 said...

Beautiful ornies for their recipients to treasure. You've been so busy. Love the scissor collection. Keeping them in frogs is such a great idea. I hope 2015 is good for you and no more terrible headaches

Angela said...

Love all of your finishes! Hope the headache is gone for good now :)

Brenda A said...

Wow! Your finishing is beautiful!

Annette said...

Ow my, you have been busy!!!What a beautifull pieces all!!
The gingerbread house looks great!!!

DJH said...

You have been super busy! Congrats on all of your finishes!

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

Love those First Christmas ornies. I just wrote Happy First Christmas in a lot of cards this year. It's been a good one for babies! I mean last year of course!
Your finishing really is lovely, beautiful ornies.

Melanie said...

You bad blogger, you. ;)
These all look fabulous! You have been BUSY. It's awesome.
I need to know how to do that ribbon trim as well. Um, it's like amazing?
Damn it, I kinda hate you a little now because I am not going to be able to rest until I purchase that little FaLaLaLa snowman pattern for myself. ENABLER! *points*
Great post! :)

Andrea said...

Wonderful ornaments. Love each and every one. I do like how FaLaLa looks on raw linen.