Christmas Ornaments

With inclement weather the last few days I made myself a To Do List and have been completing some inside jobs. First up was the family 2020 Christmas Ornaments.   All have edgings now but no backs while I decide what to do about decorations and hangers.   I don't want these hanging around in a half completed state so will make a valiant effort tomorrow to fully finish them

But so far so good.

The Silent Night one which was stitched first, I have decided to keep for my tree and to put ruched ribbon around the edge so that is not in a state to be photographed quite yet.   More to come on that one.

But I also did a complete stocktake of my stash cupboard and sorted out the next project - once I have the Shepherd's Bush Angels Song completed.   My WIP basket was getting seriously overloaded but now only has three items : - the ongoing Temperature Chart, the Shepherd's Bush project and a piece of hardanger which has a "must be completed" date of February 2021

Next on my list is some sewing - I want a new hooded jacket and also a long sleeved button through blouse so will get the fabric for those cut out tomorrow.   I find once the fabric is cut the whole project seems less daunting and I find time to get the sewing done.  

I doubt there will be much time for stitching next week as I make final preparations for my share of the DBEM's 90th Birthday Party.   She is getting quite excited and has already received several cards and gifts.   I promised her that tomorrow we would put up a string so she can hang her cards and enjoy looking at them.  

Progress report on Shepherds Bush and Christmas 2020 (Ornament production)

The dreadful vine section has been completed and I'm now back into the more comfortable groove of specialty stitches and words. Much more enjoyable and relaxing. Here's a picture for proof :-) 

The 2020 quota of Christmas ornaments are underway too and I hope to complete the pinecones (in the middle of this photo) in the coming week. I need five for my family commitments and also would like one for my own tree. 

After several years when I didn't bother to get my tree out and hang all the ornaments I am determined to do so this year. My new house has a great bay window in the front which will be just the spot for the tree and I will even buy a new set of lights to provide the necessary twinkle. Today I found a shop - The Christmas Heirloom Shop - so that was fortuitous. Surely they will have the necessary lights?

The DBEM turns 90 at the beginning of next month and we are having a family party a few days beforehand.   She is getting quite excited and preparations are well underway.   In the coming week we have a visit to the hairdresser because as she put it "I look like my own grandmother" and by her tone of voice I don't think she was too happy about that!   Perhaps a haircut and some new clothes will change her image?   

A Finish (or two)

Quakers in Japan is finished.   I put the last stitches in while watching a TV documentary of travels through Japan and mentally reliving my happy days there, all the while wondering when flights will resume and I will once again be able to visit.  Then I hear that Air New Zealand plans to start a once a week flight from July so maybe.....?

Anyway, my lovely sampler is finished and I may just wander over to Mr Van Uffelen this week and have him help me select a suitable frame:) The place on the wall is already selected.

Also finished is the small Christmas Ornament.  The black beads for the musical notes were a nightmare - I spilt them all over the carpet not once but twice!! This may be the only ornament this year.   With all that's going on I'm not sure I have the enthusiasm to make the usual quantity and distribute them. 
I'm back to stitching The Birds and want to get that finished.   Then there is a birthday gift which must be completed by the beginning of September.   After that there is only a piece of hardanger half done but which is not needed until March 2022 so I don't need to "bust a foo foo" on that one.

Knitting completed and a new start

With half this year almost over I decided I had better make a start on the Christmas Ornaments for the nieces and nephews.   A pleasurable time was spent looking back through my large collection of JCS Christmas Ornament Editions and selecting several.   Size is one of the decision criteria so I had to be careful. 

The small cardigan for Sophia is finished and am really pleased with the way it went together.  I shall deliver the package of two knitteds to her mother later this week - when the rain has stopped?

Now I am back on the Quakers in Japan SAL and also The Birds.   Both of these need some undivided attention in order to make progress but an altercation once more with a carving knife means I have a bandage on my left forefinger which is slowing me down considerably and necessitating the use of rubber gloves to keep it dry.   A side benefit has been that my chapped and cracked fingers are having a chance to heal.  Yeah!

Plodding on

Today the rain held off and I was able to get out for two walks and enjoy the fresh air.
It is strange how this lockdown is affecting us all and we have had phone calls and txt messages from several folk who are normally in the "Christmas Card Only" file.   To be fair, the DBEM had me busy on the email too keeping in touch with her cousins -  I have a new career as an amanuensis:-)
The Christmas Ornament plans changed - I fell out of love with the linen I had chosen and opted for a 36 count and decided to stitch over two fabric threads,   Then I realised it would turn out far larger than I was happy with so chose to stitch only the centre O and today I finish-finished it off as an ornament for my tree.   The chart was difficult to read due to the colour/symbol coding but is available here if you want to stitch this yourself.

Lovely to feel so organised....but tomorrow I must get back to The Birds.
Do you remember me saying that Rag Doll Ruby was predestined to be an only child?   Well, the birth of Great Niece E has made me reconsider and I have started on Ruby's sibling as a gift for the new baby.  So far two legs and one arm only so no photo at this point.   Tomorrow may see the other arm and the body.   I have cut out the fabric for a summer dress for Great Niece E for next NZ summer and will make a start on sewing that tomorrow since the weather forecast is for more rain which means no gardening.   The weeds will wait another day:-)
Until next...Keep Safe, Keep Well