2021 Online Advent Calendar

 Jo over at Serendipitous Stitching has the most fabulous hops over the entire year. She is super creative and I think has done so much to keep blogging alive!

She always gives us a topic to include in our posts. This year is Christmas Tree.

If you go and read the other bloggers posts (and you should), there are tons of good stories about Christmas trees.

My story has to do with this Hardanger Angel. 

 

Many years ago, I belonged to the Coffee Mill Stitches in Elkader, Iowa. We were going to do a sale of some sort and  I was stitching this angel. I figured, sure, I will donate it to the sale. I got it stitched and one of the members finished it and then they said-"you really don't want to donate this do you? " I thought, no, I really don't. I believe  I made a monetary donation to the sale instead. I'm glad they talked me into keeping her. She looks lovely sitting on top of my tree every year. But she needs a bath.....Maybe after this Christmas.

Here is my tree:

And see where that needlepoint piece sits? That is where Angel of Love will go when I finish her!

I haven't stitched anything Christmas this year. I noticed that I had the same issue last year. Sad. Hopefully I will have something new in 2022. Hey! That rhymes!

Dyeing Fabric

The Mississippi River Valley Chapter of EGA had an interesting challenge for the group this year. We were given a large piece of Hardanger fabric and challenged to make something with it. I knew exactly what I was going to do with it! My beloved sister-in-law is a minister and has been desiring a Hardanger stole. The fabric was perfect except for one thing-it was white and she wanted a green stole. (And I now know it is too short, but I will deal with that later.)

I did not want to use green thread on the white fabric so I needed to dye the stuff. The only problem was it is wool. (Very soft!) A friend had some dye but it was a cold water dye for cotton and linens. Here is a picture of it: I was given an extra piece of fabric to experiment with so I decided to try it. It took less than a teaspoon of dye to color the vat green:

I added 3 tablespoons of salt to activate the dye and allowed the fabric to soak overnight. Then I added baking soda to neutralize and set the dye. Then I rinsed the piece in cold water. To set the dye I heated my iron to high and while the piece was still wet, I ironed it. The kids said it stunk! (Think wet sheep!) Anyway, it seemed to work. I know my sister-in-law won't be getting the finished piece wet or dirty, but I did wash a small piece to make sure the color stayed. It did so I think I am ready to look for threads. Here is a photo:

I will probably use Impressions, but want to go to my LNS to check colors.