The Beginning of 2019

Several years ago I was crazy enough to do a new start for 15 days in January. It was fun, but all those starts became overwhelming. This year I plan on finishing at least two large pieces. The first one is my Christmas stocking. I think by working on it so much in December, I can see real progress on the piece.
Here is where I started on December 1, 2018:

 And here is where I ended today:

So I am trying to decide how to rotate through my projects. Stitch on one a week? Stitch on one for so many hours and then rotate? Stitch until I can't stand a piece anymore and then move on? If I choose the last one, I am ready to rotate pieces! The only problem is, this is the only one I have upstairs right now. If I get Christmas decorations down tomorrow, that may change!

Last Post of 2018 ?

Well, life has been busy, but that is part of the joy of having family around for Christmas.

I have been stitching on one large piece lately. It is out and I am making progress.
Here is where I last showed you:

And here I am now:

I discovered a huge mistake while stitching the ox, so I had to rip out a section. At least I did not make a hole in my linen!












I do have some plans for 2019. Right now they are just running around in my head, but hopefully I will get them written out and posted before the end of January. With photos too! My college kids are still home and I am trying to enjoy my time with them before they return to school.

Merry Christmas!

Hope you and yours have a blessed Christmas!

Christmas Eve and I am Working on...

FALL! It is my Mill Hill project and I wanted to share it with you.

I am making some progress as I have finished using all of the beads in one package. After I get the tree done, I can work on the last package of beads. Oh so close, but oh so far away.

International Hermit and Stitching Weekend!

I was so glad to see Jo's post on Facebook that this is the weekend to Hermit and Stitch.  No, you do not need to stitch all weekend or kick your family out of the house so you can stitch! It is just a weekend where you try to get a little stitching time in. We are supposed to post our progress on the Monday or Tuesday after the weekend.    Here is a full list of all the information.

I plan on stitching on First Christmas Stocking. Yes, it is MY stocking. My son laughed at me the other night as he noticed I had not even made it to the toe....

But since my candy making is done-a couple of friends are trading candy with me-I can spend some extra time stitching.  It will be a nice little break during this busy season.

Oh! I wanted to mention that one of the ladies on Flosstube is trying to raise money for Beagle Paws, a beagle rescue group.  Her name is Caroline McNeil Hauffe and her channel is   Off the Grid Needlearts   .Just wanted to get the word out... When I was a child we had a beagle called Charlie Brown. He was the best dog ever. I miss that dog. My husband is a cat person so we have a cat. I am allergic to cats. Guess who the cat loves?    
       

Day 11 Online Advent Calendar

I don't remember getting an Advent calendar as a child. Maybe because there were 6 children and we were poor! (That is what my mom told me, although I never felt poor.) Anyway, Jo over at  Serendipitous Stitching         
is having an online stitching Advent Calendar. It is so much fun seeing what other people stitch for the holidays.
First big disclaimer: I had PLANNED on finishing two ornaments to show here, but life has gotten in the way. I haven't even finished the Mill Hill Nativity set. Sigh. Maybe in Janurary...
So here are our Christmas stockings. I stitched all but one. Can you guess which one?

 This one is my husband's:

 My daughter's:

 One son:

 The other son:

 Mine:

I would really love to get my stocking done for 2019, but we will see.
Jo asked us to include a favorite seasonal song. Mine is rather odd, but I have always loved it:
Emanuel

I tried to add the Youtube, but had issues. What do you think about this song?

Tall Turkey

Yes, it is December. Yes, I want to stitch Christmas. But every year I wish I had a few more things to put out at other seasons. I was cleaning my basement and going through stash when I found this piece:

I have been stitching on him since Thanksgiving, but just haven't shared it with you. It was a kit that had fabric and a button. I pulled threads from my stash. I think I may have to do the heart in another color. He is my take along project.