Saturday, December 24, 2011

Assorted updates

I had neglected The Great Escape SAL for a while, but I'm all caught up. My scruffy owl, named Wol by the designer, is up to date now with full body and wings. He'll get owl feet in the new year I hope. These stitches are so hard to do well, especially on the higher count fabric I chose. I just have to think of my work as 'rustic' and not get uptight about it.



In a few spare moments, I crocheted a couple of coasters to use up leftover cotton yarns. I actually don't intend to use them as coasters. For me, they are the perfect size to use as a hot, wet compress over my eyes and nose when I get a sinus headache. Large enough to do the job and maybe avert the need to take any meds, but small enough to keep my hair from getting wet and frizzing up! I keep losing them when I do my laundry.. sacrifices to the drier gods. So I made a couple of new ones.

This pattern is called a snowflake coaster, although it does have eight vertices, not six, but who's counting?



And this is very standard type of flower coaster. There are only so many ways to make these with worsted weight yarn since you only get about four rounds before the item is too large for a coaster.



And now for some fun gifts that the mailman brought be lately.

First, my friend Wendy
sent me a beautiful tatted snowflake. You wouldn't believe how fine the threads are and how perfect every stitch is!




A very fun surprise package arrived from Michelle. Look at this great array of goodies. A gorgeous pin cushion with the cutest birdie ever, a lovely beaded fob with a sweet little ladybug on the end, some heart charms, plus beads, ribbons and floss from South African companies that I had never seen before. How lucky am I!



Annette sent a card with an adorable heart-felt (little wordplay there) ornament. We both agreed this will work right through Valentine's Day!



Finally, I was lucky enough to receive one of Nia's cute little felt mistletoe ornaments. Hoping this results in lots of holiday kisses!



Many thanks to all of these ladies for remembering me this way. And many thanks to all those who take time to stop by my blog. The stitching community is the best, yes?

Happy Holidays!

26 comments:

Jackie's Stitches said...

The speciality stitching on the owl gives it such nice texture!

Margaret said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Margaret said...

Sorry about that. I'll try again. Love your owl -- so cute, and the specialty stitches are great! Love your crochet as well. And the gifts are wonderful!

Happy holidays!

Ranae said...

A bunch of goodies post.
I received a heart from Annette too
Merry Christmas and Happy 2012
Ho!Ho!Ho!

Jane said...

Those coasters are so pretty and I do love the owl. When is he due to be finished?

Annette said...

What a beautifull owl you stitched!!
Nice job on teh coasters!!
You are very spoiled with Xmas..
I;m so glad you like my heart
Enjoy your gifts... and merry Xmas

Melanie said...

Love the owl. He's a cutie. :)
Such nice gifts too!!!

Merry Christmas chicky!! :)

barbara said...

Explain to me how you use the coasters for your sinus headaches, please. Always trying to find something that works ....

That star is amazing - quite the treasure. And I think your owl is fabulous!

Nancy said...

I think your owl looks adorable, and your coasters are so pretty! What wonderful gifts you received. I love tatting, and the snowflakes is beautiful! Merry Christmas!

CATHI said...

Have a wonderful Christmas!

Cathi

Anne said...

Wow! Lovely crocheted snowflake Annie!! Great progress on the owl too!! Lovely exchange gifts you received Annie! Merry Christmas to you and your family!!

Karen said...

Rustic or not, the owl looks great! I love seeing this type of embroidery on other blogs. Love the coasters, too, especially the pink variegated one. I'm happy for the nice presents you got, Annie, I know you deserve them!

Nicky said...

Your owl is growing beautifully Annie. I love your use of the coasters too ........ kind of like a stitch in time saves nine, when you can avoid using medications....

I hope you've had a lovely Christmas day and that Santa was good to you .....

Gina E. said...

I love any owls - I got some for Xmas myself! But none handmade, and certainly not as cute as yours.
That is a good use for the coasters; can I suggest that when you wash them, put them into a zip up washbag so they don't get lost with the bigger things in your laundry?
Your bloggy friends are very generous, and yes - the stitching community is certainly the best!

Hetti said...

Hi Annie, Happy Holidays and i wish you a healthy and very creative 2012!
The owl is beautiful with the special stitches,
Hugs,

Carol said...

Finally catching up on blogs, Annie. I think the rustic look of your owl is perfect for a wild bird.

One of the great mysteries of life...just where DO those small things go to when they disappear in the dryer??

Beautiful gifts, Annie--I love that tatted snowflake. Always wished I knew how to do that myself...

Wishing you a very happy 2012!!

ncscoelho said...

Annie, loved the updates and the presents you received.

Have a great 2012 with lots of beautiful work, like all you've done so far.

Siobhán said...

What lovely gifts! Lucky you. :) I love the coasters--they look great. Nice job on the owl, too!

I hope you have a fantastic 2012!

Anonymous said...

What gorgeous tatting, you lucky girl! Wol is fluffy and fun. My favorite coaster is the top one. I love the colors in the yarn.

Pumpkin said...

You've got quite a few nifty projects on the go!

Wonderful gifts :o)

All the best in the New Year Annie!

♥ Nia said...

Beautiful projects! That owl looks like a real dare :) Good work!
I like the snowflake, even with 8 vertices =) hehehehe
Lovely gifts!! And mine is there too =)
Happy 2012 my friend!!! :D

Margaret said...

Thanks for your visit to my blog.

Happy 2012 to you and all your loved ones.

♥ Nia said...

Happpy New Year!!! :D

Anne said...

Really cute owl Annie! Beautiful tatted snowflake, and I really love the idea of the coaster size eye coolers! Shall try that for after stitching as the eyes are tired and this would probably help! Happy New Year to you as well Annie! Hope to see more of your wonderful works throughout 2012!! :)

Brigitte said...

Oh, this little owl is just sweet. These specialty stitches look really good on it.
Enjoy all your beautiful gifts. Happy New Year!

Rachel S-H said...

Pretty gifts. I love the owl--he's not rustic, he's original! Happy New Year.