Saturday, September 8, 2012

Halloween Cards and Stocking Ornament

It's been a sad week here in the neighborhood.  The McDonald's closed!  That was our only remaining fast food burger place in the commercial district near my home.  I never went there a lot, but it sure was my security blanket.  A bathroom when my toilet wasn't working, a place to get coffee when my coffee maker failed, dinner during the derecho, excellent $1.00 plastic ice cream.  In the worst blizzard, I knew I could manage to at least crawl those two blocks. Some of those employees had worked there for years, and I sure hope they've found employment elsewhere. The lot is going to be redeveloped with new office space, and supposedly the McDonald's will return on the ground floor at the completion of the project in 2014.   I think I'll survive, but there will be an adjustment period. 

Three quick finishes to show on the stitching front.  Every time I see something adorable on a blog or Pinterest, I have to drop everything and stitch it up directly.  Especially since I can do a lot of the little ones right from the Nook without printing.

The first is a fabulous design by Erynne who has re-entered the blogging world as 'Stitcheree'.  She has generously shared some of her great designs with us.  This one is called Creepy Hollow and just begged to be stitched for a Halloween card.  I love that crazy moon and the little skulls on the house.  I re-worked it a little bit to replace the tombstone with a cauldron and I added a crow to balance out that side of the piece.  I had those eyelets for some time and the crop-a-dile turned them into quick embellishments.

 
I had printed out this little design by Maria del Valle at Alarttexx some time ago.   It was perfect for a circular cut-out to frame on a card.  A little bit of ribbon and a couple of stars was all I needed to touch it up.
 
This little quaker stocking design is from Zinaida at Hearty Craft.  I had it saved for a long time, but it just recently popped up on Pinterest and grabbed my attention.  This is  stitched on 35 count linen, a fairly loosely woven type so it was easy to sew up those curves and manipulate the fabric. I just used a little interfacing for stabilizer, but no added batting.  I sewed on a row of red beads along the top that don't show up all that well in the photo.  Super-quick finish and flat enough to mail in a regular envelope!







26 comments:

Karen said...

What fun Halloween designs, they make wonderful cards! I love your little Quaker stocking, too. Sorry to hear about your McDonald's. It reminds me of a Dawn Donuts we used to hang out at every day for years and then it closed. It's been about 18 years and we still miss it! But at least your McDonald's will be coming back!

Margaret said...

I love all your stitching! Fun that you stitch directly from your Nook too -- way to go! Bummer about your McDonald's. Who ever heard of a McD's closing? But I guess it makes sense with the development they want to do. Hope you do ok without it. Hope they do reopen too!

Cindy's Stitching said...

the are so pretty. I like the halloween ones. sorry about McDonald's. I am sure the have something planned

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

It is always sad when a business closes and people lose their jobs. I hope they all find work soon, if they haven't already.
Your finishes are all wonderful but I particulalry love the black Halloween piece.

Jan said...

OMG I love the Halloween cards you made. They are adorable. The stocking is just too cute too.
They tore down one of our McD's to rebuild it into a two story building. Weird.

marly said...

Sweet designs! I would shrivel up without my Mickey D's.

Anonymous said...

Annie, I love what you did with Creepy Hollow! You make the best cards!

Jane said...

You have been busy. That moon is fantastic

Anne said...

Oh you made me laugh, yes, I would miss that $1. plastic ice cream too. And having something so close to eat at, in a pinch! There's a Cafe in the Club downstairs from my place and when I don't feel like cooking, I definitely think. hmm wonder what they have I'd like. The new owners are much better cooks than the last so thats a bonus. Two years to wait huh, maybe it will come sooner I hope. Your Creepy is real spooky and I love how you added the embellishments. The cauldron also looks great too. Great idea for the little stocking as shipping is getting terribly priced here. Happy Stitching to you. :)

Siobhán said...

Adorable finishes, Annie! Congratulations. I am amazed at the McDs closing! We got one a few years ago. Definitely not my favorite place--which is probably good, because otherwise I'd be there too much--but it is nice to have a bit of American in town. ;)

Enjoy your week!

Heather said...

Love all your finishes! I've added a couple of them to my to do pile.

I can totally understand what you mean about the McDonald's closing. I really hate it when any shop I'm used to closes. I feel bad for the people who used to work there, and I also really dislike the change to my routine. I'm happily stuck in my rut.

Daffycat said...

Lovely holiday finishes! I like how they are all freebie designs...there are some wonderfully creative and generous people out there!

Michelle said...

Such cute finishes, the stocking is absolutely adorable!

Bernadett said...

Lovely creations.:)

Annette said...

You can never be too early.. hihihi..lol..
What a beautifull creations you have made..
Love the pattern of the middle card..
You
Beautifull made

Jackie's Stitches said...

It's always sad to see a long time neighborhood business close down.

Great finishes! The Crop-a-Dile eyelets that you added are a perfect touch.

Deb said...

Such cute finishes. You're well on your way to being ready for the holidays with your stitching.

Ranae said...

Gotta love the Halloween cards and that stocking is just too cute
I can't imagine a McDonald's closing, we have several popping up in the smaller towns

Carol said...

I love all of your freebie finishes, Annie... Hadn't seen the middle one yet, but will definitely be printing it off. Your cards are so cute and I love the idea of using the crop-a-dile and eyelets for accents. I have a crop-a-dile, too, but have yet to try it out. And I love the idea of a small ornament that will fit in a normal envelope for easy mailing--will have to file that idea in the back of my brain :) Did you hand sew the stocking shape or do it on your machine--that is a huge phobia of mine for some reason!

At least you know your McDonalds will re-open in 2014. Now you're just like me--no restaurants within walking distance at all. It really is a pain sometimes to have to jump in your car for everything!!

Enjoy your week!

♥ Nia said...

I love your second finish! Stitching, ribbon, colors, all so pretty :D Great work sweetie :)

Brigitte said...

These are some great little finishes. I particularly love the Quaker stocking, it's so lovely.

Melanie said...

These are all just SUPER darling and adorable!!! I really like the added eyelets - very different and I love the look the of them.
I peeked at that pattern for the stocking and was surprised that it uses three different DMC threads - it has the look of one overdye. Very nifty!!

Dani - tkdchick said...

All of your finishes are great!!!

CATHI said...

Beautiful finishes! And thanks for the links! I have a question: may I stitch the Creepy Hollow design with the changes you did - cauldron and crow? Please let me know! :o)

Thanks, Cathi

Anne said...

Cute finishes Annie! I adore the Quaker stocking and have that freebie too. It's nice to see it stitched up and finished! Sorry to hear about your safety blanket being torn down :(

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

Damn you! I have the first chart but then you find two more I really love!

Your additions are great.

Shame about the McDs too. You need a handy takeaway, it's one of my house-hunting "musts" - bus route, corner shop and a takeaway!