Sunday, December 15, 2013

Winter Ornament

Haven't done a lot of stitching lately.  I guess there hasn't been enough of interest for me on TV and my stitching is always done while watching.  Or maybe I just need one of those periodic breaks from crafting and have preferred reading in my free time.  Anyway, I did stitch this pretty winter tree, "Arbre d'Hiver", from Jardin Privé, one the four seasonal tree freebies you can get here.  It's stitched on 32 count bone evenweave with DMC threads.  I don't think I even changed one color.  Just back-stitched the snowman since he seemed to be lost in the background without it.  

Vonna has been showing so many mounted felt ornaments lately that I thought I'd give that method a try.  I took her tutorial as a starting point.  She does everything so precisely, and I never do that, but  I more or less followed her lead.  I discussed some details with her about gluing and materials.  I thought the craft glue might bleed through the felt, but it didn't, so that part worked well.  I just used synthetic felt, but it was thicker than most of what I see these days.  I think it might have come from a fabric store rather than a big box craft store.  I now wish I had a zig-zag rotary blade for the edges.  The pinking shears work ok, but much more difficult to get a nice edge.  The stitching is stretched over comic book cardboard with a layer of batting to give a little depth.  I'm reasonably happy with this and I think it will make a nice little gift.  And it's suitable for display all winter since there is no particular holiday flavor to it.



I also make a couple of self-closing gift enclosure cards.  And they stand up for display as well.  The first is one of Daffy Cat's freebies from 2008, Jingle Bell Reindeer.  No beads, just French knots for the 'necklace'.

The second is from the 2013 JCS ornament issue, "Peace Bird", by Rosewood Manor.


Here's a photo of how it works to stand it up.  The bottom folds up and I'll use a sticky seal to close.

21 comments:

Margaret said...

Well for not stitching a lot, I'd say you stitched a good amount! Love all the finishing too!

Terri M said...

Your winter ornament turned out nicely. I use the comic book boards with batting, too. I've always been concerned about the felt-backed ornaments. I've never seen the backs in tutorials. There's no way to know if they turn out lumpy, or with glue seeping through. I'm going to try it someday.

I like your gift enclosure standies. Very cute and clever.

ArchangelDecker said...

As always, gorgeous work! :)

ricketyjo said...

Your winter ornament is lovely! I love the finish on it, and that's a great idea to use the comic book boards, I'd never thought of that. Great stitching!

Mii Stitch said...

Arbre d'hiver is stunning!!! Your flat ornament looks fantastic, very well done!

Nima said...

wow..lovely winter ornament collection

Angela said...

Gorgeous finishes!

Vickie said...

Very sweet and thoughtful, little gifts.

Dani - tkdchick said...

Its hard to find stitching time this time of year! I"m not worried if I don't make progress on my big projects at the moment!

Great finishing on all of your pieces!!!!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Oh golly, I think it is beautiful Annie! Its gorgeously done :)
And I love your little card X-stitches too! You're the crafting dynamo! :)

Anne said...

Wonderful ornament from Jardin Prive Annie! I've admired this design and it's nice to see it stitched up and finished too. I'm with you on the stitching/watching TV bit. I always need to multi task! Love your Christmas cards too. They will make the recipients happy.

Annette said...

Not much stitching lately????
WHERE??????
3 pieces finished!!
You done a awesome job on them.. love the first piece the most.. very cute!!
I never look tv.. to addictive on my laptop...:))))

♥ Nia said...

So much done :D nice work!!!
Love your JP tree :))))

Brigitte said...

Vonna's tutorials are really good, aren't they. And your little ornament turned out great with all the little details you added. And you finisehd two very nice Christmas cards. One of my goals for the next year is to make a couple of these cards throughout the year. I hope I'll manage.

LoriU said...

Oh my gosh..'reasonably happy'? That looks GREAT! I think it is perfect!

Carol said...

I'm another who has to have the TV on when I stitch, Annie. Or sometimes I listen to talking books--you might try them :)

Love your little winter finish--it looks perfect and that is good to know that felt will hold up to the craft glue. I don't have a swirly rotary cutter either--I'd probably cut off my finger with it, though, knowing me!!

Cute little gift tag enclosures--that is a great idea!

Hope you're staying warm--I hear the temperature is going to go way up this weekend!

The Inspired Stitcher said...

I like your winter ornament. I think it turned out really nicely. I've thought about trying that finish too. Love all of Vonna's tutorials.

Melanie said...

Very nice! You are a pro at the felted-flat ornament making already. :)

I have the pinking wheel for my cutter and it is handy. If you plan on doing more of these it's not a bad investment to make.

I usually have TOO MUCH tv to get to because I have such a hard time keeping up with it all nowadays, there are so many good shows on so many channels now. I remember when I had time to watch movies....on DVD even. (Crazy!! Right?)

Karen said...

Somehow I completely missed this post until now, Annie, sorry! I am enjoying seeing your ornaments, as usual you have done a beautiful job on all of them. I like the winter tree one the best, but they are all so nice!

Rachel said...

Love your finishes! The felt looks great!

Anonymous said...

These are lovely finishes. Happy holidays!!