The first is "Kitten Mitten", a Cricket Collection freebie you can get here. That kitten actually looked like a bear to me. I just did a quick finish by sewing on a backing and blanket stitching around the edge. Not a favorite of mine now, but it got the urge to stitch it out of me.
Next we have "Happy Snowman", a freebie from Shepherd's Bush that you can get here. It's done on Cornflower Blue 28 count Jobelan over-2. I expected this to be made into a card, but when I completed the stitching, I realized it was a perfect size for an Altoid tin top. So another one of those under my belt and it does make a cute gift for this time of year.
For whatever reason, I really wanted to stitch Blackbird Designs "Be Mine". I suppose it had been on my list for years, but I don't know why it suddenly rose to the top. Anyway it's done on 36 count over-2 Vikki Linen. I used all DMC and adjusted the colors a little bit. Then I added the little crocheted flower for a bit of interest. I sort of followed an old tutorial of Vonna's on the wayback machine to construct it. Her tute showed sewing the lining on by hand, but I did it by machine. We both left the top open and just folded the top edge down inside the stocking. So a very rough finish and not meant to hold any treats. Just a decorative ornament. I'm quite taken with this finish.
I had always planned to stitch a few of the Brookes Books Advent Calendar Animals. This Polar Bear was a clear favorite. I was planning to make this into an ornament for a friend, but that never happened. I did need a card at the last minute though and this little guy filled the bill. This is done on a pre-cut tri-fold window card. Carol was kind enough to send me some cardmaking supplies a while back and this one really came in handy to do a quick finish.
Finally, I was going through some old magazines and discovered "Winter Walk" by The Little Stitcher from the Feb, 2014 issue of JCS. I took out the bottom border and omitted one tree to make this card-sized. Finished it up this morning to replenish the stock pile!
Seasons Greetings to everyone!
