Happy New Year!

Frohe Weihnachten!

“O’Tannenbaum” Today let's take a moment to remember the German-Americans who first introduced our beautiful German Christmas tree to the U.S.A., and made it what later became a worldwide symbol of Christmas. When Americans celebrate Christmas; most are never made aware that the customs they use to celebrate are largely of German origin. In the very beginning the first Christmas trees seen in Amer...ica by other Americans were set up by German Hessian soldiers in 1776 during the American Revolution. The first record of the now traditional American custom of going out to cut down or buy a tree was established in 1821 when a Pennsylvania German family by the name of Hensel cut down a tree in Lancaster and brought it home to decorate. Little did these early German Settlers know that this very German tradition was to become a custom practiced by millions of American Christians of all ethnic backgrounds across the continent and of course later the world. The Saturday Evening Post once described Pennsylvania German homes where the trees were visible through the windows and the green boughs were laden with fruit and candles that sparkled into the night. It’s clear to see why other Americans would soon become mesmerized by the warmth and beauty of our German Christmas traditions. As the flow of German Immigration spread across the land, so did our beautiful Christmas tree along with our other German Christmas customs. The idea of having a community Christmas tree was first established in 1841 by Karl Minnegerode in Williamsburg, VA. He started a tradition that brings great pride to our community each year when the U.S. President lights the national Christmas tree. A German American by the name of Thomas Nast, also remembered in history as the father of the American Cartoon, created the first picture of Santa Claus. His image of Santa Claus became the symbol all Americans recognize to this day. Christmas wouldn’t look very much like Christmas as we know it without the influence of the German-speaking immigrants. Some other Germanic contributions are the wreath, ornaments, the tradition of gift giving, stollen, cookies, gingerbread houses, Christmas markets, advent calendars, Christmas Choirs, and of course some of the greatest music ever written, for example, Silent Night the most cherished Christmas hymn in the world.

Frohe Weihnachten!

What did he leave in your shoes this morning?  Chocolate or coal?

Irene's Round Robin

 

I stitched two of the squares on this piece.  Irene stitched the borders and square out lines as well as the center square and the bottom left square.  I did the squares to the left and right of the center. 

This piece is done on congress cloth, and was a quick and enjoyable stitch. 



More Sled Ornaments

I stitched and finished three more sled ornaments this past week.  They are great little projects to take along.  This particular set was actually a house, a barn and a church.  Since we don't live in the country, and these will eventually be gifts, I did two churches and skipped the barn.

November Progress, December Goals

Not too much progress this month.  Lots of other things needed to be done, and my stitching mojo was missing for awhile too.  December promises to be the same, a very busy time of year. 

November

WISPS:
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas  
work on Logan’s stocking 
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
 
In Progress
Strawberry #1
Oveture II 
4 person RR – mine finished
Or Nué finished

Future New starts

Snow in Love
Good Tidings
afghan pillow bear
afghan pillow moose
Crystal Violets
French Alphabet block sampler
Silent Night (CCN)
Around the World in 80 Days
Owen’s birth sampler
Peter’s Birth Sampler
Natalie’s Stocking
Owen’s stocking
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Halloween House #15
5 person RR - Suzanne's finished
12 Person RR – Robin’s finished
12 person RR  - Margie’s  finished
Sled ornament #2  - finished
Sled ornament #3 – finished
Sled ornament #4 – finished
Sled ornament #5 -  finished
Sled ornament #6 -  finished
Sled ornament #7 -  finished
Sled ornament #8 -   finished
Sled ornament #9  finished

December

WISPS:
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas  
work on Logan’s stocking 
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler

In Progress

Strawberry #1
Oveture II 

Future New starts

Snow in Love
Good Tidings
afghan pillow bear
afghan pillow moose
Crystal Violets
French Alphabet block sampler
Silent Night (CCN)
Around the World in 80 Days
Owen’s birth sampler
Peter’s Birth Sampler
Natalie’s Stocking
Owen’s stocking
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Halloween House #15
4 person RR – Irene’s
4 person RR – Chris’
Diva’s RR – Coral’s
6 person RR - mine

 

 

 

5 Ornaments Stitched

I was a Hermit this past weekend and stitched most of these ornaments, and finished all of them.  

International Hermit and Stitch Weekend

I plan to stitch this weekend!

Margie's Round Robin

 Today I stitched Margie's Round Robin piece.  Her project is 12 different owls in a Star Treck theme.  Each one is cuter than the other! 

Robyn'w Round Robin....

I stitched Robyn's Round Robin piece today.  I have stitched this entire piece for myself before, so it was like an old familiar friend.

Suzanne's Round Robin finished

I just finished Suzanne's Round Robin piece and put it in the mail (just a few days late, sorry!).

There are 5 of us in the Diva's Round Robin Group and we have a pass every two months, you think I would get this little thing done in that time, but I kept putting it off, thinking I had time, and before I knew it, I was late! 

Suzanne has chosen these small flower charts by Serendipity Designs.  Not sure what she will do with the finished piece, but the are very pretty!

An New Technique

I finished this three wise men ornament the other day.  Mary McGuire (who works at Welcome Stitchery) taught this technique at our last EGA meeting.  It is called an Or Nué.  You lay gold thread on congress cloth and then do vertical stitches over the gold threads to make your design.  It was a quick finish, and I am hope to do more with this technique.  Mary explained how to use a counted cross stitch design to do this, and I think many of the members went home to look for charts to convert!

The Start of Another Round Robin.....

Here is my piece of a new round robin that I am doing with 3 stitchers from the Needlepoint Guild.  It is an older Imaginatings chart called Four Season, by Diane Arthurs (not Diane Williams of Little House Needleworks as I had previously typed - I got the two Dianes mixed up!).  This little bit took me forever....yes forever to stitch.  Why?  because I had to rip out that little house at least 5 times.......

Don't quite know when I will get the next piece for this round robin.  We were going to have the first pass early October, but Irene had to go out of town to take care of a family member that is ill, so we postponed it until November, but now Marguerite is in the hospital so we may postpone it for a bit again.  It's okay, I am ready for

November Ort Report (aka TUSAL)

Here is my report for this month's Totally Useless Stitch-a-Long.  As you can see, there aren't as many orts as usual.  There are two reasons for this.  I was away from my regular stitching nest for a few weekends and I don't remember where those orts went....and I didn't get in as much stitching time this past month due to a bad cold and playing with the grandchildren.  Hopefully, there will be more orts next month.!

October Prgress, November Goals

Well, October wasn't one of my better months stitching wise.....I ended up with a bad cold right in the middle of the month and wasn't able to stitch for over a week!  Next month will be better!

I did manage to complete Natalie's Birth Sampler, which was the last of the 19 Crazy January starts that still needed to be finished!  And I put in a few hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas! 

October

WISPS:
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas  worked on it
work on Logan’s stocking 
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler

In Progress

Strawberry #1
Oveture II 

Crazy January starts

Natalie’s Birth Sampler finished

Future New starts

Snow in Love
Good Tidings
afghan pillow bear
afghan pillow moose
Crystal Violets
French Alphabet block sampler
Silent Night (CCN)
Around the World in 80 Days
Owen’s birth sampler
Peter’s Birth Sampler
Natalie’s Stocking
Owen’s stocking
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Halloween House #15
Fall Mail Art finished
4 person RR – mine worked on it
5 person RR - Suzanne's
12 person RR - Kim's finished
Spooky Stitches finished
Or Nu worked on it

November

WISPS:
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas  
work on Logan’s stocking 
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler

In Progress

Strawberry #1
Oveture II 
4 person RR – mine
Or Nu

Future New starts

Snow in Love
Good Tidings
afghan pillow bear
afghan pillow moose
Crystal Violets
French Alphabet block sampler
Silent Night (CCN)
Around the World in 80 Days
Owen’s birth sampler
Peter’s Birth Sampler
Natalie’s Stocking
Owen’s stocking
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Halloween House #15
5 person RR - Suzanne's

 

 

Mail Art Sent

 I just received word that the Mail Art piece that I sent has been received!  It arrived in Germany without a single speck of dirt or dust, in pristine condition.

I am a bit annoyed with myself.  I had intended a different finish for the envelope which would have centered the motifs better but I was in a bit of a hurry when I was doing the construction and I 'forgot' what I originally intended.  It was too late to re do it, so.....it went off in the mail a bit lopsided.....

edited to add:  the motifs are from It's Autumn, and older chart by Sue Hillis!

Mail Art Received

 I was asked to join a German Mail Art group on Facebook recently.  The first exchange that I participated in was a fall themed exchange. 

I received this piece in the mail this weekend.  Sabine did a beautiful job of stitching and constructing the envelope, unfortunately, she was afraid to put it in the mail, so she put it in another envelope to mail.  It doesn't have stamps on this piece or the cancelation.  I must say that I am a bit disappointed, as the stamps and cancelation give the envelope character. 

Spooky Stitches

 

While I was at the Inspired Needle recently, I picked up this Shepherd's Bush kit.  It's a little stitching bag.  I did one similar to this a while ago, so I had to do this one while I am in the mood for Halloween.  It stitched up rather quickly.

Natalie's Birth Sampler

 

Natalie is now two and a half!  I finally finished her birth sampler.  Off to the framers with it soon. 


As soon as their parents pick out their samplers, Owen and Peter will get one too

Kim's Round Robin

While at the retreat, I stitched this for Kim's Round Robin.  We are each to stitch our inital, I'm not really sure if I want to be remembered as an elephant.....

 

 

Last weekend, I spent 3 days on the Southside of Chicago, specifically in Crestwood, at the annual South Side Get Together.  The group was a bit smaller this year, but it was still a lot of fun.  So much fun and stitching went on that I forgot to take pictures!   I did take a trip to the Inspired Needle in Lemont while I was in the area for some much needed supplies.  

The Inspired Needle is a great little shop, I am always amazed at how much Cathy has to offer!  Lots of fibres to choose from.

 

Lots of charts, too!  and a cozy table to sit and stitch.

Cathy is great to work with.  Stop in and see her if you are in the area.  You can also order from her on line!

 

It's My Blogaversary!

7 years ago today is started my blog!  892 post, 235 followers later, I am still stitching and still blogging.  I should have planned a give-a-way but I guess I just wasn't organized enough! 

October TUSAL Report

Here is the ort jar right after the new noon....it might look like lots of stitching, but it really was a lot of frogging!

September Progress, October Goals

It was a busy month with the beginning of German School and lots going on at the regular job.  I did manage to get in an average of 3 hours per day on my stitching.  Most of the month, stitching wise was taken up with Natalie's Birth Sampler.  It is almost done, just another day or two. 

September

WISPS:
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas  
work on Logan’s stocking 
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler

In Progress

Strawberry #1
Sue’s RR piece finished
LHN Mystery part 3 finished
Oveture II 

Crazy January starts

Natalie’s Birth Sampler  worked on it

Future New starts
Snow in Love
Good Tidings
afghan pillow bear
afghan pillow moose
Crystal Violets
French Alphabet block sampler
Silent Night (CCN)
Around the World in 80 Days
Owen’s birth sampler
Peter’s Birth Sampler
Natalie’s Stocking
Owen’s stocking
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Halloween House #15
Rose Quaker page 8 finished

October

WISPS:
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas  
work on Logan’s stocking 
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler

In Progress

Strawberry #1
Oveture II 

Crazy January starts

Natalie’s Birth Sampler 

Future New starts

Snow in Love
Good Tidings
afghan pillow bear
afghan pillow moose
Crystal Violets
French Alphabet block sampler
Silent Night (CCN)
Around the World in 80 Days
Owen’s birth sampler
Peter’s Birth Sampler
Natalie’s Stocking
Owen’s stocking
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Halloween House #15
Fall Mail Art
4 person RR - mine
5 person RR - Suzanne's
12 person RR - Kim's

 

Christmas Mail Art

 

Another Round Robin Comes Home!

This cute chart by Sue Hillis was my piece in a round robin with Sue, Leta and Darla.  I stitched all the borders and all the words, and the other three each stitched two squares.  It came home today and I sewed on the charm and now it's ready for framing! 

I will put it in a red frame and hang it in the kitchen!

Not Much Stitching Time lately.....

Getting ready for the start of German School took up most of my time the past few weeks, so I didn't have much time to stitch.   I survived my first day as principal this past Saturday, but just barely!  When I was interim principal 5 years ago, it didn't seem this hard.....but then again I was 5 years younger......  Having my grandson as part of the student body also made me feel a bit old, but getting a hug from him and from other students did make my day better!

Sunday, I decided to just sit and stitch.  Well, I tried, but got a frantic call from work and ended up going in to my regular job for a few hours.  In spite of that adventure, I made some good progress on Natalie's birth sampler.  This is the last of my Crazy January starts that isn't yet finished (the other 18 have been finished for quite some time).  When I picked it up, only the letters had been stitched.  This weekend I did the illuminated O, as well as all the other stars, moon, castle, top of the fairy's head and border.  I must admit that I was reluctant to continue on this one because I was soooo sick of pink, but now that I am stitching with lots of other colors it is more fun! 

Rose Quaker is Finished!

Happy Dance with me, blogging buddies!  I finished Rose Quaker this week.  If you are regular reader, you have seen me post one finished page per month since March (except for the month that I stitched two pages because I just couldn't stop). 

It is stitched on 25 count ivory lugana with DMC floss ( I changed one color) with one strand over one fabric thread.  I can't imagine how big this would be if I did it over 2 on 28 or 32 count!  It's big enough this way!

I am very, very pleased with it.  I didn't stitch the words 'a token of love' in the red wreath that is in the center near the top.  I think I will put my initals and year in there, but I need to think on that a bit and decide what alphabet to use. 

I will be framing this one, but probably not until May when my LNS has their annual framing sale. I will miss spending a few days each month with 'Rosie'.... but there are so many other things that need to be stitched.....



September TUSAL

Hello there blogging buddies!  Another month has come and gone, and it's time to show you my TUSAL orts!  It doesn't look like much, but I was away for a few weekends and didn't bring my orts home to add to the jar, and some of it was 'over 1' stitching which doesn't produce a lot of orts.




Mystery Solved!

I finished part 3 of the Little House Needleworks Songs of the Season Mystery Sampler the other day.  I will take it to be framed next time my LNS has a framing sale, probably next May. 

As all Little House Needleworks designs, this one was very enjoyable to stitch.  I used the suggested 30 count fabric and the suggested floss colors. 

Another Round Robin Finished!

I was the last one to stitch a heart for Sue Payton.  She chose a set of patriotic hearts and had each of us stitch one on a separate piece of fabric.  She is planning on making a patriotic wall hanging with them. 

As soon as I can get to the post office, this Round Robin will be on it's way home.

Labor Day Weekend

I spent this past weekend with 25 of my favorite people (and their parents, siblings and grandparents) plus about 1000 other people.  We had our annual Landestreffen der Donauschwaben, this year hosted by the Carpathia Club in Sterling Heights Michigan.  The children danced beautifully, even the 3 year olds, and I got lots, and lots of hugs!  Not much time for stitching, but I wouldn't have missed spending time with these adorable smiling faces for anything!

August Progress and September Goals

It's a busy time of year, so not as much stitching time as I would have liked, but then again, we all want more stitching time no matter how much we get!  September promises to be even busier, so I will have to really try and schedule some time to stitch. 

August

WISPS:
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas  worked on it
work on Logan’s stocking 
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler

In Progress

Strawberry #1
Table Runner  finished
Pumpkins 4 Sale finished

Crazy January starts

Natalie’s Birth Sampler 

Future New starts

Snow in Love
Good Tidings
afghan pillow bear
afghan pillow moose
Crystal Violets
French Alphabet block sampler
Silent Night (CCN)
Around the World in 80 Days
Owen’s birth sampler
Peter’s Birth Sampler
Natalie’s Stocking
Owen’s stocking
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Halloween House #15
Rose Quaker page 7 finished
LHN Mystery part 3 worked on it
Overture II  worked on it
Snowman 1 sled ornament finished
12 RR border  worked on it finished
12 person RR my part finished
Sue’s RR piece worked on it
 
September
WISPS:
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas  
work on Logan’s stocking 
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler

In Progress

Strawberry #1
Sue’s RR piece
LHN Mystery part 3
Overture II 

Crazy January starts

Natalie’s Birth Sampler 

Future New starts

Snow in Love
Good Tidings
afghan pillow bear
afghan pillow moose
Crystal Violets
French Alphabet block sampler
Silent Night (CCN)
Around the World in 80 Days
Owen’s birth sampler
Peter’s Birth Sampler
Natalie’s Stocking
Owen’s stocking
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Halloween House #15

 

Another Round Robin has started

I have done the border and 4 of the 12 squares on Year of Flowers by Drawn Thread.  It is being stitched on 32 count Beach Walk linen with DMC floss.  Each of the other 4 round robiners will each stitch 2 squares and when it comes home to me it will be all finished.  I plan to finish it into a folio when it is done.

Rose Quaker page 7 done

Hello blogging buddies!  The last few days I have been stitching another page of Rose Quaker by Stitckideen von der Wiehenburg and finished page 7 late last night.

I know someone will ask, so here are the details.  I am stitching this on 25 count ivory lugana with all but one of the recommended DMC colors.  I am stitching this with one strand of floss over one fabric thread. 

There is only one more page to go, so be sure and come back in September for my happy dance!

A Sled Ornament

Here is another finish from this past IHSW!  I started and finished this ornament on Sunday afternoon, and I think it is just too cute! 

I know my blogging buddies are going to ask.....so I will be proactive and give you the details.  I ordered the sled and chart from Dixie Darlings .  There are lots of charts to choose from, and the sleds include the perforated paper to stitch on.  The stitched paper is then affixed to the sled with a double sided acid free tape that you can also order from Dixie Darlings. 

I will be making more of these.

The Runner is Finished!

You may remember my runner dilemma from last spring.  I had found a piece of finished runner
fabric when I was reorganizing and promised to stitch it as a donation to an auction.  When it I finally located the chart, I couldn't find the fabric.  Luckily, Stoney Creek had one more in stock and sent it to me, but it all took a while and I didn't get it stitched in time for the auction so I donated the one from my front hall table.  The intention was to replace it with the new one, same chart, same colors.....  it took awhile, but as of Saturday evening, it is done and will be back on the table!

Stitching With Kay Stanis

Our EGA chapter hosted an Illinois State Day today.  Marguerite (no blog) and I have been working on this for over a year and the day had finally come!  Our instructor was Kay Stanis of the Gilded Edge and she was teaching silk and metal thread emboidery.  The project that we had chosen was Overture 2. 















Kay was a great instructor, and was more than happy to demonstrate stitches and techniques.  We all learned a great deal!






Here is my piece at the end of class.  Not as much progress as some of the others because I was busy getting lunch and setting up and cleaning up, but it was progress.  I can't wait to get back to it and get it finished!

IHSW Again!

It is International Hermit and Stitch Weekend again!  I plan on getting lots of stitching in on Saturday and Sunday!

Pumpkins 4 Sale

 I finished the stitching Pumpkins 4 Sale by Little House Needleworks and attached it to this Impie Hattie and Bea 'workbook' late last night. 

As with all Little House Needleworks designs, it was very enjoyable to stitch.

August TUSAL Report

Here is the ort jar for the past month.  It doesn't look like much, but I actually put things in the ort jar in the family room too, and forgot to add them to this jar before I took a picture.....

July Progress and August Goals

I got in a very good amount of stitching time this past month.  Even though I hope it continues, getting ready for the start of German School will cut into my stitching time. 

July

WISPS:
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas  
work on Logan’s stocking 
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler

In Progress

Strawberry #1
Jeweled Heart   finished
Table Runner worked on it
LHN Mystery Part 1 finished

Crazy January starts

Natalie’s Birth Sampler 

Future New starts

Snow in Love
Good Tidings
afghan pillow bear
afghan pillow moose
Crystal Violets
French Alphabet block sampler
Silent Night (CCN)
Around the World in 80 Days
Owen’s birth sampler
Peter’s Birth Sampler
Natalie’s Stocking
Owen’s stocking
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Halloween House #15
LHN Mystery Sampler part 2 finished
Rose Quaker page 6  finished
Diamond Quilt border  finished
Diamond Quilt square 1  finished
Darla’s RR  finished
Pumpkins 4 Sale worked on it

August

WISPS:
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas  
work on Logan’s stocking 
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler

In Progress

Strawberry #1
Table Runner
Pumpkins 4 Sale

Crazy January starts

Natalie’s Birth Sampler 
 
Future New starts
Snow in Love
Good Tidings
afghan pillow bear
afghan pillow moose
Crystal Violets
French Alphabet block sampler
Silent Night (CCN)
Around the World in 80 Days
Owen’s birth sampler
Peter’s Birth Sampler
Natalie’s Stocking
Owen’s stocking
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Halloween House #15
Rose Quaker page 7
LHN Mystery part 3

It's Still a Mystery!

Little House Needleworks Mystery Sampler is still a mystery!  I finished part 2 late last night (or should I say very early this morning!)


Part 3 (the final part) should be out in another week or so.......

Two More Framed Pieces

  This is Let it Snow, a freebie by Ozark Sampler, framed in a ready made Mill Hill frame that was just perfect!











And here is Sue Hillis' 4 Seasons Baskets that was a round robin piece.  It was also framed in a ready made frame.  I love how both of these turned out.

6 Fat Men and 6 Snow Belles Framed

I picked up both of these this past Saturday.  The first one is Lizzie Kate's 6 Fat Men stitched on 28 count blue spruce linen.  I had to change one of the blue flosses on this one, but otherwise used all the recommended colors.












Here is the companion piece, 6 Snow Belles, stitched on a piece of Thread Gatherers 30 count linen that has since been discontinued.  For this one I used all the fibres as charted. 


I just love how they look in the white frames!  Wonder where they will hang?