Christmas Banners Stitch-a-Long, part 4

Hi everybody -- how has it been three weeks already? Last week I shared the second Christmas Banner I had just started, and -- because of the way this kit was structured -- starts to come together more quickly. In a very short time I had gotten to this point, by appliquéing "Christmas is Love" and two bows, and embroidering pine branches: 

Again, because the sequins get added at the end, I was able to make more progress than I expected. Here's where I am now: 

I added Santa, his sack, the trees, and started a couple of animals. I decided that I would do all the felt appliqué first, and then do the embroidery later. Honestly, I really love cutting out the tiny pieces and sewing them on one by one. 

I also realized that I said how much I loved the pine branches, but didn't include a closeup: 

For our next check-in on May 19 I hope to have all of the animals attached and be ready to start on the embroidery. 

The other stitchers in this stitch-a-long are always working on amazingly beautiful and diverse projects. Go check out their blogs and get inspired! Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Jackie, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, and Cindy.

Halloween Ornaments Project, April 2024

I'd like to take a moment to say how much I enjoy these little projects. It's a nice break from larger projects like the ones I make in my stitch-a-long. These small ornaments that are highly portable and I can finish quickly are PERFECT. 

In March I made another little cross-stitched ornament taken from a pattern in an old Cross Stitcher Halloween issue: 

I stitched it on another bit of ice-dyed Aida from a couple of summers ago, and changed how I finished it. I also skipped the beads on the edge as I wanted a different look. I'm really happy with this one:

For my next project I'm going to start a series from this Prairie Schooler leaflet, Boo To You:

I plan to start with this friendly fella: 

I'll be back on May 13 to share my finished ornament and my next project pick.

Christmas Banners Stitch-a-Long, part 3

In this year when I'm going to try to go through my stash of vintage felt-and-sequin holiday kits, I'm THRILLED to announce that I have a finish! It's an unexpected happy dance!

Here's where I was last time:

And after a weekend where I didn't feel well so stayed in, I finished it!

Finishing this one gave me a little boost so I pulled the next kit at random out of the GIANT BOX OF STUFF in the basement: 

I should confess something here -- I already don't really like this design -- the beige color of the background doesn't seem very festive! It's also really big compared to the last piece, but has fewer sequins and more embroidery.  

But I settled in to do some of the applique -- which goes faster because in this project, all the sequins come LAST. This means the applique is much faster. So in a short period I attatched the bows and the "Christmas is Love" letters. And then -- and this I think was my favorite part -- I embroidered the pine boughs. Super duper satisfying!

For our next check-in on April 28 I hope to have the tree and Santa attached and be ready to start on the critters. 

The other stitchers in this stitch-a-long are always working on amazingly beautiful and diverse projects. Go check out their blogs and get inspired! Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Jackie, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, and Cindy.