Monday, December 13, 2010

A Bit of Stitching

Saturday was the Smocking Guild Christmas luncheon and ornament exchange, and of course I was still finishing up my ornament on Saturday morning! What a procrastinator I am. I chose the VS ornament from this year's JCS ornament issue with its unique shape and hardanger features. Because of my lack of time management skills, I didn't get to the beaded tassel that should hang from the center of the ornament - argh! That is really the touch that makes the ornament!


The funniest thing is that the guild member who received my ornament stitched the very same ornament for the exchange. We made different fabric and thread choices and it was great fun to discover the differences and talk about why we chose to do what we did. :) And Monica is an extraordinary beader, so her ornament included a stunning tassel. Guess she can now choose the beads she prefers for the design (from her very nice stash of beads!), and with her expertise, it'll be done in no time!

Christmas baking was in high gear on Friday in preparation for the annual Confection Selection which helps support our local Pregnancy Center. In all, I baked 23 loaves of cinnamon swirl bread and sent 20 of them off to be sold, leaving the less desirable-looking loaves for my family's consumption. On the Saturday morning of the bake sale, the weather was good - meaning no snow storms, and with a bit more promotion this year, every single cookie, candy, loaf of bread, and treat was sold!

Sunday evening DH and I helped to host our company Christmas dinner. My participation in preparation was minimal this year (yay!), so we just got ready and showed up. Our company had a good year and we are grateful for our employees' efforts in that success!

Now for the rest of this week, we have a XC awards meeting tonight for which I'm to get some treats ready and get a gift certificate for the coach. Tuesday Kevin gets his braces off! Hallelujah! And I will continue to fit in Christmas shopping and other Christmas chores in with all my other duties. My tree isn't even up yet!

With all that I doubt I get much stitching time in the next couple of weeks, but after Christmas - woohoo!

13 comments:

Nicola said...

Oh what a simply stunning ornament Von! I always shy away from VS ornaments as they look so challenging.

KarenV said...

That's such a pretty ornament!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

You did an exceptional job on your ornament Von, I bet Monica was thrilled to bits :)
And hallelujah for Kevin getting his braces off...my Katie is really close to that too...and she's biting at the bit!

valerie said...

Beautiful ornie...even without the tassel.

Karen said...

The VS tassel ornament you made is just gorgeous! My son just got his braces off a couple of weeks ago. He's like a changed person without them, although he still has a bit of a hard time talking with the retainer.

Jacqueline Korteland Boller said...

Very beautiful ornament!!

Lynn said...

That is one gorgeous ornament with or without tassel! I absolutely love hardanger and admire anyone who can stitch it.

a woman who is said...

Sounds like a beautifully busy season for you my friend. When the holiday hoopla is over we have those garden catalogs to look forward too!!! Maybe we can grab us a cup of coffee together?

Sue said...

Beautiful ornament!

Brigitte said...

Wow, now this is a really great ornament, very unusual shape, very special. It's the first time I get to see it as I haven't bought my copy of the JCS issue yet.
And yes, stitching time will come after Christmas. Here, too, lol.

Poussy Stitches My Love said...

small kisses for you my friend
marylin
france

marylin said...

Happy New Year 2011 to you and thank you for your loyalty

Kathryn said...

Well Von,
Are you into your post-Christmas stitching yet?
Fabulous work as always!