Quickies

Whenever I get frustrated with a project or just need a change of pace, I turn to quick little projects to ease the tension. Since I'm working on Xmas projects right now, I thought it would be the best use of my time to work on the grandkids' ornaments and part of an ornament set I'm giving as a gift. So, without further ado, the pictures.

Snowflake ornament by Mill Hill Beads

Closeup of the bead work. Really need a star filter and special lighting for this one. The project is done on perforated paper. 

Four calling birds ... From the Sweetheart Tree Teenie collection. This is one of 12 ornaments and I chose to do the banner version. I can get 8 of these on one piece of gold linen by Wichelt and it does look pretty.

Closeup view of the work. It's hanging wrong. The stitches are even and the work is not at all uneven. It will be much prettier when I get the backing and green floss hanger made, but I'm waiting until I get all of the ornaments done to do the finishing work.

I'm working on Five Golden Rings, although I always thought the song lyrics were Five Gooooold Rings. I could be wrong. The colors are simple and the have an old-fashioned feel to them, and the beads are actually not too difficult to put on, even with the three treasures that form the petals of the flowers. Each pattern comes with the treasures and the beads are bought separately.

I'm sure there will be other quickie projects between now and when I wrap and send off my Xmas gifts, but there is something satisfying about making ornaments and stockings and even afghans. It reminds me of making ornaments for Xmas trees when we were growing up. We made lots of them, like the styrofoam angels to which we added glitter and hangers or the handpainted stained glass ornaments done on clear plastic. There's something special about a tree decorated with homemade ornaments, even if the ornaments are cross-stitched.