Stockings ready to hang

Since I got all the pieces for finishing my grandchildren's stockings yesterday, I got busy, and I do mean busy. I haven't sewn anything this ambitious by hand in ages, so I decided do sew all three stockings by hand. It took all day, but the results are nice.

Here are Addy and Tori's stockings put together without the lining and hanger. I saw some metal snowflakes and decided to add them to the design. I used winter cream felt for the backing.

 Jordan's stocking is put together with its blue felt backing.

I went with a plain white cotton lining last year, but I had some christmasy material that I got by mistake when I ordered quilted fabric. I should have checked because the fabric should have been pre-quilted and not ready for quilting. Never one to waste anything, I used it for the lining this year and for a bit of color at the top of Addy and Tori's stockings.

I made a hanger out of the cross stitch material for Addy's stocking.

The lining fabric was so pretty I decided to use it to make the hanger for Tori's stocking.

A braided yarn hanger is all that I added to Jordan's stocking to make it ready to hang. The lining is hidden inside waiting to be filled by Santa Christmas Eve.

All three stockings and linings were sewn by hand. I can still do that - the sewing I mean. It would have been faster on the sewing machine, but I decided to put a little extra time and love into these stockings. They're done and ready for mailing now. The kids won't see them until Christmas morning, but hopefully their parents will like what they see.

Don't forget to click on the pictures to see the expanded view. Happy stitching.

Britty Kitty and Puppy Stitching Done

The last stitch was put in my granddaughter's Britty Kitty stocking yesterday and I feel a little at loose ends. I'll go back and finish the zombie Xmas stockings and have them done in plenty of time. Since I made some changes to the original design of the Britty Kitty stocking by using different threads (Flower thread, Rainbow Gallery white Wisper, and Kreinik blending filament and #4 braid), I feel much more confident in changing more of the design to include zombie head ornaments with the puppies. It will be a challenge, but it's one I now feel more equal to accomplishing.

The kitties are stitched and the ornaments look so pretty sparkling in the light shining on the Kreinik blending filament and braid.

The puppies were finished last week and they're ready to be attached to the backing and lining and will soon be ready to hang at the fireplace full of goodies and presents. I've already sent 6 beginning cross-stitch ornaments for the girls to try, hoping they will learn from the stockings that beauty is possible with needle and thread.

I need to find the perfect backing, but the sewing will be quick and easy. I recommend both designs for stockings for your favorite kids. They can be ready in a week or two, even if you have someone else put them together for you.

Happy stitching.

Almost There - Britty Kitty

I had some time last night so I worked a little on my granddaughter's Xmas stocking and actually made some progress. I will finish it this weekend. All that will be left is to cut out the fabric and sew it all together with an appropriate hanger. After last year's stockings, I know I can stitch all the stockings together in no time at all and the hand stitching for the lining is nothing. I enjoy hand stitching. I used to make stuff teddy bears with faux fur and sewed them all by hand.

Now to the reveal.

This is last weekend's work.

Last night's contribution. Almost there. I think the Rainbow Gallery white Wisper thread and Kreinik blending filament and #4 braid give it an added dimension that is very nice. I can't wait to see where spontaneity takes me next.

Happy stitching.

Brittercup Stockings with a twist

I finished my granddaughter's stocking yesterday. I haven't had a chance to work on it since last Saturday, so it is nice to have the stitching all done. Since I had more time, I decided to begin her sister's stocking, but changed some of the colors. Now I think I should have gone with a darker background to make the white cat visible, but it is visible when seen in person. I used Rainbow Gallery white Wisper thread which is an angora blend and the ornaments are in shades of pink, my other granddaughter's favorite color.  Lots to go yet but it will be finished by next weekend.

This is where I got to a week ago Friday. Not bad for a night of insomnia and needing something to do with my hands.

The finish as of yesterday afternoon while watching Damnation Alley.

That ghostly cat figure at the top of the tree is a cat done in Rainbow Gallery white Wisper thread. It looks much better and much fuzzier in person.

Not too bad for a few days of work and I'll have the last stocking done by next weekend for certain. I may even add a bit of metallic blending filament to some of the pink ornaments for a bit of sparkle and dash.

Happy stitching.