Just Nan Gingerbread and Jingle Mice

Though I've seen the little mice, owls, and birds, I really didn't think it would be something I'd do, but here I am having finished 2 gingerbread mice. They are meant to be ornaments and they are this year's ornaments to myself.

I chose 32-count opalescent raw Belfast linen instead of the almond or raw linen suggested, adding a bit of glisten to the fabric. The Kreinik #4 very fine braid (002L) added even more glimmer and it goes well with the material. Putting the mice together was new for me but went quickly. It took 3 days to make these 2 charming little mice (1 day each of stitching and a couple of hours to sew, stuff, and finish). They will hang on my Xmas tree in 2014.

Gingerbread and Jingle Mice

Just to show how small these are, I've set them next to a packet of cross stitch needles.

Jingle mouse after stitching.

Gingerbread mouse after stitching.

The faint blue lines is from a water soluble marker so I know where to cut. Jingle Mouse.

 Gingerbread mouse again, same deal with the marker.

Finished sewing and showing off. They are really tiny.

Everyone likes close-ups.

Last but not least, another close-up.

I stitched these as an experiment. I had to restitch one of the mice twice because I didn't get the seams straight. Reminds of of stockings with seams you needed to get straight so you didn't look lazy or unkempt. Mostly lazy. They are finished and ready to hang, although I think I'll tighten up the hanger on the Jingle Mouse.

This was fun, but I doubt I need to repeat this experiment. In the meantime, Happy New Year and happy stitching.

Zombie Stockings

Well, I'm getting down to the wire, but it looks like I'll make it -- as long as I send the stockings next day instead or Priority Mail, which isn't much of a priority and takes a week instead of 1-2 days even when sending it two states away. Go figure.

I finished my granddaughters' stockings and they have been delivered and are ready to hang Xmas Eve, so now all I need to do is finish a friends' boys' stockings and get them out by Monday -- Next Day of course. Don't forget to click on the photos to make them bigger.

Those glowy greenish ornaments actually do glow in the dark. They're from Kreinik's Halloween line of blending filaments. They really do glow in the dark.

Why, yes that is a severed finger hanging from the top of the tree and it glows in the dark too.

Yes, that black dog on the left actually is standing on a human brain, or at least my idea of a brain that goes with the same style of design as the rest of the stocking, and the squirrels are fighting over a zombie hand coming out of the dirt. It is after all an outdoor xmas tree for the animals and they always like a little fresh -- or even rotten -- meat.

Dylan's stocking has been more of a challenge. I finally figured our how to finish Miss Zombie 2013 and I designed as I stitched.

The skull looks rather nice I think, especially since I added some Kreinik black blending filament that shimmers in just the right shade of black. I think it works.

The last ornament is still unstitched, but I've narrowed the choices down to two. I'll decide which one works best and put it in there tonight. I love the mix of mistletoe and holly berries and greenery and I think the whole thing works -- well, as well as any zombie Xmas themed stocking can work. Adjustments have been made but I'm mostly happy with them.

In the meantime, try something new, stretch yourself, and happy stitching.