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.

On an Asian Roll

Since I was already here and couldn't get the previous post to give me any more space, I'm putting the update for the Japanese Maiden here.

This is where I stopped to work on Xmas stockings. I love this design and I can't wait until it's finished, framed, and ready to hang. I'm keeping this one for myself.

Here's a closeup of the new details. Still have the outside to work on, but it's getting there and I'm really happy with what is coming from the threads. I'm so glad I decided to do this one. It's beautiful.

Happy stitching.

FInding zombies for Xmas

I've been working on the stocking with the ornaments that I plan to use for zombies. I don't like the zombie I'm working on because it seems too cartoonish and doesn't fit the style of the background. The other stocking will be easier since I have an idea that will work. Different pattern but a marriage made in zombie hell for sure. That will work. This one, not so much, but I may have an idea of how to fix the problem -- at least the problem in my estimation.

Here we go: 

Here's what I have so far with one of the ornaments partially filled in.

This is Miss Zombie 2013. I'm adapting a pattern I already had and I'm not sure whether I like it or not.

Ornament #2 is ready for its zombie, but I think that one will be better. I have an idea that just might work. I'm waiting on the specialty floss to make it happen.

 Ornament #3 and it's the biggest one of all. This one will have to be special. I do love the overall design. I'm just not sure about the zombies.

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.