Tuesday 9 December 2008

Sticking with smalls

I've decided not to touch any larger projects until after the holidays are over. Working on smalls is much easier right now since I spend a great portion of my time stitching in the car while we travel from one event or one place to another. Besides, when I finish one I feel I've at least accomplished something because I'm certainly not getting anywhere with my Christmas preparations! Life is quite busy as I'm sure it is for many of you at this time. I'm determined not to get stressed out about things this year. So what if the tree doesn't get put up until the weekend before Christmas? We're not here most of the time to enjoy it anyways. Same goes for baking. Nobody home to eat it right now! Since the tree isn't going up until a bit later, then I figure my finishing on my ornaments can wait a bit too. I finish work on Dec 19th and then I'm off until Jan. 5 except for one day - Dec 26th. Other than Christmas Eve, all of our concerts will be finished by that weekend so I'm going to enjoy the time at home baking and decorating.

I've managed to complete one ornament and I'm currently working on two others at the moment. My Prairie Schooler Partridge is my latest finished ornie. My two new starts are both ornaments, one called Jingle All the Way by Sweet Pea Designs and the other is a Christmas Box Ornament by Country Garden Stitchery. Jingle is from the Dec. 2007 issue of Just Cross Stitch.
The Box ornament is actually number one of three. I think they're all very pretty and delicate and hope to stitch all of them. The pattern calls for floss by The Thread Gatherer ... In The Burgundy. I decided to go with my own colour choice which is Shiraz by Dinky Dyes. I had this particular one in my stash along with a lovely piece of a Silkweaver Opalescent Solo. I picked up some beads and Kreneik gold cord on the weekend to match. Below is a picture of my progress so far. It's stitching up pretty quickly. I've also posted a pic of the little bit I have completed on Jingle.

Tonight on ebay I won an auction for some of the TG In the Burgundy silk floss so I'll use this for one of the others. If by some small chance I finish stitching these before Christmas, I have another start in the wings. It's Button Up for Christmas #1 by Cathy Jean of the Victoria Sampler. I'm really enjoying taking a break from bigger projects to stitch on these lovelies.

We're currently having our first major snowfall of the season as you can see from the picture below. I'm not counting that storm we had before Halloween because let's face it, that was just a freak. This storm is dumping a bit more than was predicted. On top of that, the transit system in Ottawa is set to walk out tomorrow which means more cars than usual out in all that mess since the buses won't be operating. What a miserable time for a strike with the holidays approaching. I know my son is quite concerned about how he'll get to work since he often has to open the store where he works. Many students rely on the transit system and with exams just around the corner it's making life difficult for them. I hope things can be resolved fairly quickly although it's not looking very promising. I took this photo from my front porch. I was going to head out to shovel but my neighbour cleared the drive for us with his snowblower. My DH stayed put in Ottawa tonight so he could avoid the miserable drive and as a result he can drive my son to work in the morning. After that he's on his own to find rides.


Now I'm off to work a little on our Christmas letter and then a bit of stitching time before bed. Mornings start earlier whenever there's a snowfall. Hope you are all safe and sound and having a good week.

8 comments:

  1. I think your plan to stitch only smalls in this hectic season is just grand. I am likewise limited in the time available to stitch, decorate, bake, etc. With kids still at home, however, they do not allow me the option to do it later. Enjoy a peaceful Christmas season!

    And your ornament starts look great. I just love that little leaping sheep.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have lots of projects that I want to do for 2009...mainly from my own stash. I'm trying to be more thrifty with my money so that I can still get quality linen and fibers and stuff, but just not spend as much money...all this to say that I love the Partridge...the 12 days by PS is on my list to do up this year. Plus a million and one other things! LOL!

    All looks good Lynn be careful driving in the snow - had to do that this week myself going to work - nasty!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've just been working on ornaments recently too - and I LOVE them. I don't know how many I'll get finish-finished by Christmas but as long as the gift ones get done! I'm trying hard not to fret about things getting done, because in the end, Christmas always turns out beautifully anyways! Good luck on your morning drive!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your partridge is great. Ornaments are ideal if you need to just pick something up quick.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your partridge is so pretty and you're making great progress on your 2 ornies! I totally agree about smaller projects right now.
    Be careful in all that snow!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Cute new starts, and your Partridge finish is lovely. Have fun with the various smalls you'll be working on, and careful driving and such in the snow.
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lynn I'm glad you're finding time to stitch between all your to-ing and fro-ing! Also I'm glad you're look out over getting prepared for Christmas is so relaxed! Good for you!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Lynn,

    It seems that many of us are
    feeling a tad overwhelmed this
    season. So much to do, and so
    little time to get it all done.
    The only thing I managed to get
    done in a timely fashion this
    Christmas was the decorating.

    Hope you get to enjoy your time
    off from work. I've got three
    days next week in work and then
    I'm off until Jan 5th also. I
    can't wait!!!

    Your PS partridge looks wonderful.
    Love the colours in it. A very
    handsome bird indeed.

    Your other small projects look
    sweet so far. I love the colour
    that you're using to stitch the
    box ornament with. And the
    sparkly fabric even shows up in
    the picture.

    I guess you've been enjoying
    the latest snowfall today. Hope
    your travels in it were unevent-
    ful. Did we ever get dumped on.
    I'm always wishing for a white
    Christmas but this is a little
    extreme. Wonder if we're in for
    another winter of SNOW?

    I don't remember hearing if the
    transit strike in Ottawa was
    resolved or not yet. What a pain
    in the a** it is. It just
    throws the entire city into
    turmoil and inconveniences a lot
    of people.

    Cheers!

    ReplyDelete

Labels