Completed some old projects this summer

Over the summer I worked on some old stitching projects.  I finished two of them, an Erhman Tapestry Project called Fireworks was the first one.  I  purchased this kit in 1989 and have worked on it a couple of times since then.  This time I was determined to finish it.  I love the vibrant colors and the abstract pattern.    I am going to have to block it because I worked most of it in hand while on vacation.  I think it will make a great looking pillow or if it is the right size a great cover for my antique footstool.


I also finished a Vanessa Ann Porcelain Doll.  It is a Christmas pattern that I started when I was pregnant with my daughter in 1994.  She is not impressed with the finish, but I am.  She reminds me of the porcelain doll that I had as a child.  It had belonged to my mother and had a wardrobe of clothing that her grandmother made for it.  The clothes were all hand sewn and elaborate in their details.  Even more magical because they were made by a woman who did not like to sew.

I have finished 2 more ornaments from the Just Crossstitch Christmas Ornament issue.  La-D-Da's 'Tis Red and JBW Designs French Country Star.  My son helpfully pointed out that it is not Christmas yet but I enjoy working on small pieces.  I am thinking about scheduling a finishing weekend in July so that I will have finished ornaments by the holidays instead of a stack of small stitched pieces.

I have also been finishing some of the smaller pieces in my 15 starts in 15 days.  I finished Sam Sarah's Rise and Shine and almost finished The Trilogy's Winterology.  I ran out of Weeks Dye Works Whitewash and am waiting for my order to come in so I can finish the snowman.  I really like the vibrant colors in Rise and Shine, they show up very well against the dark linen.  Once I get a collection of small pieces finished, I am going to frame them.  If I use pre-made frames and get the mat board cut for me, I should be able to do the framing myself.  Then I will have seasonal and fun pieces to use to decorate throughout the year.

I have been watching a lot of movies and old TV series while I stitch.  I finished watching I Claudius, the BBC series that was shown on Masterpiece Theater in the 1970s.  Some of the movies have been gems including The Balad of Little Jo and Chop Shop.  

Lizzie Kate Christmas Ornaments

I started stitching this group of 12 Christmas ornaments in 2006. I finished 6 of them, misplaced 4 and then put them away in a basket of works in progress. This year, I found the 4 I had misplaced and finished the other 6 including the tree topper start.

I am very happy to have them done and plan on finishing them to hang on the feather tree this Christmas.