Calendar Poodle SAL

Monday, November 17, 2014

What Was I Thinking?!

Hi friends! It snowed over the weekend and it is frigid too. Our high for today is 18º. So I stayed in and stitched. ;) I began a new project. I had ordered this kit months ago.  It is to be a gift for our Orthodox priest's family. I want to give it for Christmas, but WHAT WAS I THINKING?!

This is a needlepoint kit. A very beautiful icon. It is the Kazan Mother of God. Well, I am not that fast at needlepoint at all. And this is all in petit point on 24ct mono canvas. o_0 This one is not as large as our Theotokos. I began the year stitching a Theotokos, and now I will finish the year stitching another!

Here is my progress after many hours this weekend.
I am truly loving the looks of this border so very much. There are four different golden brown colors in there. This is not the best picture.

When we had gone to a graduation party for Father's oldest son, back in June, I had admired two different cross stitched icons in their home. I asked Father's wife if she made them. No, an old woman back in Ukraine had made these for them. She told me she would love to have a Theotokos also some day. AHA! And so I decided to make one for her. I did give it weeks of thought before purchasing the kit. Once I get an idea, I can sometimes be like a terrier and not let go of it. ;) So here I am. The pattern I fell in love with just happened to be petit point instead. It is a good thing Orthodox Christmas is January 7th! We will see.

This whole subject has bored Mabel to sleep.
Here is one of my beautiful pansies from less than a week ago. Before all this bitter cold and snow moved in.
Now I have none. The pansies are always my last flower to hold out. And the first I plant in the spring. :)

In between stitching up this icon, I plan to do finishing on the smalls I got stitched last month during the Mega Mini Month Madness SAL that I was in.

Keep warm! Have a wonderful day! Thank you for stopping by. You brighten my day.

Stitching and praying,
Vickie

23 comments:

Trace4J said...

What sweeties.
You have such a big heart.
Cant wait to see all done.
Warm warm woolie hugs

butterfly said...

Vickie you are one of the kindness people I know, your Father and his wife will be so full of Joy when they see what you are making for them , it's beautiful already , keep warm .

Mii Stitch said...

It is a lovely new start and that border looks so beautiful.
Have fun with it :) Not sure what is the difference between needlepoint and cross stitch.. is there any??

Brigitte said...

A great start on this wonderful project for Your Father. What a lovely idea for a gift.

Dani - tkdchick said...

Its going to be beautiful, I wish you speedy fingers!

Jacqueline Morris said...

I really love the colour of your new start... its looking very pretty already... cannot wait to see what is inside the boarder :)

Have a lovely day :)

Smiles :)

Annie said...

You sure are ambitious! That's quite a project. It will be beautiful, but I sure would never attempt something like that. Good luck!

Caitlin D said...

What a beautiful piece and an even more lovely idea to stitch for them. It truly is a wonderful thing and no doubt that whenever you give it to them they will be over the moon with joy.

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

M and H always make me smile with their cuteness! :)

Oh I love the needlepoint. I can't wait to see it. You got a lot worked up. Looking forward to seeing more.

Blessings to you always sweet friend.

Daniela Bencúrová said...

Your new beginning starts well! I'm curious to continue:-)

Carol said...

I wish you luck, Vickie--so glad you have a bit longer to stitch it since it is for the Orthodox Christmas! Even if you're late, I know he will be so touched by your wonderful gift...

The Knitting Cross Stitcher said...

The border of this design is really lovely ,I am looking forward to seeing your progress Vickie.

Tricia T said...

It looks like it will be beautiful, Vickie. What a precious labor of love!!

Lillie said...

Looking forward to see your progress.

Precious photos of Mabel and Henry.

Michelle said...

What a lovely gift I am sure they will cherish it - looking forward to seeing it grow xx

Margaret said...

Another beautiful piece you are stitching! I'm looking forward to watching this progress. It sounds challenging! But it will be a wonderful present. Your fur babies are so cute!

Giovanna said...

What a wonderful new start - a great gift idea.

Maggee said...

Your icon was so beautiful, I am sure this one will be also! They will love it! I thought that petit point was simply half stitching...which should be easier, right? Never done it myself, but I had two pieces my parents did (and of late, I have been wondering just where they are!!) and looked closely at them -- that's what it seemed to be... I would be interested to know... Hugs!

Anonymous said...

Hello Vickie

That looks lovely so far and I think it will be a very special gift x

Lumiruusu said...

I love Your beautifull heart.so nice of you ! The Greek /Russian Orthodox Chruch is very familiar to me because I have some reltives in that church.Andtheir divine Liturgy and all singed music is just geaorgeos.
The pattern ou choosed is perfect-have fun stitching it!

Julie said...

It's going to be a wonderful gift stitched with love.

moreofhim said...

Your piece is going to be beautiful! I have a question - on the needlepoint, do you just use a half-cross stitch? I'm sure on smaller areas you do, but on larger areas, do you use the basket weave stitch? I have a couple needlepoint canvases but I have been hesitant to start them until I'm sure how I should do the background. What a beautiful gift this will make!

Love your pansy...all is cold here as well.

Blessings - Julie

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

It is a beautiful border already, I am sure the picture is equally lovely. Can't wait to see it. You have definitely set yourself a challenge. It's the kind of thing I do too, offer to make something on the spur of the moment then wonder what I have let myself in for.

Love the photos of Mabel and Henry with the captions.