Calendar Poodle SAL

Monday, January 2, 2017

🎄 Christmas Tree 🎄


Hi friends! I would like to share my latest finish with you. This is 'Christmas Tree 2007' by Jeannette Douglas Designs. This pattern can be found in the Ornament Preview Issue of Just Cross Stitch Magazine October 2007.
I searched so many stores for the perfect frame for this little ornament. I finally found it at Kohl's Department Store. I love it!
I used the called for 32ct natural Belfast linen and the called for DMC flosses. I really underestimated how long an ornament FILLED with specialty stitches takes to create!! I am very pleased with this finish. I am happy to give this to my young 18 year old Ukrainian friend, Vadim, on this, his first Christmas in America.

I am now stitching up an ornament for Brian. His ornament will be my first finish for the year. Then I will show you my big project for this year. I have had the patterns, the linen, and the flosses sitting in a project bag for years,waiting for me. Well it is time. THIS is THE year!
I have to share with you the last book that I "listened" to in 2016. Yet another Maisie Dobbs book. Yep! I am telling you, this series is fantastic! Go, get a book in the series! You will NOT regret reading Maisie Dobbs. :)
Pardonable Lies: A Maisie DobbsNovel
In the third novel of this bestselling series, London investigator Maisie Dobbs faces grave danger as she returns to the site of her most painful WWI memories to resolve the mystery of a pilot's death.
A deathbed plea from his wife leads Sir Cecil Lawton to seek the aid of Maisie Dobbs, psychologist and investigator. As Maisie soon learns, Agnes Lawton never accepted that her aviator son was killed in the Great War, a torment that led her not only to the edge of madness but to the doors of those who practice the dark arts and commune with the spirit world. In accepting the assignment, Maisie finds her spiritual strength tested, as well as her regard for her mentor, Maurice Blanche. The mission also brings her together once again with her college friend Priscilla Evernden, who served in France and who lost three brothers to the war―one of whom, it turns out, had an intriguing connection to the missing Ralph Lawton.
I read a total of 31 books in 2016. Not bad for me. Several of those books were actually audio books I listened to while I stitched or walked on the treadmill. That works out nice I think.

That's it for today my friends! Thank you for stopping by today. I am so glad you did. :)  Thank you for your kind words. I  I hope you have an excellent week in this bright, new year! :)

Stitching and praying,
Vickie









42 comments:

Justine said...

What a lovely gift for your friend. I'm sure he will love it. Can't wait to see your big project!

Manuela said...

Lovely little gift for your friend.
Can't wait to see the first photos from your new big projct.

Irmeli said...

Beautiful finish and it is lovely gift for friend. I'm looking forward to seeing your big project and I wish good luck with it.

♥ Nia said...

Did you see? Magic already happening: I'm blogging! LOL!!!! :D
Happy new year my sweet friend! Hope 2017 will bring you all your wishes!!

Stasi said...

That tree is lovely; the specialty stitches really add a nice dimension.

diamondc said...

Vickie: I love the frame it is perfect, Jeannette Douglas is such a great designer, you can always tell a design by her, she uses so many different stitch's.
I love the dog in the car with the scarf oh so sweet.

Blessings
Catherine

Angela Tucker said...

Good morning, Vickie! In a bag for years? Can't wait to see what it is!

Your friend will love his ornament. My specialty stitches usually just look like lumps. Not really the look to to go for...LOL

Have a wonderful day, sweetie pie!

Margaret said...

What a special present for your friend! So small, and the specialty stitches -- love it! The frame really is perfect too. Happy New Year!

Andrea said...

A lovely gift and a fabulous frame.

Happy New Year.

Jenny said...

Happy New Year my friend! Your gift is just lovely! I really love this tree! Can you tell I love this tree? It is the perfect gift for your friends first Christmas! And the frame? Absolutely perfect! I love Kohls! I first discovered the store in Indiana and was so happy to see it in Sourhern California!

I am really anxious to see your big project for this year! Your stitching always inspires me so this will be fun!

Going back to the Christmas Tree ornament I am stitching a tree for Scott this year. I am behind schedule with my ornaments...lol...I finished the ones for the kids before Christmas but I am still stitching Scott's...lol! No worries though...I already have next years picked out...winks!

Maisie Dobbs is on my list for this year...I am going to look for the audio books as well! Great idea!

Sending hugs your way and I plan to answer your mail today!!!!

Enjoy your day😊

Vicki said...

What a beautiful finish! The frame is perfect. Your friend will love this gift. Can't wait to see your big project!

Lili said...

What a great frame! I love it, like I love the ornament! It's a lovely gift for your friend!!

Big hug!

Robin in Virginia said...

Vickie, what a fabulous ornament you created for your friend. I love the frame you found and will have to check out Kohls for one. I look forward to seeing/hearing about your big project for 2017. Happy New Year!

The Knitting Cross Stitcher said...

A beautiful finish in a lovely frame,Vickie.

marly said...

So sweet that little tree is. I want to start reading again but if there are too many characters, I keep forgetting who is who!

Linda said...

Congrats on the lovely finish Vickie. The frame is great.

Linda

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

That frame matches perfectly with your lovely finish. I can't wait to see what you are going to be working on for 2017!

Wishing a most Happy New Year sweet friend. ((hugs))

Julie said...

That's a beautiful frame for your gift.

Barbara said...

Love your latest finish and the frame. Can't wait to see what the large project will be for this year.
Hugs

Barb said...

Your tree ornament is very pretty. You did great on the reading front, that's a lot of books1

laceystitcher said...

Love your beautiful tree ornament; so pretty. Can't wait to see what your new project is - such suspense! Do the Maisie Dobbs book go in a specific order, or is each one a stand-alone book? I want to check at my library but thought it would be good to know in case they don't have all of them. Blessings to you for 2017 - I am looking forward to a great year!

Pam L in Kansas

Lillie said...

Sweet gift Vickie. Looking forward to your new project.

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Awesome Christmas tree stitch, Vickie and the frame works so well with it! I'm sure it will be a treasured keepsake. My curiosity is peaked... canr wait to find out what your big project is! Happy new year, sweet lady!

Bea said...

A beautiful tree and a fantastic frame. I'm sure your friend was thrilled.

moreofhim said...

Such a beautiful piece and I love the frame, too! It sets it off perfectly! May God bless your New Year abundantly!! I pray you are feeling better and that God will heal you.

Blessings - Julie

butterfly said...


Lovely new stitch and frame your friend will love it.
Enjoy your New Year stitching .

Brigitte said...

So lovely, this Christmas tree with all the specialty stitches, even some in two colours. Great.
Wishing you a happy New Vickie. And hopefully your health will improve this year.

gracie said...

A perfect frame for a lovely ornament. Happy New Year my friend.

Chris said...

Lovely stitching as usual Vicki.. I must look up your author, I haven't ever heard of her.. I did read my Bible through this year, and the Gospels twice. I usually follow a book from one of the ladies from Proverbs 31, on line study and progress from there. You're always in my prayers. Blessings to you for 2017 Chrisx

Beth said...

What a delightful Christmas tree Vickie! Happy stitching and reading for 2017!

Halland House Gifts said...

What a fabulous small band sampler. I love the frame. You did well, Vicki. :-)

Weronika said...

Very lovely tree Vickie. Happy New Year!

Penny said...

A pretty finish in the perfect frame - and a lovely gift! I'm very curious to see your big project. : )

Melinda Forbes said...

I love that tree ornament design and one of my New Year Goals is to work more on Special stitches - this looks like a great design to try. Looking forward to seeing your New Special Project - I always love your stitching choices. I have to read more books, maybe I will give the audio ones a try

Carol said...

What a darling tree ornament--it's funny how the things we think will be the simplest often end up taking a longer time!

I also listen to audio books while stitching or walking, Vickie--I just love multi-tasking whenever I can :)

Hope your new year is off to a lovely start...

Ann at Beadlework. said...

The specialty stitches are worth doing Vickie, it's a lovely gift. I look forward to seeing your big project choice.

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

What a great tree design and the perfect souvenir for a First American Christmas. I'm thinking of doing a Year of Tree next year (yes, I'm planning 2018 already!) as there are so many Christmas Tree designs I love.
Looking forward to finding out what the long awaited large project is.

Von said...

Love the little Jeannette Douglas tree design! I'm sure your friend will be delighted to receive such a beautiful gift. :)

gominam said...

Beautiful Christmas tree finish, the frame is perfect for it.

Kaisievic said...

Sweet finish and a lovely frame, my dear. hugs, Kaye

Maggee said...

What a pretty 'little' finish! And that frame suits it well!! Can't wait to see what the big project for 2017 will be! Hugs!

Sarah in Stitches said...

That's such a sweet finish! Lovely stitching :D