Hark The Herald Angels Sing

Hi friends! I am hoping all is well with you? I am so happy to have some new friends stopping by too. Welcome to everyone! Glad you stopped by today. =)

I forced myself to get the finishing done on my mother's Christmas ornament. ;) This pattern is from the 2009 JCS Ornament Issue. It is called 'Glory To The Newborn King' by Fanci That.

I stitched this two over two on 32ct mystery linen. I used all the called for DMC threads. Now take a look at the model picture compared to my stitched piece.

Now let me tell you that all the variegated thread used in this pattern are the called for DMC Color Variations Flosses. There are no other options listed AT ALL. So then, wouldn't, SHOULDN'T the model thread colors match mine?!?! The answer is yes. And they don't. Well, I unstitched her gown. I outlined it first and left that as called for. But to fill it in with a pink and orange variegated thread?!?! I don't think so. It was looking like a disco dress or something. So I used white instead.

I also have a gripe about the pink variegated thread called for and used to backstitch the wording.VERY PALE!! I just left it. I asked Brian and he said it looked good. Well, every time I ask Brian, and it is a color that is called for, it "looks great"! He thinks every called for color should be used and not substituted.

I used seed beads I had on hand, not Mill Hill Petite Seed Beeds as called for. I gave her  french knot eyes instead of beads, I like this look better. I also left off the bottom of her gown with Bethlehem and the Baby Jesus button.

I used Vonna's tutorial on felt mounted ornaments for this. I used neutral felt and ribbon. I like the finished look very much. =)

Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

I got Bethlehem Scene stitched. It has alterations in the design this time, due to my error early on. I decided to unstitch part and fudge the rest. I won't go that route again. The piece looks fine. No one would know there are changes unless you compare it to ones that I have stitched correctly in the past. It just irks me though. I will work on assembling that one next. 

I am still stitching on my Henry creations during the daytime, while the kids are in school. Gotta get a move on with those. They need to be done before St. Nick's, so I can get them in their stockings. ;)

I am currently listening to House by Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker, another book on CD. Wowza! This one is a mystery and suspense story written by two Christian authors. I have just begun, but it is already creepy. *~*

These two were cuddling together this afternoon in the sunshine. =)

Have a stitchtastic weekend my friends!

Stitching and finishing and praying,
Vickie

A Giveaway and Some Ornament Finishes

Good morning my friends! A big welcome to my new friends! It is chilly here,but sunny. =) Hope you all are well. I wanted to show you the XI ornaments all finished up.

Jacob's is in the center, to show you how I put their graduating years on the backs. I am happy with them. They have no idea. That part is fun. Into the stockings they go tonight. =)

I also finished my mother's angel ornament up this way.

I found these little frames at the larger JoAnn store in the city. The only complaint I have, is that when you use two pieces of linen or evenweave in there, the stitching gets  a tiny bit smushed. It is not too noticable. If you recall, back in October I had asked for advice on these. I just cut the pieces of linen to size and put them in there. That simple. Done.

Isn't this pretty? A surprise from Brian this week. ♥

My friend Laurie passed this on to me to give to you.

Would you like it? All you have to do is be a follower and leave a comment on this post telling me you would like it.

I will draw the name of the winner next Wednesday, December 12th.

I am still stitching an ornament for our own tree. I do need to get some Christmas cookies baked. And get the tree decorated. First I need someone to haul it upstairs for me!!

Have a blessed day in the Lord my friends!

Stitching and praying,
Vickie

Angel Ornament

Good morning everybody! It is a beautifully, cool morning here. It is sunny and will be real warm. =) I stitched this weekend. I got the little angel for my mother done. I like to make my mom angel ornaments for Christmas. This one was a freebie from Victoria Sampler.

one over one on light blue 28ct evenweave

There were different examples on the website stitched up. I went with Wendy's, as my mom's favorite color is blue. When I pulled the floss I realized the colors were a bit more purple than blue. That was okay. I like the colors a lot. I did change the color for outlining the skin. I could not find the blending filaments at either JoAnn or Michael's. So I did not use it. She was to be holding a ribbon with a charm. I do believe I am leaving her plain like this. I like her as is. We will see how I finish her. She is so small.

I love these grasses along the back fence. I got them for free when they closed down a Sears Grand right by our home a few years ago. When they started to tear down for a new grocery store to go up, I went and talked to the foreman on the jobsite. I asked him if I could have them. He told me to come back the next day, he would have them dug up and set aside for me. Brian and I returned for our free grasses. =)  The other plant you see on the right is the Chocolate Joe Pyeweed/ Eupatorium. It will be covered in tiny, little white flowers soon.

I wanted to show you how my two turquoise pots in front of the garage look now for fall. I always go to the wonderful, local nursery in July. It is more pricey, but he has the unique and beautiful plants. I go in July because he marks annuals down then. That's when my spring pansies have pooped out, so I nab the annuals for my fall plantings. So it cost me $4 a pot. =) The large green leaves to the left are what is left of the lovely pink hollyhock. And do you see who snuck in there? I kept trying to distract her. She just barely snuck in the photo. ;)

Lastly, here is a lovely photo Miss Madeleine took last week. A beautiful sunset we saw from our back yard. The buildings are the library on the left and the police department on the right.

That's it for today friends. I thank you once again for stopping by and taking the time to comment. You're the best! ♥ May every minute of this day be blessed by the Lord.

Stitching and praying,
Vickie