Ornament Stitchalong

I am so happy to know that I am not the only one who walks around with random needles and stitching accoutrements on my person! (Did you read Heather's admission? Ouch!) The crazy thing was I hadn't stitched in a few days...but I wear these jeans pretty much every day...

 I am less late this month in presenting my SAL Christmas ornament: Mosey 'n Me's "Christmas Trimmings"* from the 2004 Just Cross Stitch ornament issue. Personally, I think he looks like a Belsnickel since he's kinda glum. I'm pretty sure a Santa with that much trim in his hands is gonna smile a little more. {rimshot!}

Let's talk about Santa's garland. What a pain in the ass that was! To start, I couldn't find my Tacky Bob or my stash of seed beads, so I had to use leftovers that I found in a box in the basement. And the green and red were mixed in with white beads and the gold petites were mixed in with plum and brown matte beads. I could have separated them all if I'd had the will, but without the Tacky Bob it was more than I could handle. Then, I was supposed to follow the pattern and have the trim woven into the fabric more. But that meant estimating how many beads it would take to go over one and up three. Underestimate and you're unstitching with a beading needle. Overestimate, and you've got to dump seed beads in your hand and restring them. (And I was losing the light for this picture.) It looks good, which is just as well. What's even more remarkable is how I followed that stupid one red*three gold*one green*three gold pattern throughout.


And so we come to the last day of February... This month I set out to stick to a rotation, and I mostly did:

1. Lady Gray, Lilybet: progress here 
2. Black Snowman, Shepherd's Bush: too little progress to photograph  
3. February's Ornament: above 
4. Me & You Sampler, Midsummer Night: progress here 
5. Crazy Love, Cross Eyed Cricket: progress here
6. Boris, Plum Street: progress here (and it was good!) 
7. That Dern Parrot, Sheepish Designs: progress here (more good!) 
8. Off the Deep End, Raise the Roof: I will get a photo of that tomorrow. 
9. Treasured Tulips, Nutmeg Needle: I never took it out. Oops
10. A Mind Independent and Free, Carriage House (Feb 28-March 2) 

I also impetuously signed up for a Month of Letters. I started well, but stumbled out of the gate. So I made myself a plan, and did okay for a while, and then not so well. Then I recommitted myself and was good for four days and then sent two cards at the beginning of this week and missed the last two days. If you think that's bad, I was even worse at reporting in my (woeful) achievements. I think I'll try this again next year and make sure I have a plan of attack right from the get-go. Planning. That's the ticket.

Speaking of planning, since ninety-three percent of you voted that I should undertake my Craft-a-Day again for National Craft Month, I have been scouring Pinterest for ideas. This time around I have my grand finale all planned out. I've got a giant list of supplies I need to pick up, but I'm all set for tomorrow since it is a stamping night with the girls. This is gonna be fun! I can't wait!

* Isn't that a little dirty for a family magazine?