Best Laid Plans

Didn't I just get over a cold? I am sitting here wrapped in a throw, freezing cold, with a sore throat, burning eyes, and achy muscles. This is not really what I pictured for today. (Or this week, really. With any luck, sleep will be a magic cure all.)

I've been surfing Pinterest, and I came up with a few free Christmas cross stitch projects. I have only chosen pictures of designs (not charts) that link back to the blog or website of the original designer, and none at all from Russian websites...or the many that I recognize as being someone's chart for sale.

First up, perfect for my mid-century modern home. (Okay the only thing that is midcentury about my house is the Mamie pink bathroom.) This French lady is from (RIP) Gazette94. This one is a cutie too: Bonhomme de Neige,

I'll admit I've only seen Home Alone the one time. This one is much more for you than for me, but Jessica at Cutesy Crafts gives you the whole tutorial on finishing projects this way. If you have a filthy animal in your life, go here for the pattern.

This owl comes from Holly's Hobbies. This freebie was designed for her Facebook fans. And we're lucky she shared it with us, especially those of us who graduated from Rice, Temple, Florida Atlantic, Brandeis, Kennesaw State, William Woods, or Bryn Mawr. (And I've just now learned that my sister and I have the same mascot at our respective alma maters.) (I bet she doesn't even know.)

I love the simplicity of Luli's designs. Find it here. And while you are there, explore because she has some fantastic designs! Especially this white deer head silhouette. And unlike other designers I searched for, she's already got a new Santa up on her blog.

And one for all you lovers out there. From Posy Collection (you will have to scroll down, I didn't want to link to the chart directly).

Okay, off to bed; hoping Hypnos can work some healing magic.

Four Fat Friends

 You may have guessed from the blogging from the phone thing, that I was away from the computer. The dude and I had a quick trip to New York. He went to see a match in the World Chess Championship. (I went shopping that day.) On Saturday we went to the Met. All.day.long. It was awesome!

After dinner, I put my feet up and stitched, I worked on this freebie from Drawn Thread, Four Fat Friends. I started this for Debbie's Ultimate Crazy January Challenge in 2015, and I don't think I've shown it to you since then, though I have indeed worked on it. The branches are growing!

Days 13 & 14

I think I'm going to have to start recording my new starts in my paper diary because of the whole lack of blogging. Projects I've started are piling up, and I can't remember which day I started which. Also I just pulled out the four projects I have in my bag, thought to myself "Tuesday Drawn Threads, Wednesday Love Bird, Thursday Mill Hill, and Friday Vermont" and wheeled myself back over to the computer and could only remember that I started the Drawn Thread on Tuesday. I have got to work on my memory. I used to have a dazzling one. On Tuesday, I started Drawn Thread's Four Fat Friends freebie. I think I may have kitted this up for some of my stitching buddies, who I hope don't think I just called them fat! Anyway, I have had this kitted up for ages and have finally started it. I am stitching with the called-for colors on a random piece of fabric.

On Wednesday, I had a meeting that ran much longer than I expected, and then I had to walk the dog. I was literally sitting on the edge of my bed putting in a few stitches before I turned in for the night. You can see why I am starting to find the pace a little hectic. And this is even after I prepared all my kits last month! I fell in love with this bird when I saw the wool version pinned on Pinterest. I spent a while tracking it down and even longer just waiting for the right time to start it. This project is being stitched with the suggested colors and fabric.

Santa, Day 7

Today's Santa is one I stitched ages ago. It's a Mill Hill Buttons and Beads Kit. I know I had this in Los Angeles, so I'm guessing mid- to late-90s. I was a poor grad student and wouldn't spring for the the frame they offered on their website. I think the shipping was exorbitant. But I digress. I love stitching Mill Hill kits on perforated paper. Goofy that way, I guess. I love the texture of his beard.

And for those of you who want to make your own Santa, here's Punto croce--a little Italian cross-stitched Santa freebie.

Swirly Tree

I am glad that so many of you find counting as difficult as I do. There's a fantastic part in Adrienne's book where she is casting on 357 stitches* for the start of her sweater and, it turns out, she can't count either. Do you think it's a craft-related syndrome? Who can come up with a good name for that? Come on, I have over 100 charts to give away.

Speaking of Adrienne's book, we're just over halfway filled up for the book party. Not bad considering that the invitation has only been out there for three days.

Anyhoosey, here's a link to a lovely little chart with a swirly tree. {via Craft Gossip} You know how I love swirls.

Quilting class tonight. I have cut out all my applique pieces and ripped my 1/8" seams, so I am ready to get the background sewn up tonight. Photos soon...

*And what's wrong with me that I remembered it was 357 stitches? I did confirm the number by looking in the book, but I put that number in from memory. I can remember 357 stitches for someone else's project but can't remember to add two rows to a chart I am stitching? And who can come up with a name for that?

Still No Finishing

Last night I had important socializing to do. Do you ever wonder why you so rarely read about me socializing? It's because I just moved 3000 miles, and I have no friends! So when I get a chance to make new friends, I jump at it.

Still, on the commute, I finished this little fob that I started when I went to the stitching weekend in Maine...with my friends. The days get shorter, and the photos get crappier.

Drawn Thread
Pumpkin Keeper

unknown 30+ ct fabric
DMC floss, with substitutions for the pumpkin and the flowers