Actual stitching!

Some old, some new.

First off, I really need to learn how to edit photos on my phone. Many moons ago, before I had a phone that took pictures and I used a digital camera, I had an editing program on my computer. That program eventually went away and I don't even know the last time I pulled out my digital camera.

That being said, here we go. 

I stitched this piece over 20 years ago. (late 1990s)

The mat had faded and I never really like the pink I had behind the hardanger.

It was hanging in he guest bath so when we remodeled in there I thought it was a good time to give it an update.

I had a local frame shop cut me new mats, then I remounted it with a cream color fabric behind it.

Much better! It now hangs on my sampler wall in the living room.

(the piece does have glass - I just took the pictures before I put it back together so there wouldn't be a glare)

I thought I still had this pattern but I can't find it. I have no idea what the name of the chart is or who designed it.

This one is even older - it had to have been stitched sometime in the 1980s.. I can't remember which kid I stitched this for. My guess would be the first since it was a stamped kit and shortly after he was born I found counted cross stitch and I rarely did stamped after that. At some point I took it out of the frame and washed it. Of all the colors to fade, it was a bit of the pink. Anywho, I'm sure I used the frame for something else - and it would have been a cheap, premade frame probably wrapped around cardboard and taped with masking tape. I knew nothing about framing at that point - and there wouldn't have been money for custom framing. I came across it when looking for something else awhile back and decided to frame it for baby girl. It was a quarter inch too large for an 11x14 frame so I went thrifting and found this one. It was sliver and had some dings but I filled those and painted it. I padded this with no glass. I rarely frame without glass but it just seemed right for this.

This one is Liberty Sam from Lizzie Kate.

I stitched it last summer knowing I wanted to use this chalkboard to mount it on.

I finally got his mate - Lady Liberty (also Lizzie Kate) finished this summer. Not quite in time for July 4th but since I leave my patriotic up until Labor day I'll get to enjoy it a bit before it goes away. I used magnets so I can use the same finishing piece for the Christmas ones - someday)

(told ya I needed some photo editing help)

They would have probably been better if I had taken them outside but it's too dang hot for that here!

Last, but not least. I've managed to slip in a few ornaments. The two reindeer need buttons and charms sewn on but I will do that when I finish them. Not sure yet if I will do pillow ornaments or flat ornaments but they will be finished before Christmas!

(top left - Joy to the world by Little House Neeleworks,

top right Dazzlin' deer by Heart in Hand Needleworks

bottom, dear Rudolph by Lizzie kate)

I think my list of things I want to get done for Christmas may be longer than the time left on the calendar.