Thursday, January 1, 2009

Happy New Year's Day!

What did you do today?  I always take down my Christmas decorations on New Year's Day--a tradition I started during my many years of working, and it has always stuck.  So we did that, a little cleaning, a little watching of the Mummer's Parade (if you aren't from Philly, click here to see/hear what they're all about!  You gotta be there to understand.) A little stamping, a lot of blurfing, mostly a quiet day.  Here is what Pumpkin did:DSCF2814

Kind of what I wanted to do too!  But I did sleep in, so that was my consolation!

 

 

I also wanted to show you what I made for my brother-in-law for Christmas.  Last year he lamented that everyone in his family (my sister, niece & nephew) all had cross-stitched Christmas stockings I had made for them. These are quite elaborate and they take me almost a year to make.  The only reason I had made my sister one is that her childhood stocking had been lost in a fire a few years ago, and before my mom died, she asked me to make her one.  Normally I would just make them for the children, as my siblings and I have stockings already.  Here is hers:

Gail's Christmas stocking

My BIL felt left out (who would think a GUY would care about a Christmas stocking!!!) and offered to pay me to make him one.  Of course I would not ever accept money, but right after Christmas last year, I began stitching.  I never said a word and was hoping he forgot all about it.  I didn't even send it to their home in South Carolina for Christmas eve, so imagine his surprise when he had a gift from "Santa" when he came up the day after Christmas:

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This photo was taken on my front door, so the fabric looks a bit lighter, but they are actually both the same.  Gail's portrays a little girls' vintage bedroom; Russ's is a workshop.   He was flabbergasted and just couldn't believe that he now had a stocking!  My sister was now the one lamenting, because now she will have to fill it!  My eyes definitely have changed over the last few years, and I think this is the last one I'll be making!  I think I could have ironed it a little better too!  LOL!  Here are some details:

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The doll house, apron and stool.

 

 

 

 

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Noah's ark & workbench.

 

 

 

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Tools & Santa toy.

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for humoring me while I shared some non-stamping things!  Tomorrow I hope to pass on an award I got from my Color Throwdown friend, Broni!  Happy New Year's to everyone!

28 comments:

Patsy said...

LeAnne, Happy New Year. I hope your year is filled with many blessings and joyous times. I love those stockings. Where did you get your patterns? I had some patterns at one time I was going to do for my kids and they have disappeared. I am sure hubby threw them away in a clean out. You did an awesome job.

mudmaven said...

Those stockings are just gorgeous! Such a labor of love. I'm sure he will treasure it! Happy New Year from a lurker! ~chris

Shawn Marie O'Connell said...

LeAnne, this is stunning! My Aunt Sandy (who you've always reminded me of!) made crossed-stitched stockings for all of us years ago. What a tremendous gift they are!! This is a gorgeous work of art!! I haven't crossed-stitched in years. Would love to add that to my list of "To Dos".

ChristineCreations said...

Oh MY WORD Leanne...these are just stunning! What craftsmanship and patience. Such a beautiful labor of love!

Kathleen said...

LeAnne----oh my gosh! These are amazing! I did a lot of cross-stitch years ago and I always wanted to do these for my children----it never happened. What a lovely job you did. I know the hours it took......maybe I'll do these for my grandchildren some day!!! Thanks for showing these to us~

Anonymous said...

Your stockings are absolutely beautiful! You did a great job on them. I don't mind seeing non-paper things! Happy New Year to you and your family.

Stamp and Smile said...

O' LeAnne, your Christmas Cross-Stitch stockings are GORGEOUS!!! I'm a cross-stitcher myself and can understand the time put into a project like this. You are a very nice SIL to make this for him. Thanks for sharing!!! Smiles... :)

Zhenya and Nika Aksutin said...

Very beautiful stockings!!!! It is a lot of work!!!! I think it is a great gift!

Renee said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Renee said...

LeAnne these are beautiful! I know you put a lot of hard work and long hours into these and you did an amazing job! What a sweet
SIL

Jennifer said...

your stockings are absolutely amazingly incredible!!
Wow! What a labor of love. Your eyes seem to be just fine!
Jennifer L.

Debbie M said...

All I can say is OMG!!!! WHat a LOT of work you have put into this!! I am TOTALLY in awe of you!
Ps: Love your Kwerner challenge card also.

Debbie M

Anonymous said...

Oh My...How beautiful! Your creativity is amazing! What a great artistic treasure to share with your family...My eyes are getting worse too...LOL...Happy New Year to you and yours...TFS

Heather said...

Those stockings are absolutely amazing, I'm not surprised they take a year to make. What a lovely gift for your BIL

Marlis said...

Happy New year... what a lucky BIL. that is one magnificent stocking.

Anonymous said...

Aren't those stockings beautiful? My daughter and I made 5 of them one year for our family, then she made four for another family. This year she made two for her husband and her new baby. I'll soon have two newly weds in the family so I guess I'll need to pull out my patterns and make some more. The details on the patterns are gorgeous and they are fun to make! Great job-I know they love them too!

Anonymous said...

LeAnne, those stockings are GORGEOUS!!!! WOW, you are so dang talented! I love them both!

Happy New Year!
Wendy

Juanita said...

Wow, you went to a lot of work here! This is a fabulous stocking.

penniem said...

WoW- you better keep this brother-in-law to keep this gorgeous stocking in the family - this is a piece of art! I love cross stitching but this is amazing - love the storty too, thanks for sharing.
Pennie

Anonymous said...

How wonderful of you!! And he is the luckiest guy in the world to have a SIL like you!!! Thanks for sharing this - the stockings are just gorgeous.

Happy New Year!!!!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your thougtful card and it's on my blog today. I just want you to know that last night, I actually pulled out enough crap to make my new folding table sag, and I made two, count'em, TWO bookmarkers. Woo and Wheee. But I want to get back in the groove. I'm coming here to get it back, so now you're RESPONSIBLE for me.

Tammy Hershberger said...

LeAnne, those are beautiful! I haven't done any cross-stitch in years, but you make me want to get it out and start again! Absolutely beautiful work!

P.S. My cats did the same thing on New Year's Day, but they also do that every day! LOL

Barbara said...

LeAnne, I cross stitch so I know how much work went into these. They are stunningly beautiful!!! I know your BIL was overwhelmed--what a wonderful gift!

Anonymous said...

LeAnne, Prospero Ano Nuevo, girlfriend! Lovely stockings, lovely country angel card, lovely, lovely, lovely you! I wish you many Christmas blessings throughout the coming year.
Angela Y.

Lisa Kind said...

These are gorgeous! I used to cross-stitch a lot back in the day but have never seen these before! Such a treasure for each of your family members!

Anonymous said...

LeAnne, I did a double take when I saw your beautiful stockings. I have made these two and four others in the set for my 6 children. They always look forward to their stockings hanging up together and love to show them off to their friends. they are real heirlooms and worth the many hours involved making them. I'd love more children but don't know if I have the patience or time to make extra stockings lol.

Melinda

Broni said...

LeAnne, these stockings are superbly stitched! I've also made stockings for everyone in my family so I truly appreciate the love and time and effort you put into these! They're gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Those stockings are absolutly gorgeous!!!! I'm so jelous of people that can take needle and thread and turn it into something beautiful!