Perhaps the last of the machine embroidery posts for a while, but who really knows …
This is another UFO project from 2018 which I started in July. These are Advent mittens for my grandson, Valentin. He will get one every year for Christmas (#1 on his first Christmas, etc). He was born on December 26th, so he missed out on getting the first one in 2018. In any event, they are all done, so if/when I decide to give them all to him, they are ready. Also, by the time he's 25, I doubt I will still be making these. Who knows how they might turn out if I'm trying to do them at 95 (should I live so long)! LOL
The mittens are an in-the-hoop project and are open at the top to insert small gifts, candy or whatever. They were designed at my request by Tracie Brown of Newfoundapplique.com. (THANK YOU TRACIE!) I had purchased the stockings that I made for Julia from her and sent her an email asking if she had mittens of a similar size. Apparently, she was in the process of designing items for Christmas, so she graciously accommodated my request. With machine embroidery software, I was able to add the numbers and various designs from sets that I purchased from Designs by JuJu plus one or two miscellaneous designs from other sources. I'm so pleased to have these done!
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While I was on a roll with the embroidery machine, I paired this great fabric with a Seattle Space Needle design from Embroidery Library to make this birthday card for Kathy. Her birthday isn't until early April, but I wanted to do it while the inspiration and enthusiasm were high. Come April, when I am overwhelmed with Easter and other April birthdays to deal with, I will be so thankful that this one, at least, is done.
It kind of looks like it's on a tiny island in the middle of a storm at sea, doesn't it?
I'm keeping my embroidery machine busy this month. I wanted more organza snowflakes, a couple for memorials, and a few more to have on hand. They conveniently stitch out in one hooping, so I have some extras.
This table runner is a UFO from 2016. Kathy and I purchased the fabric together, since we both liked it, and one length would make two runners. Kathy finished hers, so, of course, I felt the challenge to finish mine. I haven't decided if I'm going to keep it or gift it, but having it on my kitchen bar seems to be helpful so far in keeping it cleared off and nice looking, instead of the usual "hot spot". Of course, if I decided to keep it, I'll want different ones to change out seasonally …
The pattern is called Easy Striped Table Runner by Karen Montgomery for Quilt Company. There are many free tutorials on the web though, of course.
I seem to be a bit behind in my craft posting.
After visiting Emelie in Nebraska in December, and seeing her pretty table-scatter poinsettias (which I made for her in 2016 (seems like yesterday), I wanted some for myself. Shortly after I got home, I made these white ones to coordinate with the placemats and centerpiece that I made for myself in 2017. I love the white stitching on the white organza. By the time I got them done, it was time to change to winter-themed table décor, so I didn't get to enjoy them for long. There's always another Christmas a-comin' though!
I'm beginning the New Year with these pillow covers for Emelie's dinette chairs. I had started them when I was visiting her in December, but didn't have time to finish, so the project came home with me. She's had the focus fabric for a couple of years and finally decided on a project for it. There wasn't enough fabric for the three chairs, so we used a plain fabric for the backs. I put zippers in them which ended up being the easy part. The piping was more difficult. It got better with each one. I used the technique to make the corners look more square without the dog-ear look. It seems to work nicely. Here's a tutorial …
Emelie sent a text with pictures and said "Beautiful!!!"
