Happy New Years Eve...6 hours left of 2009

Christmas Countdown - Christmas Layouts

Last for 2009

Lilipoints' Santas
Originally uploaded by Nicola Klein

Well this is my last finished project for '09! I did finish the stitching during the Spring. My framer has had the project since early October. I am in need of a faster framer as I only received the finished work two days before Christmas. But a framer who will do needlework projects are few are far between :(

Liliponts does have such unique designs. I love their website if you haven't seen it....www.liliponts.com ........it can be viewed in French or English. Au revoir for 2009.....let's ring in 2010!

December 13th....Santa Lucia Day

Santa Lucia Nov09
Originally uploaded by Alkelda

This past Sunday I experienced my 1st Santa Lucia celebration/ procession. I was so taken by the experience that I did not get any pictures! I took my 2 daughters to see "The Swedish Festival" as they were calling it at a local Lutheran Church. The procession included approximately 12 women/ girls and 4 star boys. This holiday is celebrated in Sweden, most Scandinavian Countries and Italy. It is often called The Festival of Light, Saint Lucia is depicted wearing a crown of flames to illuminate while her hands are kept free.

St. Lucia was a young Christian girl who was martyred for her faith in 304 AD. The story told is that she would secretly carry food to the Christians in Rome hiding under the city. She used the lights on her head to keep her hands available to carry more. Monks who 1st brought Christianity to Sweden also brought her story.

The Santa Lucia procession was truly a beautiful experience and I plan to return next December 13th! GOD JUL! (Merry Christmas in Swedish!)

Shiny evenweave, puffy ribbon, the ornament turned into a pillow! I just couldn't resisit enlarging the ornament! The ribbon looked like snow balls to me, and I thought it would go nicely with the cold Christmases they see in Europe. As for Austin, we did get our 1st snow in about 5 years, 3 days ago. It was only 40* so it melted but the children enjoyed it none the less. Here's wishing you a Merry and hopefully White Christmas! 

Christkindlmarkt

Well, stage one of my Christmas ornie is completed. Now I need to pick some fabric and possibly a ribbon! So does it look like a European Christmas Market? Pretezels hanging and hopefully the pie is not fruit cake!

Secret Needle Night

This is my 1st completion from the Silver Needle's Secret Needle Night Series. They publish a new chart monthly and once it is sold out it is retired. This chart is called Winter Fields and I plan to finish it into a pillow for December and January! I guess I better get busy, December is only 17 days away!

How I wish we saw snow more in Central Texas, our last snow fall was 4 or 5 years ago on Valentines Day! Well maybe this will be our year!

Toothless Wonder!

This is not stitching related but I couldn't resist! Romi surprised me this afternoon at school, she lost her right front tooth at lunch! Just in case you were wondering the sandwhich got only a little bloody!

She wants me to take lots of pictures because losing your front teeth is really COOL!

Can't keep a secret!

So I just can't keep the surprise! It does help that my mother's computer skills are limited...She'll never look on the blog! So her birthday is December 19th and this is my gift to her. This was a free chart with purchase of the buttons from Just Another Button Company. They have really nice charts but hard to find. I purchased this one online through The Silver Needle, a charming store out of Tulsa, OK. Being a Longhorn, I plan to NEVER travel to OK, but online is okay by me! 

Halloween 2010...hopefully

WIP.....I must admit this is my only one that will wait until 2010. This is Just Nan's Spooky Tin, it only needs a few beads and VOILA! But, I decided it would store easier unfinished so it shall stay hidden till next fall. I need to stop stitching Just Nan, I love the charts but hate to BEAD! Note to self.....no more NAN!

Christmas in July

This little padded mat board was my project during June/ July. It took me no time to finish stitching and then came the beadwork. So needless to say it was ready for the framing shop in September. Just got the completed project today and just in time for the season!

I also have a special gift for my mother this holiday. When we get closer to Christmas I will post it as to not ruin the surprise!

Presently I'm working on an ornament from the Gift of Stitching Magazine November 2009 issue. The ornament depicts a European Christmas Market or "Christkindlmarkt" and was designed by Patrizia Martellini. Should be very cute on the tree this year!

Aunt Romie's Gift

So what does one give to the hard to buy for? The older I get the more I seem to enjoy the homemade gifts, things made with precious time and love. This year for my Aunt's birthday I stitched a tin from Just Nan's Over the Top Series. This project was my 1st corded creation. I think it turned out nice and it has given me some confidence in doing more finishing. Happy Birthday Tia Romie!

My first SAL (stitch a long)

In early 2008, I came across a crosstitch blog by a French designer, Marsye. (You will find her site under my favorite blogs.) She was creating a Sampler SAL. Each month she would design a row until all the letters of the alphabet were completed. This was an ambitious project but I was intrigued. I did change it up a bit as she left out the "W" in her design. (Was that a jab at American politics? Who could blame her!!!) I have yet to frame it, keep checking back!

Along came Katarina

So baby girl #2 was already born and I was still working on Romi's announcement. I needed an announcement I could stitch quickly as I was a little burned out. I choose a Sisters & Best Friends design. This announcement invigorated me as I experienced immediate gratification. Katarina's announcement was much simpler but I think turned out cute as well!

A four year task

In the Fall of 2002 I begun my first large project. I was pregnant with our 1st child and wanted to create an announcement for the nursery. We did not know the sex of our baby and I choose a DMC pattern that I thought could swing both ways. Lucky for us the baby was a girl, the design looks quite feminine. She, Romi, was a handful and I became lazy with my stitching. Four years later it was done and baby girl number two was already born!

My first ever...

This weblog is my first attempt. In the upcoming days, I will upload my current stitching projects, those finished and works in progress. My goal is to create a virtual diary of my my artwork and create an online community for support and fun! Keep checking back, my down time is limited...... I am a full time working mom with two small girls!

Nicola, Allandale Neighborhood, Austin Texas