In the airport now, with

In the airport now, with a cappucino and my feet up. The sun is out, my plane is on time, and all is right with the world.

Christmas Ornament Exchange Received

Today in the mail I received my ornament from Gillian in The Gift of Stitching Christmas Ornament Exchange. It was just the thing to get me in a good mood today. She also sent a nice card with hollyberries and a skein of silk floss. I believe the color is called Blue Lagoon. I'll have to find a biscornu chart for it.
I like this style of stitching more and more, and I'm glad someone else used over-one stitching. I have been working on an ornament for the past month that is have over-two and half over-one, and it's been driving me batty. None of my friends cross stitch and they all think I'm crazy for pursuing these tiny stitches.


Check out my first successful toe-up start. I did this Monday night with LOTS of help from Cassandra. At this point the stitches for this sock are parked on pens and spare needles while I use the size 11s to start the second sock. For some reason I couldn't finish off the sock. I want to make sure it is long enough in the cuff for my dad, so I want to see how long I can make them, and make sure they end up the same.

Last but not least, here's a view of Harry parked for the day on my bed in the middle of the Christmas wrapping mess.

Super fast socks

It's 9:30 am Wednesday morning and I already have half a sock! I finished turning the heel on the bus this morning. I started these slipper socks Monday night with lots of guidance from Cassandra. Another intense knitting session last night, and I was almost finished wtih the heel. Now I can knit the ribbed cuff on my bus ride home tonight, and maybe knit the second sock toe tonight while watching TV.

Why don't normal socks work up this fast?

Stitching plans

A lot of my friends are making gifts this year both as Christmas presents and for selling at craft fairs and a sci-fi convention that's happening in January. They flurry of actvity is high - with yarn, beads, thread, origami paper, and more being turned into beautiful wearable art. I myself have been stitching teeny tiny stitches on cross stitch ornaments. One was for an exchange I took part in (see earlier post). I have stitched one more and am trying to wrap up the tiny lettering on a third. Can't post pictures just yet as there is the chance that the recipients might see them here.

Oh, and I've just decided to add a knitting project into the mix as a Christmas present too. What am I thinking??? I don't even have the yarn yet. Tonight after work I am dashing to Windsor Button to get the yarn and needles, and meeting my friend Cassandra so she can show me the pattern. Nevermind that before I went away for Thanksgiving she wrote the pattern down for me and demonstrated the difficult bits on one she was making. Nevermind that I already made a gauge swatch, I have no memory of the pattern!

Craft fairs in Harvard Square

Saturday I met three friends in Harvard Square despite it being 18 degrees and went to two craft fairs. Right now I'm waiting for the subway to meet two more friends in Harvard Square to do thesme thing again and go for coffee and visit shops and such. Isn't life fun?
I am a little late in getting to the T because I got a call from a friend of mine who is pregnant. Can you believe I have FOUR pregnant friends right now? One is due in January and the other three are due in June. Congratulations to all my blessed friends.

Guess I had better find some cute patterns and start knitting...

Christmas Ornament Exchange 2008

This year I participated in my first exchange. This was a Christmas ornament exchange on the group of The Gift of Stitching Magazine.

Here is the front and back of the ornament I made for Jane in West Virginia. The pattern is from The Prairie Schooler Pamphlet "December". I stitched the pattern on 14 count white aida with 3 strands to make sure the stitches covered and gave it a plump look. I wasn't quite sure how to do the finishing, so I just did it like a normal sewed item would be, inside out, then reversed it and stuffed it. I made my own cord this time, but I feel like it should have been tighter.

This is also the first stitched ornament I've ever made. I was kind of sad to see it go, but I have the pattern still and can make one for myself if I feel like it. I don't usually go in for this style, simple country sampler sort of stuff, but it's growing on me.

Make your own glass from Corning Glass Studio

It'S here! Smaller than it was in my head, and a bit lighter in color than I wanted but still pretty and made by me. Did your pumpkin come yet?