12 Months of Christmas: Swan-a-swimming

Here I am with #7 Swan-a-swimming from the 12 Days of Christmas patterns by Mmmcrafts, for our 12 Months of Christmas Stitchalong! This stitch was great fun, and I was once again using bits and scraps, as this was before my new order of Benzie design felt arrived. In some spots, I got a bit... creative. :)

Here I am, just starting out with the stitching, once again relying heavily on my OttLite lamp for all those early morning/middle of the night stitching binges. This is only a bit of the chaos - I find when I am working on these ornaments I have a huge mess of threads, sissors and felt around me. It's kind of like cooking, where I really must clean up as I go along, or the mess starts to discourage me! :)

Here is my swan with a bit more progress, and you can see a stealthy way I used felt scraps here - I knew the inner back wing would not be visible, and my yellowish felt was almost gone, so I just used a small scrap instead! I could get away with it because I have a nice heavy interfacing.

Here I am, sewing down the flower detail on the wing - this is one of my favorite elements of the design - so easy to stitch, and such a lovely look to it!

Here's the back - I'm not a huge fan of the colors I chose, but I do love the front, and let's face it, that's what will be seen most!

And here she is, all stitched up! Someone with eagle eyes on Instagram noticed that I modified the water - the pattern called for a thin line of stitching, a water line, if you will. Instead, I layered the felt in 2 colors to achieve a similar effect, without the stitching. I like my result, what do you think?

JOIN THE 12 MONTHS OF CHRISTMAS STITCHALONG!

This stitchalong is easy, and no-pressure! To join, visit Larissa's shop to purchase the Twelve Days pattern of your choice. Tag your pictures with the hashtag #twelvedaysornaments and #12monthsofChristmas on Instagram so we can find them.

Leave a comment here with a link to your blog, or any space on the internet where you are tracking your progress. And don't miss the page Larissa has set up with lots of tips for stitching this series: http://mmmcrafts.blogspot.com/p/twelve-days.html.

Next up is Maid-a-milking! Please join us - let's stitch!

Previous Stitchalong Posts

#1-2: Partridge and Pear; Turtle Dove

#3: French Hen

#4: Colly Bird

#5: Gold Ring

#6: Goose-a-laying

12 Months of Christmas: Gold Ring

Without further delay, here is the Gold Ring, all stitched up, #5 in the series of patterns in the 12 Months of Christmas Stitchalong! Apologies for taking so long in my finish, but with 2 surgeries since we last spoke, and a week-long vacation, it was very hard to get motivated to finish!

I had all my pieces cut out before my first surgery in May, right on time:

My motivation level was non existent however, as I recovered, and it was no fault of the lovely pattern! The pieces patiently waited until this week, when I picked them up and finished in a record 3 days!

Why so fast? This pattern has much less embroidery in it, and if you use glue, rather than hand-sewing little bits down, as I do, it could go even faster.

I once again used many of the same familiar threads I've used in the previous patterns in this series. I love how the pink metallic thread looks as a bevel on the central gem:

Here's a closer look at the metallic thread:

Overall, this pattern included quite a bit more hand-sewing vs. hand embroidery, but I found it very enjoyable and easy.

I liked the ring even without the decorative bands sewed on...

I'm not impressed with how I stitched the band decoration - my stitches being rather uneven. Nevertheless, I was determined to press on!

A look at the back:

And the finished front:

Another ornament finished, and only 2 months late. ;) What do you think of this Gold Ring? My take on this one is that it is quick, and very beginner friendly!

JOIN THE 12 MONTHS OF CHRISTMAS STITCHALONG!

Would you like to join in? Remember, joining this stitchalong is easy, and no-pressure! To join, visit Larissa's shop to purchase the Twelve Days pattern of your choice. Tag your pictures with the hashtag #twelvedaysornaments and #12monthsofChristmas on Instagram so we can find them.

Leave a comment here with a link to your blog, or any space on the internet where you are tracking your progress. And don't miss the page Larissa has set up with lots of tips for stitching this series: http://mmmcrafts.blogspot.com/p/twelve-days.html.

Next up is Goose-a-Laying! Won't you join? Let's stitch!

Previous Stitchalong Posts

#1-2: Partridge and Pear; Turtle Dove

#3: French Hen

#4: Colly Bird

Christmas Countdown #2: Mmm Crafts

It's become a holiday tradition for me to pop over to Larissa Holland's beautiful Mmm Crafts shop to see what she's created next in her 12 Days of Christmas series - this year, it's the sweet Drummers Drumming and Pipers Piping patterns. I also highly recommend the matching felt sets from Benzie Design - once you've used them, you'll never want to craft again with simple craft felt!

Christmas Countdown #2: Larissa Holland

How exquisite is this 8 Maids A-Milking pattern by Larissa Holland? The pattern is part of a gradually released series of patterns, based on the 12 Days of Christmas song, here are all 8 patterns so far:

  

  

  

  

It's no secret that I love Larissa Holland's patterns - every year at Thanksgiving I pull out her beautiful Snow bird pattern, and make ornaments to give away to friends and family for the holidays. I know from experience that Larissa's patterns are extremely detailed and well-made, and I highly recommend a visit to Larissa Holland's shop for truly wonderful holiday inspiration!

Countdown to Christmas: Holiday Birds

Stitched by floresita

I am in love with the Snow Bird pattern by Larissa Holland, and although it is late in the season I am busy crafting away at little birds for last-minute ornament gifts. A quick plug for the wonderful pattern, which is incrediby detailed, easy to follow, and well worth the purchase price. I purchased mine in combination with the stocking pattern, and they are both well-written and lovely.

To view more of Larissa's patterns, visit her store.