Friday, November 26, 2010

Trimming The Tree


Hi everyone!
 I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving.
 Rich and I didn't have to be at my Mom's until 4pm so we spent the day putting up our tree and watching the James Bond marathon on one of the TV stations.
 This is my collection of Mill Hill Santas that I stitched many years ago. I love them and when I take them out of their box I am always amazed at how much detail and color changes are involved in these. I finally put the backing felt on one more that was stitched so he will join his brothers on the tree this year.
This next group are ornaments that have been gifts or exchanges that I have received over the years. They are pretty fabulous. Every year at my EGA guild's exchange you hope to get ones made by certain people and I have been fortunate to receive a beautiful ornament every year.

This next group I stitched. Can you tell that I like snowmen? I have stitched some of these twice because I gave them away in an exchange and then had separation anxiety! Do any of you feel that way too?





These are some more that I stitched. For about 5 years I was involved in an ornament kit exchange based on the JCS ornament issue. You picked one or 2 ornaments and stitched them and kitted up enough of that same ornament to send to your exchange partner. Well, needless to say I have a lot of kits still to finish. I finished all of them from 2004. I have 5 left from the 2005 issue and then I will start on 2006.
When I think about my stitching goals for the upcoming year I think that it still will have to be to work on finishing those kits rather than I different assortment of smalls. I am so inspired by what I see on the blogs...all red ornaments, 4th of July trees, Halloween trees. I would like to focus on one of these but I really need to finish the ornament kits :)
Well, I think the tree looks pretty fabulous. Every ornament is a memory. For many years I didn't put up a tree because I worked retail and really didn't have time. Rich and I don't have children so there really wasn't any pressure to do so. About 6 years ago, I quit retail management and I have had time to do more during the holidays. Rich and I got a great deal on this prelit tree about that time. 
I hope that you all have time to enjoy the holidays.
                                                        Chris

11 comments:

diamondc said...

I am so glad to see that your tree is almost all cross stitch ornaments, I have done the same thing, my tree is about 90% stitched ornaments.
We will put up our tree later this week.
I hope your thanksgiving was a a wonderful day.
Blessings
Catherine

Cindy's Stitching said...

WOW - Chris, they are all so pretty. The collection you have is amazing. I give most of mine away. I have some, but not nearly as many as I have given away. The santa's and snowmen of so nice. What a great tree. Thank you for sharing.

Shannon said...

Your tree and ornaments are beautiful! :)

Deborah said...

Wonderful collection of ornaments and a beautiful tree.

Rowyn said...

Wow, so many beautiful ornaments. I am relieved to see the one I have stitched for you in our exchange is not in any of the photos, but other ones I considered are! Phew. :-)

Your tree is so pretty - I can't wait to get ours up.

I can't help but spy the beautiful samplers in the background too. Super stunning!

Myra said...

I know that tree is just gorgeous! I hope to have that many handmade ornies one day. :o)

Karen said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm just so amazed by your collection of ornaments. They are all so fabulous! I love the snowmen!

Daffycat said...

What a magnificent collection of stitched ornaments, Chris. I loved seeing them, thanks!

The Homespun Cottage said...

Hi Chris, your ornaments are beautiful! I'm currently working on some mini sampler ornaments with hopes of one day having a "sampler" tree.
Blessings,
Abbey

Carol said...

Oh, your ornaments and tree are just wonderful, Chris! Ornaments are my favorite thing to stitch and I just love admiring each and every one of yours...

Meari said...

Your ornaments and tree are lovely!