Friday, December 23, 2011

Squeezing out a finish

Despite the illness (yes, mom did get me sick) and the holiday madness, I managed to squeeze out a finish and cross an item off my massive list of WIPs.  Well, I actually had to add it on first, since I seem to have omitted the "current" projects bag from that list.
Shakespeare's Peddler Jenny Bean's Christmas Sampler
stitched on PTP 40 count Legacy linen
with charted flosses (overdyed cotton)
I was pretty much committed to getting this finished this year once I stitched that date in.  Usually I do the date as the very last thing, as a just in case precaution, but for some reason I did it about halfway this time.  As you can see, I re-charted and took poor Jenny's name out, and put my own in with the current date.

Since Jenny's Christmas sampler is finished, I'm going to throw it into the Giveaway too.  Still plenty of time to sign up, assuming anyone is still reading blogs between gorging themselves on holiday sweets, battling crowds everywhere, and anything else holiday related.

I have another finish-finish to show off, and credit for this one really goes to Mom.  I stitched this piece back in 2008, and never did anything with it.  No clue why, because I really love all the specialty stitches in it.  Mom made it up into a small wall-hanging and its going to Grandma as a Christmas present this year.  Grandma is a total pink kind of lady, so that's why we went over-the-top pink with the finishing.
Ewe & Eye & Friends Rose House, stitched on
36 ct linen with HDF silk

I hope everyone is having fun and staying sane with the holiday season.  Our friends we spend Christmas with every year just arrived today.  Mary Lou and Jim had quite the ordeal getting here.  Yesterday they started the drive from their winter home in Arizona; Jim lost his wallet at Costco when they stopped for gas, but didn't notice it until they were halfway here.  They turned around to go back home to cancel credit cards and such, but on the off chance someone turned it it, they stopped back at Costco.  Luckily, a very kind and  honest Costco employee found the wallet, and turned it in.  Jim recovered everything, and didn't have to go through the hassle of cancelling credit cards and figuring out how to replace a Virginia drivers license from 3000 miles away 2 days before Christmas.

The population of the house is now 4 retired adults, 1 adult unemployed daughter, 2 golden retrievers and Princess Annie.  Absolute madness, but I love it.  Jim and ML are family to me and Christmas wouldn't be Christmas if they weren't here.  I've known them for 25 years, when all of us were living in England.  The golden retrievers have changed through the years, but there's always been at least one.

16 comments:

Teresa S. said...

Congrats on another 2011 finish!

Oh, excuse me, while I take another bite of fudge (chomp, chomp).
Gotta go-more Christmas goodies to eat-Have a Merry One! :)

Nicola said...

Beautiful sampler and finish, I love charts with some speciality stitches thrown in. It's nice to read before Christmas that there are honest people out there. Enjoy Christmas in the love and warmth of your family and friends. That's what it's all about.

Lesleyanne said...

Congrats on your finishes. They are both gorgeous. Merry Christmas

Christine said...

Two lovely finishes, I love that Christmas sampler, I'd not seen that one before.
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas

Marilyn said...

Great finishes.
Love the Jenny Bean.
Merry Christmas to you.
Marilyn

Chris said...

Beautiful finishes Mindi!
I love Jenny Bean. Maybe I need to ppull that chart out(because you know I have it in the stash!!) and rummage through my fabric and floss.
I love the EEF piece. I wish they were still designing.
So glad that everyone made it to your home and everyone is ready to enjoy the holiday.
Wishing you a joyous christmas and a stellar 2012.

Margaret said...

Love your Jenny Bean finish! Love the EEF finish as well -- your mom really finished it nicely for your grandmother! And as for your friends' trials while getting to your place -- argh!! Thank goodness for that honest Costco employee!!! But having to drive all the way back -- ugh! Glad they finally made it with wallet intact! I hope you all have a very merry Christmas!

barbara said...

Wonderful finish! And I love the finish-finishing for Ewe and I and Friends!

Myra said...

Gorgeous finishes! Enjoy the time with your family and friends. Merry Christmas!

Carol said...

It's wonderful to hear about an honest good turn these days, Mindy--your friend is very lucky :)

I'm so sorry to hear that you got sick along with your mom--ugh! Hopefully, you'll be doing better by Christmas Day.

I really love how you've finished Jenny Bean with your own name...I've always loved that sampler and think I like it even more with the stitcher's own name.

Way too many holiday goodies here--my son's boss just sent us a huge jelly cake. Oh my--next week my exercise routine goes to two times a day!!

Feel better soon and enjoy your Christmas Day :)

CATHI said...

Merry Christmas to you! Frohe Weihnachten!

Cathi

Giovanna said...

Great finishes, well done! Best wishes for the season.

Gabi said...

So beautiful. I love all those Jenny Bean Samplers, but this one is a bit my favorite. Congrats on that gorgeous finish.
Your mum did a great job with the wall hanging. Looks fantastic

Lynn said...

I'm glad to hear you were feeling much better by Christmas. I hope it was a good one!
Your two finishes are wonderful! I just finished up my Jenny Bean as well but I didn't personalize it. Maybe I should have. Yours looks great!

Siobhán said...

Congratulations on the finish!! I love that sampler. I hope to have it done in 2012--didn't quite make it into the WIP pile for 2011. You & your mom made a great team on the present for your grandmother!

dixiesamplar said...

Lovely finishes Mindi!! Hope your holiday celebrations were as happy & blessed as ours were! See you in 2012.