One last finish for 2015

While waiting for the camera/computer snafu to get resolved, I kept stitching on the Nutcracker/Packages stocking--until the recipient of the stocking next year arrived, that is.  Shortly after he left, I pulled the stocking out from its hiding place in my closet and have been stitching ever since!

The middle nutcracker's hair and beard were stitched in basketweave with Burmilana, then "roughed up" with a nap brush until he looked a little like Doc Brown in the movie Back to the Future.  The smallest nutcracker's hair and beard were stitched in French knots with Silk & Ivory Pearl Gray.

The smaller package was worked with three values of gold DMC floss in a diagonal oblong cross stitch and trimmed with a bow of Silk Lame Braid in an interlocking Gobelin stitch.  The larger package was worked in Scotch stitches over four threads with ecru Silk Lame Braid.  Its bow was stitched in basketweave with two shades of Petite Very Velvet with highlights created by Kreinik #12 tapestry braid #002V in tent stitches.

I exceeded my goal by squeezing in one more stocking finish for this year and am now waiting patiently for another stocking canvas to arrive that I can tackle in 2016.  Happy New Year to all!

Due to technical difficulties....

The camera with the most recent progress photo of the Nutcracker/Packages stocking is refusing to play nicely with the computer!  I've been working on the canvas a little every day, though, and have actually made it to the bottom of the design area in a couple of spots.  Tech support is due in for a visit this weekend, so hopefully I'll have something to show for myself soon.  Stay tuned!

Boots and pedestals

The middle nutcracker now has two legs to stand on, stitched in basketweave with black and gray Petite Very Velvet and trimmed with Smyrna crosses of Kreinik #8 fine braid 5760.  The smallest nutcracker's boots are also trimmed, using Kreinik #12 tapestry braid 002V in tent stitches and Smyrna crosses.  The laces were added on top of the stitched areas by stretching the braid between the Smyrna crosses.

All three nutcrackers have pedestals stitched in various shades of DMC #5 perle cotton.  The tops of the pedestals were worked in a satin stitch, the edges in either a slanted Gobelin or satin stitch, and the bases in slanted Gobelin stitch.

Suiting up the little guy

Now that the Nutcracker/Packages stocking canvas has been transferred to stretcher bars, the end is definitely in sight!

I've been concentrating on the smallest nutcracker, who now has a tunic stitched in basketweave with Vineyard Silk Classic Berry and a darker burgundy Burmilana for shading.  It's trimmed with Kreinik #12 tapestry braid 002V in tent stitches and Smyrna crosses.  The cuffs on the sleeves were worked in interlocking/encroaching Gobelin stitches with gold Sheep's Silk.  A royal blue Impressions was worked in a satin stitch for his hands and a Kalem stitch for his trousers.

His boots were stitched with black Petite Very Velvet, covering the painted laces that will be added on top of the worked areas.  Taking advantage of early morning light, I moved to the middle nutcracker, who at least has one leg to stand on so far.

Filling in some blanks

The largest nutcracker now has a full beard as well, worked in French knots with white Trio.  And the third ornament is finished, using Silk Lame Braid in an interlocking/encroaching Gobelin stitch just like the other ornaments.

The largest nutcracker's boots were stitched in basketweave with DMC #5 perle cotton 310 and trimmed with Kreinik #8 fine braid 5760 in tent stitches and Smyrna crosses.

The smallest nutcracker's helmet was decorated in tent stitches and Smyrna crosses with Kreinik #12 tapestry braid 002V.

I'm making a list of the threads I need to purchase from my LNS--for the hair and beard of the second nutcracker, among others--but I still have threads from my stash I can use once I take the canvas off scroll bars and mount it on stretcher bars for the final push.

Two ornaments and a full head of hair

The Nutcracker/Packages stocking took a back seat while I finished another project but is now back on track.

The largest nutcracker now has eyebrows, a mustache and hair worked in French knots with white Trio.

The red and blue ornaments were worked in an interlocking/encroaching Gobelin stitch with Silk Lame Braid for 18 ct.  It's hard to catch all the twinkle in a photo but it's certainly there in person!

Another "behind the scenes" finale

Patchwork Snowman, designed by Liz Goodrick-Dillon, was the subject of my column in the November/December issue of Needlepoint Now.  Here it is, in its two-foot-plus splendor, as finished by Needle Nicely in Vero Beach, Florida.

This was a fun and challenging canvas:  there are a lot of little details and a tremendous amount of fur trim in this design!  But a lot of different threads were used--Petite Very Velvet, Silk Lame Braid, Impressions, Burmilana, Felicity's Garden, Kreinik metallics and DMC cotton floss--which made it easier to sustain momentum in stitching.

The stocking is a companion to Nutcracker Christmas and will be a Christmas present for my darling new daughter-in-law.  Another family wedding is scheduled for 2016, so I need to get cracking on another set of stockings!