I've been busy trying to kick a week old cold, and much to my regret I'm on the losing end of this battle. Alka-seltzer and my rear end growing roots in my stitching chair has been the only comfort I've had these long days. So I've put myself to good work making lemonade with my lemons.
As you know...
I mentioned that I would like to stitch at least one ornament per month in 2012 so that I can bedeck and bedazzle my Christmas Tree next Christmas season. I've made good on my promise to myself with this finish. Please let me introduce the 2011 Prairie Schooler Yearly Santa:
2011 Prairie Schooler Yearly Santa
Designer: Prarie Schooler
Copyright 2011
Stitched on unknown 40 ct. linen
with DMC as charted
finished as an ornament for my future Santa tree
And since...
I'm OCD and always want to push myself to do better than I originally plan. I kitted up 3 other ornaments with hopes to finish all of them in January which would be four ornaments (my math skills are amazing!) for this month. Well, I'm on my way because yesterday I finished stitching this beauty:
"Sleigh Bird"
Designer: Little by Little
Copyright 2003
Pattern found in the 2003 Just Cross Stitch Special Ornament Issue
stitched on 32 ct. R&R Candlelight linen
with GAST as charted
finished as an ornament for my Christmas tree
I have loved...
this little ornament since I first saw it, lo those many years ago, and never stitched it. I don't know why because this little fella is a cutie pa-tootie if ever I saw one. I wanted to remain true to the folksy, primitive feel of the design so twisted some jute to make cording and finished it simply. It turned out just like I had it pictured in my head. I'm please as punch!
Remember my idol...
Carol, she wrote me the most wonderful little note encouraging my quest for stitching one ornament each month, as I have watched her these past few years stitching her own ornaments each month (and of course many, many other beautiful things) and her finishing....stunning! Well with her encouraging words I haven't floundered yet. See Carol! Let's hope I hold steadfast in my pursuit of that splendidly decorous, bedecked and bedazzled tree for 2012!
I'm on my way...
between these two and the three that I finished at the end of 2011. That's a total of FIVE for 2012 (there goes those math skills, again!).
So...
until we meet again my sweet friends - as I sit witnessing a snow storm outside my window with my rump growing roots in my stitching chair - I'll be keeping my hands to work and heart to God, just like always. Take good care of yourselves, it is getting to be cold and flu season, let me be the example to a healthier you.
Hugs and love,
Vonna
You poor thing! Hope you are feeling better soon and that the kids stay healthy! lol
ReplyDeleteThose ornaments are fantastic! And your math skills are killer...hehe
Your tree will be beautiful!
Great ornaments. I hope you are feeling better soon.
ReplyDeleteHope you kick your cold soon, nothing worse than feeling under the weather. Well done on two lovely ornament finishes, if you keep at this rate your tree will look simply wonderful. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are off to a great start on your 2012 ornaments, Vonna! Way to go!
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better soon!
Robin in Virginia
I love both those ornaments! You're going great guns with this! Feel better.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!! I think Carol has inspired many of us!
ReplyDeleteYou say OCD; I put you in the category of Over Achiever!!! I am totally in awe and green with envy of all your beautiful work and how quickly it happens.
ReplyDeleteLove visiting here to see what you've done lately.
Bobbi
Vonna, I love your ornies! Santa is too handsome, of course! You never cease to amaze me. I'm proud of your accomplishment, and then some, girl! I do hope my mojo returns quickly. I'm awfully down these days!
ReplyDeleteI know you're a woman of faith and I'd appreciate your saying a prayer for me, please. You've always been so kind to me over the last couple years. Hugs!
Oh my goodness! You crack me up and I sure needed a smile. "Rump growing roots in my stitching chair." hahaha
ReplyDeleteI've got a case of numb buns too.
BTW Thanks for the scripture you post in the corner.
Those are lovely! Did you change the colors so they would compliment each other? They look great together!
ReplyDeleteVonna, I'm so sorry you're not feeling well and I hope it passes real soon. Both of your ornaments are just wonderful and sooo beautifully finished and I really love the back of the PS Yearly Santa. Saying a prayer you feel better soon. ((hugs))
ReplyDeleteVonna,
ReplyDeleteHolding good thoughts for you to be cold free soon
Your orna nets should be on the cover of a magazine. So pretty! Congratulations.
Oh Vonna, they are just gorgeous. Your stitching and your finishing are just fab - I am in awe of your talent.
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better soon
L x
Vonna, they are two very sweet cuties if ever I saw! I have never really been keen on the PS santas till I saw your one just now. Now I think I am in love with them. And that other one.... wow a real cutie. Love the trim too. Keep it up! xx
ReplyDeleteVonna, what super cute finishes!! Beautiful work! I have the little bird ornament stitched, and definitely MUST do that PS Santa! Love your finishing, too. Great job!
ReplyDeleteYour ornaments are gorgeous. You will have one beautiful tree this year.
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better soon.
Take care!
Great start on your goal! Your hand made ornaments will make Christmas all the more special.
ReplyDeleteThe finishing is beautiful
Hope your feeling better.
ReplyDeleteGreat ornaments I am just stitching one of those old Santas.
Ohh I love both your finishes. You really did a wonderful job. I am always devoting time to stitch an ornamnet a month I have one so far and am almost finished with the second and then comes the task of actually finishing them :/
ReplyDeleteI hope you are on the mend soon. Take Care Vonna and feel better **HUGS**
i hope you are feeling better soon..
ReplyDeletevery lovely ornaments..
hugs cucki xx
Vonna, your ornaments are stunning. Hope you feel better soon. Iris
ReplyDeleteoh Vonna very beautiful !!
ReplyDeletehave a good day
Love your ornaments and the finishing is fantastic as always. Your 2012 tree will look stunning and at the rate you are going will be filled with beautiful ornaments. Hope you feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteThose finishes are awesome and those math skills blow me away by a mile! Feel better.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you are feeling better soon. Though you are getting some productive stitching done while you are ill. :) That's the bright side. Both of your ornaments are fabulous. And your finishing is just perfect!
ReplyDeleteFeel better soon.
You are doing so well with your ornament stitching, Vonna! What a beautiful tree you'll have this year. I hope you'll be feeling better soon!!
ReplyDeleteYay for you, Miss Vonna! Those math skills are almost as amazing as your stitching and finishing - almost. At this rate, you'll have that tree super dazzled for 2012. Love to watch those skills come from your mind's eye to our screens! Keep it up! Feel better and be well.
ReplyDeleteVonna -- Your ornaments are beautifully stitched and the finishing is just super-duper!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to be cheering you on that you get a whole bunch of ornaments stitched for your tree:)
Hope you feel better real soon.
What a great idea! I like it because it's attainable.
ReplyDeleteEven I could do that with working full-time and volunteering.
I'm inspired to consider making an ornament every other month.
Thank you!
Love your ornaments! Your finish work is always so beautiful too.
ReplyDeleteCongrats!
We are experiencing snow today also. After I finish catching up on blogs I'm planning on stitching time as well!
Despite your cold you've gotten off to a great start with your ornament stitching and finishing. I love both your choices and you did a fabulous job.
ReplyDeleteYou have given me inspiration to start my ornaments for 2012 and not wait the last minute.
ReplyDeleteGreat additions for your tree next year. Way to get ahead!We are under a winter storm warning tonight thru tomorrow! 8" or more....sounds like a good day to stay in to stitch, but I have to work tomorrow. People still want their braces off!LOL
ReplyDeleteWOW Vonna - I can't believe what you've accomplished and not being up to par either - YGG - I also hope you are feeling much better soon. good you could stay in your stitchy nest and just watch the snow. Take a cup of hot tea with honey and get plenty of rest. happy thoughts for a speedy recovery ! mel
ReplyDeleteBeautiful finishes!!!!!! Your Christmas tree is going to be awesome by the end of the year!!
ReplyDeleteHope you will recover from the cold soon!!! Take care~
Gorgeous ornaments--stitching and finishing!! I hope you are feeling better soon, Vonna!
ReplyDeleteI hope you feel better soon Vonna. Your ornaments are gorgeous. I am hoping to stitch one a month too and am half way through my first.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping you wake up tomorrow bright and clear. I am watching a snow storm today in Wisconsin too. Your ornaments are finished gorgeously as usual!:) imvickie@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteBeautiful ornaments Vonna!! Sorry your not feeling well :(
ReplyDeleteI guess I shouldn't tell you it is 73F here today lol Hard to believe it is cold and snowing somewhere ;)
Hugs
Way to go!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, as always! I miss you......
ReplyDeleteVonna,
ReplyDeleteYour stitching is beautiful. Is it done with one strand? Also, what is GAST?
Thanks,
Sue
Well done on your ornie finishes Vonna, and they are just wonderful. I'm planning to get my 2012 ornies underway next month, feel a bit Christmasy stitched out at the moment, lol. I hope you're feeling much better too. Take care :)
ReplyDeleteUh-oh, hope you feel better soon Vonna. Always nice to have more stitching time but not because of sickness. Your ornies came out gorgeous! I'm rooting for you and hope you have lots more ornies to grace your tree at the end of the year!
ReplyDeleteDo hope you feel better soon! But on the up side you have had the time to stitch and finish two beautiful ornaments! An accomplishment not to be sneezed at...LOL! Sorry couldn't help myself! ;)
ReplyDeleteHappy stitching on your other 2 ornaments!
You are so inspiring to me! I haven't stitched in several years but after checking in with this blog, I have started stitching again! I'm a member of the cottage-along and have been working on my January cottage. I'm hoping that I can squeeze an ornament into my January stitching too! Thanks for getting me to pick up my needle again, I'm loving it!
ReplyDeleteSorry you are feeling bad, but it sure did wonders for your 2012 Christmas tree! Those are two darling ornaments,and will dress your tree quite nicely!
ReplyDeleteFeel better soon!
Way to go Vonna! I think half the country has been sick in the last 6 weeks, hope you get over it soon.
ReplyDeleteI know you will complete your ornament goal this year, you're already off to a super start. I always thought the PS yearly Santas were too big for ornaments (not sure where i got that notion, I could've LOOKED). I have every one since she started designing them back around 1984. I wonder how many years it would take me to stitch them all.........
Cute, cute, cute ornaments!!! Hope you feel better soon. :)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous ornaments! Wish I could do such great finishing!
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better now!
Hugs,
Hope you feel better soon Vonna. Can't wait to see your tree 2012, and your maths skills amaze me :@
ReplyDeleteLiBBiE in Oz
ohhh hope you start to feel better soon but you have put yourself to good use stitching at any rate ... what better excuse ;) love your ornaments and beautifully finished as always :) love mouse xxxxx
ReplyDeleteAre you sure you aren't an accountant? LOL Just kidding you - hope you feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteAs always Vonna, your stitching and finishing is gorgeous. I love the Little by Little design - cutie patootie is right!
Boo hiss on the bad cold~~ I hope you bet better! Those ornies are just TOO cute...love the finishes~~~ Take care of yourself, Faye
ReplyDeleteGreat ornaments. I love Sleigh Bird. Hope you are feeling better soon.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you are not feeling well, but the rest has resulted in two super cute finishes! I love the Prairie Schooler santa finish. The little sleigh bird is adorable. Can't wait to watch your ornament collection grow this year!
ReplyDeleteOK--here you've got me blushing AGAIN, Vonna :)
ReplyDeleteYou are off to an amazing start on your ornaments--keep it up and your tree will be literally falling over with all those little beauties by the time December rolls around!
I'm so sorry to hear you're under the weather. That is one thing I don't miss about kids--no germs enter my house any more :) I'm always amazed that I'm not sick all the time working with the public at the library like I do, but I guess I've become immune to many things through the years (knock on wood--very loudly!)...
Feel better soon and keep up those amazing ornament finishes--I truly love them!
I love both of them! HOpe you feel better soon :)
ReplyDeleteYou sure are a lot more productive than I am when sick. :) Your ornaments are beautiful! My favorite is Sleigh Bird. At this rate, you are going to have a gorgeous tree! :)
ReplyDeleteHope you kick the cold soon.
Lovely finishes, and great job exceeding your goal for January! I'm hoping to join you in that goal of 1 ornament a month, but unfortunately I haven't started one yet.
ReplyDeleteHopefully you get over the cold soon, before the roots get too far into your stitching chair. You need to be able to get up and kit February's ornaments!
I cant wait to see that tree. !!!
ReplyDeleteVonna, Your ornaments are done to perfection.
ReplyDeleteI hope you will kick that cold sooner than later.
I grabbed a cold early December and just got rid of it about a week ago... So I know how you feel.
Take care.
Both ornies are wonderful. There is nothing wrong with your finishing! Feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry you're still under the weather, Vonna. Your ornaments are beautiful, and your finishing is so professional! You're gonna have a gorgeous tree. ~ Lorraine
ReplyDeleteThey're fabulous! A great start toward your "bedecked and bedazzled" tree! :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful ornaments. Great job. You do lovely work.
ReplyDeleteBoth the ornaments are gorgeous, and as for your maths skills, just awesome ;D
ReplyDeleteGreat ornaments, love your finishing !
ReplyDeleteYour ornament finishes are absolutely stunning! Hope you feel better soon!
ReplyDeletewhat fantastic ornaments! that Santa is so cute and love that little cardinal on that one, and the bird in the sleigh is adorable. I love designs with birds in them. :)
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better! Enjoy your weekend!
The ornaments are darling. Sorry you are not feeling well. I have had a cold this week too. But at least I have made some great progress in my stitching before the semester begins.
ReplyDeleteWow!!!!!!! I love all 5 of them.
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better! Love your finishes....they are brilliant. If you keep going like this every month, we'll not see the tree for all the ornaments! lol
ReplyDeleteYour ornaments are just beautiful Vonna! I love Little by Little designs so I will probably be stitching that one in the future. You finished them so pretty!
ReplyDeleteI hope you feel better soon. I think a snowy winter day is the perfect atmosphere for stitching ornaments!
Gorgeous ornaments, Vonna! FIVE finished so far? That is going to be one gorgeous, loaded tree by the end of the year. I do hope you feel better soon!
ReplyDeleteyour finishing work is just beautiful. Love the little flag the bird holds.
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better and good luck with your goal.
Teresa's Heartfelt Stitches
Both are just gorgeous! Love them both!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you're not well. I think I've come out in sympathy with you as I'm fighting the 'ole cold symptoms too.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful ornaments and finishing so gorgeously.
Hope you feel better soon, and your ornaments are gorgeous xxx
ReplyDeleteAAAAK! I may have to track down that 2003 magazine. Your sleigh bird is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteYour ornaments are beautiful !
ReplyDeleteMy hubby reminded me last night about his echinaccea tea. He takes this whenever he gets a virus and it works wonders. I went looking and we don't have any left at the moment or I would have sent it to you. I'll see if I can dig some up.
ReplyDeleteYour ornaments are BEAUTIFUL! I love, love, love the PS Santa! Somehow I've missed Sleigh Bird in my issues and don't know how I did this because he is the most adorable little fellow. I have to get off my butt and finish off more of my ornies. I want a tree full of them next year.
Hope you feel better soon, Vonna. I love your ornaments - what a start.
ReplyDeleteLove your finish with the Anniversaries - I do love your Grandma's boots, but oh-la-la love the daper hat!
I love your blog and you'll be the first blog I follow. I plan on posting my cross stitching starts soon. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful finishes on the ornaments.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you have been sick. Hope you feel better soon !!
Hi Von,
ReplyDeleteJust saw the ornaments, love them. I want you to make me one of the sled with the bird and tree so I can hang it on my wall at Christmas...I want you to add the berries to it also.
Tall order from you mom, huh????
Love ya,
Mom
Vonna, I hope you kick that cold! Everone is getting it lately!
ReplyDeleteLovely oranments and you're well on your way!
I'm sorry about your cold, Vonna - I hope you're feeling better soon.
ReplyDeleteYou're doing great with your ornament stitching and finishing - all your ornaments are gorgeous, and so beautifully finished! I can't wait to see what you've got in store for the remainder of the year.
Beautiful ornaments. Always love your finishes.
ReplyDeleteOh, Vonna! They are too stunning!! You have inspired me, and I am heading to my stitching perch!!
ReplyDeleteI thought nothing could be better than the first one (love the finishing and backing), but your finish of the second one just MAKES it!
I had been thinking of making winter be a knitting time for me, but boy doesn't that ornament-a-month sound wonderful? I am planning to thoroughly enjoy watching yours take shape.
I need to let go of some of my perfectionism enough to choose finishes for my projects and execute them! It just seems overwhelming to choose only one.
Oh--totally forgot to add--so sorry to hear you are under the weather.
ReplyDeleteMy go-to remedies are ginger tea (ginger boiled in water; you can also add a little honey if sugar is okay for you), and oil of oregano.
The Oregano oil is strong stuff, but a couple of drops on top of a dab of coconut oil really helps knock out those hanging-on colds. I buy planetary herbals brand from amazon.
Beautiful work, as usual!
ReplyDeleteHope you're feeling better by the time you read this. ♥
Both of those look simply amazing! I hope you are feeling better!
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better now. Both of these ornaments are cute. And I love how you finished them.
ReplyDeleteGreat Job Vonna!!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful finishes!
ReplyDeleteMay I just say...STUNNING!!! I love them both! Just beautiful as always, Vonna :)
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better soon, but at least you are making good use of your time!
ReplyDeleteThose are some mad math skills you have there. If only I could count maybe I could actually finish something now and then instead of stitching, frogging then re-stitching the same thing over again. :(
What beautiful ornaments and such a great start to the stitching year! I hope that you have recovered from your cold.
ReplyDeleteThey're lovely, congratulations
ReplyDeleteVonna, what beautiful ornaments!! I have always wanted to make 12 ornaments in a year. Never has happened ... so go you!!
ReplyDeleteWould you consider doing a tutorial for the hanging bow you made for your annual PS ornie? I love this! Looks simple but elegant.
Gotta say ... the LHN Poinsettia House ornaments you did are STUNNING. Wow! You are my finishing idol ...
Oh Vonna, they are wonderful. And the finishing is a dream. I can see why Carol is your idol when it comes to ornament finishings. I love her finishing ideas just as much as yours.
ReplyDeleteYou inspire me. I ssh you lived close enough to motivate me!
ReplyDelete