Friday, December 17, 2021

Merry Day #17....

 ~ Welcome to my ~ 


Merry Day #17

Well today is Friday....
and I've rushed around beating the bush all week long and GUESS what?! I'm taking a Vonna day today! That means I am NOT cooking, I am NOT cleaning....well I might run the swiffer through real quick - I have a cleanliness problem - I am sort of OCD. I am going to sit on my rump and cross stitch. It seems like my cross stitching has been few and far between this year. I have kept myself so busy that I just haven't had time for much of anything. 

Today I want to talk about the tradition of stockings....
Do you hang stockings? When I was a little girl, I always wanted to hang a stocking at my house. We had great big stockings at my Granny's house, but never at our house. When I got married and had children (well Katie) I decided that YEP I was doing stockings. 

You'd think....
Since I'm a cross stitcher that I'd have cross stitched stockings, right?

Yeah....no......

This week I was doing a last minute....
- "I got my husband's stocking done will you finish it and get it back to me by Christmas" and it was a Shepherd's Bush stocking. My client sent me a photo of all her other stockings that she had finished so I could do it the same. That photo... oh. my. word. while I was finishing her stocking I kept thinking about that picture. 
Here it is: 

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Here is the one I finished for her this week: 

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You know it takes a good 2-3 hours to finish one of these properly without mistakes, they are fully lined, handmade piping, hanger - the whole works. And I make my piping on the bias, which is the correct way to make it. I see other stockings from other finishers posted on the web and I can tell they are not using bias cut piping and it looks sloppy. Maybe to other eyes it doesn't stick out, but it sure stands out like a sore thumb to me when I see it. (and P.S. how I finish my stockings AND how to make bias piping is on a video tutorial of mine. I give it all away, FREE! Every secret, every tip. FREE!) Which that doesn't happen much anymore I guess, I am not on Patreon, I don't ask for a "coffee"(what in the heck is that?! anyway. Someone asked me if they could buy me a coffee and where my link was?) WHAT?! No, don't buy me a coffee - you know what I want? Kindness. Spread Kindness and while you are doing it think about being happy spreading it. And that I'm a nice person too and love all people and give freely and lavishly with my heart. TO ALL. What happened about just sharing among friends. Why has their been this mentality, that seems to be cropping up, to sell every little thing that you hold in your head. I just don't get it. Just be my friend. Be a nice human. Anyhooo, I digress. 

So while the time I was finishing this stocking.....
I kept thinking about her mantle photo. My heavens to mercy it was a gorgeous! My stockings are not cross stitch and while they are sweet and my babies have had them since, well they were babies. They are part of our tradition. Here is a pic of them: 

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But her stockings....
I kept thinking and thinking and thinking....
I've finished, literally hundreds of these stockings over the last 16 years. 

Then I started thinking about my goals in 2022.
 Because you know, one thing leads to another....What are my goals stitching wise? Last year I toyed with 2021 being Christmas all year long. I love Christmas. I'd like some more ornaments (I know it's a sickness as I literally have upwards of 300 stitched ornaments) and I already talked about a Snowman Tree and my family is growing by adding new family members....
and wouldn't it look sweet having all the same type of stockings hanging? 

SO......
I made a call to Ogden, Utah today and bought myself and Keith a stocking.
I purchased Lois' Stocking for me and Oliver's Stocking for Keith. 
Here is Lois' Stocking (which will be mine) I liked her hat and her body is like mine (HA HA HA), she has a frosty friend and look at that tree loaded with ornaments! Well I think they were channeling me when they designed this!:

and here is Oliver's (which will be Keith's) He's the king in our family so...fitting:


I told them to send the whole shebang...18 ct. linen, pearl cottons, charms, pattern - whole deal. Gave them my CC# and hung up.
I don't even know how much that it is going to cost, but I don't care - whatever - it's just money, right? 
I say that and Keith rolls his eyes and shakes his head. 

So....
I'm thinking besides one or two projects that are long term that I'm planning on doing that isn't Christmas related -  I am going to focus on Christmas pieces - stockings, large pieces (I have Santa of the Forest to finish) and ornaments. 

I have a couple of weeks to think about it.....
and make my final decision. 

So what do you think of this idea? Keep the spirit of Christmas alive in my heart all year long....
I like the sound of it. 

So that does it for today....

Merry Day #17

Merry Christmas!

All my love, 
Vonna xxxx




17 comments:

  1. Happy "Vonna Day" ! You deserve a day to do what your heart desires. Enjoy every moment.
    I love, love the new stockings you ordered to make for you and Keith. Fun stitching ahead for the new year.
    Have a wonderful day !

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  2. We are Kindred spirits! Since my children are of the four legged variety they have stockings--Shepherds Bush stockings--and each year as I hang them on the mantel, they bring me joy. Hoping on the soap box, I do not and will not pay (Patreon) or buy someone a coffee!!!!! We live in a world where so many are hurting--give them a smile, an encouraging word, a hand up, just be kind!

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    1. The people that are on Patreon or asking you to donate to their efforts are just trying to get by like the rest of us. It must help them in ways we don't know. Let's "be kind"!

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  3. Totally agree with Samplings! I love SB too and have thought about starting on stockings for DH and me. However, I am close to finishing the Wool Gatherer and then only one more to finish the whole series. Not sure that will happen. I look forward to seeing your progress. Hope you enjoy a Vonna day!!

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  4. I so enjoy how you speak what's on your mind and don't sugar coat it! I really admire that. And I've said this before, but I will say it again: THANK YOU for sharing your talent in your blog posts, social media and YouTube videos. I learn so much from you and you are a very talented and kind woman. Thank you. Keep the Christmas spirit going all year! Everyone needs a handmade stocking! Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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  5. Those stockings are beautiful. I have never seen them before. I just finished my new granddaughters stocking. I have done cross stitch stockings for my kids and grandkids. We follow the old German tradition of hanging your stocking on the eve of the feast of St Nicholas which is December 6. I have only met one other person who does that. It makes a fun start to the Christmas season.

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  6. Happy Vonna Day to you, my friend! I know you will enjoy it to the fullest. I had a stocking growing up (don't remember much about it). We purchased those red with white cuff furry stockings when we got married and have been using those for 37 years. Both of the stockings you have chosen are going to be gorgeous. I will be here in my corner cheering you on!

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  7. Enjoy your "Vonna" day...you certainly deserve it!!! Your thoughts about keeping Christmas alive reminded me of on of my favorite Christmas songs heard many years ago on Sesame Street. Here's the verse from that song:
    "So, keep Christmas with you
    All through the year,
    When Christmas is over,
    Save some Christmas cheer.
    These precious moments,
    Hold them very dear
    And keep Christmas with you
    All through the year."

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  8. When I was little, there were stockings. There was no mantle, I don't recall then hanging up before, so they must have made their appearance on the big morning. They were printed flannel with Santas, I have them now. Growing up, DH had stockings, plain felt ones his DM & DGM made. I have no idea if they were on display before. I made some patchwork stockings for DH & DS, never did get one for myself made to match. I might be more interested in putting them up if they were as pretty as the Shepherd's Bush ones.

    Sometimes the Patreon/pay me that's prevalent gets old. OTOH, it allows some very talented people to focus on their art/craft and developing good tutorials and patterns and not throw job for pay on top of home/family things we all deal with. As long as bloggers don't constantly push their Patreon or whatever, I'm fine with it. For the most part, it's not new knowledge offered, just better camera/lighting setup.

    Thank you for the knowledge you freely share, and enjoy your Vonna day.

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  9. A "Vonna Day" sounds delightful after the pesky minor chores. I think that is what I need, however, I am retired with adult children so every day can be a "Mary Day", LOL. I agree that we need to be more encouraging, kind and a smile means so much more to people than coffee. I love your tutorials and use them all the time, I get compliments on my finishing and I do tell them that I get all my ideas from your tutorials and where to find them. Funny, they sometimes think that I should finish items for them, but it is not the favorite part of the stitching for me. I really like the 2 stockings that you picked out for yourself and your hubby. 2022 is going to be a really busy year for you, weddings and stitching, enjoy every day and love what you have planned. Sending love and hugs from Arizona

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  10. Hi Vonna,
    I am so enjoying your Merry Days! Thanks so much! The SB stockings are beautiful! We had stockings growing up (the gray 'sock-monkey' stockings. Six years after we were married I stitched the Kooler studio stockings for my husband and I (the ones that came out in the BH&G Christmas book. I think that was my first time making bias piping. My finishing job on them isn't perfect but they still make me smile over thirty years later. Have an absolutely wonderful Vonna-day!

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  11. Concerning your comment about selling things, I confess it irritates me that so many of the blogs are plugging their fabrics, patterns, books. The SALs mostly require purchasing their books. I like capitalism and do not wish for it to be defeated…..I’m no socialist!!!!…but your attitude is most refreshing. I am amazed at all you share out of the goodness of your heart. You deserve every follower you have! Those two stockings are precious…..I know you will enjoy stitching and finishing them! Carol in Texas

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  12. I'm loving reading your blog every day. Your mantle looks lovely - all those little ornaments hanging on it look so homey. I've stitched 8 family stockings; husband and myself, 2 sons and a daughter-in-law and 2 granddaughters + plus an extra because I really liked it! 2022 will be my year of stitching Xmas as well. I went crazy on 123stitch recently and ordered 10 Xmas charts and 3 autumn/hallowe'en ones. I said hang the expense!
    THANK YOU for all the amazing tutorials you have done and that I have watched and used. I still can't get my corners on pin pillows as sharp as yours but they are much better than they used to be. I haven't laced anything yet - I'll watch that tutorial again before I try.

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  13. Vonna, I think it's great that your so organized that you can sit and stitch!! I have to say I was shocked when I saw a stitcher use patreon, I'm with you, you have a talent-share it with the people that don't. Your tutorials are great and I never could have tackled a flat fold without it. Thank you for your generosity! Love both the stockings!! I agree, you have to throw caution to the wind sometimes and just treat yourself. We have no trouble spending money on others but not ourselves.

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  14. Your stockings will be beautiful like all that you do! I too want to focus on Christmas stitching this year and I've a pile of things I'd like to make! Have a Merry Christmas!

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  15. Love the stockings idea! But beware...they (or at least the requests of "will you stitch one for me please???) tend to multiply! Your mantle is pretty.

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  16. The stockings will stitch up fast. I just finished 3 for my nieces girls. I made my niece and nephew SB stocking years ago, and now for the girls. I need to make on for the big brother in 2022. I have stitched 9 stockings over the years, but do DH and I have any? No, but we have the quilted stockings I made the year before we married. Oh well!

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