I haven't posted my finishes since March, but I went on a finishing spree in November to finish the ornaments going to the Ronald McDonald House in Orange, CA.  There's too many to post details, but here they are for the record.

2023 Advent Calendar Blog Hop

While I haven't posted since June, I did sign up for Jo's annual Advent Calendar Blog Hop and she assigned me Day 24.  We're supposed to post a picture of a Christmas-y stitched item and answer a question about our Santa stories and/or traditions.  You can check out  Jo's Blog for more information and to see all of the posts.

I love stitching Christmas ornaments and have many to show, but here are the Santa ones I've stitched this year.

All of these ornaments plus quite a few others (not made by me) will be delivered to the Ronald McDonald House in Orange, California.  If you'd like to stitch ornaments for this house, I've created a Facebook group called "Stitching for Families (RMHCSC).  Let me know if you're interested.

 As for the Santa Stories, I don't remember visiting Santa as a child, but I always took my daughter and then together we took my granddaughter to see Santa.

 Our only real tradition doesn't have to do specifically with Santa Claus.  Every year, the five of us set aside a night to look at Christmas lights (we do see a lot of Santas). This year we did it on the 19th and found a new-to-us neighborhood which we'll be returning to next year.

Happy Dance - Hummingbird

 

Started: 6/1/2023

Finished: 6/2/2023

Total Stitching Time: 6 hours and 22 minutes

This is Hummingbird, part of the Woodland Animals SAL for Quilts for Older Children and Adults. It was designed by La Selva Designs and is available on Etsy.

The chart and fabric were provided by the owner of the Quilts for Older Children and Adults Facebook Group. It's stitched as charted on 14-count light green Aida with the called for DMC.

It will be going back to the group to be made into a quilt for a gentleman with COPD.

Next up:  Giraffe Bookmark

Happy Dance - Merry Mouse (with Ornament)

 

Started: 12/9/2020

Finished: 5/31/2023

Total Stitching Time: 9 hours and 17 minutes

This was one of my Christmasitis Starts in November/December, 2020.  It's from the Ultimate Cross Stitch Christmas Magazine, Winter 2016 and was designed by Margaret Sherry.

It's stitched as charted on a scrap of 25-count Opalescent Sparkling Interlude with the called for DMC.

I'm planning to make it into a pillow ornament and it will be going to Ronald McDonald House.

Next up:  Hummingbird

Happy Dance - Raccoon Cottage

 

Start Date: Unknown

Finish Date: 5/28/2023

Total Stitching Time: 12 hours and 25 minutes

This is Raccoon Cottage, part of the Frosty Forest series of charts from Country Cottage Needleworks.

It's stitched as charted on a gray 14-count Aida with the called for DMC.  There is also one over-dyed floss in each square..  There are nine charts in this series and I'm planning to do them all on one piece of fabric.

Next up: Gingerbread Girl

Smalls SAL - May, 2023

The Smalls SAL happens on the last Friday of the month and is hosted by Mary of Mary's Thread. This SAL is for posting any projects that we consider small in size.  You can click on the link to see more information and other Smalls posts for this month.

This month I stitched on and completed four small projects.

Minnie & Mickey in the Garden - Leisure Arts (The Gang's All Here)

Spring Floral - Daily Cross Stitch

Gingerbread Girl - Cross Stitch & Needlework Winter 2015 (Barbara Sestok)

Sunday Night - Mill Hill Kit

 

Happy Dance - Gingerbread Girl

 

Started: 11/3/2020

Finished: 5/21/2023

Total Stitching Time: 5 hours and 43 minutes

This was one of my Christmasitis Starts in November/December, 2020.  It's from the Cross Stitch & Needlework Winter 2015 issue and was designed by Barbara Sestok.

It's stitched as charted on tan 14-count perforated paper with the called for DMC.  It actually required a restart, because I stitched the border in the lighter color tan.

It's going to get a backing and a ribbon hanger and will be going to Ronald McDonald House.

Next up:  Merry Mouse with Ornament (Margaret Sherry)