Merry Christmas

One last Christmas project has been finished, just in time. He'll make an adorable addition to any Christmas decor.

There are some other projects {for myself} that I was hoping to have finished for Christmas, but at this point we're going to be thrilled about what is finished and set a new goal of having them finished for next Christmas.

I pray you all have a Very Merry Christmas!
Marcia ~ Little Pink Rose

Redwork Embroidery Quilt

Since July I've been diligently working on the embroidery for a Redwork Embroidery Winter quilt. All along thinking I had plenty of time to have it completely finished before Christmas. I'm oh so close, but since it's for me and not a customer, the finishing will have to wait until I have some free time.

I was able to finish all the embroidery work, leaving me to do all the piecing, and quilting. Which once I have time, really won't take a terrible amount of time. Especially if I choose to machine quilt it over hand-quilting. At the moment though, I'm still playing with the idea of hand-quilting this one. There's a part of me that can see the special touch hand-quilting might add to this particular quilt.  The finished size should be 36"x44".

The pattern is called "Redwork: Winter Twitterings" by Pearl Louise Krush. There are the cutest little birds in every design tying it all together.

Birds & Twigs

Bird & Pinecone

Birds on Chalet  & Bird with Birdhouse on Table

Snowman

Birdhouses

When stitching the Christmas tree the garland that the birds were placing around it disappeared into the snow of the tree and wasn't even noticeable. I thought a gold metallic thread would help it be distinguishable as garland. In the end the gold added a touch of class that elevates the piece.  This would be one of my favorite blocks in this quilt...though I really like them all.

Winter Tree  and Candle

Twig

Bird Cage and Wreath

My new goal is to finish this by Christmas next year.   What WIP (Works in Progress) do you have that you've had to be adjusted your completion goal? Or do you work on one project until it's completed before starting another project?

Merry CHRISTmas
and Happy Stitching,
Marcia ~ The Little Pink Rose

Christmas

My Favorite ornament!! Even Santa bows down to Christ as Lord!! 

Christmas is my absolute favorite Holiday (Holy Day) Season! I love; the decorations, the music, the food and the smells. But most of all I love the reason for the season.....the birth of Christ! Christ, who came to earth to die at the perfect time for our sins. That those who would put their faith in Him, making Him their Lord and Savior and accepting the gift of Salvation would be washed clean from their sins. That they would be able to stand before God and be accepted. Accepted only because they knew His Son.  I pray that today, you have accepted Christ as Lord & Savior of your life and are able to celebrate His birth with real JOY!

Let us adore Him! Another favorite.

Today my almost grown-up "Little Man" and I put up our Christmas Tree and unpacked all the ornaments. He took on the task of  meticulously placing our myriad of ornaments on our tree. While I watched him decorating and being such a huge help, I contemplated his coming graduation and how quickly he'll be off on his own, in his own home, with his own family, decorating their own tree. I wonder if he'll come over and help 'ole mom put her tree up?

I cross-stitched this ornament....love the snowman

When we pulled our tree out of it's bag, it smelled like dust. UGH! One of the few disadvantages of using an artificial tree, I don't get the smell that comes with a fresh pine tree. But for me that disadvantage is worth it, since I won't have to deal with the dry, sharp needles all over the house or try to figure out how to get rid of an old dried-up tree in January. But, that's just how I am at home. I'll come to your house and greatly enjoy your freshly cut tree with great pleasure!

Another of my cross-stitched ornaments...this with a Christmas tree. LOVE!

After seeing this last picture, I realized just how badly I need to get some curtains made and hung up. Those poor windows are looking pretty bare and kind of pathetic. Another project for my to-do list.

Merry CHRISTmas
and Happy Stitching,
Marcia ~ The Little Pink Rose

Christmas Came Early

 Christmas came early this year and excitement fills the air.

Wishing this was my family room!

In fact Christmas came on November 27th when I picked up my new sewing machine. I've desperately needed a new machine for quite some time, but couldn't bring myself to spend the money. My old machine is a bit temperamental (okay that's a huge understatement) and I have to do everything just right. She's been known to eat fabric from time to time and attach horrific thread balls to the underside of projects. All very frustrating! All this fussing has continually made projects take much longer than they need to take and left me wanting to throw her through the window.

My new baby... I think I might call her Sapphire.

 Now I just need to carve out the time to sit down with the instruction books and learn how to use this beautiful gift! I can hardly wait to experience the difference in sewing with a machine that isn't so temperamental....I suspect it'll be amazing!

I must give praise to the Lord for leading a dear friend to make this purchase a possibility. I must also thank her for, Chasing the Wild Goose (aka the Holy Spirit)* and allowing the Lord to use her to bless me. You know who you are and I thank you from the depths of my heart, you truly are a treasured friend!!


* Please follow the link to understand the reference to the Holy Spirit as the Wild Goose.

Early Christmas Rush

Shades of blue have been stitched into actual blocks. Can you see the star? 

Starting to come together.

Laid out and ready for some sashing and borders

Finally at the quilting phase. Free-Motion Meandering.

We're celebrating an early Christmas with my family when we go back home for Thanksgiving. We'll actually celebrate Christmas with them before Thanksgiving. I know it's crazy and a bit backwards, but that's how our schedules end up working out. I've been working on this special gift for my mom in between other projects, but now we're to crunch time and all other things must wait until after Thanksgiving vacation. As of today I two and a half days to required completion. What do you think, will I make it?