Closing Out the Year

I appreciate you all being patient while I play post catch up here.  This post though, as you can tell from the title, is the last of things I wanted to share with you from the end of 2013.

I was very excited when Paulette announced she would be doing a Sunday Mystery SAL back in September.  She released a part each Sunday for nine Sundays, with the promise that we’d have a finished piece before Thanksgiving.  I stitched Mary’s Sampler II, which was the more densely stitched of the two pieces.  Each week I took the opportunity to stitch the new part, while reflecting on the season ahead and what it means to me.  I chose to stitch mine on 40ct Vintage Light Examplar by Lakeside with mostly the called for GAST threads.  I had to change out the white to a brighter white so that it didn’t blend into my linen.  I also opted not to use the called for Espresso Bean, instead choosing a warmer, lighter brown.  Mary I dressed in blue, using a Limited Edition GAST called Aquamarine.  I love how my little sampler turned out and I’m looking forward to having it framed for this Christmas.

One of the things I wanted to accomplish over the holidays was to finally do the finishing on all of my ornaments and my two guild nametags.  I figured since I had three ornaments for exchanges to finish, I might as well finish my others too.

I’ve already shared the finished product of the ornament I stitched for the EGA exchange and the ornament for the Tudor Rose exchange.  I also managed to finish these two.

I’m not over the moon about how my Penny Angel turned out, but I think the pompom trim for the Dash Away All was a perfect choice.

And since I had them out, I took a pic of all my stitched ornaments together.  You can see my Tulip Angel and Shepherd’s Bush ornaments are still lacking their trim.  I realized later that there was one missing from this photo.  Isn’t that always the case with family reunions?  ; )

I had one final finish for the year I wanted to share.  The year before at the Tudor Rose party, Sylvia and I decided to do an ornament exchange between the two of us in 2013.  So, it was with great anticipation that I opened up the package from and saw this beauty.

She stitched this Monsterbubbles ornament changing the colors and the linen.  She uses some metallic silver thread as well as adding the gorgeous beaded edge so that the whole thing sparkles in the Christmas tree lights.  And I absolutely love it on the dark blue linen.  Such a stunner in person, my photo does it no justice.

But, here comes the funny part.  Sylvia and I didn’t discuss with each other what we were stitching and kept it a surprise until the packages were opened.  Here’s what I stitched for her.

The little Blackbird Designs’ Souvenir stocking seemed like the perfect choice since we’d be seeing each other in Paris in the spring.  I stitched this on 40ct Vintage Light Examplar (the same fabric I used for Mary’s Sampler) with the called for threads.  I backed it with this pretty pink fabric and used Swarovski bicones for the hanger.  I think we both had fun with the exchange and will definitely be doing it again this year.

I also had a couple of gifts I wanted to share.  Back in 2010, Gloria of Milady’s Needle was designing this piece and asked if she could use Romeo’s information to personalize it.  I had completely forgotten she’d promised the model to me in return until she sent it along.  I’ve hung it in the hallway with the memorial sampler for my dad (John Reed will also hang here once it’s framed, I’m sure).  It is a sweet reminder of my boy, and a very generous and heartfelt gift.

My sweet friend, Kim, also gifted me with this lovely Mary’s Best floss keep from Country Stitches (WTN&T).  Isn’t it pretty?  I’ve been lusting after one of these for a long while and now I have my very own!

I had really hoped to have my Kate Spain Christmas quilt finished in time for the holidays, but it didn’t quite happen.  I ordered the backing fabric for it, that you can see in my Instagram photo here.  I could not pass up those cups of hot cocoa on that Icicle grey background.  Too too perfect.  I definitely want to get this one done this year finally so that I can snuggle underneath it while sipping Mexican hot chocolate (my favorite) and watching Serendipity (one of our favorite Christmas movies).

My finishes for the year were not as numerous as previous years, but I did get some more sewing in and I finished my dad’s memorial sampler, which was the most important thing for me.

2013 Finishes

Return to the Sea with Jane Austen
Kate Spain Christmas quilt top
Hexy pincushion
Swoon mini quilt
Pinwheels mini quilt
John Reed 1844
Nightshade pillowcase
Sally Halloween costume
Kiss Kiss mini quilt
December ornament
View From Above ornament
Souvenir of Paris ornament
Mary’s Sampler II

It’s nice to finally feel like I have some closure on 2013, although much delayed.  I can’t wait to share what I’ve been up to in 2014 so far and my brain is zinging with new ideas all the time.

I am grateful for weekends spent marathon-watching Game of Thrones.

28 thoughts on “Closing Out the Year”

  1. Charlene ♥ SC

    Very nice conclusion to 2013. I re-watched season three of GoT last weekend. Have to wait for season four until later.

  2. Charlene ♥ SC

    Very nice conclusion to 2013. I re-watched season three of GoT last weekend. Have to wait for season four until later.

  3. I enjoyed reading your year end wrap up! I liked reading about it at a time after everyone else has posted about theirs. Was very enjoyable!

  4. I enjoyed reading your year end wrap up! I liked reading about it at a time after everyone else has posted about theirs. Was very enjoyable!

  5. Vonna, The Twisted Stitcher

    I love your Mary’s Sampler and what a darling thing to use Romeo’s name and get the model in return! AWESOME!
    The ornaments are all lovely and I love to see all of them 🙂
    I can’t wait to see what you are up to in 2014!

  6. Vonna, The Twisted Stitcher

    I love your Mary’s Sampler and what a darling thing to use Romeo’s name and get the model in return! AWESOME!
    The ornaments are all lovely and I love to see all of them 🙂
    I can’t wait to see what you are up to in 2014!

  7. Lovely finishings! I love the Mary Sampler.
    The ornaments are beautiful too.
    I have also made a Christmas Quilt of the same fabrics from Kate Spain. I love it!

  8. Lovely finishings! I love the Mary Sampler.
    The ornaments are beautiful too.
    I have also made a Christmas Quilt of the same fabrics from Kate Spain. I love it!

  9. Cindy's Stitching

    Really pretty pieces. The tea fabric is really nice. What a nice post. I might have to do good with us.

  10. Cindy's Stitching

    Really pretty pieces. The tea fabric is really nice. What a nice post. I might have to do good with us.

  11. What a great update and wrap up of 2013. Lovely finishes and all of your ornaments are great. Here’s to a wonderful 2014 of stitching!

  12. What a great update and wrap up of 2013. Lovely finishes and all of your ornaments are great. Here’s to a wonderful 2014 of stitching!

  13. So nice to read your wrap-up, you’ve had some great finishes in 2013 and Mary’s Sampler is very sweet. Love how the exchange ornies turned out 🙂

  14. So nice to read your wrap-up, you’ve had some great finishes in 2013 and Mary’s Sampler is very sweet. Love how the exchange ornies turned out 🙂

  15. WOW-what beautiful finishes! We are big Game of Thrones fans here and I had to get the first three seasons on DVD and then order HBO because I couldn’t wait for season 4 to come out on DVD, lol. Keep up the good work. Your stitching is beautiful!

  16. WOW-what beautiful finishes! We are big Game of Thrones fans here and I had to get the first three seasons on DVD and then order HBO because I couldn’t wait for season 4 to come out on DVD, lol. Keep up the good work. Your stitching is beautiful!

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