February 04, 2012

WIP 15: Snowy Saint Nick, and a Finish!

Greetings! I finished something today, and I'm a bit stiff and sore from sitting so long on my butt to do so. Also, I lost the light as I stitched--it's a gloomy day out--so this photo doesn't truly represent the fabric color, which is more green than this shows. But I'm done! It's No. 288, "Dickens' Mittens-The Last Word" by the Cricket Collection. I stitched it with DMC over 32 count (two strands over two threads) Lakeside in Pear. I changed a couple of things: instead of 3865, winter white DMC, I used B5200, the super white. I like the white to really pop. I substituted Bayberry GAST on the words (instead of using 3768) because I think the variegation made it more interesting. Otherwise, I mostly stuck with the recommended fibers, including the bronze Kreinik #4 braid. I did not stitch "Scrooge" on the sign on the building, as it wouldn't lie flat and it looked dumb. I put it in and took it out twice.

I started in January 2009 and ended today, February 4, 2012. Only three years--practically a snap of the finger in my stitching world.


Here's a closeup of the little wreath with its red french knots.


I love Christmas designs, and I am working on several. Here's one: Snowy St. Nick by Dimensions. I'm stitching it on 34 count white Legacy linen using the called for DMC and Kreinik Floss. I stuck close to the recommended fabric count because there's some beading, and I don't want the beads to be out of whack scale-wise.


Here's the chart photo. I love elaborate Santas and would think about leaving him up all year. Although I stitch primarily repro samplers, I do enjoy projects like this. I've got more than one Santa in the pipeline.


I went upstairs for some supplies and happened to look down from the catwalk to see that someone's head was sticking out of the blue bag that I use to store my DMC baggies.


Chester's having a nice colorful snooze.


See you soon with another WIP. Tomorrow I work at the shop for the Superbowl Sale--come visit!

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

Aw your cat picture is so sweet! I have that St. Nick pattern. Too scared to try to stitch though.

Margaret said...

Nice finish! Love that Santa WIP too! Love the pic of Chester. lol -- why do cats always love bags?

MarchAnn said...

Great finish and I will see you at the store. Hee haw.

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Very sweet finish, Glenna! That Santa will be something else when done. Does Chester like the buns?

Linda said...

Great finish and I really love Snowy St. Nick. Adorable furbaby.

Linda

Katrina said...

Sweet kitty!!!! Love all the Christmas pieces and the squirrel in the last post :-).

Unknown said...

That is a great finish! How are you going to finish finish it? I think I think I have that kit somewhere....

Karen said...

I like this finish and kudos on finishing a WIP! Happy stitching on the next....

marly said...

I'm really enjoying the WIP's. Congrats on the cute finish. Cute cute bag kitty.

Laurie in Iowa said...

Congrats on your finish... very nice. I love the Santa WIP. I see Chester got rid of the DMC cluttering up his resting place.

Jan said...

Great finish. Chester has the right idea. It was so dreary (still is) that I stitched almost all day too.
See you tomorrow!

Krista said...

Great finish! Chester looks so snuggly! enjoy your weekend :)

Nancy said...

A very pretty finish for Christmas! I love how the French knots look on the wreath. I can't wait to see more of your Snowy St. Nick - this looks beautiful Glenna! Your Chester looks like our kitty Mathbook.

Shirlee said...

Love the picture of the cat! The can hunker down in the strangest places & be comfy as can be : ) Beautiful Dickens finish & great Santa start! Blessings, Shirlee

Beth said...

I so enjoy Cricket Collection designs - charming! And what a great kitty helper you have

Deborah said...

Great finish. Chester couldn't be cuter.

Giovanna said...

I've been wanting to stitch that Dickens piece ever since I made all the mitten ornaments that go with it - thanks for the motivation! :-) It's lovely, congrats.

Mouse said...

awwww love the finish and well done on sticking to it ... very nice new st nick too and awwwwwww he looks ever so cozy in there :) love mouse xxxx

Catherine said...

Great stitches Glenna! Chester's sleeping spot cracked me up!

Carol said...

Your finish is so pretty, Glenna, and I love the blue Santa that you're working on, too.

Chester looks so content--ah, the life of a kitty :)

Anna van Schurman said...

I think we acquired this chart around the same time. Only you started yours and now it is done. Mine is tucked away in the filing cabinet. Sigh. Great finish!

barbara said...

Great finish - that closeup of the wreath just rocks!

Melissa said...

You're working a SuperBowl sale? It must be a zoo!

Nice Christmasy finish - love that sweet wreath.

Chester looks very comfy.

valerie said...

Great finish! I like this design and it's a great message. Chester looks so cute sleeping in your DMC bag. Kitties always find the strangest places to nap!

Marjo said...

I have those exact same projects. They are lovely, you are making great progress on the Santa and the dickens quote is great. I love it.

RG said...

You finished something? Ratso - now I better find something to finish - I hate being behind. What can it be .. hmmm ... maybe I'll get the peach tree pruned this year?

Cat in the sack .. =:<)

The Inspired Stitcher said...

Congrats on your finish! It looks great. I love the Chester's sweetness. So cute!

Jeanne said...

Congrats on your finish - it's really cute! As far as I'm concerned you can never have too many Santa projects! Dimensions has some lovely ones too.

I have a friend whose cat used to sleep in a bag from Marshall Fields dept store. Crazy cats!

Siobhán said...

Congratulations on the finish! It looks great. I aspire to do more Christmas stitching this year--we'll see how that goes. ;) Love the WIPs! Chester is a cutie, too.

Minnie said...

Beautiful finish and Chester looks so comfy in with all the DMC.

Michelle said...

Congrats on the finish! I just love Christmas designs, so I understand your draw to them - especially the elaborate Santas.