A Santa, a ghost, and a spider

Hello, everyone! I fully intended on posting last week, but then my grandsons arrived for four days and I was busy getting ready for their visit. And, of course, nothing stitching related got done while they were here--such busy, busy boys! So, how is everyone doing? Before I get to my stitching, I simply want to thank the many folks from around the world who left comments last time! I had no idea so many stitchers visited my blog and it truly warmed my heart to know I have "friends" all over the world who enjoy reading "Stitching Dreams!" Thank you, one and all! 

If you've been following my stitching this year, you know I've fallen in love with Teresa Kogut's Santas! And a new one has joined the group... May I present "Green Coat Santa" from her "Hello, Santa" booklet (a truly wonderful collection of Christmas/Santa themed designs that I highly recommend). For me, her pieces offer pure comfort stitching just like my beloved Prairie Schooler designs. I used the suggested DMC threads with only a few changes (I used DMC 420 for the hat's pom-pom, changed the little snowman on the right to DMC 712, and stitched his stick arms in 612). I also satin-stitched the snowman's nose in DMC 921 and used Smyrna stitches for the eyes on Santa, the snowmen, and the reindeer. Finally, the main change I made was to leave off the black border.

"Green Coat Santa" finish

He (along with the other two Santas I've finished), is stitched on 40 ct. vintage country mocha linen.  I actually call him my "Jolly Green Giant Santa" because of the way the little deer are staring up at him as if in wonder. He sure is one big guy!

That tiny deer seems to be amazed at the size of "Green Coat Santa!"

 

Joy, indeed! Stitching Teresa Kogut's designs always fills me with joy!

 

The gold, the red, or the green? Which Santa do you like best? For me, it's the big gold guy with the tiny snowman in his bag.

I purchased black rustic frames for each of them and fully intend on framing these before Christmas arrives. Hopefully, by putting that statement into words, I'll actually get it done :) 

A few days before my grandsons arrived last Friday, I suddenly got it into my head that I wanted to stitch them each a little Halloween ornament! Luckily, the talented Melisa over at Pinker 'n Punkin Quilting has generously designed some quick-to-stitch Halloween freebies for us so I had no trouble stitching and finishing both of these cuties in three days.  

A pair of not-too-scary Halloween ornaments for my grandsons. The orange and black polka-dot woolies flannel is what I used for the backing fabric.

For five-year-old Mister B, I stitched "Eek! A Spider!" on 40 ct. vintage country mocha Newcastle. I used DMC white, black, 3826, and 3347 for the colors and added a stitch of orange to the tips of each of the spider's legs. My grandson is already learning how to read so well in Kindergarten and proudly read "EEK" with no problem!

The cording is done in DMC 3826.

And, for five-month-old Baby N, I stitched the sweetest baby ghost! I used DMC white, black, 3826, 353 (for the cheeks) and 469 on 40 ct. vintage country mocha Newcastle. I also added three "doo-dads" to the background to fill in some of the empty space. 

 

I just love this sweet baby ghost!

 

So, what will they do with their little ornaments? Well, I also gifted them a wrought iron "tree" that I'd bought years ago fully intending to make myself a Halloween tree. That never came to fruition, so I thought it best to get it out of the attic and pass it on. I planned on making an ornament each year for them to fill it up... But, after counting the remaining hooks, I realize that I'll be stitching these until I'm 93 years old as there are 46 open hooks! Um... not going to happen. So, maybe I'll try to make them each two a year? Of course, the boys can always make little decorations of their own to add to the tree--I hope they do!  

I'm going to have to step up my Halloween stitching in order to fill up this tree for my grandsons!

Giveaway time... I came across this charming autumn chart the other day that I'd always intended to stitch, but never found the time (too many charts, not enough hours in the day as you know!). Would any of you be interested in stitching it? I've removed the pages of this sweet scene (a black kitty gazing at a wooden wheelbarrow full of autumn harvest) from an old Just Cross Stitch magazine (October 1999).  The chart will be folded and mailed in a legal sized envelope to save on postage...  I'll draw a name on my next post and all you have to do to enter is: 

1) Specifically mention in your comment that you want to win the chart

2) Tell me your favorite places to purchase your cross stitching charts and supplies

3) Be sure to leave your email address if I don't already have it

To enter the giveaway for this chart, please follow the guidelines above. I'll draw the winner's name and announce it on my next post.

Q & A: I was asked by someone in a comment last time where I purchase my stitching items. Sadly, for me, everything (except DMC floss) has to be purchased online. We have no local cross stitch shops at all. The nearest is 1 1/2 hours away! So, online it is... My go-to shop is 123 Stitch although I occasionally buy from other online shops if I can't find what I want there. I also purchase charts from Etsy now and then, especially from foreign designers who offer only pdf charts. My frames are usually thrifted or I get them from Franken Frames online. I imagine it must be magical to have a wonderful local cross stitch shop nearby--I hope those of you who do know how lucky you are! 

We so enjoyed our visit from our grandsons! Such busy little fellows... Mister B is so into reading and writing these days and loved the blank notebook that I gave him. He immediately began writing his own "chapter book" in it, complete with illustrations. So cute! And Baby N is just a charming, smiley bundle of love. He's rolling over, almost sitting on his own, and just a joy to be around. They'll be back for Christmas and I can hardly wait! Time to finish their ornaments... 

I hope your October is going well and that you're finding more stitching time now that the days are growing colder and shorter. I do love fall and winter stitching because I don't feel guilty about the outside chores that I should be attending to! As long as the sun shines and I can stay inside, I really don't mind the cold, do you? Thank you, as always, for taking time out of your busy day to visit my little old blog. Enjoy your week, everyone! Bye for now...