Broom

I continued working across the top in the Nobuku stitch and also added the lettering on the word Broom.  The guide suggested black Kreinik in a cross stitch but I changed it to Cresta d'Oro instead and am doing
basketweave and tent to fill in the letters!

Top Border

Time to start the top border!  I first filled in upright stitches with Very Velvet in orange and then added the Tila beads in between!  These are great beads and stand up very nicely as there are two holes in them so they are anchored at the top and bottom to lay perfectly in between the stitches.  Next is the green background which is being worked in Splendor and the Nobuku stitch. 

The final frog!

The last frog is all done! I stitched the Basketweave Twill and his warts in Kreinik and outlined him with the black single strand.  He is the largest one of them all is sitting on part of the broom.  On to the top border!

Frog Legs

Yes, the frog legs on the right are done, and I am working on the third frog below the legs.  I have the eyelids stitched and about three fourths of his body.  Using basketweave twill and Kreinik again.  I need to finish his body, outline him and add the warts yet.

Frog #2

Frog #2 is in the center peaking out from the top of the shoes.  He is also done in Kreinik and has the snap in eyes.  His feet are done using Corkscrew stitches both around his face and between the shoes.  How cute!  I have also started stitching the legs that are jumping out on the right side of the canvas.

Merry Christmas!

I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year!  A while back, I finished this set of ornaments and did each of the two patterns in a different colorway.  So the top photo is one side and the bottom the other.  I trimmed the edges with a white trim and sewed a few beads at the top before the hanger.  Both designs are by Loretta Spears.

The first frog!

I stitched the first frog!  He is done in Kreinik braids in basketweave, basketweave twill, and outlined in black with a single strand.  He has great eyes that snap in place.  His warts are also done in Kreinik in Smyrna crosses or cross stitch.

Options

I finished adding all of the orange beads on the shoes.  Then, it was optional to add two strands of Sparkle Braid in the open spaces of the Criss Cross Double Hungarian.  I did a few and liked it so I did all the cross stitches for finish that area of the shoes.

Buttons and beads

I finished all the black on the shoes!  I love the Neon Rays + accents too.  I then attached the great buttons that Ruth Schmuff chose and am now putting in the orange beads.  Even DH loves this one!  Thanks for the comments....Beth needs the magic wand to help around the house....what a great idea!  I may take this off the floor frame and wander around....maybe the dust will disappear!  LOL

Getting Faster!

I made significant progress on the right shoe.  Not sure if I am getting faster or what!  This one is almost done too!

A full shoe!

I think I am the slowest shoemaker in the world!  The double criss cross Hungarian is taking a lot of time, but well worth it.  The look is fabulous and laying each stitch of Neon Rays is gorgeous!  Back to it!

Fancy Shoes!

I am working on the shoes again!  The soles are stitched with Fyre Werks in silver and long stitches.  Then I have started working the left shoe from the bottom up and have been doing a criss crossed Hungarian in Neon Rays and the blue  is Neon Rays plus!  All of the orange spots will be stitched over for now.

Coming soon!

I got this in the mail and can't stand not telling you about it!  Champagne Corliss is another one of the Floozies by Leigh Designs and I just have to stitch her too!  Isn't she fabulous?  I can hardly wait to get her going but have to get organized, figure out and purchase threads, and a few other things to start her.  So watch starting sometime in January for her to reappear!  And, if you want one, visit your local shop and ask for one.....after you cruise Leigh's site for your choices!  http://www.leighdesigns.com/Grp489x.html

A magic wand

I finished the magic wand using the seed beads, crystals, and tear drops!  I then moved over and tent stitched the heels using black Mandarin floss....more shoes tomorrow!

Surprise in the mail!

Sheena has been doing an Advent giveaway and if you haven't entered, you need to visit her site.  All you have to do is answer the trivia of the day and fill in your info and  you may win!  I did!  Her site is:
http://www.sheenasstitches.com
She sent the scissors, two magnets, square sequins, buttons, yellow beads and a nice collection of needles!
Thanks again Sheena!  I still go and try and answer her question of the day as it is fun!

Oops!

I thought I would be starting the shoes with the next bag!  But, I was wrong....I had to do the broom wrappings first!  They are padded and then stitched with Fyre Werks to create the bandings and are quite shiny and make the brooms complete now!  Next up is the magic wand and I have started by putting in a few of the beads.

And the straw, too!

 I did the last step on the brooms by adding the Limited Edition raffia on top of the Burmilana and they really do look like a broom!  And, like Ruth says,"they are brooms, they don't have to be perfect!"  Love it!
So, it is time to open the 3rd bag of goodies and here they are.....looks like shoes to me!

All in

All of the Burmilana is stitched in the brooms!  Love it!  Next up....adding the raffia!

Still stitching straw

I have finished all of the dark Burmilana outline stitch on both brooms and have started filling in the one on the left with the lighter color.  since they are a focal point, they are taking a bit of time, but definately worth it!

Weaving and...

Weaving a spider web was first up using Access Commodities Metallic and some silver Sparkle to tack it in place!  Next up, the dark Burmilana using a split Outline stitch.  I am filling in the dark lines and shading first.

Off traipsing

 I finished the tree....it is all done!  Just a few more of my special ornaments for you to see.
Today I am on the train back from Chicago where I have been

traipsing around the city with two of my nieces and my sister!  We saw the lights on Michigan Avenue and

 went to One of a Kind Show and Sale at the Merchandise Mart on Saturday!  Over 600 artists displaying

wonderful creations.  And, we laughed and talked and ate.....what would you expect!  I promise to get back
to stitching on Monday!

Let's decorate......

I am a little behind getting the tree all decorated this year but have been battling a major cold...it is getting better and I love seeing the ornaments created by me and friends over the years!

Three S's

 So Stockings, seams and spiders are the rest of this lesson.  I finished the right leg in the Giant 4 way Continental and then had to open the next goodie bag shown above.  It has Subtlety, Fabulous Fibers, Sparkle Braid, Burmilana, Rafia and Metallic Soft Twist in it.

Using the Subtlety, the seams are done in Outline Stitch and so are the Spider's legs.  His body is done with the Fabulous Fiber....very hairy dude!  Great choices by Ruth!

Major progress!

All of the background is  done!  Woohoo!  I also started working on the stockings.  A Giant 4 way continental with more Sparkle braid creates her fish nets.....only on the left leg so far!  LOL

Making Progress

 I have finished the coin stitch variation on the entire background!  Yippee!  Now I am working on the second step of that stitch.  It adds a strand of Sparkle Braid to the Floche and shadow fills the left side of the stitch! 

I will finish all of that quickly and get started on the next step.  This is going pretty quick!

Lots more background

All of the first step of the background is done on the right and across the bottom.  Just a bit on the left side and by her legs and broom and we can move on to step two!  I was going to go ahead and resume the rotation but this is just too fun so I will go ahead and finish the background tomorrow--I hope!

Starting up!

 I framed the Broom Parking canvas on the Evertites and opened the first package.  It has the cute frog magnet needle minder--a necessity!, Purple Floche and a card of purple and black Sparkle Braid.

First thing is to work the background pattern in a coin stitch variation with a single strand of Floche.  Nice!