The cuff on the hat has a body

Yes, moving on, and I added his head and his body in Petite Frosty Rays in a brick stitch. Then his little pink heart for his cheek is worked in Mandarin Floss--stitched twice to pad it. His carrot nose is worked in Neon Rays--also stitched twice. I used Petite Frosty Rays instead of the called for Neon Rays because it has the gold strand in it. I think it looks like the marks on a carrot. Then, I used Sparkle Rays to make the French knots for the coal eyes and mouth.
Thanks again to Cheryl for allowing me to blog this design!

Percy is finally strutting his stuff!

Since the middle of last week, Percy is now putting on a show several times a day. He hops up on the back of the rollback truck and prances by my window! Pretty soon, he starts fluffing his tail....He starts to strut back and forth........

and shows off his behind first with all those downy feathers on his back
and then will turn and show the full display! He prances about..for quite a while like this.....

turning every which way to make sure we see him!
We are still having a great time with people who come in and say "did you know there is a peacock out there?" LOL and, others "where is the peacock?, I brought the kids!"

Meanwhile, we will just keep feeding him.....and now there is talk of a pea hen!

Patchwork Snowman

Now, I would like to introduce you to Patchwork Snowman by Cheryl Schaeffer! I purchased this canvas and stitch guide from my LNS as soon as I saw it--it will be another gift. I would like to thank Cheryl Schaeffer for her gracious approval to blog stitch this piece. I would also like you to visit her charming website and see the over three hundred items in her catalog!

http://www.cherylschaeffer.com/index.html

And the stitching begins! I have done the Turkey Work in Mandarin Floss and Sparkle on the cuff on the hat as well as the pom pom. You will notice I have not cut and trimmed it as yet. I will wait and do that after I have stitched all the surrounding areas. I have also outlined the hat in a tent stitch using Splendor.

This will be lots of fun, and I hope you come back often to see the progress!

The box for #10

Here is the Kick Back and Stitch, number 10, finished and ready for the party! I did this box the same as the last one. The inside is sprayed with the suede paint, and the exterior has been painted with the gold. After applying the canvas to the top with glue, I also glued the gold Christmas trim all the way around the edges to finish it.

Les Ballons is finished!

This is a stunning piece! If you have it in your stash, by all means stitch it! I finished the upright cross stitches with the Watercolours. Next, I added Delica Beads, color 165, and then used the Watercolours to do the VanDyke border stitches and the diagonals on the opposite sides of the circle. Last I added more of the Delica beads in the diagonal stitches.
It not only works up quickly, but as with all the Kick Back and Stitch, has wonderful instructions and a multitude of color ways.
I am working on the finishing and you will see that in a day or two!

Midnight Garden box

This shot shows you the top and the side of the box. I purchased a wooden box with lid. I sprayed the inside with spray Suede. It took a couple of coats, but alleviates the need to line it with fabric. I then sprayed the outside and top of the box with gold. I next pulled the canvas over the top and cut it to fit the top. I then glued all four sides to the top. Next I folded the corners and glued those. Last, I glued the velvet rick rack ribbon around the edge.

The top view shows the ribbon bow I tied to the top. This will be for a special pin to be attached to the top, by the recipient.

Les Ballon

This is the next Kick Back & Stitch design by Terry Gifford that I am working. This is another gift that I need to complete for an upcoming birthday. The original is pictured in greens but this recipient likes these colors. I created the circle by stitching Smyrna's around the design with Perle Cotton. Then the interior Smyrna's are done using Pebbly Perle, P86. I attached the blue metallic bugle beads, passing through twice, with a dark purple beading thread. Last, I started the upright cross stitch using DMC Jewel Effects. I have changed the fibers called for in the design in order to shop my "stash".
I have been finishing for the last couple of days, and by tomorrow hope to have at least one photo for you to see of those!