Stockings: Check!

My stockings are all done! Well... for this year at least. Next year I'll add another one to the collection (yay!). Each of the stockings are a little different. The first one I finished was Job's, in our first year of marriage, four Christmases ago. I didn't have a sewing machine, or really, any fabric to my name. Just a thrifted pair of red corduroys, and a nice stack of wool felt. I hand-sewed it all... and I think it will always be a personal favorite, for both senitmental and painstaking purposes. :)

Two weeks ago, at the beginning of Dec., I was eager to get out of my creativity slump. So, I set my priorities low and made something for myself (go figure). I made myself the rather sorry-looking but oddly charming (at least to myself) poinsettia stocking. It was just fun to experiment with "3-D"/ puffy/ quilted applique. I know I am not really following any set rules, in fact I tend to make things up as I go along... but it was a fun experiment nonetheless. AND, at least I have a stocking to hang up in my home (my childhood stocking is at my parents' house).

Once the slump was over with, and the creative juices were rolling once again, I made Vasi's "Saint Lucia" stocking. It was fun to make, but I never know when to "just STOP" with the details, so it was a labor of love!

Susy's "angel" stocking looks a bit like my grandmother did, circa 1989 (minus the glasses). But that makes me like it all the more :) I had fun making the quilted wings and the fold-over arms. Rick-rack is, indeed, my best friend. I found an old stash of rickrack for sale at the local thrift store back in the summer, I think. It was such a great find, I am having a lot of fun with it!

Since I was in a panic to complete the stockings in time for St. Nicholas' Day last week, I had to force myself to put down the embroidery needle at nearly 3:30 AM last Sunday... even if it meant Susy's name was not spelled out in it's entirety. We do call her "Sus" (Sooze), but I fully intend on completing her name (all eight letters of it) one day. One day. When she's old enough to read, perhaps.

And Thursday I got some more craft shopping done, to go towards Christmas gifts. I even managed to pick up some cheap remnants which I do NOT need, but I have a hard time passing up cute, cheap fabric.

So... I'm off to bed, I think.

I hope you are having a not too hectic (hehehe?) Nativity fast so far! I sure wish it was a little less crazy, even with the best of intentions... oh well.

Take care :)