Kelly Clark's Creche

 My book finally came in and I love it.  Many many stitches that I have never seen before.



Now to the creche.  I started the walls of the stable.  The overdyed thread had a strong gray, almost black, component to it.  I did not like the way it looked.  I cut off the really dark parts and now I am out of thread!

I started the palm trees and I think they look good.  

Trunks

Top

I dread the leaves.  I am terrible at any kind of leaf stitch much less one that is random!

Happy Birthday to me!

I have been wanting this nativity set forever.  I had the foresight to buy it during The Needle Work's end of the year sale for my husband to give me for my birthday.   I sent the angel off to Tony for my  Tony Embellishment class in August.  I  can't wait to see what he does with it!

Angel

Wiseman

Jose or Joseph

Shepherd girl

Wiseman

Maria and El Nino

Wiseman

Gone crazy over the posts

Double padded post redo

 I decided to take out the double padding.  Went over it twice like the stitch guide calls for.  I think it looks good.  On to the next one.

End of the post

End of the post in perspective

 I think the right side end needs a redo.  That extra stitch makes the whole thing look off kilter.

Gorgeous grass

 The grass was what got my attention in the first place.  I love it!  It is a lot of stitching.  Different thread combos for each section.

Donkey and lamb

More of the Kelly Clark Creche

Side of the stable

Padding with perle cotton

The stitch guide called for double padding on the cross bar.  I did two horizontal rows.  I wonder if I should have done a vertical row on the bottom.  It is very thick.

Melissa Shirley's Noah's Ark

Yesterday was the April Birthdays Swan Luncheon.  We went to M's house and had a wonderful lunch.   This is her ark and characters that she stitched using Carolyn Baird's stitch guide.  The most wonderful fun colors and so cute!

The ark with Mr and Mrs Noah

Mrs Noah with the chicken in her hands

They are beautifully displayed in the curio cabinet

Hello, old friend

This is Kelly Clark's creche with a stitch guide by Amy Bunger.  I have so many big projects and I have been jumping around too much.  I think to finish this one for this Christmas is a noble goal.  A bit lofty as well, but a girl can try.  I have done all the sky and have a good start on the building walls.

Stable posts

 You stitch over everything on the posts.  I drew some lines with my Identi-pen to guide me.

Canvas turned on it's side

 First step is to pad with some brown perle cotton.  Then start satin stitching away with four strands of floss.

Second layer of satin stitching

 The two front posts have two layers of satin stitching.  All the way up and all the way down.

Bedtime on Tuesday

Nothing to show for myself

 I shopped all day yesterday and then decided to make dinner from scratch.   Even the dessert!  Absolutely no energy left for stitching.  Here is a monthly series that I did many many years ago.  The canvases are by Shelley Tribbey and the stitch guides by David McCaskill.  The kits were sent out by Needlenook of La Jolla.

Cracker crazy

You might remember this came in my Easter basket.   The Easter Bunny is good and kind.

From the Canvas Embroidery book

 I love the green stitch.  Makes me think of candy.

 All that was done this weekend was to bead the heart in the center of the bird house, finish satin stitching the stripes along the top and bottom, plus try a green thread on the leaves and stripes of the house.  Not a lot, but some progress.

Demo stitch from Carolyn Baird's book

I bought Needlepointing in Your Nest when I went to Houston last week and have really enjoyed it.

Gone on another road trip

How can that be when there is all this stitching to be done????  See you on Monday.

Dr canvas by Rogue Needlepoint

Prince Charming by Petei

Boston ornament

Bunny Heart by Danae

Shepherd from Heartstrings Nativity

Baby Jesus from Heartstrings Nativity

Wrapping Up

 Just a little bit more about Chaparral in Houston.  I got this beaded trim which I am going to have the finisher wrap around some gold Kreinik for the cording.  Luscious, right?

Melissa Shirley's XOXO Heart with guide by me

 And Glinda herself.  Carolyn is so fast.  I think I have all of the stitches and most of the threads selected for her.   Now just need to get to it.

Stitch for her dress

And sweetest of all, Carolyn gave everyone there this cute little swan in honor of our visit.  You could keep needles or orts in it.  I choose to put my allotment of M&M's in there.  

Sweet Swan

Did I mention that I got two more chapters for my Amy cookbook?