Robed

Overview

 I finished the basketweave part of the Dotted Swiss stitch on the robe.  Looking at this picture, it looks like it needs something between the green and brown at the bottom.  Hmmm...

Trim

 These two rows are stitched with stitches from Carolyn's book.  She has a section for stitches over 2, over 3, over 4, etc.  Very easy to check and find one to fit your area.  Both are done in stranded silk.

Carolyn's book

Changed the sleeve

My shepherd from my Heartstrings nativity is going through a little change.  His sleeve now matches the robe.

Overview

I lightened the stranded silk that I am using on the green part of the robe.  I added the cross stitches in Neon Rays on the sleeve.  I will use an even lighter shade of green basketweave the sleeve.   Getting closer to the finish line.

Sleeve

Sleeve

This is the stitch for the sleeve that the guide calls for.  I don't like it.  I think the sleeve  should look like the coat.

A little tidying up

Headdress of the shepherd

There wasn't too much stitching here this weekend.  I finished the headdress and tucked all the ends in.

I added the gold trim on the sleeve.  The far left stripe is satin stitched with metallic ribbon.  The right gold stripe is one row herringbone in size 8 Kreinik.

Baby Jesus

Next in this set is Baby Jesus.  

Slowly forward on the Shepherd

Friday afternoon was a perfect rainy day for stitching and napping.  I did finish the Shepherd's underskirt in between dozing off and watching World War Z.  Isn't that a scary movie?

Cordurory stitch in stranded cotton

Fatty

 I had the window open to enjoy the weather.  Fatty went in and out several times.  Overwhelmed by her exertions, she took a three hour nap.

Overview

Dressing the shepherd

Overview

 I sometimes think that the Dotted Swiss stitch is a sort of copout stitch.  However, I think it works here on the green.  I stitched all the cross stitches using a Neon Ray in deep green.

Closeup

Basketweaving around the cross stitches

 I started this but stopped because I thought the green stranded silk was too dark.  Maybe not now that I look at the picture.

Face

After stopping the green, I started the face with DMC floss 950.  I think he needs 948 which I don't have around here.  Not the most satisfying stitching session.

Changing gears

Shepherd from Heartstrings Nativity

Red scarf

The stitch guide called for the entire red scarf to be stitched in Serendipity.  I changed the lighter portion to Divided Scotch which I really like.  On to the gown.

More on the Kelly Clark Creche

The braces are getting easier, but Husband has now hurt his back.  Midnight runs to the Rx and lots of nursemaiding.  Here's the stitching for the weekend:

Elongated continental in changing directions

In perspective

 I am stitching this using Amy Bunger's stitch guide.

What was I thinking????

Why did I think putting braces on 53yo teeth would be a breeze?  YUCK.  Needed something somewhat mindless so I pulled out my Kelly Clark nativity background with Amy Bunger stitch guide. The braces have reduced my clear thinking significantly but not enough to ever call an Amy Bunger stitch guide mindless.  However, this step stitch is fairly easy even as your tongue is torn to shreds by your braces.    Did this small area with an interesting thread combo of Sampler Thread and Lorikeet.  Looks good to me.

Overview

Christmas 2012

Still suffering from the braces.  These are all from the 2012 Swan Christmas party.  Enjoy!

Nothing to show for myself

I got braces yesterday.  OUCH.  53yo teeth do not want to be moved.  There was no stitching.  Some of my favorites:

Milanese done with green velvet and Neon Rays plus

Cindy Howland stars done in Flair

Four way stitch done with stranded silk, Kreinik, and Neon Rays

Wheat stitch in floss for the basket

Congratulations to Rafa Nadal for winning the US Open

This is a Kathy Schenkel that I stitched for my favorite tennis player.

Prince Charming by Petei

There wasn't much stitching here this weekend.  Sunday afternoon I pulled out Prince Charming.  I added his pant's edge with Kreinik.  I also stitched the blue trim on his vest with the same thread.

Overview

Close-up

  I tried the four way mosaic in a golden floss for the background.  Too busy.  In the lower left is my cop out background stitch with two strands of silk.  Hmmm....

Close-up

 I gave up on the background and went to beading the gold buttons.

6pm on Sunday evening

Thursday night

Row of hearts across the border

Tony Minieri's stitch guide called for beading the hearts.  I chose to do stitch them in Rhodes Heart with a metallic ribbon.  That is all that got done Thursday night.  I was watching the tennis way too intently.

By Wednesday afternoon

Finished the beading on the shawl trim

Tried the satin stitch-YUCK

Went out to the dentist and other errands.  Came home to find Fatty right where I left her.

Started the hearts on the border across the bottom

At 6pm on Wednesday

This is the angel from my Quail Run nativity set.