Progress

I haven't posted many in progress photos lately. I figured I could easily fix that. So here is where I am on the new stocking as of this afternoon. I started this last Sunday. Not too bad with a full time job, two kids, a husband and the necessity of food and drink. Too bad crafting didn't count as a meal, I'd be all set.  : ) it's hard to tell in this picture but the picture provided the color of the branch embroidery is much more yellow. I am really happy with the true colors.

Another Stocking front finished

This will make the third stocking front this year. I like to make the fronts until I have a couple of them so that I can whip through them when lining and adding the backs. I finished this one on the weekend and started another. I had a stocking planned for my niece but I wasn't happy with it, so I had my husband help me pick a new one for her and I am much happier with this choice. When I am finished with this one I will add the liners and backs to them all. This will be the last one needed for that family, two nieces and a nephew. When I opened this package I thought it was missing he instructions. It wasn't, it was only that this is an older kit and Bucilla has since updated their instruction formats. On the back of the picture was the name of each piece and he corresponding number listed in numerical order of how it needs to be sewn on. On a separate, smaller, paper their was a picture of the stocking with numbers as to where the pieces go. It sounds similar to the instructions now but the list has no written instructions and the diagram is very small. It's workable but I am glad I had so many under my belt before tackling it.

Pictures

My new sewing box. So much bigger. Aidan finished his ornament last night but it was too late for me to get a picture of it. As soon as I do I will post it.

The stocking has the wheel attached now and the beginning of the next two wheels are attached. This one is a tight fit because of the odd shape of the toe.

 

Yearly trip and a new box!

Yesterday I went to Tucson's Annual Miniature Show and Sale. For the past three years it has become a tradition for my mom and me. We make a day of it, just the two of us. She says it is her Christmas gift to me and we spend the whole day shopping and eating. I enjoy it immensely, not for the gifts, but for time we spend together, no distractions. This trip was no exception. We had a lot of fun. The show wasn'tt as great as last, but I still had fun browsing the  tables. After that we swang by Miniature Memories. I love this shop, I always find at least one thing. I found a stereo system that looks almost identical to how I remember my parents' looking. There is even a turntable on top with a cover that lifts up. I am super excited to get going on my house so I can set it up.

Our next trip was to the  mall where I found some shoes for work. I was sadly in need of a new pair. The last crafts stop was to Joanns where my mom bought me the best sewing box! It's huge! It has the nice hard plastic tray on top with many little seperated areas. But the best part is that it can hold stockings as I work on them. I love this box! She gave it to me early since I am working on stockings now.

As a surprise for my kids I brought them back each a little something. Aidan got a mould and paint your own dinosaur magnet kit and for Elora we got her plastic canvas shapes, yarn and some darning needles. I was shocked over their reaction to the plastic canvas. Aidan was more interested with that the the dinosaurs, which shocked me and Elora was all ready to start one.  Elora told me that all she needed now was a sewing box and she'd be just like me. So I hunted and I found my first sewing box that my mom got me and fixed it up for her. Aidan couldn't be left out so I moved my supplies to my new box and fixed up the old one for him. They are tickled pink with their new boxes. Elora doesn't get the concept yet but is having fun putting the needle where ever she wants it on her plastic canvas shape. Aidan on the other hand was doing great! He finished an ornament today and I couldn't be more proud.

Unfortunately I am having problems with blogger tonight and can't get pictures to upload. As soon as I can I will post them.

I'm back, time to catch up.

A lot has happened since my last post. In the middle of September my husband and I took a vacation to Hawaii, just the two of us. While it was a beautiful place to visit and a great experience it is definitely not someplace we'd like I live. The cost of living is too high, and while the tropical plants are interesting I missed the  landscaping I am used to. We agreed we would both rather live where the forests are comprised of different pines. We went on a Sunday and returned the following Saturday. 

Once we got home I ended up sick for two weeks with what began as a cold but turned into a wicked sinus infection. During that time I was too tired and ill to do any crafting. I also was planning my son't 6th birthday party. He had fun and received a lot of the Lord of the Rings Lego sets. He and his dad had a blast putting them together, but even more fun playing with them free they were built.

Once I was finally better I started working again on the afghans I have been crocheting. They normally don't take me long but I have hit snags with each of them. My husbands' ran out of yarn right near the end, my son's didn't have enough to begin with, so I had to place another order for more and I am still waffling on the pattern, and my daughter's is working up fast but I want to finish the other two first since they were started first.

I am also working on the train stocking again. Bucilla will be releasing some new designs in November and I have my eye on two at least. I really enjoy these kits. I think I have decided to do a rotation on the kits. For every one I finish for a family member I will do one for my Etsy shop. I have been stock piling kits I am in love with, so I really hope there are those out there who would love to have one of these stockings but don't have the time or patience to make one themselves. This is where I can come in, through me they can have a handcrafted, personalized stocking for themselves or a gift for a loved one. Not only do I have many of the new releases, I have some discontinued and vintage stockings to make up as well. All are in new condition. I have also gotten a few kits for ornaments, home decor and tree skirts. The skirts will be large projects but so worth it, they are gorgeous designs.

I wish I had a photo to share but as of yet I haven't completed anything since my return. Once I can I'll post some progress pictures and, if I'm lucky, a completed project.