Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Just in Time for Santa

It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child himself.
~Charles Dickens

As I've written before, there are many finishing steps to these stockings but the whole thing went together more quickly than it has in the past. Is it because I had a few ornaments prepared and the stockings themselves cut? Perhaps.

Red velveteen stocking with white felt cuff and sequined decals
Velveteen Christmas stocking, 2020

I found several special glass beads a few years ago. The little glass penguin is a marker for each member of this family group. 

Camel and mitten decals on Christmas stocking

The celestial event is the Perseverance rover heading to Mars. Yes. That lavender thing that looks like a train engine is my interpretation of the rover. {As an artist, I'm a pretty good geologist.} It won't land till early next year but it's on its way.

Sequined Mars and Perseverance rover adorn the stocking
Mars and Perseverance rover


I'm still not shopping in stores so finding jingle bells was a challenge. There were two sizes online: too small and too large. I chose the large ones and mentioned to DH that they could be changed next year. He told me not to bother. According to him, younger brothers will be delighted their bells are larger than their siblings. Hmm. Is that the correct spirit of the season? ;-)

Previous posts:

Reading

Since a friend suggested Naomi Novik's Temeraire series, I've been a fan of this author. I read both of her reimagined fairy tales when they came out and was eagerly awaiting A Deadly Education. Scholomance is a school for magic, but not like Hogwarts. There are no teachers. Magically gifted students are transported here as freshmen and dumped into dorm rooms. Once they choose an area of study, the school assigns their classes and presents lectures and homework. Students are responsible for avoiding prowling monsters. Galandriel must build alliances in order to run the final gauntlet of monsters that await all students at graduation. 

I enjoyed the book and found the situation between privileged and independent students timely and pertinent. Now I'm waiting for the next book in this series - due in June.

Enjoy the day, Ann

18 comments:

LA Paylor said...

so pretty and interesting.
I worked on a poodle stocking last night

Ann said...

Now that sounds interesting. I'm imagining something like a poodle skirt!

audrey said...

I love the running sentimental theme for these stockings. So sweet!:)

patty a. said...

The stocking is wonderful! It is so interesting the story behind all the motifs. My sister is sending me a stocking to finish. It is counted cross stitch. I don't have to get it done for Xmas thank goodness!

Mystic Quilter said...

Delightful Christmas stockings, love the beading and motifs but gosh the beading would surely have taken you some time, but well worth the effort. It's quite a few years since I made Christmas stocking for for our three and then also for the grandchildren when they came along.

Nann said...

With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes! The book sounds rather like the novel Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas.

Ann said...

Thanks, Audrey. It's special to have them look like family. And even better that my family still likes them.

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

Love all your added beadings & motifs, they make your stocking so very special. I've just helped my daughter make one last stocking for the mantelpiece (well, I hope THE last one!) for her youngest too.

Ann said...

My sister has a set of gorgeous counted cross stitch stockings, too. Any way we make them, it's lovely to have handmade sets, isn't it?
Good that you have more time to finish yours.

Ann said...

It takes a bit of time but I've usually made them during hot summers when we want to stay inside anyway. Making them for family makes them special. Even better is that they all like their stockings.

Ann said...

Haha. Exactly, Nann. I'm going to look up Catherine House now.

Ann said...

Thanks, Linda. This one makes nine that I've personally made and I doubt it's the last one for me. Stockings are a fun way to decorate for Christmas.

Pamela said...

Such sweet stockings and a wonderful tradition!

Robin said...

The stocking turned out great. I'm glad you were able to finish it before Christmas. Your family is very lucky to have you.

Ann said...

Thank you, Pamela. Merry Christmas.

Ann said...

Thanks, Robin. I'm thrilled to finish these in time for his first Christmas.

lmno said...

Temeraire series. I admired how effectively she reinforced the theme of teamwork and persserverance and loyalty. Great read.

Ann said...

I agree.