Stockings, More Bows & a Little Red
December 21, 2011 Christmas is oh so close now ... kinda like it's breathing down my neck. I'm not ready. But then again, I never am. Somehow all the "essentials" seem to get done, a few things I THOUGHT were essential turn out not to be, and the world doesn't end if some of the "non-essentials" don't get done.
Today I don't have anything new to show you so I thought you might like to see the stockings I made for my daughters a few years ago.
Whoops, Another Tangent Alert!
It was a very weird year when I was craving just a teensy bit of red in my traditionally white/silver Christmas decor. Normally I avoid red. I never wear it. I don't decorate with it ('cept for Valentine's & Christmas). And I only occasionally quilt with it a very little bit. But ... I dunno what was up with me ... it was just weird.
That same year, I also bought a few small red ornaments to "sprinkle" on the tree in amongst my silver & white. The result? The tree looked like it had chicken pox! NOT what I had in mind. Omg, I swear it was the most ridiculous thing EVER ... hilarious, but ridiculous. So I took 'em off and put them all together on a plate.
Less pox-ey, more festive ... MUCH better!
Back to the stockings.
I had such a hard time deciding on design and fabric. Oy! When I have so many options swimming around in my head I get crippled with indecision.
In this case, I was at least certain I wanted to use this adorable fleecy roses fabric. In white, it makes the PERFECT cuff.
But for the rest of the stocking? I couldn't decide on patchwork, checkers, stripes, English paper-piecing, embroidery, applique, cross-stitch ... for the love of all things holy PLEASE make it STOP!
As you can see I wimped out, curled up into the fetal position and just went totally easy with a cross-hatched single print. Yawn. I know. You don't need to tell me.
I hope that at least the big bow distracts anyone from noticing how lame the rest of the stocking looks.
Told ya bows were in my DNA! ;)
But I let the girls pick their fabric - from a very limited selection pre-determined by moi - and they seem happy with them.
Every year I have these grandiose plans to make out-of-this-world, drop-dead-gorgeous stockings for them. But I really can't narrow my choices down enough to decide what that looks like!
Sigh. Maybe next year ...
Reader Comments (16)
This fleecy roses fabric is just perfect! About the stocking pattern: a few time ago I bought Camille's but since we don't have stockings in germany I plan on make mine for the next year (I don't think I have enough time left for this year;-)
Hildy
LOVIN those bows!! so sweet. i've been dreaming of tying one just like that in my daughter's hair. yummmmmm!
merry christmas! ;)
I love the glorious bows also - they are just to die for beautiful! I also bought Camille's stocking pattern with high hopes of making stockings this year....it may be a few years before I actually figure out what I'm going to end up doing....which may be single print with cross hatch also......you are not alone. :-)
I think they're both cute! And the fluff at the top is so wonderful. :) Seeing your fun felt ornaments and the beautiful hand sewing you do... you should make some felt applique stockings!
They look great Kristyne!
I have the same feelings about red, not really my colour at all but then what would Christmas be without it!
V x
P.S. Christmas IS breathing down your neck, just thought you should know that! ;)
Yep. Same thing over here. I've talked about making stockings for 12 years now. I bought Camille's pattern this year, and still...no stockings! But that will change! And I have to say, I'm the way about red quilting fabrics the way you are about pink quilting fabrics! Christmas here for us is all in reds and whites. Never considered chicken pox! :)
I like them both and I bet your daughters LOVE them because you made them. ;p
Merry Christmas, Baby...
Wherever did you find the fleecy roses fabric? It looks absolutely perfect! I wish you'd posted a picture of your poxy tree - the idea certainly made me laugh!
The best thing to do is to put the stockings on the to-do list for January - that's what I did with my cushions, after not making them in December for several years!!
oh Kristyne you sound like me. Only somehow my kids grew up before I knew what was happening. Now I say to myself when they get married I will make them. : ( Another one of those things I didn't make happen when they were little. So, I say, look at you! You made them and they are pretty!
I love silver decorations for the tree - I tried thing my tree. Then my kids came along with handmade things from preschool, odds and ends they stole from Grandma's tree ... Now it just looks like Christmas threw up on our tree but hey the kids love it!
I agree with the person who suggested felt applique stockings! Have you seen the Bucilla kits? My kidlets have those - heaps of work but they are stunning stockings!
One year I had the grand idea to cross stich stockings for the family. Well, 2 years later, I have one done. It's beautiful, and I love it, but it shall remain lonely. I then sewed us quick stockings from a pattern, but am planning on making some Fig Tree pattern stockings that I adore-for next year, of course =)
Kristyne, sometimes simple is better....I love these sweet stockings and would love to get my hands on some of the white roses fleece. I am sure they are just perfect in the eyes of your daughters. Merry Christmas, my friend!
I once tried to make Christmas stockings out of fabric samples... it was a D.I.S.A.S.T.E.R! You are so talented it takes my breath away.
Merry, merry Christmas my lovely.
Ang xxx
I have Camille's stocking pattern too!! and nope, havent made any yet! I did help my niece make a stocking for her new baby. I love love love your cuff fabric, any idea where you got it from or the name of it??
Merry Merry Christmas!
Love the stockings and the fluffy stuff at the top looks wonderful!