Beaded Ornaments (the rest of the story)

I'll start wth the ta-da . . . here's the light fixture in our dining area decorated for the holidays.  I wish the camera picked it up, but the silver beads on the silver ornaments really sparkle.

 

Now, the rest of the story . . .

 

I made this beaded ornament for an ornament exchange.  Of course I had to buy a package of 6 ornaments at Hobby Lobby and a lot more beads than this one ornament needed.  I had the brilliant idea of making up the other 5 balls to hang on the light fixture.

 

I worked and worked.  Of course I had to run to Hobby Lobby for a new supply of one kind of bead, but my 5 balls were done.  I decided that the fixture needed some garland, too, so off to Hobby Lobby I go again.

 

The garland went on the fixture just fine.  I wasn't sure how I was going to hang the ornaments, but after several tries I came up with a plan.  1, 2, 3, 4 ornaments hung.  I'll bet you know what's going to happen!  You guessed it, I dropped the fifth one and it shattered all over.

 

The only thing to do was to run back to Hobby Lobby again and get another package of 6 ornaments.  Good thing they were 50% off!

 

As I drove back home I was contemplating what to do with the 5 ornaments I would have left over after replacing the broken one.  I hung the bead netting on the new ornament and promptly dropped it, too.  Broom and dustpan out again.  Okay, now I'll only have 4 left to do something with.

 

I did manage to get 5 beaded ornaments hanging from the light fixture and I like the look so much I'll be packing them carefully away to use in years to come.  Oh, what did I do with the 4 extra ornaments (you ask)?  They stayed in their original box, carefully placed in a closet.  You never know how many I'll break next year!

 

Happy stitching,

Sherri

Stitch Away!!

I spent this last weekend at the semi-annual Stitch Away retreat hosted by the Stitch Niche.  This was my 5th time to go and I enjoy it more each time.  Who wouldn't, with friends, food, and lots of stitching time!  The theme for our needlework exchange this time was Christmas.

I received this wonderful punch needle ornament that will fit perfectly with all the other handmade ornaments I put on my tree:

I made a Stitcher's Stocking for the exchange.  It's from the Gift of Stitching Magazine and the stocking has a matching pin cushion and needlebook inside:

I've been a little bored with cross stitch lately, so I took punchneedle and beading to work on. I finished the punching on two projects and made two beaded items:

This adorable sun is from Not Forgotten Farm and will be made into a hanging pocket.

This santa just lacks his painted and embroidered face. He is a free pattern from With Thy Needle and Thread. Visit Brenda's blog here to see the finished project and find the pattern.

This scissors fob kit is Sunset Jazz from Fern Ridge collections. I just love their kits! This one is dripping with swarovski crystals and will go perfectly with a teeny pair of gold scissors I have. Once I find them, that is :)

I finished this peyote spool ornament. It's my own design and uses buttons to create the hanger.

Speaking of peyote spool ornaments, I made this one last week and just had to add it here to show it off. These little guys are so much fun!

Until next time, happy stitching!

Sherri