And the Stockings Were Placed By The Chimney With Care!

This is the season for Christmas stockings. I have been designing these for friends, clients and strangers for over 40 years now and somehow, each one is "special." I have always attempted to turn over projects within the short span of 2-3 weeks but this year my biggest procrastination along this subject line was the stocking for my 3 year old grandson, Langston, who lives in Boston. It needed to somewhat match his sister, Caroline's. She is almost 7. This was a hard one for me.

Anyway, I started painting and stitching and painting some more and then stitching some more. And, this is NOT the way to design a stocking. I started this project the week before Thanksgiving and finished the stitching last week. Phew - a record. A labor of love and I think it came out great. Whenever I paint a stocking for a family member, I seem to agonize over it more than normal. For months, really. I guess this is called "knowing the person so well that it has to be perfect and nothing can be omitted." Oh well, my problem. But I am now promising myself that NEXT TIME I will paint the whole stocking before taking one stitch. And, next time is in January as I have one grandson left and Jack is almost 3. He has a 7 year old brother too, so it will be HARD - again! But, I promise to start EARLY! Really.

I am a very traditional stitcher when I get a chance to actually stitch something. I know the fancy stitches and fibers - but this is my favorite style and I love wool, and it all works for me.

The top two for my cuties in Boston - 4 years apart. Caroline was born 3 blocks from Make Way for the Ducklings sculpture in the Boston Commons. Langston loves everything sports and with wheels and spends hours lining up dozens of cars, trucks and other vehicles in lines around the room. 

A virtual car lot in the TV room. #14 mesh.

For 3 year old twins in Chicago. #10 mesh.

Two cute little girl stockings. Both join several siblings - different families. #10 mesh for each.

That's it for stockings in 2014. There were more shown in previous blogs if you are interested and/or need ideas.