Hello Everyone and welcome to day 14 of the Advent Calendar blog hop organised by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching. A fun blog hop where we share some festive stitching and comment on a theme chosen by Jo. Click here to view the calendar so far and to link with all the participants.
I stitched this little design last year but never completly finished it into anything useful. I love the bright festive colours of the pattern and the cute reindeer with his warm scarf. The pattern is just a small part of The Christmas Sampler by Durene Jones.
The pattern just about fit on the lid of an empty wooden box, so I covered the whole thing with red Christmasy fabric from stash, added a dash of white chalk paint and for about the first time in my life (but not the last) used a glue gun to adhere the white polka dot lining. Now filled with goodies to be gifted.
Each year I usually make some Xmas ornaments, and this time I made stars with a splattering of coloured sequins.
Jo has asked us to comment on Christmas trees so I rescued our poor old faithful specimen from the dim and dusty storeroom once again to endure his yearly makeover. Our tree is really old, I can only ever remember having had one other tree so ours must be over 30 years old. A bit fragile now, with stiff and brittle branches shedding needles with every movement and a wobbly trunk and uneven pose.
It is always decorated with a combination of red, gold or white ornaments and topped with a pretty gold angel. The once bright and shining baubles don´t shine much now as most of them are as old as the tree and very few glass decorations have survived the years.
However each year there are always one or two new additions, the latest being a cheeky modern angel who wishes to replace the golden one. My favourite cherished ornament is one given to me many years ago by a young student of mine. He would be so surprised to know how much I loved the tiny gift and that it has always been treasured.
I still have the tree skirt, lights and some tinsel to add. Above you can see the little cherished ornament and below the latest addition.
Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas.
Sheryl
Thanks for sharing your memories with us, I do love your little cherub. What a lovely gift you have created from your stitching too! Merry Christmas
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful box so very pretty .
ReplyDeleteThank you for the beautiful card .
Love your tree .
Enjoy your week .
I've really enjoyed my visit. Your Christmas box is delightful; you did a great job! I love your tree, and its story. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteQué suerte tiene tu árbol de haberte acompañado durante 30 años y el angelito se ve muy dulce, al igual que el bordado del reno en la preciosa caja. BESICOS.
ReplyDeleteYour box came our perfectly and your tree is very pretty. Decorations and a little love can do wonders for the homeliest of anything I think! I like the angel your student gave you too. It is very sweet. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to read a post from you, Sheryl! Love the way you fit the cute reindeer piece into the candy box! And your little sequined stars bring back memories of similar ornaments my mom had on her tree. I hadn't thought about them in ages!
ReplyDeleteYour tree is pretty old although mine is probably close :) We got our artificial tree when my son was about 10 due to his allergy problems and he is 36 now! We just keep using it year after year and at this stage in our lives, I don't think we'll get a new one.
Enjoy your countdown to Christmas! ♥
How beautiful and precious. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThe rendeer is very cute with his scarf.
ReplyDeleteA great box you have made.
Merry Christmas.
Manuela
Thanks for sharing your tree stories too!
ReplyDeleteBlogger ate my first comment! Thank you for taking part in the Advent Calendar Blog Hop this year. I love the box you made from the cute Durene Jones design. I can see why the cherub ornament is special to you too.
DeleteCharming indeed!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your memories. I love the little angel ornament. You description of your tree sounds like the one we've replaced this year as it's branches had got so weak :)
ReplyDeleteI do like a box with a bit of added extra interest, that looks splendid.
ReplyDeleteLovely post. Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteLove your box, such a great idea. Enjoyed reading your memories..
ReplyDeleteA very Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas! I love the star ornaments.
ReplyDeleteHi Sheryl,
ReplyDeleteI got a pretty homemade Christmas card today, did you send it to me. Lynda Ruth Jasmine_Ms.Button@hotmail.com
No return on envelope and I want to thank who ever sent it to me. hugs Lynda Ruth
Yes, I did send you one :-))
DeleteAdorable box with your wonderful stitchery. Your ornaments are beautiful too. Lovely Christmas decorations.
ReplyDeleteThank-you for sharing your story. My daughter is a teacher and I hope she has a student that gives her such a wonderful gift. Love your small box too, Have a needlepoint that needs a home and love how you did your box and filling it with sweet treasures is a great idea. I might need to borrow that idea :)
ReplyDeleteBack home, I have some doors to open to be back on the right day (as in my home calendar which means a few chocolates to eat). Lovely story of warm links betwenn students and teachers. Love the stitching and how the reindeer is wearing a scarf wisely. Joyeuses fêtes de Noël ! Love. xxx
ReplyDeleteOh!! I love how you finished out your stitchery ... it's picture perfect! Your bedazzled stars are darling ... cute make! I think your tree is precious. I love all the sentiment being shared about special ornaments and the memories they evoke! Merry Christmas!! :)
ReplyDeleteSuch an adorable stitch and it's perfect for the box you decorated, so lovely! Your stars are sweet too.
ReplyDeleteA treasured ornament for your pretty tree, priceless.
Happy Christmas!
Such gorgeous stitching Sheryl! I love the reindeer box ..... you finished it so beautifully!
ReplyDeleteThe stars, so pretty, and your latest stitching too!
Oh, and the gift from your student is so sweet!
Have a wonderful Christmas Sheryl.
Hugs,
Barbara xx
That Christmas box looks great, and I love the star ornaments - so simple, yet so effective! Thanks for sharing your tree with us.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blog
ReplyDelete