Cross Stitch Mystery Boxes

This post was to go up on Monday, December 23^rd , obviously it did not. I’m not sure what happened but then I got distracted by the holidays and I never checked Blogger.  So here it is...

 

I received three cross stitch mystery boxes over the last month. One was for my birthday and two for Christmas. A mystery box is a surprise. You don't know what is in it until you open it. I love a good surprise!

 

The first is from Hobby House Needleworks.

 

We received a beautiful Winterbury travel case.

It contained a pretty Hobby House ornament.

A mother of pearl floss winder by Sajou, scissors and floss ring made by Minnie McBean's Needlework and Fripperies...

My favorite part is the Hands Across the Sea chart Neeltje Cornelia van Buren 1903, 36 count linen by Mason Linens in the color Antique Button and the Soie d'alger silk floss.

The top lifts out to reveal a sectioned bottom.

The next box is from GaRon Stitchery.

It contained the chart Fa la la la la by Scarlett House and the supplies needed to stitch it. We received DMC and Classic Colorworks floss, 40 count linen from Fox and Rabbit in the color Baked Clay, a scissor fob, needle, needle minder, as well as the velveteen and pom poms for finishing the project into a pillow.

The last box is from Alicia at The Fanciful Flamingo.

A card describing the contents.

A card so you can list the details of the project.

Removing the tissue presented a canvas bag, chart and 36 count linen by Atomic Ranch in the color Mellowstone.

A custom needle minder by Drooling Moose Designs...

Candy, a pack of size 26 Bohin needles, Bespoke scissor fob by Deb Prior and decorative pins from Jersey Girl Stitch Co.

All of those items so that I can stitch this exclusive pattern The English Rose by my sweet friend Annie, The Proper Stitcher. 

I love every one of these boxes, which is amazing. You take a risk with anything mystery, but I had some hints. I knew who the designers were for each of the boxes, and I was able to choose my fabric count.

Tomorrow kicks off 2025 and it is also Witching Hour Wednesday. Come back to see everyone's progress on the stitch along.

Even More Christmas Decorations

Happy Friday, Everyone! 

Here are a few more photos of this year’s Christmas décor.

When my husband and I decided to move to western North Carolina a couple of years ago, we placed all our personal belongings in a storage unit in Florida until we could find a permanent home. Christmas of 2022 found us without our Christmas decorations, so we splurged and bought new ones. We were ok with this because I would sometimes decorate more than one tree each year, and knew I wanted to do that again.

We selected rustic / farmhouse / mountain ornaments, mostly from Hobby Lobby but also a few from local artists.  These ornaments adorn the main tree in the living room, which is a live tree.

Once we retrieved our treasures from Florida, I decided to keep the new ornaments for what would be the main tree again. I went through our old decorations and selected ones to keep, and they adorn the pencil trees.

The first pencil tree is in our bedroom. I used silver ribbon that I had used in Florida, and the ornaments are ones that I painted many years ago.

The ones I selected for this tree are blues, whites, silver w/a little gold. I painted some red and green but left those in the box.

I placed a few items in the kitchen niche.

The piece below hangs next to the door going to the garage. I change it monthly. The cross stitch is December Calendar Crates by Stitching with the Housewives.

Moving to the family room downstairs...

We have three of these ceramic trees. My husband’s uncle got these for us thirty years ago. You can imagine that the stars have been knocked off at least once during that time, which is why this one is a little crooked.

I placed a Christmas quilt top in the hoop next to the treadle machine. (more about the hoop and stand in a future post)

I’m not completely happy with the bookcase and have different plans for it next year.

This little town has been around for many years. There are bulbs that fit inside each one to light up but I just turn on the bookcase light and skip fiddling with the cord.

We must have a place to send letters to Santa and the tartan box fits the décor. More about the tartan box on Monday.

There is only one Christmas quilt on the ladder this year. My husband took his holiday quilt for his office sofa. I didn’t take photos there because the lighting was horrible.

The last two pencil trees are for our kids. These trees hold special ornaments like the ones they made in school and the ones they would receive as a gift each year.

Our son’s tree is filled with Hallmark cars and trucks, school ornaments, his baby footprint and those he was gifted.

Our daughter’s tree is much the same except she collected Hallmark Barbie ornaments most years.

We enjoy many special memories when we look at these trees.  Once again, I’m not completely pleased with them and have different plans for them next year.

Baking is happening here today. My daughter arrives this afternoon, so I’m off to freshen guest rooms and bathrooms.

 

I hope you have a great weekend. I’ll return on Monday to show you two cross stitch Christmas mystery boxes I’ve received.

 

Witching Hour Stitch Along -- SAL Progress

Hello and welcome to Witching Hour Wednesday!

We had nine (plus me) stitchers submit stitching progress on their Witching Hour stitch-along this week.

If you are new to the blog, you can read more about this here.

This week’s submissions are…

Connie S

Katie C

Lisa K

Loretta M

Lynne D

Margaret D

Sandi L

Sheila N

Tara B

My stitchy friends are doing such a great job on this project. Everyone who has submitted a completed assignment as of last Sunday is entered into a drawing for a $25.00 gift certificate to GaRon Stitchery’s online shop. The drawing will take place on Sunday, December 29^th during the GaRon Sunday Zoom.

Finally, this is my progress, I need to stitch the cat on the L...maybe today.

I’ll be back this Friday with a wrap-up of my Christmas decorations, so I'll see you then.

More Christmas Decorations

Hello, Friends!

I’ve taken a few more photos of the Christmas decorations on the main floor of the house. This part is pretty much finished, I think!

This corner is one side of the fireplace.

I moved the gossip stand to that side and placed a quilt over it. The Santa gourd was painted by a neighbor in Florida many years ago.

And I made the snowman wearing the navy scarf when my son was in kindergarten.  He is now 33...you can do the math...it hurts my heart!

On the opposite side of the room from the snowman corner, is the tiered shelving unit my Mom got me for Christmas last year.

The dining table is missing charger plates. I'm telling you...we are missing so many things from the move. Everything from kitchen items to craft projects. I can't imagine how this happens.

This piece of furniture is the bottom of my china cabinet and is where I display a nativity scene and other Lenox items. The top of the cabinet is wrapped in quilted blankets and stored in the garage. We do not have enough wall space (lots of windows, though!) to assemble it. I'm thinking of moving it downstairs where there is plenty of space. But then I think about it, wouldn't it be strange to have it separate from the dining set?

Between the fireplace and the dining room is all about Santa Claus.

My husband found this sleigh on one of our antiquing trips. It isn't really antique but it fits the decor.

On the opposite side of the kitchen from the Hoosier cabinet is a sideboard that I've attempted to decorate with prim items.

My favorite store in town has the cutest snowmen. I've collected a few over the last couple of years.

This is my latest acquisition. This fella is wearing a tuxedo coat...super cute!

That is all I have to share today. I will continue to post holiday decorations over the next week or so...more for my own record, but I hope you get some enjoyment from them as well.

Wednesday will be Witching Hour Wednesday where I will share stitchers' progress from the SAL. I hope you will return then.

Enjoy your day!