An almost finish...

Rather than begin a new project, I thought a good start to the year might be to finish something.  I remembered that I have a set of Christmas stitches that were begun a long time ago, but never finished.

I knew right where they were - I think because I pulled the project out a year or so ago and thought, "I really should finish this", and then put it back in the box and went on to forget about it.  I think I've done that more than once in recent years, actually.  And I probably recorded it here somewhere.  

When I took it out yesterday, I was shocked at how little was needed to complete it.  Why did I let this languish so long?!?

This is a Creative Circle kit, and as the picture above shows, I had done all the crewel work on two of them, and most of the stitching on the one on the far left (in the 1980's is my first guess).  But I only finished one into a "bag" and have used it as an ornament on our Christmas trees for all these years.  Here is that one:

This kit has a 1979 date stamped on the preprinted panel (below).  I was two years out of highschool in 1979, and wasn't married yet.  I wish I could remember if I stitched these that long ago, or if I bought the kit in the '80's.

I know, dear reader, none of that matters to you, but I very much wish I could place the image I have of myself stitching these in the correct time frame in my memory.  I know I did some embroidery work as a teen and young adult, but while I remember specific projects I made many years ago, I don't have time frames locked in. 

Anyway...  everything was in the original bag, a cut-out photo of the finished projects, printed instructions with diagrams, and a clump of old wool yarn.  All I had to do was find a large-eyed needle and a stitching hoop to hold my work taut as I finished stitching the the little bear in the stocking.

I love the "fluffy" top on the stocking.  First I stitched the loops:

Then each loop got snipped and fluffed and trimmed.

And if you thought you'd see the finished projects, you would be incorrect.  I did get the last one stitched up late last night, but I'm going to take a little time to finish them into their final form.  Hopefully, soon I'll be back with those photos.

   

Hello 2026...

I don't normally go for walks outside after it gets much below 50, but today - while it was only 33℉, it was a calm day and I thought taking a walk outdoors would be a excellent start to the new year.  

I often enjoy walking in the local cemetery because it's fairly private, and quiet.  And if I don't feel up to a long walk, I can simply park my car anywhere and walk as long as I want on the many intersecting roads and not ever be very far from my vehicle.  That was a good plan for a day I didn't know how long I could tolerate the cold.

That said, I found myself wishing I'd chosen another option, simply because a cemetery seems a less than optimistic place to begin a new year.

On the other hand, I was surprised at how many people were visiting graves today.   As I walked, I avoided passing closely to those visitors, but I could see well enough to not see people out beside the graves.  People were evidently sitting in their vehicles - yet feeling the need to visit a lost loved one on this first day of the new year.  

It struck me as rather profound.  A day when some are working, but most are relaxing at home, and on a cold day like today, not too inclined to go out unless something is needed - as was evident by the many sparse parking lots I passed while driving through town.

I understand.  I don't know the stories behind the visitors to the graves, but I can imagine that going to the graveside of a loved one today was exactly the right thing to do for whomever it was.  

And for one who calls herself a Christian, who too often fails miserably to that calling, simply walking the paths there, I am soberly reminded whose I am.  

He will swallow up death forever.

The Sovereign Lord will wipe away 

the tears from all faces;

He will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth...

Isaiah 25:8