Spring has sprung...let's Countdown to Christmas 2024 (Thread 2)

[NoWordForFluffy]

235

For the forgetful of thinking AKA me tomorrow, repeating the countdown!

The cross stitch is gorgeous , it's a bit Thomas Kinkade

Venice is looking good @NoWordForFluffy!

My other one is Quiet Lane @NoCheesesForUsMeeces. Will be a while till I get to that one though has Spirit of Christmas is a beast.

I think it may have gone wrong! 😬

I've been back and looked at the countdown from 29th July and while we did go wrong, I think you've corrected it and 140 is right for today.

The John Clayton kits scare me a bit Fluffy, as does the dimensions Holiday Village one I'm avoiding from my stash
Have attached pics of that and the Toy Shop one I mentioned earlier.

I'm finally in bed now. Tired doesn't even begin to cover it!

139 (I've googled to check! )

The John Clayton ones are epic. Lots of half stitches, but they're beautiful done. I've a few in my stash (my stash is large!).

The larger pieces are real labours of love, aren't they?

I'm starting on my Christmas cards now, as I finished page 4 of 6 of the Merejka one last night. I like doing cards as you can whizz through them in a few days!

Here's the Merejka one without the hoop!

I'm still slowly working on this one. It's not at all complicated (which is why I chose it) but it is a bit boring with large sections of one colour so I keep leaving it alone for ages.
I did pull out a few nice free Christmas patterns for cards but I don't know if I can be bothered buying all the bits I need for them so will be looking at ordering card kits this week. I'm only aiming to do 3 which should be fine.

What cards are you going for this year Fluffy?
I'm thinking of straight forward cute Santa type ones (pics)

They are all lovely @NoCheesesForUsMeeces

This is my progress on Spirit of Christmas.

DS and I are off to the Netherlands to see my brother this evening :)

Those cross stitch pieces all look so lovely. I haven't attempted one before so I think i might give one of the small card kits a go.

I've been thinking about christmas cake today and might soak the fruit next week. I did the James Martin one last year with a bit of Nigella mixed in and it was very tasty.

Have a nice time in the Netherlands Hoping.

Enjoy the Netherlands, Hoping!

My Spirit of Christmas arrived today. To go into the box with the other 20 or so things in my stash! 😬

Here are the cards I'm doing.

They look good Fluffy where are they from?

Last day on hols today so I've done a load of lights, hung out to dry then quaffed lots of wine. Actually quite looking forward to a bit of rain and my sainsburys collect order on Saturday. Rock and roll. 😀

Love Crafts for the gonks and Very Crafty for the Wrendale.

Hope you have a smooth journey home.

Thanks Fluffy. Will get ordering!!

138

Morning!

The kids stayed at DH's parents' house last night, so we got up early and went to the dog field. The dog was very happy to have a high speed gallop about! (Spot the doggy in the photo!)

I didn't sleep well last night. Roll on 5pm!

Leaving Center Parcs today - it’s looked very autumnal and it’s been so nice. Seen shrews, mice, deer, squirrels, so many birds too. The pool has been great, spent hours there.

Fluffy you are a very bad influence. I don't know if I knew Very Crafty existed but I've added it to my craft favourites on my iPad now

Glad you've had a good holiday jenifer

magnolia I would suggest a Bothy Threads kit as a first - the charts are easy to follow and the instructions are really clear.

Have a great time hoping!

My MIL is here for the weekend but she's going out tonight so my plan is to eat a cheese board for tea, watch Criminal Minds then possible Sewing Bee as I've missed the whole last series, look at and actually order Christmas card kits then cross stitch away

Love the Wrendale cards @NoWordForFluffy. I try not to think about the size of my stash although this year I am doing really well at not buying new cross stitches. The advent calendar is the only thing I have bought.

Hope you are having a safe journey home @Magnoliasunrise

We have had a good but very tiring morning at a train museum and climbing a very tall tower. My legs are burning now!

That sounds like a perfect evening @NoCheesesForUsMeeces

Thanks Hoping, nearly back and will soon be tacklingthe washing.😂

Thanks Meeces for bothy threads tip, will give that a look.

I still have that Aldi world map from Covid times in my stash. I've been collecting them for years. And the full coverage ones take months and months. So obviously it's those I buy the most of. 😬🤣

The Vervaco cards are actually really simple too, Magnolia. I've already done 1/3 of the one I started yesterday. Nice and quick!

I love the sound of your evening too, Meeces! Which cheeses?! #important

I still have that Aldi map unopened @NoWordForFluffy 😂

Just back from a lovely dinner out.

A cheeseboard would have me awake all night with heartburn !

No point me starting a cross stitch project, it took me years to do a sequin embroidered tree skirt ,I think it’s in the attic for the future grandchildren.
Not doing a cake this year, I ll stick with Sainsbury’s mince pies and panettone

My MIL brought the cheese for me - I like things pretty mild so Brie, Wensleydale & cranberry, Red Leicester and mature cheddar with chilli. She also brought a set of mini jars of chutneys. It was lovely 😋

Finally bought my cards (pics). Santa ones for parents and penguins for my niece and nephews.

Has anyone ever done a cross stitch stocking? I'm trying to decide if they're worth it (I'm edging towards no though).

70 I don't blame you for ditching the cross stitch. If you don't find it relaxing then it's just adding stress for no reason!

And as always, I forgot the pics