Christmas ornaments – Page 2 – My Needle's Song

The Good News!

There will not be a postal strike… they managed to settle on a contract so things are going to go back to normal here very quickly. Maybe it is because I had a game plan already in place just in case?

Of course, Good News always has Bad News paired with it. In this case, it is mixed news. We do have a postal increase coming on January 1st. I am going to do my best to keep my postage and handling the same. It’s about a 10% increase, which is pretty hefty. Still, I am going to put off raising any of my pricing and fees until I absolutely have to.

Christmas is winding down as far as the shop goes. I will not be introducing anything else new this year – there simply isn’t the time to do it right. Have no fears – the shops will be there year round. For next year, you can count on far more variety than I had this year, and I will start listing the new stock as I complete it. Watch this blog or my Facebook Page for notices of releases.

So.. like our happy little elf here… it’s time for me to skedaddle…

Until next time, Happy Stitching!

Where Does Time Go?

Hard to believe this is already mid-November! No snow yet here in Western Finland, but it won’t be too much longer. Yes, I know, I have been too quiet lately. That just means I am getting some things done.

The shops have had new ornaments added since the last posting. My collection of Christmas greetings is growing – Finnish, Swedish/Norwegian, Italian, French, Spanish. I still have more to stitch. If the collection isn’t done this year, it may be done for next! Ornaments will be available year round at the Headquarters, Galleria, and Showcase shops. You are always welcome to message me and request something special for next year. I already had one smart shopper do just that, and her custom ornament is already on its way to her.

One huge note — the last recommended day to order if you are in the US or Canada is DECEMBER 13th! Because most of my items can be shipped as letters, you have just a few extra days to order. You can still place your order after that date of course, but I cannot guarantee delivery before Christmas.

The shop also has a new mascot — that pretty silvery reindeer. We have named him Perttu mainly because when anything happens around the house, my husband always says that Perttu did it. You will see him holding my ornaments in the latest pictures. The reindeer is almost a national symbol here in Finland as we have so many in Lapland. You will see a lot more of Perttu in the months to come. And yes, he is not just a holiday decoration here either!

So… stay warm and dry. Get your shopping done early… and until next time,

HAPPY STITCHING!

Location Location Location

How about shop news without the views? Let’s just say it has gotten pretty intense behind the scenes lately. I do have lot of new treats for everyone. Most are still trying to think of what they are going to do for Halloween, and have no clue about Christmas yet. Well.. I try to have things available early for those that like to avoid the rush. This is a new design that is available in all of the shops. It’s also one of my own. I will probably not be selling this chart due to the number of fractional stitches. If you want this chart, leave a comment for me on Facebook, and I may be persuaded.

My Finnish tonttu is also stitched and in the shops. He was so much fun to do. I have released the chart for this one, but fair warning – it is not for the faint of heart. Just about every single row has some sort of fractional stitch! I will have an easier one out too.

I have other Christmas designs filtering into the shops as I get the stitching and finishing done. So far, it is the Finnish, French, and Italian greetings that are completed. I will have more before November 1st.

I do have more than one place to find my pieces now, each has their own features and strengths. The first 3 shops also have a promo going on through 10/31. If you use the coupon code HOMEATLAST when you check out, you will get 20% off your order entire order.

The Boutique has the most current releases and offers instant downloads of PDF files. This shop is in a huge marketplace, so if I don’t have what you are looking for, you do have lots of other choices. Be careful though – not everyone is handmade there. You will see your selling price in the currency you set.
The Galleria has the full range of my items. This marketplace is clearly marked as to what is handmade and what is not. PDF Downloads are by email at the moment (instant to come soon). Selling prices here are in US dollars only.
The Showcase also has everything, much like the Galleria shop. The difference here is that if you don’t find what you want in my shop, there are very few other stitchers in that marketplace. Selling prices are in US dollars only. PDF downloads are by email only.
The Bazaar is the newest shop and not fully stocked yet. This one is based in Germany. The marketplace is geared a bit more towards fashion and accessories. I do have the Christmas ornaments there currently and will add more very soon. Selling prices are in the currency you set. PDF downloads are by email only.
Headquarters has all the products all the time. There is no marketplace here – this is the main location. If you don’t find what you want in my shop, there are no other shops you can visit. On the other hand, this is the only shop with everything I have stocked that is priced in Euros. PDF downloads are by email only.

So you see, I have been very busy. It is time for my little fingers to get back to flying on the fabric instead of across the keys.

Until next time, Happy Stitching!

A Triple Finish Day

Granted, these are not huge projects, but they are still things that needed to be finished. I have just gotten so busy lately that I went to scheduling stitching for certain groups on certain days. I work on projects for my two chosen groups 4 days a week, and have the balance – a whopping 3 days – to work on my things.

So, today was a day for me to work on things for the shop. I have been working with this little guy for a bit, doing some revisions. Today I was determined to sit and finish…

I am putting the finishing touches on the chart, and it will be available as my first download in my Etsy shop very very soon. I will also have him finished as an ornament, and those will be for sale too.

Canada Stitches has asked for Christmas ornaments to donate to the hospitals and/or to fundraising efforts at animal shelters. I do love working on Christmas ornaments, so this is a fun challenge for me. I got the first one stitched today, and will finish it off as a flat ornament as soon as I have 3 more done.

It’s another one that has to be done on evenweave. This is from Lorrie Birmingham’s And Even a Mouse. I did a few last year as family ornaments and got a lot of smiles from them. And yes, I will be doing more. Some of these may well make it to the shop. In spite of all the fractional stitching, these are not bad to do, especially if you are addicted to evenweave fabrics.

I also have an ongoing commitment to another group. I just finished 4 Kitty Christmas ornaments for them, and have a Kitty Love square plus 2 quilt squares that I promised to do. I started the Kitty Love square on Thursday (their day), and decided to just go ahead and finish it today. I spent so much time working on this site over the last few days, I felt it only fair to finish these projects off!

So, there you have it. Tomorrow is my 2nd wedding anniversary. I am not sure yet what we are doing. I do know we are going in to Rauma for dinner, and my husband has promised me a trip to the thread shop. I need a couple more colors for the two quilt squares I have promised to do. Other than that, it is our day.

Until the next time (which will be VERY soon now that I have the new site done!) Happy Stitching!

Charity Stitching

Earlier I had posted the 4 panels I sent to California for a special quilt. Yesterday, I saw a picture of the completed quilt.

The lovely lady holding this quilt is the teacher who put this project together. Everyone was so happy, and everyone was crying over the love shown to this little girl by complete strangers. It’s a great feeling knowing that something so simple as a piece of needlework can make someone so happy…

Which brings me to today’s topic — Charity Stitching. We all have our own reasons for stitching these pieces. With the quilt above, I had the time, the materials, and the desire. When her teacher asked in a Facebook group for volunteers, I was happy to be able to help. I have a lot of Precious Moments designs here, so it was just a matter of picking out ones that fit the theme and size requirements. These panels weren’t stitched for money or for the thanks. They were stitched to show that we can care about others, even if we don’t know them. It’s really all about people helping each other.

My go-to group is Canada Stitches. This mainly-Canadian group of stitchers creates unique and totally handmade quilts for First Responders dealing with PTSD/PTSI, or who have been injured in the line of duty. We also create awesome quilts for children dealing with life-long medical/mental issues. Very few groups out there help Canadians. I am so happy and proud to be with this group and know that I do make a difference.

Love Quilts also makes quilts for children facing challenges. They have active chapters in the US; UK, and Brazil.

The second group I love stitching for is Cole’s Quilts. This is a much smaller, more focused group that makes quilts for children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. This devastating disease usually strikes infants, and is fatal about 80% of the time. It’s heartbreaking for the families. The quilts are made with the child’s favorite characters and colors. Even if the child has passed away, the quilts are a precious keepsake of that young life.

Another great group is the Linus Project. They are all over the US, Canada, and the UK. They deliver brand new handmade security blankets to children in need. If these don’t suit you, there are so many other ways to help. Many many churches work to help the elderly and children with bits of handmade comfort and are excellent resources. A simple Google search will also turn up a lot of ideas.

The whole point is to take a short time out to help another person through a time of stress. You have no idea how much it will add to your pleasure by simply doing so.

***********
I will have more updates to the shops this week as I am just finishing off a group of magnets on linen.

Until then, Happy Stitching!!

Almost ready!!

I wanted to post a teaser picture. I completely redid the pictures for the shop this week, and am in the last stages of finishing several new additions. Here’s a teaser…

The white angels will be part of Christmas. I had done them earlier while I was still in Texas and just went ahead and filled the fabric with the wizards and chubby angels. The tiny designs on the right will be turned into cellphone or bag charms. These should be online this week. Don’t worry – Christmas designs won’t be in the shop before September 1st.

Until then, I am busy stitching away on a piece for my mother-in-law. I will post pictures as I have them.

A slight change of focus…

This blog will always feature news about my Etsy Shop, but, it is also going to start being a whole lot more. I get questions from other stitchers about how to make their work better, or how to find this item or that chart. There are also a ton of websites out there that promise free charts but take your identity instead. I am also noticing a lot of needlework shops disappearing.

Shop news… I added a bunch of magnets about 10 days ago, and am finishing off the stitching for another group. This group will be a bit smaller, but will include one of my favorite designs – a wizard.

This is just a rough teaser of him. He still has to be washed, blocked and finished. He was originally a Christmas ornament, but he would be so cute hanging year round. Watch for him to make his shop debut very soon. While he can be finished as a magnet, he is best at his job of just hanging around from a golden cord. His wand will also be topped by a crystal.

My Etsy Shop is also now a part of the Finland Handcrafter’s Team. This is a phenomenal group of artisans based in Finland that do a wide range of handwork – fine jewelry, knit goods, accessories for your home, and so very much more. They have been fantastic at helping me learn to work in this country and developing my online presence. I really do enjoy working with them. I also get to help them with blogging and language skills.

But first, why Etsy? From my standpoint (the crafter), it offers a nice platform to display my work for sale. They do take a small commission as well as a nominal listing fee, but I don’t have to pay for my hosting. I get nice statistics as well. For you shoppers, you really win out on this. PayPal is the preferred method of payment, which means you shop securely without ever having to give out your payment information. I don’t get your credit card or banking information ever. You also have PayPal’s shopper’s guarantees behind you- If you don’t get your item or it isn’t as I described it, you do have recourse and it is even better than using your bank card. Etsy has thousands of shops offering an incredible range of items – high fashion, accessories, home decor, craft supplies, gifts, and just about everything else you can possibly imagine. Items that say they are handmade are just that – handmade by me (or the artisan/shopowner) and not purchased from China. It also offers an easy way for you to place a custom order.

So, so yourself a favor and check out Etsy or my new blog. Easter is coming up, so you can always just search for Easter and enjoy the outstanding selection of goodies to tempt you.

Welcome to my latest project!

Welcome to my latest and craziest project — an online needlework shop. Over the next month or so, I will be opening an Etsy shop to sell my small completed cross stitch ornaments, magnets, and gift items. You will want to tune in here regularly so that I can update you on the progress as well as tease you with hints of things to come.

My life this last couple of years has been crazy. I have been a needleworker all my life – embroidery and needlepoint when I was younger, counted cross stitch as that developed in the early 1980’s. I have done craft shows in 3 different states, and always loved seeing the people smile at my work. Some have even bought it! In the summer of 2011, I had a lovely man propose to me, and I moved from the Texas Hill Country to the rural part of western Finland. I love it here, but it is so very different. I can’t just run to Wal-Mart or the Michael’s for floss. There is a small fabric shop in nearby Eura that has Mayflower floss, but no DMC! I believe the closest DMC is in Rauma, a good 40 minute drive.

Jobs are scarce here, unless you want to work at plucking chickens or do seasonal work in the fields. There are very few office jobs, so… I decided to make my own work.

I did a bunch of counted cross stitch Christmas ornaments that were quite well received.

These were just some of them.

I think my two favorites were ones I did for my niece and nephew for their tree:

These little ornaments were all stitched on 28 to 32 count evenweave, stuffed with a thin layer of batting and then finished with a single running stitch and fringe. The hangers were simply metallic DMC thread attached to the plain back.

My mother-in-law displayed several of last year’s ornaments on some spruce cuttings:

These were all stitched on 18 count Aida, then sealed with needlework finisher and cut out. They don’t ravel at all. I will be doing a LOT more of these.

Right now, I am working on a group of message magnets, including some in Finnish. I will post a picture as soon as I get the pieces blocked and completed. I also have conversation hearts in both English and Finnish scheduled to be done in the next week. I expect to have my Etsy shop online and ready in about 2 weeks. I won’t have everything there, but it will be a good start.

I hope you will bookmark this page and come back frequently. Happy stitching!

My Needle's Song – Neulani laulu

Tag Archives: Christmas ornaments