Friday, July 31, 2015

CHRISTMAS IN JULY!

Well it's already late in the afternoon on Friday the 31st of July!  Is is possible?  Another July has come and gone and time just keeps whipping on by.  It seems ridiculous I know but I am KNEE deep in Christmas over here....lol....as I run my air conditioning and fans trying to keep cool.  I am just having such a good time however.  Machine embroidery has gotten to be soo quick and easy for me and has seemed to leave the "fiddle" behind. [and yes I guess you could point out it only took me 2 years lol]  And if you have gotten to know me at all you know that it is a WIN WIN situation for me. I began looking for something to make both for myself and my kids family's this year, and in talking with Melody decided UNBREAKABLE ornaments were the way to go. Naturally with 3 little ones she is going to need to go more this route for a while.  I remember the days that was me like it was yesterday, even though it was a bajillion years ago, lol.  I made dough art ornaments one year while they all ran around under foot and I have some of them to this day that still make their way to our tree.  I am STRONG on tradition, and I have NO idea if I have passed this little trait onto any of my kids, but I just kind of have it in my head that they will pull these ornaments out for their trees LONG after I am gone.   Now should any of them trade out home made ornaments someday for BEAUTIFUL coordinating ones it will NOT hurt my feelings I promise, lol.  I spend more time searching and looking for something new, fun, different and not too difficult MUCH LONGER it seems then it ever does to make whatever it is I am going to make, and unbreakable ornaments was no different.  Goodness sooooo many choices.  I Finally decided on felt ornaments that are done in the hoop.  I not done any in the hoop projects to this point, but it may be a new addiction for me.  Soo quick and easy and fun.  Now the ginger bread man I had already shown you but truthfully looking back now on that first one all I can do is laugh.  I have to....he's hysterical.  But after getting the right color felt and figuring out what to do about the bobbin stitches showing through, they began to look much better.  I have often felt like embroidering is a lot like coloring, which if you LOVE to color the way I always have, then you can understand why I enjoy this soo much.  I bought the design pack of the gingerbread men and there are six different designs.  By changing what color thread I use I can change up quite a bit what they look like.  Though it doesn't matter much as everyone will just get one set of six.  Let me show you the gingerbread ornaments before I tell you about the other ones I have been making as well....

I ADDED THE BOWS ON TODAY BY THE HANGERS AND I THINK IT IS A CUTE LOOK,,,,ALL I DID ON THE MOUTH WHICH WAS THE ONLY PLACE THE WHITE WAS SHOWING WAS TO TOUCH IT WITH A FINE POINT PERMANENT BLACK PEN....WORKED PERFECTLY!  MUCH CHEAPER THEN BUYING THE NEW BOBBIN CASE TOO [which WAS ninety dollars...I checked!] 
IF YOU LOOK CLOSE AT MRS, CLAUS YOU WILL SEE SHE'S WEARING GLASSES....THIS IS SO MY GRANDKIDS CAN KNOW THIS ONE IS ME, LOL

I TOOK A CLOSE UP OF SANTA, BUT NOT HIS WIFE, LOL  I AM NOT SEEING MUCH TO DO TO CHANGE THESE TWO UP WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MAYBE HAVING MRS, CLAUS WEAR A GREEN DRESS INSTEAD OF RED?

ANOTHER DESIGN ....I WENT BURGUNDY AND VARIEGATED INSTEAD OF RED AND PLAIN GREEN

AND SHE GOT REALLY FANCY THE SECOND TIME ROUND, LOL....LOOK AT HER BOW!

HERE SHE WAS THE FIRST WAY I DID HER!

ALL SIX DESIGNS.....YOU CAN SEE THE THIRD ONE FROM THE LEFT HAS GOT ON DIFFERENT COLORS TOO

AND HERE IS THE WAY I DID HIM THE FIRST TIME....I ACTUALLY DID THIS BY MISTAKE AS EVERYWHERE YOU SEE BLUE I HAD INTENDED TO BE WHITE, BUT IT WORKED OUT OK..  THIS GUY HAS GOT BLUE EYES, LOL.

I've made ten of these so far.  When I finish I will make AT LEAST 24 so I've got a few more to go. They are easy.....but take a little more time then you might think.  They are about six inches high or so..  And then.....they are 24 designs that I intend to use to make the advent calendars.  But they gave you two sizes and 3 variations of all 24 designs.  So in looking at them I thought to myself I couldn't see a reason why if I played with it a bit why I couldn't use these too for ornaments, and it worked out really well I thought.  I am not sure I will make all 24 for ALL of us [especially since I intend to make MAYBE 3 advent calendars out of them] but we will see.  They go a lot quicker then the gingerbread men, so who knows...I have done 5 of the designs so far so I  will show you those.  I had some different colored felt that I had used to maker bows for Claire, so I used some of that for a different look.  I actually REALLY REALLY enjoyed making these ones...



HERE'S THE FIRST FIVE

PRETTY LIGHT BLUE

TREE


LOVE THIS LITTLE ELF

AND THIS ONE IS MY FAVORITE SO FAR I THINK.....SWEET DESIGN
CAN'T SEE THIS WELL BUT IT IS ON GLITTER FELT......THIS CAN BE DONE A HUNDRED DIFFERENT WAYS, LOL
So that's about it for me this week.  I am feeling somewhat better today....back to just minimal discomfort from those shingles.  I can live with minimal so hope no more bad flares are in order for me.  We have a relaxing week-end laying ahead of us and I am grateful.  Vinny's party is on Sunday, and we haven't been down to San Diego to church in several weeks as we have been going to our old one.  I have REALLY REALLY missed it and am looking forward to it a lot.  Hope you all have a GOOD week-end,  Blessings to you all!  Debbie

10 comments:

  1. What a treat for your family members to have a set of your homemade ornaments! I know that they will be treasures!
    Enjoy your relaxing weekend. Happy birthday to little Vinny!!

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  2. Have a wonderful weekend celebrating Vinny. The ornaments are adorable, but Mrs. Claus looks much older than you do! You'll have to grow into her I guess.

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  3. It all looks so WONDERFUL!!! I admire you for starting Christmas in July!! I did one year! Actually I have been painting Santas so I guess that means I started this year too!
    SO happy to hear you are feeling better!!!

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  4. Hi Debbie. I have been here catching up with you tonight. I have not been blogging lately, and I am sure missing it!!! I LOVE those ornaments! So cute! And the kids will all love them! I am going to need to call you again soon. I have some questions about how you made those. And also, I wanted to talk to you about the post you did a few back about visiting the quilt shops.
    It looks like you are as busy as usual. I am too, just not posting about it. I look forward to talking to you soon.
    xo Kris

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  5. Oh Debbie, those little ornaments are just so, so adorable! I, too, have switched over to hand-made, nonbreakable ornaments for my grands. Of course, mine are little stuffed quilt blocks ... what's going to remind them of Nana more than quilt blocks? ha! And even if they choose not to put them on their trees down the road, I hope that they'll keep them in their ornament boxes so that when they look at them (while working their way to their own ornaments that will go on their trees), they'll be reminded of their Nana and how much she loved them. ;-)

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  6. Those are just the cutest. I'd love to have a tree full. :o)) I'm usually thinking of Christmas by this time but way too involved in the new house to even think about it right now. Happy Lord's Day!

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  7. What cute ornaments!! Have a wonderful Sunday! I know you will surrounded by your kids.
    I take my hat off to you for starting Christmas. One of my grandsons asked for a Superman rug for his room. I have to think about that. :) Have a wonderful Sunday!

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  8. You are so smart to get such an early start. And what wonderful keepsakes for the families. Those little ones will love being able to arrange the tree and feel part of the festivities. Yes, you are one smart lady!

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  9. I love those gingerbread men and the other ornaments too. But especially the gingerbread men. You are so talented!

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  10. Endless creativity, real life happenings, thoughts from your heart, and some of the cutest pictures ever...that is what I find here with every visit, and that is why I keep coming back. You are a special lady with an overdose of talents:)

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I am so glad that you would take the time to comment on my thoughts and feelings, it is such a blessing to me!