A Christmas Present For My Grandson

During the Fall season I usually get the urge to make some cross-stitch gifts for the holidays.  This year I decided to make a wolf counted cross-stitch picture for one of my teenage grandsons for Christmas.  I needed something masculine and thought a wolf might be nice.

I looked at a lot of different wolf pictures and decided I liked the Wolf counted cross-stitch kit from Dimensions.

Like the other Dimensions kits I had bought the kit included the pattern, pre-sorted cotton thread, 18 count white cotton Aida, needle and instructions.

The Wolf pattern uses full counted cross-stitch, half cross-stitch, french knots and outline stitching for emphasis and depth and this detailing really makes the picture stand out. The design of this cross-stitch gives the finished picture a 3 dimensional aspect with the cross stitch, half cross-stitch, french knots and outlining being used for artistic effect.

The pattern came with starting and working order instructions as well as samples of the various stitches required, color coded keys (with code #'s, lengths, color names, and cross-stitch symbols) and a chart with color coded symbols.

While I was very pleased with the end results of this design there are some things in the kit and in the instructions that can be improved upon.

I was very happy with the color coded chart as it was quite large at 13" by 9" and very easy to read.

As was the case with previous Dimensions kits the thread sorter was poorly designed. The embroidery threads were glued to foam backed 4" by 1 1/4" strips of cardboard that had a picture of the color of the thread and it's number. In order to get to the threads you had to separate the foam back from the cardboard strip. Very quickly the threads separated from their section and then you no longer knew what the thread number was to tie to your symbols & legends.

As I have done with other cross-stitch kits I've completed I had to alter the thread sorter to suit my needs. I pulled the thread sorter apart to get rid of the foam and then punched holes in the cardboard strip just above each color and color #. I inserted the floss threads that went with that color and color # through the hole and tied them in a loose knot. I then added color coded symbols with colored pens beneath each color so I would know what symbols went with what color.

Short of changing the thread sorter all together to make things even easier for the user the color symbol should at the very least have been shown on the thread sorter strip of cardboard as well. That way you would only need to use the thread sorter strip of cardboard to follow your chart.

I also decided to once again utilize the rectangular wood frame jig that my darling husband built for me that I could tape the edges of the 18 count white cotton Aida to. The wood frame jig is a rectangular embroidery hoop of sorts and can accommodate a 5" by 5" cross-stitch picture kit or 5" by 7" cross-stitch picture kit. He had made it out of 1/2" x 1" pine wood strips with an adjustable center strip that I use for the 5 x 5 square designs.

In the picture on the front of the kit they had chosen to mount the picture without a mat and using a thin gold metal frame.  However, the kit did not come with instructions for finishing the back of the picture.  I tend to favor 1/4" foam backed adhesive mounting boards for the cross-stitch pictures I'm inserting into my picture frames but wasn't sure which of my picture frames I would be choosing and whether or not they would be deep enough to accommodate it.

I didn't want my picture to be too big so I decided not to mat it.  I had decided to use an 8 1/2" by 10 3/4" woodland rustic frame with glass and a 5" by 7" opening that I thought I thought would compliment the thread colors in the wolf picture.   I was hoping the depth of the frame and glass was deep enough to accommodate my picture which I would be mounting to a thinner hard adhesive mounting board. 

I like to finish my cross-stitch pictures by adhering them to a mounting board and then taping the four corners so I can sew them with nylon thread in a "V" to make the corners taut with the adhesive board and then tape the remaining vertical and horizontal sides with masking tape. So, I did this but to my dismay with the glass the depth was going to be an issue with the back of the frame. So I decided to remove the glass which actually allowed you to better see the 3-dimensional aspects of the picture.

Then I inserted it again. To my dismay it still was not going to fit within the back of the frame.  So, I undid the masking tape and V corners and trimmed the white Aida so it would cover the 1/8" sides of the mounting board and still allow me to tape the sides of the Aida to the back of the mounting board.

I added the back that was included with the frame this time it fit.  Success!

It took me 59 hours to complete this picture including the framing. Despite the problems I encountered I love the way my Dimensions Wolf picture turned out. It's absolutely beautiful and the 3-dimensional aspects of the wolf, snow and woodland scene are amazing.  Hopefully my grandson will like it.

Mr. Jolly, The Pencil Tree And The "Dollies"

When we walked into Lowe's the other day I knew I was going to be in trouble.  As we entered the door my eye caught sight of the jolliest Santa you'd ever want to see.  He was just standing there greeting all the customers with the biggest smile on his face.  I, of course, instantly fell in love with him and dubbed him Mr. Jolly.

As I approached him he called me Linda and asked if I was enjoying this holiday season.  I thought he might be reading my mind but figured the joy of this holiday season was written all over my face so it was obvious to him that I was so happy.

Somehow he knew that Christmas was my most favorite time of the year.  Not just for me, but the "dollies" as well. Oh, yeah.  He knew all about the "dollies." Go figure!

I knew for sure that I would be coming home with him and wondered what hubby would think of this.  It wasn't as if we needed another Christmas decoration.  We have a few! Ya think?

Mr. Jolly asked him how he was and I knew he was smitten as well.  So, we looked at each other and knew we'd be taking him home with us.  We both thought he would look wonderful next to our new "pencil" tree, which we both love. So, we told him to follow us to the check out line.

When we were checking out there was only one cashier and one person in line ahead of us.  When we got to the cashier there was a problem.  Mr. Jolly didn't have a tag on him and she needed his item number in order to ring him in.  While she was calling the holiday department I decided to run over and read the item number off the sticker where we had found him.  I literally had to run as I could see that the line was building up already.  Yikes! People don't like waiting in line. Especially during the holidays. Yikes!

On my way back I noticed there were "a lot" of  people in the line now.  In fact, it was winding down one of the aisles. Yikes!

However, the strange thing was they didn't seem annoyed.  How could this be?  One cashier, lots of people in line and the holiday season?  They all had to be annoyed, but they weren't.  It seems Mr. Jolly had won them all over as well.  They were all smitten as well.  Phew! I wasn't looking forward to approaching an angry mob of customers.

I told the cashier his item number which she was happy to have as she was still waiting on hold on the telephone.  Two minutes later we had checked out and were walking out the door.  I thought Mr. Jolly was behind us, but when I looked back he wasn't.  He was still talking to the customers in line and they were all still smiling, laughing and carrying on.  Simply amazing.

I went over to him and whispered in his ear that we had to go home now so he waved to all the customers and off we went.

I was anxious to bring him home as I knew he was going to look so wonderful next to our new "pencil" tree.

As we were driving home hubby reminded me that the "dollies" weren't very happy the last time we brought giant nutcracker decorations home.  In fact, there was a big brouhaha when we brought them inside the house.

  

You see, the last time I brought two wonderful nutcrackers home without consulting the "dollies" I nearly had World War III in my house. I wrote about it in a  post entitled, "I Should Have Known Better!"

They were, however,  the most adorable decorations for our family room and perfect to frame our family room fireplace.  The problem was they weren't handmade like all the "dollies." 

The "dollies" were infuriated that I would bring non handmade dolls into the house without consulting them first. So, to keep the peace I apologized and said, "it wouldn't happen again."

Mr. Jolly could tell from my face that something was up.  Then he reminded me that when "Theo" came into our lives I had honored that promise.  How Mr. Jolly knew this I'll never know.  Maybe he read my blog post.  Hmmm....

I don't know if you remember but Theo was a large Christmas bear that we bought at BJ's one year at Christmas that wasn't handmade either. I wrote about him in a blog post entitled "It Was The Holiday Season After All -When Anything Magical Could Happen."

When I wanted to bring him home hubby pulled out his cell phone and called the "dollies." A promise is a promise even if it is to inanimate objects.

As hubby was talking to the "dollies" Theo and I were holding hands and pacing back and forth in the middle of the aisle at BJ's. His hand was five times the size of mine. But, boy was it soft.

Back then when I looked into Theo's big brown eyes I could see that he was holding back the tears at the thought of not coming home with me. It nearly broke my heart. I knew I had to take him home with me whether the "dollies" agreed or not. Handmade or not didn't matter. Theo needed a loving home and we had one. He belonged with us.

Just as I was about to tell hubby we were taking Theo home with us whether the "dollies" liked it or not he got off the phone and said, "The dollies said to tell Theo - welcome home. We'd LOVE to have you join our family. You're HUGE and cuddly and adorable. Plus, you'd be perfect for the dining room North Pole Christmas scene."

Theo and I were delighted and he came home with us.

I began to wonder if the "dollies" would welcome Mr. Jolly as well.  The problem was I hadn't consulted them and we were already pulling into the driveway. I was bracing for WWIII.

To my delight the door opened and all the "dollies" poured out to form a welcome line for Mr. Jolly.  It seems they already knew he would be coming home with us today.  They'd known for weeks.

How could that be?  We just saw him at Lowe's today.

I looked at hubby and said, "what's going on?" It's almost as if they've already met him.  Well, it seems they already had.   Mr. Jolly had asked them ahead of time if it was okay if he came home with us today.  What? How could he know we'd want to take him home with us?

Just then Mr. Jolly jumped out of the car and went to greet all the "dollies."  They surrounded him and that was the last we saw of him that day.  They took him up to "the dollie storage room" and had a grand old time.  It was like they'd been friends forever.

That evening, after supper, I happen to glance over at the "pencil" tree and saw Mr. Jolly standing next to it.  He just looked so happy and so adorable standing there.  I couldn't help but smile.

He had put several presents under the tree for the "dollies" and had hung their stockings all over the house.  As he was preparing his "dollie naughty or nice" Christmas list he looked up and saw me looking at him.  I wondered which of the "dollies" was on his naughty list.  I had a few in mind, but to my surprise there weren't any names on the naughty side.   Hmmm..... Did they buy him off? Hmmm...... There had to be a few..... Hmmm.....

As I was looking at him he gave me the jolliest smile I've ever seen and I knew I would be smitten with him every Christmas season from now on.

He was a member of our family  now along with the "pencil" tree.  I had no doubt Mr. Jolly, the "pencil" tree and the "dollies" were going to make this the best Christmas holiday season ever.  And, every Christmas season thereafter.

I decided that we had more than enough Christmas decorations to last a lifetime.  No more shopping trips and coming home with Christmas decorations.  Now if you believe that I have a bridge I could sell you.........

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.  Ho! Ho! Ho!

The "Pencil" Tree - Perfect In Every Way

Every year I tell myself that I'm not going to buy any new Christmas decorations.  Well, this year I saw some tall, skinny artificial Christmas trees that I call "pencil" trees and thought they might look nice in our family room.  My sister had bought a tall, skinny artificial tree a few years ago for her living room as the tree she had was just too big for the room and was really happy with it.

The problem with our Christmas trees every year is they always end up in the dining room, living room, or sun-room.  That's okay but we spend most of our time in the kitchen and family room and there really isn't any room for a big Christmas tree.

So, I mentioned this to hubby and we went to look at them as they were on sale.  We both thought it would be nice to see a lighted Christmas tree (albeit tall and skinny) in the family room.  So, we bought one as the sale price was good and brought it home.

Each year the only decorations I put on the Christmas tree are one's I've made, my mother or sister made, or were given to me by family members and I was determined to uphold this tradition as well.  I wasn't sure the tree would be big enough to hold them all but decided I would give it my best shot.

The tree was really easy to set up and when it was finished I was happy to see that all my decorations fit perfectly.  In fact, I love the way they look on the "pencil" tree as it really highlights the decorations.

I love it.  The "dollies" love it and hubby loves it as well. It's tall, skinny, like a "pencil." It's a perfect tree.  What could be better than that?

Needle Felted Snowman Picture Free E-Pattern

One of the free style needle felted e-patterns that I wanted to create recently was a needle felted snowman picture that I made years ago using the wonderful white roving that my sister had given me from her alpaca Sunflower.  She and her husband are the owners of Rock Garden Alpacas and Rock Garden Alpacas Fiber.

I thought it would be nice to create a Christmas and Winter scene type picture with a snowman, stars, a tree with presents underneath and then create a free e-pattern so you could create one of your own. The e-pattern includes tips for needle felting, step-by-step instructions for completing the picture, a colored snowman picture instruction steps sheet so you can see what piece belongs to what step, a colored snowman picture layout sheet that is the actual size of your needle felted snowman picture, and pattern pieces.

Needle Felted Snowman Picture E-Pattern for 5 1/2" by 5 1/2" Needle Felted Picture in 6 1/2" by 6 1/2" Tabletop Shadowbox Frame With 5" by 5" Opening - Needle Felting Series- Pattern Category - Skill Level - Beginner

To view and download my free e-book please CLICK HERE. You'll be brought to Google Drive where you can view my free e-book. Then just download my free .pdf e-book by clicking on the down arrow in the top center.

For more information on all my free e-patterns, e-printables and e-books please CLICK HERE.

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Copyright © 2004 - 2023 - All Rights Reserved - Written By Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals and Linda's Blog. Linda is a doll maker and doll pattern designer.