A New Start

After seeing this ornament in our guild's Christmas ornament exchange, I wanted to stitch it myself. It's 'Polar Bear Wishes' from the 2024 Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament issue.

I wanted to use a dark-ish fabric for the background and decided on some uneven weave 36/30 linen called Barrick's Blend from my stash - darker than it appears in the photo below. I don't remember where I got it - probably a freebie at a retreat. Because it's uneven weave, I had to decide if I wanted oriented 36/30 for a taller image, or 30/36 for a stumpier image. I ended up orienting it so the bear would be taller and skinnier. I got this much done today. I'm using most of the called-for colours except for the pink in his ears. I'll just substitute a similar colour using the online floss color [sic] tool.

My progress so far.

Since I probably won't get it done before the new year, the photo is in my 2026 folder on my laptop. It will be good for social stitching because of the plethora of white stitches that will need to be filled in.

I also located and attached the timepiece charm onto my Time to Stitch pincushion.

The 27th octagon was completed last night and the 28th (out of 30) started last night. No new photo. Crocheting with 12 different colours and colour changes every round generates a lot of yarn ends. I keep up by burying as many as I can as I start the new colour but the remaining ends still need to be cut off. I do tuck them into a little ort bag beside where I sit but they have a habit of sticking to my clothing then falling off in different areas of the house. I chuckle every time I see one and pick it up. (It doesn't take much to amuse me).

Front hall:

Kitchen

Dining room.

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I'm headed out this afternoon to my rescheduled dinner from last night.

Speaking of dining out, on Christmas Eve I was invited for a Swedish Christmas Eve smorgasbord at the home of former neighbours of Skip. We had the honour of being invited for Christmas Eve for many years but this was the first time I had attended in almost 10 years. Some Christmases we were not available while I taught knitting for a luxury cruise line. Then Lena and Norm moved to Sweden for 6 years, then COVID hit, the Skip was too ill to attend. It was so nice seeing their family members again and meeting some new friends. It was an amazing spread of traditional Swedish dishes. More details are in this old blog post from 2007. We were all much younger then...

For dinner on Christmas Day I was invited to the home of one of my Monday morning stitchers, Joanne, and her daughter, Jennifer. Also in attendance were her son, Scott, and his husband, Mike.  I didn't get any photos but it was a really nice way to spend the evening and have a delicious meal prepared by Jennifer and Scott. They even waited until I got there to exchange their gifts! I was so surprised to also receive gifts from them. So kind and unexpected. There was lots of pleasant conversation, some remembrances of our late husbands, and full tummies. It was so nice to be included. I am so grateful for the kindness of my friends. 

Now to get ready for the next food extravaganza.