December 9th - 2022 Advent Calendar Blog Hop

 It's December 9th!  

Welcome to my very neglected blog and my entry for the 2022 Advent Calendar Blog Hop. The hop is hosted by Jo at Serendipitious Stitching.  You can catch up on the previous days and follow along for the rest of the month here.  While you're there, check out her stitching and finishes.  Jo does beautiful work.

I have had a very slow stitching year and my blogging mojo has not returned but I'm making an attempt by participating in Jo's blog hops - one of them is going to spark the fire.

Fortunately for this entry, my entire stitching year was Christmas themed.

First up is a stocking for my great-niece Ellidae (Elli most days).  

This is Oh Deer! from Satsuma Street.  It's done on 28-count black Jobelan with the called for DMCs. The pom-poms are Ruddie's Nose from Dames of the Needle. The only change I made was to flip the design so the toe faces right instead of left.

Next is my great-nephew Beckett's stocking:

Penguin Joy from Stoney Creek.  This is stitched on 28-count Clear Sky from Stoney Creek with the called for DMCs, Glissen Gloss and beads. I had some finishing issues with this one, but once it's filled with presents, I'm sure they won't be noticed.

And probably my favorite - for my son:

Seven Swans to Rule Them All by ScreamingHeartDesign on Etsy.  It's stitched on 28-count Snow on Blue evenweave from Fabric Flair using DMC Etoile. Mounting piece and cording is from Joann Fabric and the greenery is stuff I've had hanging around for years. Warning - if you are easily offended - just search the pattern title rather than going to the shop site.

Now on to the question of the year - "What's for afters?" I used to make a pecan pie, a pumpkin pie and an apple-cranberry pie (and sometimes a carrot cake with cream cheese-pecan frosting or a cheesecake) but those days are long gone.  I'll get a single serve pecan pie and vanilla ice cream for The Hubs.  For me? I'm not sure. I prefer cherry pie and they can be hard to find in my little corner of Virginia. 

I hope you all have a Happy Christmas or your holiday of choice or just a great day.  Don't forget to follow along at Jo's blog.