Merry Christmas!

Just Cross Stitch

I've received a great birthday surprise--a gift subscription to Just Cross Stitch magazine.

I haven't had a cross stitch subscription since back in the early 90s, when I had cross Stitch and Country Crafts.

I looked it up online and there are lots of projects in the Jan/Feb issue that I'll enjoy stitching. As far as digital is concerned, I've bought a couple of single issues of that big digital cross stitch magazine, out of Australia, but never had the funds to get a complete subscription. I don't think I would because I don't like the very detailed "picture painting"-type chart that is in every issue, or the simple (usually humorous) chart at the end.

Bramble Biscornu

This is a biscornu that I stitched. The chart is from Jane Ile's "Cross Stitch from A Country Garden."

Trillium's Eggless Vanilla Cupcakes

Cream together:

1/2 c. unsalted butter
1/1/2 c. raw sugar(I used Sugar in the Raw)

Then add:

2 T. yoghurt (I used organic low-fat)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

In a separate bowl, mix together:

2 c. white all-purpose flour (I used King Arthur)
1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/8 teaspoon salt

Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.

Add 1 c. milk (I used 2%) to entire mixture and stir well by hand or electric mixer.

Spoon into muffin cups and bake at 350 degrees until top springs back. These do not rise that much. If you want the cupcake to top over the paper cup, then fill just to the top of the paper.

Cool, frost, and decorate if desired.

A Christmas Gourd

This is a handmade present from a friend. The door opens up and there is a hole in the back through which to insert a string of lights. I plan to get a battery-operated tea light for it.

A Quilted Patriotic Wallhanging

I haven't posted in ages because I've spent my free time working on this quilted wall hanging. I finished it two days ago and mailed it yesterday. It will get there in time for Christmas because it is not going far, and because we mailed it 2-Day Priority.

I created it for my sis and her husband, who are both veterans. She doesn't read this blog and so the surprise is safe. I just hope she has room somewhere on her walls to display it.

It is all cotton fabrics, except for the purchased binding, which is poly/cotton. I inked on all of the signatures of the signers of the Declaration of Independence with a permanent Pitt Artist Pen with a fine tip.

The cross-stitched insert is 14-ct. white Aida. The designs are freebies (freedom stars & Liberty Bell) from Erica Michaels (I think). I will check and correct post if necessary. The letters are from an Anne Orr cross stitch design book from Dover Publications.

Disclaimer: The quilting is very poor on this. I am not pleased with my quilting stitches at all, but I had no quilting frame, not even a lap-type frame. It will hold up OK because it is for the wall, not for repeated use on a bed. So, those of you with eagle eyes will see my many giant and uneven stitches due to the lack of a quilting frame.