Stitching the Day Away!

Happy Saturday to you! I've had a fun day in between my regular Saturday cleaning chores and stamping away. When I went over to the My Favorite Things blog this morning, I noticed that not only did the Teasers for their upcoming release begin, but they have also posted the details for their December Guest Designer Contest. You can find all of the information here. This month, the challenge is called, "Stitch It Up!" You can stitch by hand or use a sewing machine or even do faux stitching with a gel pen. The choice is yours. I have been using my sewing machine on my cards a lot lately, but I wanted to make something a little bit more special. My thoughts immediately went to Christmas stockings. My teenage niece would like money for Christmas because she is saving up for an iPod touch. I just didn't want to put some money in a card for her, so I decided to make her a stocking. She loves to stamp and make crafty things with me so I know that this will get hung up in her room or even placed on the family Christmas tree.

I started by tracing a stocking pattern onto two sheets of Core'dinations red card stock. They were sewed together with a straight stitch. Then I added the cuff, toe, and heel with a zigzag stitch. I used some Tinsel & Twig paper for those pieces. I finally got my hands on some of this beautiful paper thanks to my friend Linda and her dh that is nice enough to stop and pick up stamping goodies for us on his way home from work! I hand stitched the ribbon loop and button on with some Baker's Twine. My image is from the My Favorite Things a'la mode set called Candy Cane Kisses. She is colored up with Copic Markers (B95, B97,C1, C3, E000, E11, E27, E29, E35, E37, E40, R20 R27, R29, YG93, YG95, YG97, and the Colorless Blender.) I used a zigzag stitch to connect my image panel and a panel of olive colored card stock. The sentiment is from the same set and it is cut out with oval and scallop oval Nesties. I added three little red gems to sparkle things up a bit. Then some Star Dust Stickles were added to her hat and jacket buttons because those needed a little sparkle too...lol! I wanted a little something to actually put in the stocking to hold the money, so I made a little pocket with some more Tinsel & Twig paper and a piece of Kraft card stock. The sheet music paper was a perfect match because she'll be listening away to music with her new iPod touch. I'm so happy with how the whole thing came together.

I hope that you had a wonderful Saturday too! Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit. I'll see you soon...Toodles! :D