Progress on Heirloom Nativity

Happy May Day!!

I went back to Heirloom Nativity last week and made some headway on the next set of bands.

The white band includes rice stitch, bargello and eyelets. The colored bands are partial Rhodes stitch and plait stitch. I love the Gloriana Bellagio silk! And although it’s hard to tell in the photo, the plait stitch shows off the Elizabethan Green so well, I love it!

I just need to do the beading on these bands and finish the vine scroll and then I’m on to the Holy Family, the last picture panel! A finish is in sight!

Despite having several small-medium things in the queue which I want to get to this year, I went diving in my chart file box and pulled Leaping Cat by La D Da.

I’ve had this chart a long time and I still love it. I decided I really need to do these things that are favorites! Plus it turns out I had everything I needed for it so I went ahead and got started.

I’m using 32 count Wren from Picture this Plus and then all the colors as indicated. This titular tiger/Cat is almost done. This is stitching up nicely. Above the cat there are 3 trees and below an alphabet, all framed with a simple border. I bet I can get it done in May.

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I had a chance to press and photograph my Joyful World calendar as it is currently. (That means the ironing board was already out and I had borrowed the q snap Joyful World was on for Leaping Cat.) No new stitching since I posted July, but, my it is nice to see how it looks so far. I think it’s great!

You will notice several unfinished areas in most months. If you haven’t read my blog too much I will just explain I plan to use some specialty stitches for the “grounds” of those months but I haven’t figured it all out yet. For those unfamiliar with this SAL, it is a free set of charts from The Snowflower Diaries available on her website. I still can’t believe such a huge beautiful design is free! There is a Facebook group for the SAL but as it is a few years old, it’s not very active now. However I do love seeing how people from all over the world have interpreted the design. If you are interested in this design, the charts are also available in the FB files including a floral border that goes around the whole thing. Many thanks to designer Maja Matyas for giving so many happy hours with Joyful World!!!