Christmas Decorating Part One

I did not start decorating until Wednesday, but my mom and sister have been setting up vignettes all month.  

The bench in the mudroom.

Mudroom window #1

Mudroom window #2

The Hallmark ornament lighted faux birch bird tree.

It is 'planted' in the corner of the dining room.

Here's a close-up.

The dining room mini-forest.

The dining room table.

The hutch is decorated with festive tableware and cross stitch.

We have a new winter resident this year.

I'm not sure what Norman Gnome thinks about him.

Here We Go Again!

Design - "Reindeer" - Freebie card for chart 100 and 101

Designer - The Prairie Schooler

Fabric - 32 count Antique white linen

Fibers - DMC - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 8 December 2011

Completed - 11 December 2011

It appears that once upon a time I was able to handle Christmas and stitch productively at the same time...oh well.  Maybe next year. 

I took a 15 minute break and went outside.

There were a couple of Anna's out and about.

This guy was guarding the feeder...

...but this second bird was able to sneak a drink or two.

I cleaned and refilled the feeders - I try to do that once a week.

The hummers were joined by lots and lots of Juncos.

They often pose nicely for me.

The House Finches are a bit more shy.

I put out sunflower chips on my tray feeder and I got a crowd!

I had not expected Lesser Goldfinches and House Finches to use it, but they did. 

December Stitch December Birds

Back to the Stitching Archives we go...

Design - "Reindeer"

Chart - "Christmas Past" #51

Designer - The Prairie Schooler

Fabric - 32 count Black Zweigart linen

Fibers - DMC - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 21 December 2012

Completed - 26 December 2012

The black linen was challenging, but I like the effect.  The reindeer appears to be floating across a dark starlit night sky.

At first glance the December birds looks dull and dingy.

But on closer examination, there's some nice color from the mixed flock of American and Lesser Goldfinches. 

A male House Finch joined the party.

Here's a good look at a male Lesser Goldfinch.

They retain some of their summer colors with a yellow breast...

...and a dark black cap on their head.

I seems to have anywhere from 8-15 at my feeders.

The females don't have the bright colors of the males.

Just the faintest bit of yellow on the throat.

Wednesday's Walk Preempted for Christmas

I am behind this year buying gifts, wrapping gifts, decorating...

You name it - I'm stressed and the clock is ticking.

So, no walk this week. Instead I'm decorating and wrapping and writing lists.

But I'll not leave you empty-handed.

Here's a lovely seasonal photo of bright red hawthorn berries.

Enjoy!  

Winter Reindeer and Chickadees

Design - Rudolph

Chart - "Nordic Holiday" #191

Designer - The Prairie Schooler

Fabric - 25 count white evenweave

Fibers - DMC - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 29 November 2013

Completed - 1 December 2013

When I do not have 'new' stitching to share this month, I've been focusing on reindeer.

Now on to the birds.

It always brightens my heart to hear and see a Black-capped Chickadee.

I've decided the bears are hibernating, so I've put out a second feeder for them down by the Big Woodpile.

The Chestnut-backed Chickadees have also found and are enjoying the feeders. 

Monday's Stitch and Birds

A bit of progress on the Bullfinch.

I hope to finish him up before the end of the week.

We've had a mix of blue sky and rainy days.

More Starlings than I'd like to see against a blue sky. 

One of my many Steller's Jays.

He's giving us a sideways look.

A Spotted Towhee.  I see several most days.

I still have 8-12 Lesser Goldfinches at the feeders. 

While it never came to the feeders, I did get a glimpse of a Red-breasted Nuthatch.