ta-da!

ok ok, technically it's not a finish yet but i'm still going to "ta-da"

meet mr. elephant

isn't he a dreamboat?

i gave the basketweave background the ole college try last night, but nothing worth noting. this guy is just too cute! 

how was your weekend?

FAB finishing!

i do love getting that call from the lns saying i have a package! cricket's mini-stocking is back and is so precious! the cording is the perfect blend, and they did a fabulous job matching the blue on the back! 

i could not be more pleased, and will love hanging this alongisde our stockings this christmas!

follow the mini-stocking journey here!

working on the elephant this weekend! what are your plans?

sneak peek...

i'm not quite done with the elephant's skin, but i thought i'd show you a sneak peek in progress!

i went rogue and decided to bead the red dots on his headdress instead of french knots like the stitch guide called for. i'm a rebel :)

stitching the first layer of skin with dmc floss in the souffle stitch, then will go back and add kreinik to the remaining open canvas.

look at that cute trunk! let's hope i can get this finished up this weekend!

cuter than dumbo

i've been counting down the hours until i could finally get my hands on the next canvas in the nativity club! my hands could not stitch fast enough on this elephant!

finished his blanket and started on his headpiece. i cannot handle the black and white checks. i die!

the colors on the blanket threw me at first; the orange is so fluorescent and i worried about how it would look next to the rich purple and red, but i'm really starting to like the combination! especially when you look at all the pieces next to one another...

this project is moving too quickly already! i love it so much!

you ready for this?

is it just me or does that make you think of 2 unlimited from jock jams circa 1991?

ok but seriously...are you ready for the cuteness overload that is the next canvas in the princess and me nativity club?

he is so adorable i just can't stand it. this club has been so much fun and i just love all the animals in it! 

while we're on the subject of weddings...

one of my bestest friends got engaged this spring, and is getting married this upcoming january! i immediately knew i wanted to stitch something for her, but i'm indecisive on what...

last year i stitched this painted canvas for a lee jewelry box for my other friend that got married, and she loved it! it's always excited to get something with your new monogram on it!

but there are so many cute princess and me ornaments that i love too...

and these toppers by the studio midwest are just too precious...

what are your "go-to" stitched wedding gifts?

holiday stitching

instead of my usual ambitious holiday stitching (see last year's endeavor here), this year's holiday stitching should be a breeze!

while i LOVE the gratification of giving stitchy gifts to my family for christmas, it can get a bit expensive. so instead of trying to out-do myself each year and stitch for multiple family members, i decided that this year would be low key. 

voila!

these candy canes are so cute and festive, and i was green with envy watching all my cute blogger friends stitch them last year! i saved them for christmas 2013 which is perfect timing since my sister just graduated from UT, marking the end to my parents' "financial prison" as my dad so hysterically refers to it. 

the candy canes represent the schools attended in my immediate family. i think my mom will really love hanging these on the tree each year, or maybe on a garland!

don't worry, i bought the OU candy cane for my own tree. perhaps i sneak it in for this year?