Two Stockings Finished

Last year I started work on a Christmas stocking for my son-in-law.  I waited until after the wedding in September, so I didn't have time to finish it before Christmas.  It looked about like this and I just propped it up under the mantle. 

 

I made stockings for my kids when they were little, and then when they started getting married, I had to make one for their spouses.

But this year I have a GRANDDAUGHTER.  So, of course, she gets a stocking, too.  She was born Christmas Eve, so I didn't have a stocking ready for her.  She was busy that day.

 

I waited until both were stitched to sew them together.  The kits include a felt backing.  That is all I used for the stockings for my kids, but when I started making them for the spouses, I started lining them.  I am no way a seamstress, so I just cut out around the felt backing with the lining folded over to have the satin on the inside of the stocking.  You want all the goodies to slide out easily, right?

 

After stitching around the outside of the stocking, I turned them right side out.  I folded the top into a cuff so there were no rough edges, the tacked the lining to the cuff.  Absolutely invisible perfect stitches.  You'll have to take my word for it.   

 

I braided the handle from the included yarn.  I always stitch the handle on tightly, as you never know how heavy the goodies Santa stuffs in there will be.

 

Ready for Christmas!

 

Now I can get back to making some baskets to sell at the next craft fair in Buchanan. 

I'm Dreaming Of A White Thanksgiving

 

Our daughter and her fiancé came here for Thanksgiving.  They left their home in Northern Virginia on Tuesday night to avoid the projected snow.  Good thing, because it did snow!

Not a lot, but enough to build a snow man.

 

And enough that RJ was really, REALLY happy.

 

And enough that Tara and Greg could do a bit of sledding.  Don't worry.  They didn't have to climb up that steep hill.  Lee picked them up in the Mule.

 

Greg tried to stand on the sled and ride it down the hill like a snowboard, but the sled did not cooperate.  Maybe he'll bring his actual snowboard at Christmas. 

 

 

Then again, we have a ridge of rocks running along the bottom of the hill, so it will have opt be a LOT of snow.

The snow was gone in a few days, but the snowman lasted a lot longer.  Guess his Tech hat protected him from the heat.