Twas the night before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

So – I finished the two Christmas stockings for my great nephew and great niece.

I had planned to photograph them hanging from the mantelpiece surrounded by Christmas decorations.  Unfortunately a particularly nasty virus delayed me in finishing them.  By the time I had them ready to post, many parts of the country were paralysed by heavy snowfall and Royal Mail had a backlog of four million parcels.

There was no time to lose.  The stockings had to be posted quickly.  But, the light being so dreadful on the one morning I had to photograph them, this was the only place in the entire house where I could get a decent shot.  Not very Christmassy, I know.  Perhaps you can imagine the fireplace and mantelpiece, and the Christmas decorations…

I sent them off via Royal Mail Special Delivery on their 230 mile journey, and was relieved when they arrived safely early the next afternoon.  They are now hanging in the home of Taylor and Isabelle, where I hope Father Christmas will soon come to fill them up with little presents.

I’m very happy with the stockings.  They were enjoyable to stitch, and I’m pleased with the finished items.  They’re lined with a heavy cotton fabric that matches exactly the piping cords – dark green for Isabelle’s and a burgundy / brown colour for Taylor’s.  There’s also a heavy lining fabric between the linen outer and the cotton inner fabrics.  The making up was always the stage that worried me, and I’m still a bit concerned that the loops might not withstand the weight of too many presents.

The cross stitch panels are embellished with charms – metal, mother of pearl, glass beads and buttons.  The back of each stocking bears a dedication from me.  I don’t consider any large piece of needlework to be complete until it has been signed, dated and if appropriate, dedicated.

And I’ve already received an order for next Christmas!  My younger son liked these so much he asked for one for himself.  I hope to do four during the year – one for each of us.  Fortunately, there are lots more designs to choose from in this Shepherd’s Bush series.

… I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”

Clement Clarke Moore (1779 – 1863)