Friday, December 5, 2014

Counted Cross Stitch Advent Calendar

Hi there!

Whew! I did it! My friend Becky has displayed a beautiful counted cross stitch advent calendar in her house for several Christmases. Each year I have admired it very much. Well, over the summer, while our kids played together at her house,  we got on the topic of counted cross stitch patterns. She pulled out her pattern stash and I came across the one for the advent calendar. She generously loaned it to me and I have been working on it off and on for the past several months. Well, yesterday I put almost all the finishing touches on it and took pictures. I am so happy with this project and am very grateful for Becky's generosity. For the record, I've tried searching for the pattern to link for anyone who might want to purchase  the pattern, but I cannot seem to locate one. It's an older pattern and most likely out of print. Sorry for that! I took a picture of the pattern cover for reference. This was a lot of work, but so completely worth the effort. This is a little photo heavy and I hope you don't mind. Hope you enjoy. Click to enlarge any photo. When I couldn't work on stamping or cards, I was able to be creative by working on this project. Thanks, Becky!!



Quick story behind these clear snaps. They are hand sewn with clear thread.  This where I am completely spatially challenged. I initially thought I'd put the snaps toward the top of the square, not thinking that not all the pieces to be attached are the same height. I had already hand sewn the snaps onto the pieces you see below...at the top center of the piece. Yes, on all 25. It wasn't until I started putting the mate on the calendar squares and checking to see how they fit that I realized that it wasn't going to work. I had to take all the snaps off the pieces and reattach them to the center of the piece. Sigh...yep, I sure did. But, everything is lined up nicely now!




The calendar has a fabric backing and I had some extra that I thought would make a cute little bag to hold all the pieces. 



Here's the cover of the pattern.

On the job front, I have now been cashier trained and have taken and passed a safety and sanitation class, so I'm considered a permanent cook/cashier. I've accepted the opening at the school I've been working at since I started this job. The job itself is not very hard as in difficult or confusing. It is very busy and physical(not a bad thing, because I am never bored). In addition to rotating between cashiering, serving and dish duty (one day I'll cashier, the next I do dishes, and the following I serve), my job is to pull together/wash/cut/make the fresh fruit, veggies and salad we'll be serving on the line that day. I also pull together what's called the fruit and veggie grant food. Twice a week the students are given a healthy fruit or veggie snack. I get that ready and deliver it to the classes. For example on Wednesday, I had to cut into quarters 4 cases of grapefruit, and divvy them into bags for each classroom. Today I washed 3 cases of pears (that are individually wrapped in paper-I have no idea why) and got them ready to go out next week. Not difficult at all, but definitely takes time to do. I think my favorite thing to do is cashier though. I enjoy the interaction I have with the students for those few seconds. Plus, if I know(have memorized) their lunch number, they are all kinds of impressed. :) I got a lot of second graders to giggle yesterday when the people who supervise them turned on some music. Let It Go came on and I started mimicking singing with a pair of tongs as my microphone or I bopped around when other songs came on. Fun stuff!

That's it from me for now. Thanks so much for stopping by and reading if you got this far. Have a wonderful weekend and I hope to be back again soon!

*Ü*
Jeanne


8 comments:

Barb said...

This is absolutely gorgeous, Jeanne! I love the colors and all of the very detailed pieces. You are a Crafting Goddess! How fun for your girls to have this beauty to look forward to every day. It's just lovely.

I'm glad you are enjoying your job! And it sounds like the students are enjoying YOU being there, as well.

I wish you all the best!
Hugs,
Barb :)

Kay Miller said...

Oh that was a labor of love!! What a gorgeous advent calendar! I know your family will enjoy it each year and your girls will treasure it as a family heirloom! Beautiful beautiful work on the whole thing! Sorry you and to take all those snaps off :) So glad to hear you are enjoying the new job. Sounds like you are getting the hang of everything and even letting loose a bit! Haha! So cute! Have a great week my friend ((Hugs))

mE said...

Jeanne!!!

That advent calendar is absolutely darling!! I love all the little details.

I am so glad you are enjoying your new job. I am certain the kids absolutely ADORE you and I can totally see you rocking.out with your tongs mic :)

XOXO

Erin

Alanna said...

WOW Jeanne, I know I shouldn't be surprised to see something like this coming from you but this is just so fabulous. I can't even imagine the number of hours that you spent on this. It is truly a work of art and I'm sure your family will cherish it each and every year. Such a special project.

Sorry about the mishap during the way -- not what you need when working on something of this magnitude.

It sounds like your job is keeping you busy. I'm glad that you are getting cross trained in several areas. I always feel that that makes an employee more valuable. And I had to chuckle about you memorizing some of the numbers and impressing the 2nd graders. Too cute.

Here's hoping for a Broncos win today!

Gloria said...

OH MY HECK!! I KNOW how much work that is. It is beautiful. I have several started that I have never finished. Now I'm motivated!! Maybe I will have them all done by NEXT Christmas.. LOL I know I don't comment much, but I sure do enjoy all your posts.

Merry Christmas from Central Utah!!

hugs..gloria :)

cm said...

I LOVE X LOVE your cross-stitched Advent Calendar, and I know how much work went into creating it! As Kay noted: this will be a treasured keepsake in your home for many years to come! Now I'll be on the lookout for a pattern! In awe! I still have my nephew's Noah's Ark birth sampler to finish - and he's nearly three! You've given me motivation to get after it! Sounds like you and your job are a perfect fit! Thank you so much for stopping by my blog; I'm thrilled and incredibly glad to have made a return visit. Seriously LOVING your calendar!
~c

Michelle Price said...

This is amazing!

Faye Wynn-Jones said...

Wow, Jeanne, what a fantastic project. You rock! Thank you so much for all the lovely comments you leave me. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and New Year x