much better

When the storm blew in this weekend, it sadly canceled all of our planned holiday parties and festivities. The bright side of that was a cozy, at-home weekend with some unexpected time to make things. I found myself working on this project had nearly written off for another year. On the year of each of the boys births, I knit them their stocking. And somewhere along the way, made one for Steve and I as well. But Adelaide - well, that first holiday season of hers she was just three months old. And the boys were 2 and 4, and I was one really tired Mama. That year I made a 'temporary' stocking, assuring myself that the following year I'd have more time and energy to make one I really loved. It didn't happen last year. I was a year off, but who cares - it finally happened this weekend. It came out just as I've imagined it to be in my head for a long time.

The embroidery is Hillary's Elf Stitchette. Adelaide says that it's her holding me. Oh, gosh - what those kids do to my heart is crazy. The base of the stocking is a worn and soft vintage matelasse bedspread that belonged to my grandmother. The other bits and pieces are all quilt pieces I've found, treasured and squirreled away for just the right project. Like this one.

I had no idea that a full set of family stockings complete could bring me such happiness. But it does. It really does.

Comments

[cyndi]

that's a really sweet stocking. almost as sweet as your daughter's comment.

[jean]

that is such a perfect corner.

[heather]

so beautiful, amanda. really, really beautiful. next holiday season "inspired by this" in the shop kind of beautiful. holy dang diggity, you've done it again girl!

[Jennifer]

Your stockings came out beautifully! We, too, had wonderful weekend plans that were dashed by a big snow and ice storm, so you have my complete sympathy! I did make my son a wonderful stocking when he was little, but have never taken the time to make my own (my husband is partial to his childhood one) -- I think I too may put Hillary's pattern to good use and make one for myself for next year....

Merry merry to you and yours, and thank you for everything you share with us here all year long~

[suzie sews]

Your home looks so lovely...

[Cathy]

So beautiful, thank you for sharing!

[Heather Wilson]

I love the embroidery. It's simply perfect and she will treasure it I'm sure!

[Sarah]

so wonderfully heartwarming.

[Devida Bushrod]

Perfect, just perfect...x

[Marie]

Really wonderful! I love those elf stitchettes, I made some ornaments out of them myself. :)

[Mary Beth]

Very lovely--I especially am fond of the elf stitchette on there--adorable!

[Claudia]

The stitchettes are just the cutest. I have them somewhere ready to go - just need to find the time. Here's to unexpected moments of crafting peace at this busy, busy time.

[Ram in the Thicket]

I love her stitchettes. What a great stocking! ;o)

[julia]

very beautiful, i'm sure she'll love it for years to come. and what a great collection you now have!

love the new banner too.

[Poppins]

It makes such sense that it brings you happiness. Think of the math: full family, full set of stockings, full heart.

[Cath]

So lovely! I still treasure a stocking made by my grandmother.

[Elizabeth]

The stocking is lovely, but what makes me even happier is vicariously enjoying the feeling of a long-dreamed of project -finally- done! So wonderful.

And I love that Wendell Berry is on your list.

[wendy]

Very cute!

I still haven't made stockings for my 5 little ones. I'm hoping '08 is the year.

[Sharon]

I absolutely LOVE your new banner! I love that blue punctuated with red. It's a color combination that I often forget, and am always delightfully surprised by when I think I've "discovered" it again!
And your stairway is just so wonderful! If you were going for homey, inviting, and sweet, you did it!
I just remembered a game show I used to watch in England where they would tour a celebrity home and the contestants had to guess the home-owner. Talk about voyeuristic! But I was just envisioning your house as a dead give-away for Ms. Soule's house.

[barbara]

so enjoyed this post...just a couple of nights ago I finally finished a stocking for my little one who is, yikes, 3! Had it started last year but didn't make it to completion, but fortunately it didn't seem to register for her. But this year it was clearly important. So I can totally relate to the total joy from a complete set of family stockings!

[Kirsten Michelle]

i love your beautiful new banner and the stocking is so aborably sweet. these little glimpses into your life and home are such an inspiration.

[Marcia]

You are so creative to think to use that stichette like that...I LOVE IT! You have made something your little one will treasure for a lifetime.

[Carrie]

So special. Not only is it cute, but the fact that the material was once part of Adelaide's Great garndma's bedspread,and the other pieces were collected over the years. That's what gets me!

[Emily]

Oh the stocking is lovely! - and the family of stockings is such a warm and cozy image.

I want to make new stockings for the family but I have a lot of guilt about it. As wedding gifts, my Mother in law knit matching stockings for each of her 4 children and their new spouses with name and year of marriage on them. Then as we all had children, she knit stockings for each grandchild with name and year of birth. They are wonderful but my children were the last 3 and by the time she made them, she let me know many many times that she did not enjoy making them and they were only knit out of obligation. When I pull them out each year, I see no love in them.

Anyway, more than you needed to know. You put so much love and care in everything you make. It's beautiful. --and so inspiring. Thank you.

[melody]

Absolutely adorable!!

[camerashymomma]

oh it's beautiful! that girlie is so sweet. and the dolly. man it makes me weak in the knees! i also love the quiltpatch heel of the stocking! as usual, your design is so unique!

[Amber]

The stocking turned out wonderful! I am in love with Hillary's stitchettes, though I've never made any. This one is just perfect for Adelaide's stocking.

[equisetaceae]

I had no idea that a full set of your family stockings complete could bring me such happiness. But it does.

:)

[claire]

That it so lovely. What a wonderful tradition you have in your family. Hopefully it'll continue in years to come.

[Kirsten]

Your stockings are wonderful, I love the one for Adelaide.

[Jenni]

Lovely stockings! I also love how you hung them on the banister - I'm doing that, too.

[Mrs. B.]

Those look so sweet all hanging together!
The patch on the bottom of your newest addition is so charming. Just perfect.

[Grace]

super cute. it's definitely my favorite of the bunch. ;) i love the white.

[asti]

Beautiful - the white and red so clean and fresh. Love the heel too..

[Caren]

Oh, so sweet! I'd seen the little elf in your other photos - it's so nice to see the completion!

And I am going to remember Adelaide holding you for a long, long time. That just breaks my heart wide open. If you ever feel lonely, break out that Christmas stocking and look at that elf; you'll remember every time you see it!

[Meredith]

Beautiful, and meaningful too. What a treasure.

[Krystal]

The idea of her holding YOU is just about the most precious thing I have ever heard and made my eyes water when I read it.

[Bella Nashe]

My daughter was 6 months old at her first Christmas and I hastily sewed together a stocking but didn't have time to embroider on it as I wanted to so I just glued some felt letters on spelling out her name, plus a few holly leaf shapes - all cut from felt.
You won't be surprised whenh I say I never quite got round to stitching them after Christmas as I had intended. What is perhaps surprising is that the stocking looks as good as ever - even though she is now twenty four and a half!

[kort]

her holding you...ah! what a sweet one she is. blessings to you all this season.

[Jennifer]

Beautiful. All the stockings look wonderful.
Smiles!

[Sarah Wellmeier]

I adore that stocking.....just perfect!

[emily swell]

I just wandered over today. I love Adelaide's stocking! I've been thinking mulling over what to do with my own Laura Belle's stocking and almost left it for next year (again). Yours gave me a little kick-start of inspiration. Thanks!

[sarah]

Oh, I love this post! I, too, have three children and the plan was to make them their own mama-made stocking the year of their birth. I, too, made it happen until child #3, who was also very new at his first Christmas. And I, too, JUST FINISHED HIS STOCKING...a year late...but he'll never care! I'm still a very tired Mama but I'm happy to say that this year at least the stockings are complete!
I love your blog!

[Beth]

Oh, the heel patch....divine. Stored in the 'future project mental file'

Beth

[Jude]

I love the stitchette stocking! What a great use of the pattern. I like it all in red work too. I have just done a bunch of the new Peppermint fairy stuff in all different colours but I LOVE the solid red. May have to create a second set!
Jude x

[mindful mothering]

I love these stockings! I typed a different response before this one but I think the computer ate it. I am impressed by your thrifting skills! I am not so comfortable taking my kids thrifting, yet. Maybe when they are a bit older, but I'm dieing to get out there again! I suppose I could make it a priority... I smell a [fun] new year's resolution! Anyhoo, lovely stockings. Just lovely.

[lina]

So lovely. Especially love the detail on the heel.

[Emily]

Amanda-

You have no idea how much my heart sings as I read your posts daily. You are an inspirational mother- thank you so, so much for sharing so much here. It has helped me in ways I wish I could express in words. Unbeknownst to you, you have given me encouragement, inspiration and patience in a world full of instant everything.

I truly wish you the happiest of holidays.

Very sincerely,

Emily

[Lissilulu]

lovely Amanda...
wow.Adelaide holding you..that is heartwarming.
I also have been making stockings for my clan.
I am using velvet pieces for the stocking itself for the girls and silk for the heel patch and trim. I also embroidered their names coming down the front.
my son likes nutcrackers though so i used a plaid for his with some shiny buttons.
we hang our stocking coming down our staircase too!
lori
ps.hope you got the email about the great embroidery stitches book.

[Laura]

Beautiful Stockings!