A Gift From Bethlehem

Last August I posted about a small wool work nativity I wanted to make before Christmas. That was easily done, I finished the stitching in one afternoon in September! 

It's not a complete finish but it is farther along. I thought I had a frame that would fit the stitchery but I don't. I checked at Michael's and they don't have one that is the right size. Hmmm, I'm going to have to improvise but I'll probably wait until next year.

The pattern for A Gift From Bethlehem is available from Litttle Bits by Joan.

I was in Wakarusa last week and took a picture of the flower garden at rest. There is a Nativity in there now.

I also took a long view picture of the Christmas tree in the main square so it's a bit blurry. 

A tree in the center of the main intersection means no left turns and don't try turning it into a roundabout. The police frown on that. 

Linking to Kathys Slow Stitching Sunday, Stitching Stuff, Oh Scrap, Handmade Monday, Sew & Tell, Design Wall Monday, Craftastic Monday, Monday Musings

A Gift From Bethlehem

Last May I posted about a wool work pincushion I had made called Woodland Gatherings. I had purchased the kit at Caroline's Cottage Cottons (260-854-3900) in Rome City. In that post I mentioned I had purchased another wool work project which I hoped to have completed by Christmas.

That project is called A Gift From Bethlehem. You can check with Caroline to see if she has any kits left. If she doesn't, you can purchase the pattern online from Little Bits by Joan who designed the pattern. I see she also has kits available which include the frame. Caroline didn't include a frame with her kit.

I've never had good success with iron on adhesives. This time I've used EZ-Steam II on the backside of the wool pieces. 

This adhesive is different from steam-a-seam or wonder under. There is a sticky adhesive so you can actually stick it on the background so it stay put before you iron it down.

I followed the instructions exactly like they said and pressed on top of a damp cloth, it seems to have worked! I let the block rest after pressing so it could cool down and dry off. 

I am very glad to say the pieces have all adhered!

I am disappointed though in the colors of the wools used. Joseph and Mary's clothing is rather drab. The only brightness is the star. Hopefully outlining everything with perle cotton with make it more interesting.

This isn't a full time handwork project, this is a small project to work on at the monthly handwork get-together at Elaine's house. I should have it finished before Christmas.

I was in Wakarusa last week to get my hair cut so of course I took a picture of the quilt garden.

Here is a link to Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail. I haven't made it to any of the other quilt gardens to take pictures.

Linking to Kathys Slow Stitching Sunday, Stitching Stuff, Oh Scrap, Handmade Monday, Sew & Tell, Design Wall Monday, Craftastic Monday, Monday Musings