Wednesday 4 December 2013

Christmas and Cats

Well, as you know I live in the of the North India which doesn't have that real change of the seasons. These days we have +25 in day time and around +8+9 in the evening. The house feels more cold than outside. We never get snow here, and hence I cannot FEEL winter. So as I have been doing for the past 3 years, I IMAGINE winter.. :) I imagine the frosty morning air, and looking at the evening sky I expect it'd snow... I also try to create that winter holidays mood around me, preparing little gifts.
This time I couldn't wait more and tried my hands at cross stitching. I used to admire all the beautiful needle work people do: absolutely amazing pictures, made with love and warmth of their hearts. I wanted to start learning this craft. My D took me to the local shop called "Chhotu Motu" in Hindi, means "Big and Small", miscellaneous. There I purchased 10 skeins of Anchor thread and 50 cm of fabric + 2 tapestry needles. All cost me 130 Rs. or 2.09 USD. I think it is damn cheap! 
Here is my first cross stitch picture - a Christmas cat :) I know the stitches are uneven, and as I used 3 strands of thread, the crosses came out too thin. But I am happy with this first try and enjoyed the process a lot! This cross stitch was washed and intended to be made into a card. The pattern is here.  I have started another small picture, and I am using 4 strands of thread, which looks way better.
 One more very quick Christmas themed project was a mini stocking made with this pattern. I didn't make any more stockings so far. It's a good project to engage with as you can use scraps of yarn to hook it up.
Meet Mellow, a toy cat. Mellow - Meow + Yellow and it is soft :) Hehe. It was such a spontaneous thing to make, originally it is a crochet applique. I made two such appliques and stitched them together.  Pattern is here, it is a Russian forum/website. 
 I didn't really like the idea of making so many cat appliques for a blanket, it is too boring, and now a toy makes me smile and meow every day :) I am definitely a cat girl!
Tomorrow I am joining new office, and I am very excited about a new job and a new place to work in. Details later and wish me luck! Thanks for wonderful comments about my blanket, you made my day and days to come!
Have a wonderful second half of the week, my dears! Take care! Meow!

28 comments:

  1. Good luck with your new job! And your cross stitch came out great too, as did Mellow! The first cross stitch kit I ever did was a peacock. Leave it to me to start with a hard design! I love needlework. My fave is beaded cross stitch.

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    1. Thanks, Jojo! Well, I suppose you like everything beaded :) I'd love to see your cross stitch works!

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  2. Cute cats! Good luck on your new job!

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  3. The precious mini-stocking is my favorite! I know how you feel about missing cold weather. Have a great December! Linda@Wetcreek Blog

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    1. Thanks, Linda! have a great December as well!

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  4. I'm a cat girl too! Love your crochet cat. I used to do cross stitch but my eyes have betrayed me. :-( When I did cross stitch, I used two strands for size 14 Aida cloth. Maybe the size of cloth is your problem. You are doing great though...keep it up!

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  5. Your first attempt on cross stitch is very nice, I do love mellow, very cute :)

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  6. Look at all the fun things you have made, I love them. I also love your finished blanket, lots of work for you I know but it was all worth it.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  7. Beautiful and cute cats!
    Greetings...

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  8. I love all your projects Anna, they are all so sweet. I used to love doing cross stitch but I find it very tiring on my eye's now. I think your first project has turned out very well, I used to be quite addicted at one time, I always love the finished product and the detail that can be achieved. Good luck with your new job, I hope you enjoy your first day. :)

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  9. I always want to try cross stitch, but I just don't have the patience. I love Mellow. My sis-in-law is a cat girl, I think I will make one for her, especially as she left her four cats behind when she married my brother. :)
    Looking forward to the details of your new job. Now that my son is grown up and does not need me around, I so miss my job. Thankfully crochet keeps me sane. LOL
    Love and hugs

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  10. Oh I love cross-stitch! I made a cat one too! You know i am a cat loving person, so I just adore that little santa cat!! and your crocheted one too!! Good luck at the new job!!! Just relax and enjoy! You will be fine!!

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  11. Wow Anna!! Congratulations on the new job! I have to share some things with you too. I will mail you soon :-) Mellow is so cute :-)
    I know, if we convert the amount we pay for the yarn and other accessories in India, it feels so economical :-) I'm planning to ask my mum to get me some Vardhman yarn when she visits me ;-)
    -Ranjitha

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  12. It's cold winter here, snow is falling from the evening sky and my imagination is about a warm and bright place with a lot of fresh air - seaside for example. Snow in the nature is beautiful, but snow in the city is turning to grey slushy very fast. Congrats for the new job! I hope you'll be happy there. Your cross stitch Christmas cat is wonderful. I like it very much even I am not a cat girl but a doggy admirer :)

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  13. I love all your new creations! I am a cat girl too ;o) Meow ;o) LOL! All the best on your new job ;o) Hugs ;o)

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  14. I love the cat card and especially that gorgeous crochet cat! So cute! Elisabeth x

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  15. Wow! Your cross-stitch supplies were cheap. Would pay a whole heck of a lot more than that here. I learned to cross-stitch over 30 years ago from a lady I worked for after school who had a preschool in her garage. I don't do it much anymore. My eyes and my patience aren't what they used to be. If you are using 14 count aida, then I only use 2 strands of floss. I think if you put some backstitch around the white part of the cats hat it would show up much better. Turned out very cute, though. I want to make some small things but just can't get going, so am trying to at least make some crocheted items. Mellow is very cute. I made a bunch of stockings last year, but haven't done any so far this holiday season. Hope all goes well with your new job. Always nice to have a change. Best wishes, Tammy

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  16. I know ho badly you must be missing the REAL winter :) Nice to see cute lil' things that you've made. They look lovely.

    Congrats and all the best for your new job

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  17. wow..cute cross stitch and crochet

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  18. What a cute cat - Mellow Yellow! :)

    Good luck with your new job, and I hope you have a pleasant December.

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  19. Congrats on your first cross stitch project!! :) your crocheted items look very sweet!! I hope you have adjusted with new job and enjoying it. All the best !!:)

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  20. I do alot of FEELING the seasons, too. CONGRATS on the new job - hope it's everything you wanted it to be! Love the cross-stitch - have always admired the handstitchers in the world, knowing how much patience (and good eyesight) it takes. The stocking and cat are delightful - I can see why it makes you smile so much. XOXO Tanya

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  21. Oh, I just love your kitty projects! Wishing you and your family a magical Christmas filled with love and laughter. Best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year. Thank you for your friendship. !

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  22. beautiful post... and best wishes for your new job..

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  23. The cat looks very funny! I like it very much!

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  24. Congrats on your first cross stitch project, it looks great!

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