Thursday, December 23, 2010

'Twas the Night Before (the night before) Christmas...

The Tree, as of this morning:



It's a wonky tree from a certain retailer serving its 5th year of service; we call it the "Leaning Tower of Tree-za" and swear each year to replace it. I picked the star, but it's fitting as it's a "Capiz Star" and very evocative of the Philippines, so it "represents" Marc. :) Usually I stuff a few of the lights in it so it'll glow.



Love this strawberry! (Thanks, Patty!) There may not be enough lights (mine are "frosted white" and "metallic gold", but they still look pretty here.



I get these strands of bells from Walgreens, but I don't know that they had them this year. They look great (esp. the "embossed" ones) even though they are plastic! The berry/leaf/bell item in the center was the decoration on a Christmas cake from Mitsuwa.



My favorite section of the tree. <3



One of my two wishes (or would it be four?) this Christmas. I hope you all have these 3 wonderful virtues this season, my friends and readers! (Thanks again, Andrea!)



These wrapped-twine balls came from ikea last year-the black really adds something--yes, black at Christmas!



Squint through the wintry gloom to see my bear and grazing sheep! Previously, I had the wonderful hornbook Becky sent me wedged into the tree, but I love it here more! :D We haven't done presents under the tree since we moved here (we don't really do presents at Christmas, umn, well, 'cause we're young and poor. What's that? 28 isn't young? Well, the tree does look barren with nothing underneath, so I decided it would make great display space.) I've grown to like my quick-fix for a tree skirt: a holey ol' hand-me-down hunter green vellux blanket from Marc's mom. If you scrunch it around the base it makes a great hillock for the sheep. :D Don't dwell too long on the scale problems here--sheep are 8x the size of the salt-shaker Ginger Cottage and Teddy is 3x a sheep! ;)



I finished the stitching for Santa & Friends: Foxes by Prairie Schooler. :D

I've been agonizing for DAYS over how to finish it; particularly the backing fabric. I WANTED to use the Christmas Doors on a Black Ground that you see here. Finally I thought of what else I should use, and remembered that I want to stitch some of these, and that the black Door fabric is perfect for them. :)

I feel so relieved to know what to do, and will work on it at leisure. In the meantime, I might just wedge the linen, unfinished edge and all, into the tree (Hi, Myra! *waves*)



Finally, here's my not-quite finished Christmas gift to myself! :D I stitched this in DMC 115 over 3 days of not-hard-work. I'm so happy with it, and after I finalize the framing (ironing, padding, lacing) I'll put it somewhere in my kitchen. :)

I've always loved Christmas Eve; maybe it's some remnant of being Norwegian/German, but our family always did the "Big Thing" on Christmas Eve. So much so that I forget/scratch my head about bloggers who are scratching their heads over Christmas Dinner prep. Why, I'd be too busy playing with my new toys (or sleeping off Christmas Eve goodies) to make a Christmas Dinner!


A Very Merry Christmas Eve, And a Happy Festivus, too!

Berit

17 comments:

Christina said...

Happy Christmas Berit! I too have black baubles on my tree!
I love the Christmas present to youself, especially the block frame.
I like that your tree is wonky - it gives it character!

Catherine said...

Berit,
I think your tree is lovely!

A few years ago, I realized that I spent most of Christmas Day cooking and cleaning and not enjoying my family. Soooo, we decided to have our dinner on Christmas Eve. For Chrismtas day, everything is premade - just pop in the oven to heat up and enjoy.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Margaret said...

What a beautiful tree! I love seeing it! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas too!

Anonymous said...

It's a pretty tree! Love your ornaments, the PS finish is great and I love the JBW apple too. Merry Christmas!

Deb said...

I think that all your decorating is lovely Berit. I think you're tree is very nice! And I love all the ornaments on it too. And black on a tree? Why not. I think those ornaments are perfect.

I hope that you have the most wonderful Christmas Berit!

Oh, and I love your Pomme piece too! It will perfect in your kitchen!

Myra said...

I love your little tree Berit. All those ornament memories are what make our trees so special. I just love your PS Santa w/foxes and if you drape it just so no one will even know the finishing has to come later. I may be artistically draping a Hare's Christmas wallhanging over the sofa this evening. ;o) That JBW apple is going to look great in your kitchen. Merry Christmas Eve my friend!

Giovanna said...

Merry Christmas!

Melissa said...

What a lot of lovely ornaments on your tree, Berit! I love the apple that you did for your kitchen too.

We do our big dinner on Christmas Eve as well, then peace on Christmas Day, and a little Boxing Day recreation (aka shopping)!

Have a very Merry Christmas!

Kathy A. said...

Very Merry Christmas Berit! Love your tree and Christmas tidbits!

Sue said...

Your tree and decorations are all very pretty. Have a Merry Christmas!

Daffycat said...

Your tree is lovely!

Merry Christmas, Berit!

Danielle said...

I love your tree. I've been a bit of a Scrooge this year and only just put up the tree a week ago! I'm being lazy tonight but will go to my parent's tomorrow! Hope you're having a great holiday!! Merry Christmas.

Lynn said...

I love your tree with all those great ornaments! Very pretty garland too.
Have a very Merry Christmas!

barbara said...

Christmas Eve used to be "it" for me, too, but with the kids, I find it more practical to save the big celebrating for Christmas Day.

I love your decorating! Our tree skirt is an old piece of green linen that my ex mother-in-law gave me ages ago. ;)

Siobhán said...

Beautiful tree, and finishes! I hope you had a good Christmas!

Melissa Price said...

Merry Christmas (late) and Happy New Year, Berit! I love your ornaments and tree, and especially your Christmas gift to yourself. I keep hoping to find a few free moments to do some stitching myself. Hasn't happened yet, but I'm holding out hope. I'm enjoying the mindlessness of knitting lately. : )

Sharon said...

What a pretty tree! I hope that the New Year will bring lots of stash, laughter, love and time for stitching for you!!! :)