By the time Christmas gets here, Chad will be 31 years old. This is the point in this blog post where a smarter person would say . .nahh . . this isn’t something I should blog about. Said smarter person would close the computer, pick up the tattered, once white but now yellowed with time, bag and toss the whole thing in the trash . . but not this blogger.
When Chad was an infant, it was so important to me that he have a special, handmade stocking. I bought . . I don’t even know what I bought . . is this needlepoint? It isn’t cross-stitch. I have no idea what I bought but what I do know is that in 30 years, this bag has been moved to 15 different house and has never had much work done on it.
Christmas Stocking
Surely I haven’t done one hour’s worth of work on this thing.
Materials
I’m assuming it’s wool. I didn’t take it out to look but it looks like it says “moth proofed”. It says “needlepoint yarn” so . . maybe this is needlepoint.
Label
It even has the label stapled to the canvas or whatever you call that background stuff. Wonder if “Designing Women” from El Dorado, AR are still around? I did Google the name and it looks like there may be an interior design business by the same name there but I don’t know if they’re the same people. Doubtful .. that was a very long time ago. Even the shop where I bought the canvas and yarn in Lake Charles has long been closed.
Instructions
I even have instructions! There’s a check by Continental Stitch and I’ve written “design” by that. Maybe that’s what I was doing. Who knows?
I don’t have a lot of interest in finishing this thing but I cannot bring myself to throw it away. Chad was a baby! I bought it for him. I should finish it . . or should I?
I will pack it away in another bag. Maybe I’ll put a note in there as to when and why I bought and started it so at least when I’m gone and Chad finds it, he’ll know I had good intentions.
This is why cleaning and going through piles is so scary for me! 🙂
Valerie J. Zagami says
Sadly you are not alone! Never sure what to do with these either. I opted for your thought!
Nancie says
Judy, don’t throw it in the trash. You have 6 months before Christmas–work on it just 30 minutes a day. You can do this. Addie would be impressed that you saved it for a special Christmas gift, and to be handed down through the family. You are great at writing-have your son give it to Addie this year and let her know she can pass it down to her children. Write a little story to go with it.
Liz says
Yes, that is needlepoint and the designer is actually one that I am familiar with…. I think I have a book or two of hers. AndI have a few WIPs as well as designs not started. Everyone does!
You may want to change out the yarn for pearl cotton since I think it is easier to use and doesn’t fray as much. I found some old canvas and pulled out the old yarn and restarted in the pearl cotton.
Tina in NJ says
My husband’s first wife died just after their adopted son turned 1. When we were throwing things out to combine our apartments, we found an almost-done cross stitch design that was clearly meant for a baby boy. I finished it. I think it’s still hanging in his room, and he’s 25 now!
Sherrill Pecere says
I actually got one done for each of my two boys!! No clue where they are right now and bought one for DGD but it’ll never get done (she most likely wouldn’t appreciate it anyway so that let’s me off the hook). I doubt after that length of time it’ll ever get done so pack it up and donate it (unless Chad’s name’s already on there which I didn’t see).
Ruth c says
Maybe Nicole would want to try needlepoint!
Sharon says
Maybe Addie would like to make this? I remember doing some needlepoint when I was only a few years older than she is. Time flies…in a summer or two she might just be ready to attempt something like this…..and if she makes a mess of it so what?
jennifer says
i think you should finish it! it would be a lovely present for Chad (or Addie?!) for Christmas. just tea dye, or something like that, the fabric- don’t’ worry about doing more of the needlepoint (or whatever it is….) and then finish/line it with fabric. since you know you won’t do anymore of the needlepoint, just call it good, (and finished!) and go from there… work with what you have, and don’t’ feel guilty or bad about it anymore!!!
carolyn says
I made counted cross stitch stockings for all 5 of us, but I have a tablecloth to embroider that I got when I graduated high school in 1979…I’ve done one corner and 4 napkins. Someday….LOL!
Suzanne says
At least you started your stocking…I have 3 kits, still sealed in the original packing…the kids are grown with kids of their own…and yet, I can’t bring myself to get rid of them…..