Lots of Victorian styled lovlies

I've got some WIPs to share and also a couple of new projects that I will hopefully be starting soon.

I've been working on Sue Hillis' Christmas in the Kitchen as a SAL with a couple of ladies on Flosstube.  I had not done much one it, but about a week ago really felt in the mood for it.  (Finally.)  So I pulled it out and got it about half done. 

 I changed the called for threads in the word Christmas at the top.  I used a merino wool and silk blend that also has some sparkle running through it.  It's a thin yarn, intended for needlepoint, but it works ok on this 14ct fabric.  I purchased it on a whim last year, simply thinking I would do something Christmas related with it.  I think it works perfectly for this project.

Next is a project that I am creating myself.  Not the patterns, but the stitching and decorating of this object was my idea.  All the patterns I'm using come from the book, Anne Orr's Charted Designs.  It's filled with Victorian motifs, silhouettes, alphabets (it shows you how to space and place your letters for monograms as well,) and florals.  

I found this rounded box that spins at a craft store.  It has six photo frames around the outside and the lid comes off.  As soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted to turn it into a stitching box.  I currently have four pictures done for the outside frames.  I have a lot of plans for the inside to dress is up and make it nice and lovely.

I've still been working on the Edwardian Garden Party by Cross Stitch Collection magazine.  I started it at the beginning of last year and have pretty much been working steadily since then.  I'm about 2/3 of the way through.  I just finished this gentleman in his suit last week and the lady next to him, I did her face, hat and decolletage last night.  I'm hoping to get her dress done in the next 2-3 days.

I recently went on quite a search, trying to find one of the patterns for Judy Odell's project, Attic Collection Stitcher's Accessory book.  It was quite the adventure trying to find one, as it is an old pattern that is no longer easily found.  I ended up contacting Judy Odell herself and even she had a hard time finding one ~ but in the end, I found two!  It was given several different pattern ways.  And I'm so excited to have two of them.

This is the original one I found out about and was looking for:

It has two color options, the one shown being Autumn and another that is Summer.  I'm going to kit up the Summer version ~ it is variegated purples and lemon yellows and navy blues.

Then this pattern is called Floral Romance Remembered.  I'm going to kit it up as well.

As well as stitching, I've been doing a lot of baking.  This week a wanted to see if I could create a recipe for Butterbeer Cookies ~ like the drink in Harry Potter.  I did pretty good if I say so myself.  Everyone gave these a thumbs up.

Recipe:

1 butter cake mix, 

2 eggs, 

1/2 C oil, 

2 Tbls water, 

1 tsp. cinnamon, 

1/2 C butterscotch bits, 

1/2 C english toffee bits

Mix all ingredients by hand until batter is smooth and shiny. Drop by tablespoon full onto parchment lined cookie sheets and bake for 10 minutes at 350*. Once cooled, make the icing drizzle ~ 1 C powdered sugar, 1 Tbls vanilla, 2 Tbls french vanilla coffee creamer. Drizzle over cooled cookies.

From my home to yours ~ enjoy!