Christmas Stockings

My mother made Christmas stockings for everyone in my family. I know she spent a lot of thought and time into making them and so I loved my stocking, and I knew that when I had my own family I would make stockings for them. So for our first Christmas as a married couple I made two stockings out of felt. Chris had a Santa Claus, and mine had Mrs. Claus. They weren't my worst creations, but I really wasn't content with them. So I started brain storming. I spent hours working on other ideas but it wasn't until we had been married for two and half years that I discovered what worked for me. Chris was in Iraq and Landon was six months old, my mom and I went to Mormon Handicraft, on some other errand and I found the perfect stocking patterns for my little family. I started with Landon's. It took me two weeks of working hard during Landon's nap times, but this is the end result.

It turned out well, except I made the teddy bear too big...maybe someday I'll get around to making a different one.

Then I started on Christopher's stocking. It took me less time, because there was less to piece together, but I never finished the teddy bear. I still need to put a face on the bear and make the skis.

I was so burned out on crafts by this time, that I stopped working on them, until a couple of months ago. After making that dress for Andie (see October post) I was once again in the mood to sew. I got going on My stocking since I had the fabric for it already.

As you can see I still haven't made the teddy bear. When done, it will rest inside the quilt.
Then I contemplated making Sam's. I looked at the pattern and immediately became discouraged. SO MANY TINY PIECES! After a few weeks of procrastination, Chris gave me a pep talk and I got to work. (I'm sure it was because he was tired of the fabric mess that was littering our little living room.)

I still have a few final touches to work on this one as well. The fire truck needs head lights and there is actually a piece missing above the grill...and of course the teddy bear. (those teddy bears are not my favorite things to make.)

I know, you're probably thinking: "why is she showing us these when she knows they are not done?" I'm showing these to you now, because I promised several family members that I would show them off this year. I'm done working on them now. (at least until next year) I do think they all turned out really well, though. So a big thanks go out to my mom. She gave me a sewing machine, helped me find the patterns, encouraged me, and -most of all- she taught me to sew. When I was a little girl she sent me to sewing classes at the local Jr. High, and that gave me a good foundation, but since then I've done so many projects with her help and advice. She's the best sewing teacher I could have ever asked for. It's because of her that I love sewing.

Thanks mom!!