RJ Ward Design

Quite a few years ago I tried my hand at Needle Punch Embroidery. I've had this cardinal laying around finished (along with tons of other projects) deciding what I was going to do with it. At first my initial idea was to frame it. I have a mat cutter but to be honest I have no idea how to use the darn thing. When I was on a sewing/crafting binge it finally came to me just to make a pillow. I have enough cross-stitch pictures hanging and even some that need to be hung and finished. The hard part was already done. I had already blanket stitched the Cardinal to the red felt. I had in my stash of fabric that nice green fleece that just happened to match perfectly. I made the pillow into an envelope style so when the holidays were over I can go back to the original pillow that matches the chairs. I love this pillow! I really think I need to make 2012 the year of finishing up all my projects that I have started, framing all the cross-stitch pictures that I've taken

Wishing everyone a Prosperous New Year and a Merry Christmas! 

It all started with my 14 year old son stating the fact that our dog Bailey and everyone else for that matter had a bigger stocking than him and how much he'd like a new one for Christmas. I found a pattern on Embroidery Library's   Project page for a Rag Quilt Stocking. I really didn't want to go that route but I did want the pattern piece to trace my fabric onto. I went through all my fabric stash that I've bought including 4 yards of neutral canvas I got at a thrift store, various other Christmas fabrics that I've had for years, and remnants that I've purchased. I used the canvas for the cuff and lining because I wanted the stockings to be stiff without using interfacing. I used my embroidery machine and embroidered all our names before I did any stitching. Can you tell which one is our dog's? My daughter loved that fabric and actually wanted it for her stocking but she got the red printed snowman instead. The boys got the army print. It's