Melissa Shirley Reindeer Christmas Stocking

 Here is my latest 18ct. project.  I try to keep an 18ct. and a 13ct. going at the same time so I do not get bored.  This is a Melissa Shirley stocking for my daughter.  I am using a stitch guide by the very talented Diana Bosworth of the French Knot needlepoint shop.  I just love the reindeers!!  Wonder why they call them reindeers?  Were there deers that actually pulled sleds? Interesting.

I will keep you posted on my progress.

Melissa Shirley's Noah's Ark Stocking

 Here is a completed picture of my own stocking from a vintage Melissa Shirley canvas.  This is one of the first times I trusted my own instincts and did my own stitches.  I got some vintage thread off of ebay for the tigers...it's a really rough old wool with old fashioned tiger colors.

 I think the alligators are my favorite.  The teeth are beaded.  I like the panda's too!

 I beaded each heart/triangle decoration...that took forever!  So many beads!!!

 Another view of the top of the ark...I think the two matching birds are cute!

I used floche for the yellow background.

I started this in August of 2013 and finished it right around Christmas but it was too late for 2013 Christmas so this is the first year I will display it.

Melissa Shirley Noah Santa Stocking

 This is my finished Melissa Shirley Noah Santa stocking.  I went with a totally different background stitch than the pictures below.  It's been sent off for finishing and I will post a picture when he returns.

I used this stitch.  It's from a wonderful book that if you do not own, you must get...Stitch Landscape by Little Shoppe Canvas Company, Inc.

 I really like how his beard turned out.  I used Silk and Ivory in various shades for the stitch.

Fly by Night Stocking

 Here is my fly by night stocking I am doing for my son Aaron.  I love the snow stitch.  I used opal and white ribbon floss.  Here is the stitch posted below.  I hope to meet the September finishing deadline!!