I just finished a big batch of Christmas stockings today for next weekend’s holiday show. Picking out just the right cuff for each one is half the fun. A batch of mittens is next!
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(Click here for the invitation, location and time.)
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My friend Kathy, who I met over a Green Sheep blanket, is hosting this wonderful open house in her own home. I’m honored to be a part of it! If you live in the area, please come. Email me at greensheepjo [at] gmail [dot] com to get the street address. There’ll be refreshments and raffles in addition to a wide assortment of gifts. You’ll find great ideas for family, friends, teachers, hostesses, and even you. We’re all working hard to put on a great day for you!
Over a year ago, Robin saw a photo of “Roasting Chestnuts,” one of my earliest blankets, and set her heart upon it. Of course, setting her heart on it didn’t do her any good, for it had already gone to a loving home. But I did tuck away in my mind the colors that Robin liked. Did I mention that Robin lives in a charming log cabin home? Well, she does.
I didn’t hear anything more about it … until last fall when Robin’s husband emailed and said he wanted to surprise her for Christmas with a blanket for their king-size bed in their charming log home. Did I mention Robin’s husband is my cousin? And that he’s 6’8″? Well, he is.
I said “Yes, I’d love to!” and turned to the felted sweaters I had been collecting with Robin in mind “just in case.” I needed many more sweaters than I had been stockpiling, however. This blanket was not just to top the king-size bed, but to drape over the edge all the way to the box springs. That’s huge — double the size of most of my blankets! This was a new challenge for me.
But, as always, it was an enjoyable challenge. And how could I not be inspired by picturing those beautiful log walls as the backdrop?
My schedule and the weather did not cooperate in my slim window between finishing the blanket and delivering it –I never got a good shot of the entire thing. I’ll have to leave you to your imagination with just these snippets :)
All folded up…
…and packed for delivery. Robin, may you enjoy your Christmas gift from your great husband!
“Red and Green” (size: 110″ x 84″)
This particular item is not available for sale.
In November, my newly-married daughter called and said, “I was thinking of sewing a pair of Christmas stockings for us — but then I thought of you…” Could I maybe sew them a pair? Would there be enough time? Her request fell into place after the year-end orders, and then I made the time. So for my dear daughter and son-in-law on the occasion of their first Christmas: keepsake woolen Christmas stockings.
(Unfortunately, our house is not equipped with its own fireplace mantel for the perfect photo shoot, but I do have this gorgeous oak buffet passed down from my parents. Hmmm, yes, I think it’ll do.)
Green for him:
And red for her:
Stockings are 18.5″ long, 10″ wide, lined with cotton knit.
It’s been a delightful year for The Green Sheep, thanks to all of you! I so appreciate your support as you read the blog and pass the link on to others. Thank you!
And now I simply want to wish you all a Christmas full of WONDER, of HOPE, and of JOY— as we celebrate the day of Jesus’ birth on Earth. Merry, merry Christmas!
[Photo credit: Nigel Roddis/Reuters — Snow-covered sheep in Helperby, England]
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord’” (Luke 2.8-11).
This week, with our Christmas decorations still up, I’ve found myself thinking about the sheep in our nativity set. I’ve thought how very “like God” it was of God to include disrespected shepherds and their not-particularly-smart sheep in His advent here on this planet. The shepherds were among the first to learn that something wondrous was happening in a Bethlehem stable, and they came (with their sheep traipsing along) to see a newborn whose birth had been foretold in ancient scriptures: “For to us a child is born.…and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9.6).
Sheep are mentioned quite a lot in the Bible. Most memorably, people are compared to sheep—lost if without their shepherd, sometimes wandering and astray. When he grew up, Jesus called Himself the good shepherd. When I see that little porcelain lamb peering over the manger’s edge at baby Jesus, this is what I think: Like that lamb, I would be lost without my shepherd, Jesus. What a perfect object lesson God provided when He invited the sheep to the stable.