The other day I was asking Tim to give me some ideas for Christmas embroidery patterns. As always, he gave me ‘I don’t know’ but I forced him to spit out Christmasy things… santa, reindeer, candy canes, kids in their beds dreaming about what they want for Christmas.. ahh! I ran to the bookshelves to find one of my childhood favorites, Gyo Fujikawa’s A to Z Picture Book. I loved this page when I was a kid. So I loved this idea! And I swear it was like the 5th thing he threw out there. I’m going to force him to brainstorm more often.
Here’s my first dreaming-of-Christmas fellow. Remind you of anyone?
I was thinking of doing this as redwork but wasn’t really feeling it. But I also didn’t want to get a bunch of colors going because I’m thinking maybe 10 of these in the series (wouldn’t that make a cute quilt!) and man that’d be a lot of work, it’s so much easier to embroider all in one color. So now I’m thinking maybe all one color for each design? This guy’s in navy.
It’s hard to believe I’m thinking Christmas, especially since I’m in total denial that it’s already Fall and the air conditioning is still on. But it’s feeling pretty easy to be overrun by stress and uncertainty this past week and I’m really trying to focus on our own little reality here, like how Christmas is fast approaching and I’m going to try to make it as fun and awesome as possible for these kiddos.
What a lovely idea! I hope these do end up as a quilt…adorable!
Oh, it’s darling. I love the idea of updating classic images like that. I would personally be thrilled if you did something like this to sell because I used your free elf embroidery designs for Christmas stockings last year for my brudder and his wife… and they are about to have their first baby in November, so I need to come up with something for baby’s stocking that looks similar to the elves (like a cozy little baby elf).
So adorable! I love Gyo Fujikawa’s A to Z Picture Book!! I also have Babies which is a board book my daughter won’t let go of and she’s 4 now. 🙂
I love those illustrations.
I love the idea of getting us ready for Christmas. I know my daughter would love to get going on some gifts for people right now!
Oh, that’s so adorable! I love the quilt idea.
I absolutely ADORE this Hillary!!! I want to do this for my kiddos…but I can’t embroider that great yet..someday 🙂
What a great idea-love it!
Oh Hillary! Please PLease PLEASE PLEASE make more of these — and at the VERY VERY VERY least PLEASE make that little guy above available…
It’s so perfect for me – our newest little one is referred to as SpacePirate and we’ve done his room up in an awesome Space theme… this would be so perfect done up with his name and framed above his crib!
Please?! Please?! With a cherry on top?
ooh i’ve never seen that one. i have gyo fujikawa’s ‘night before christmas.’ my son loves it so much we read it year round. i LOVE the illustrations. they’re dreamy
Wow – I can just imagine pillowcases with this embroidery. Or a pajama t-shirt top? With fun flannel pants?
omigosh…fabulous!!! and i think the quilt idea with each embroidery in a different color is just beyond words…LOVE IT.
Yay! I’m not the only one already thinking about Christmas! (Actually I started to think about it a month ago. Is that bad?) Love the Embroidery.
I LOVE this idea Hilary, can’t wait to see more.
I love that snowman printed fabric you ordered! So cute 🙂
And I can’t wait to see the finished embroidered set. This is a really great idea!
that is such a cute idea! your hubby is one smart dude!
oooooooooh yes yes! wonderful!
Absolutely charming!!!!!
PLEASE make this series and sell the patterns to your adoring fans. We loved Gyo Fujikawa books in my family and I still have several, albeit falling-apart, copies.
I’m thinking Christmas too and feeling slightly crazy about that. Love the Gyo Fujikawa book – my favorite is “Millie’s Secret”: http://kellyjohnston.typepad.com/sketchbook/2008/03/early-exposure.html
ok. that is pretty much darling. how about a little girl dreaming of fabric and yarn? oh wait, that’d be me.
I’m working on Christmas right now, too! Kit, Chloe and Louise are going to be under the tree for my 6 year old this year, and if I’ve got time to spare (ha!)I might even get one or more put together for the new baby in my arms.
Keep up the Christmas work~I, too, am doing mine without AC and yet temperatures of 95 degrees. Ick!
This is such a sweet idea! I love when brainstorming sessions turn out like that. I have never seen that book, and really love it. Thanks for the prompt to start thinking about handmade holidays!
I’ve been thinking about our Christmas stockings for the last few weeks. Thanks for sharing your choices, fresh but traditional. I like the new embroidery, a series would make up a nice quilt. Spaceboy could be a nice companion too.
I have been reading your blog for quite some time, and finally have something to write to you about!
I was at an estate sale last weekend and found the most fantastic embroidery pattern that IS kit chloe and louise in their… more grown up years. or maybe, kit chloe and louise’s MOMS? or grandmas?
It’s already been started by the woman who used to own it, but you should have a look at it, and if you like it let me know your address, i’ll ship it to you.
I’ll never finish it, and your dolls should have a nice family portrait to look at.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3028/2896394525_914c117eac.jpg?v=0
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30770252@N06/2897238864/in/photostream/
there they are.
all my best,
Ava
This is so cute! I just wanted to let you know I have featured it today on Cuteable. http://cuteable.com/
I love the new embroidery, and it’s not too early to think about Christmas! I have a couple of things stockpiled already, and I need to return to my list and get back to it! I always strive to be done crafting by November, (this still has not happened), I find that working on projects ahead makes them fun versus stressful!
Great idea! Maybe we should make embroideries with our dream wishes as well…
that is wonderful!! I love it.
you are not alone – i have been thinking christmas for weeks now. i am planning on making all my gifts, so if I don’t start now, it will never happen. plus, I make a christmas mix cd every year for friends and family, and it takes awhile to put together, so I am already listening to christmas music…
oh how brilliant! i’ve been thinking Christmas too- already have my red velvet ready to make the little one’s first stocking!
I’m officially in love with your blog! 🙂
By the way, thank you for answering me about Gyo Fugikawa’s book there on flickr. =D
Kisses from sunny Rio!
I LOVE your pattern! That would make such a nice gift for many of my work friends. I work at what is referred to around here as the “rocket ranch” and many of my friends are big kids playing with big toys. Your pattern reminded me also of a picture that I’ve been wanting to buy- and maybe your lil’boy would get a kick out of it too- it’s called My Tiny Rocket.
http://artistamuvek.blogspot.com/2006/08/kisraktm-my-tiny-rocket.html
Keep on creating- I love all the ideas that you dream up!
Hey, just thought of a question- if you were going to make one of little Hillary dreaming…what would that image look like?
-Clara
Ah … my son loves robots, rockets and space! I love it, and so would he. Have you decided to make it into a Christmas embroidery kit – maybe one for little boys???