I’ll get to actual Christmas posts in a bit, but I just wanted to share something that’s been a huge project of mine over the past couple of years: the kids’ stockings. It all started innocently enough. On visits to North Carolina during Christmastime, I saw some beautiful stockings at Colin and Jill’s house. I’m not sure who made them–Jill’s grandmother maybe?–but the detail and sparkles and cuteness stuck with me. In my pre-stocking-making naivete, I thought to myself, “Wouldn’t that be fun if I could make some for my kids?” And, so, I went online and ordered two stocking kits from Bucilla. The kit comes with detailed instructions and all the materials you need to make a stocking.

And then I opened the first one. It was clear within minutes that, especially for someone with absolutely no embroidery or hand-stitching experience, these were going to be a lot of work. And they have been (hundreds of hours maybe?), but I am thrilled with the final products and I hope that my children will love them for years to come. Maybe they can even pass them onto their own children some day. I’ve certainly learned a lot and have even have a favorite embroidery stitch now–the chain stitch.

Here are some pictures for those of you (a.k.a. my mom) that don’t live nearby:

I made Calder's stocking last year. As it turns out, his stocking was actually simpler than Amelie's, so it's a good thing I started with his.

Lots of trial and error (and love) went into these stockings.

This year he was in love with this train.

More of the detail work. Everything on these stockings is stitched, embroidered, sequined, and appliqued by hand.

This year, I tackled Amelie's stocking and got it done on Christmas Eve.

So many little details! I was grateful for everything I'd learned while making Calder's stocking.

The darling Sugar Plum Fairy. Her face was the part I was most nervous about stitching, but I think it turned out all right.

More details.

These little buggers took me forever--each red stripe is embroidered.

I’m really happy with how they turned out and am glad I made them, even if they have taken me a really long time to make. Maybe I’ll get faster as I go–I’m sure a more experienced seamstress would go much faster. I should probably get started on one for baby number 3 a.s.a.p. Anyway, just wanted to share!