The 12th day of Christmas is celebrated today on January 6th as the holidays are already just a memory. The decorations have been packed away, the holiday stitching finished up as I share just a few more of the ornaments that I stitched for next years tree.
These are a few of these cute little bags by What’s the Point? that I worked on over the last couple of weeks. A quick stitch and oh so fun to do! A stitching friend of mine has stitched many of these and hangs them on her trees where Santa deposits gifts in them for the taking! What a clever idea.
January 6th is the Feast of the Epiphany, when the 3 Wise Men finally completed their trip to deliver their gifts. Many people think of the 12 days of Christmas leading up to the holidays, but it is really the 12 days after Christmas! Growing up, we usually took down our decorations on this day, but today my house has long been undecorated!
In Italy it would be the day of La Befana, a lovable good witch who brings presents for all the children. In New Orleans as they ready for Mardi Gras it is King Cake that is plentiful during this day. A little treasure is tucked inside and if you are lucky enough to find it, it allows you certain privileges and obligations.
In Mexico it is Dia de Reyes or Day of Kings. When I worked in the restaurant the guys would bring in Rosca de Reyes or King Cake. A sweet bread braided and loaded with fruits and if you were the lucky one to get the little baby hidden in the cake…well you were lucky enough to host the party! As the host or hostess, you are the one to bring the tamales to the party traditionally held February 2nd which is Dia de la Candelaria. This is the day that candles are brought to the church to be blessed. February 2nd is also the midway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox and if you are anxiously awaiting the arrival of spring training as I am…you know that it is only a few short weeks till pitchers and catchers report!
AlleyCat is still not letting me out of her sight! She is keeping her eye on me as I am taking care of my plants. Shhh don’t tell her that I will be leaving them again in a few weeks! and until next time…keep on stitching
such great finishes! what thread/technique did you use for the ruching effect? love it!
It is done with River Silk 4mm Silk Ribbon. Slightly padded underneath with #5 pearl cotton and just stitch over it, allowing the ribbon to ruffle and ruche! No laying no tool, no worries! Thanks for the compliemts
I have enjoyed reading your blog so much that I started one of my own. Check it out at stephsstitching.blogspot.com. Happy New Year!
Thank you Steph! I will have to check it our right now. Happy new Year to you too!
What are the background stitches on those bags? They are lovely for such a small space.
One is an elongated cross stitch that is filled in with another cross stitch in Kreinik. Believe that you would find that stitch charted in one of Julia Snyder’s books. The other is a brick stitch and that you run Kreinik under the stitches, compliments of Brenda Hart! Thank you