Happy New Year!

2013 is getting off to a great start.  Here is a sneak peek at the pants I'm working on:

Check out that pocket caught into the front dart!  I can't wait to get these finished and start wearing them!

I wasn't able to get as much done on my Christmas sampler as I would have liked, but I did enjoy a couple of nights of stitching during the  holidays.  I was able to add the band of candles:

The candles are satin stitched in #8 pearle cotton and the fir boughs and holly are stitched with one strand of silk.  I will be adding candle flames in metallic gold, and there will be silk ribbon poinsettias added to the greenery as well.  I usually wait until the end to add silk ribbon so I don't snag it while I'm stitching the rest of the sampler.

I was also able to work my way up a bit, too.  The "lace" row is stitched in #8 pearl and still needs a few eyelets and beads added.

Right above the lace row, I have begun prepping for the band of drawn thread work:

I have removed the horizontal threads from the design area.  I still need to remove some from the outer area and weave the remainder in to the sides.  Then I will be ready to do the decorative hemstitching.

I'm still excited about this project, so I plan to continue working on it while the mojo lasts.  What projects are you working on for the New Year?