Mary's big tree before decorating. I wonder where she keeps it during the year?
A real treat for today is my facebook friend Mary Roddy’s big Halloween tree. I saw Mary’s tree on the Needlepoint group facebook page and was very astounded the huge number of needlepoint ornaments on it. I contacted Mary and she sent me pictures-I was so excited to see all of her needlepoint Halloween treasures!
Mary is the mother of five, ages 14-22, three girls and two boys, and two senior Bichon Frise dogs. She is a stay at home mom, or as she likes to put it, she is the “Family Manager”! We can relate to that, can’t we, girls?!
Mary wrote in her email, “This year I bought a new 40″ pre-lit tree at Pier 1 for some of the overflow ornaments.” And I do think she needed a second tree!
Mary's new pre-lit tree with Melissa Shirley candy/cracker and square ornaments and Kathy Schenkel cubes on it. I wrote the stitch guides for the M.S.cracker/candy ornaments!
I asked her questions about her fabulous tree and here is what she wrote:
chb: Are the ornaments on your tree all needlepointed and about how many years have you been working on them?
Mary: Yes, all of the ornaments on this 5 foot plus tree are needlepointed!! I add to the collection every year. Some years I stitch more Halloween than other years. Right now there are 108 ornaments. I have already stitched a few new ornaments for next year, they are just not finished yet. (Chapparal finished the Halloween Crackers several years ago…I think you even did the stitch guides for them!!)
chb: Wow, Mary, you have been a very busy girl!!! 108 ornaments!!!
Below are a few of her fabulous collection!
Mary's tree covered with ornaments; I think she needs to add a real owl or real bat for the tree topper!
chb: Are you adding more?
Oh yes!! I just ordered the 6 Barbara Bergsten pink and green ornaments. I have high hopes to stitch those for next year. I am also slowly working on some canvases I got from a monthly club of Halloween ornaments last year. Some of these are probably a little too large to be on the tree though.
(See Barbara’s new pink and green ornaments here: http://www.barbarabergstendesigns.com/halloween.htm)
Pirate!
Melissa Shirley witch hat.
Kathy Schenkel mini scarecrow.
Kathy Schenkel Dracula and Melissa Shirley candy/cracker(stitch guide by me!).
Kathy Schenkel mummy?!
chb: When do you needlepoint and where do you stitch? Do you have a special place?
Well, I try to stitch every day!! Right after dinner the girls go back upstairs to their rooms to do their homework. It has been a habit since the children were young that I would go upstairs after dinner, as well. Prior to cell phones it was my way of finding out if the children were using the home phone, fooling around or doing homework!! I am right in the middle of the action. I watch tv (old Dateline, 48 Hours, Law and Order, etc) while sitting in my happy chair and stitch until my bedtime!! I really enjoy stitching in the Master Bedroom. If I get a chance to stitch during the day the natural lighting is great with one wall full of large windows. At night, I have a great light I bought from my LNS (local needlepoint store).
Little Shoppe Canvas Company orange fortune cookie. (Comes with a fortune that will be sticking out that says Happy Halloween!)
Kathy Schenkel Jack o'Lantern heart.
Melissa Shirley witch with red hair . I think the little spider is from Renaissance Designs.
Melissa Shirley scary guy with a top hat and unknown spider cube.
Melissa Shirley candy/cracker.
chb: How long have you been stitching and when did you start?
Mary: I learned to stitch from my grandmother when I was a little girl. I stitched off and on through college and beyond. When our children were young I did not have anytime to needlepoint!! I picked it right up as soon as our youngest child went to preschool and haven’t stopped!! I guess I am making up for lost time!!
Melissa Shirley candy/cracker.
Both from Melissa Shirley Designs. The pumpkin girl is on congress cloth!
Melissa Shirley witch.
Melissa Shirley tiny mummy is on congress cloth.
Melissa Shirley witch.
Cute witch smock from the Studio.
Really cute tiny witch hat.
chb: What are your favorite things to stitch?
Mary: I am not a big project kinda girl! But I have stitched two dining room chair type canvases for school auctions (which raised thousands of dollars, by the way), numerous footstools, The Pageant of Peace Flag canvas, pillows and three stockings (I still have two more to stitch for the children and one for Bob and I…I have one ready to go…just need motivation) and four Nativity sets. (Wait until you see my Christmas tree that goes in the foyer. It is 7′ tall and full of needlepoint only ornaments. This year I did almost 5 dozen new ones!!) I love stitching with a stitch guide. I am not good at choosing fibers or stitches.
chb: First of all Mary, you are a big project kind of girl…after all you have stitched 108 Halloween ornaments! Second of all, you will have to send pictures of your Christmas tree extravaganza!
Mary also sent along pictures of pillows and a tiny trick or treat bag she has done for Halloween and the fall season! That Mary has really been stitching!
Ruth Chow Jack O'Lantern can be ordered with a stitch guide from your favorite store and is from Sundance Designs.
Ornament made into trick or treat bag with beaded handle. Canvas is from Associated Talents.
LOVE this Maggie and Co. Lisa Krause chair with its tiny needlepoint cushion! (My daughter really needs this since her birthday is on Halloween!)
Pumpkin pillow is a canvas from Mindy. Love the tasselled fringe on the edges!
So CUTE! Three Halloween canvases from Kathy Schenkel made into a spooky Halloween pillow!
Okay, readers, this should motivate you to fill your home with needlepoint ornaments. Even though she is very busy, Mary finds time to relax, get centered and stitch. Reserve a time in your busy day to sit down and needlepoint! It is so helpful to end your day being calm and serene with your needlepoint!
Mary's witch pillow! Adore the finishing!