And the Stockings Were Hung by the Chimney With Care

Our stockings are waiting and ready! The kids take such joy each year hanging their stocking over the fireplace. Each stocking is hand-made, except for the third one in: Corey's. I did make him a lovely quilted stocking for his first Christmas, twenty-three years ago, but he's lost it somewhere in his "collectibles". Hopefully it'll be recovered one day. Kyle's stocking was a sewn panel. Nothing hard, mind you, but as a new sewer at the time, I thought it was cute.
As the years have marched on, so have my skills as you will see in the photos. Corey and Kyle's were very simple, Casey's wasn't made by me, Kaleigh's, Cassidy's, Kierra's, and Caressa's were all cross-stitched. Each stocking is very special to me, and it is my hope that one day, when they leave the nest, they will take along their stocking and yearly ornaments with them to adorn their own home. The only thing that worries me is that my husband's and my home and tree will be quite sparse! Ah, well, as long as the kids have theirs is all that really matters...

Casey's stocking was stitched by my sister-in-law. It's made of felt and a bit of stuffing. It's quite cute and surprisingly has held up through the years. It's a little delicate, but we take special care of it.
Kaleigh's stocking is sewn and cross-stitched by me. Simple but cute.

Cassidy's stocking is rather simple. Just a cross-stitch, ready made stocking with a few beads. Cute though, don't you think? I can remember that year, I made each of the kids an ornament the same as the reindeer stocking. It got a little old after the first few...

Here are Kierra and Caressa's stockings. As time has gone on, my skills have grown. Both of these stockings are Shepherd's Bush patterns and charms. I love their patterns and have made many ornaments and wall-hangings from them. They have a distinct style, and they're one of my favorite cross-stitch design teams.

This is one of my favorite stockings.

Close-up of the details - charms buttons, and ribbons...