Mele Kalikimaka
Monsterbubbles from the 2004 JCS Ornament issue
Thread Gatherer Silk ‘n Colors over one on 32-ct ivory linen
Begun 3/4/2008 Finished 2/28/10
On Sunday night I finally finished the neverending ornament. Mele K. appeared in the 2004 JCS Ornament issue and back when shops were kitting up the JCS ornaments, I ordered a kit for this piece. There is just something that has always drawn me to it. Probably my love of Hawaii. It may be my love of the song, or memories of the movie South Pacific which just seems to tie in with this piece.
In March of 2008, I decided to finally pull this one out of my stash and get going on it. I’ve stitched on it off an on over the past two years. I often put it away after getting my fill of over one stitching. And since this piece is solid fill in, stitching it was no small task. I’m sure there are stitcher who could have whipped this one out in no time, but hey…it took me a little longer.
The suggested finishing for this piece is to whip stitch it to backing linen with Thread Gatherer silk ribbon and stuff it like a pillow. Then the hanger is made up of three colors of silk ribbon braided together. My kit only included the silk ribbon for the whip stitching, so I’ll have to think about the hanger for mine. I’m leaning towards ordering the silk ribbon and doing the braided hanger, because I think it will compliment the piece well.
I love it. And I’ve never fallen out of love with it. Just with the over one. But won’t it be pretty on my tree? And it might be able to replace my beloved Hawaiian Christmas ornament that met with disaster during the Great Tree Toppling of 2009.
If you want to take a moment to listen to Bing Crosby singing Mele Kalikimaka, have at it.
And it’s also your perfect opportunity to say in the comments “you’ve got a lovely bunch of coconuts there”. Ha!
Anyway, I’ll be heading up the workshop with Amy Mitten this weekend. I can’t wait! Until next time, have a great weekend with lots of stitching. I think I’m about due to stitch on something huge after stitching on all the itty bitty.
I am grateful for not having to look at that recipe for Christmas Morning Casserole anymore. After seeing it at the top of the page for two years, I’m over it. Gag.
Congrats!!! It is wonderful.
I love it. Very special finishing is called for, and I know you’re up to the task! Enjoy the Amy Mitten–I’m envious.
Congrats Michelle! It’s fantastic!
Congratulations on a great finish. This one has been on my list to stitch for some time. I could spend winter in Hawaii for the rest of my life LOL
take care
Mmmmmm, yes – lovely set of coconuts! That’s a great finish and one I must do some time! That’s a lot of intense, over one stitching but boy, does it look great!
u’i – beautiful. I just love the colors on this.
Yeah, I can see that looking at the same casserole recipe for 2 yrs can get a bit old.
Have lots of fun this weekend. Detailed notes ( if necessary) would be appreciated. 🙂
Congratulations on getting it finished Michelle – it looks lovely!
Woot Woot… it’s finally finished and looks fabulous. Congrats Michelle!
Enjoy your Amy Mitten class… we want a full report.
I love it Michelle – beautiful stitching! I can’t wait to see how you finish it.
My husband and I listened to the Bing Crosby song over and over during Christmas! I have a CD of his old Christmas album. And, don’t you just love the movie South Pacific? The original is one of my all time favorites. I’ll have to stitch this some day too.
Congratulations, Michelle! It’s so great! I love the wavy border on it too! It will be wonderful on your tree! I hope you show us pictures of the Amy Mitten piece and all sorts of pics of the class next week. (Hint, hint, hint…..)
Congrats on a lovely finish!
Congrats on the much anticipated finish! Mele looks great! Listening to Bing sing at Christmas-time was tradition. Even reading this entry had me humming the song under my breath. lol Happy weekend!
I just finished watching Christmas Vacation with that song stuck in my head, and now it is on your blog !! How funny is that !! LOL
Ornament is great !!
Brilliant finish Michelle!
It looks wonderful Nicole. I can see why it took you so long to do – all that over one stitching. I had to laugh at your comment about not having to see that recipe anymore. You’ll probably be reminded of your stitching time on this piece if it’s ever served to you in the future!
Looks great Michelle!!!
It looks great. Congrats on the finish!
Enjoy your weekend with Amy Mitten too!
Yay! Great finish 😀 I think I would be blind after all that over one LOL. That Bing Crosby song is one of my favorites!
Also, an FYI I’m just about to finish something you sent me for an exchange … I love it and will be posting a completion soon I hope 😉
Well done on keeping at this and being able to report it as a finish – and a lovely one it is too! Amy Mitten this weekend??? Enjoy! I’m very envious!!!!
Congratulations on this nice little finish. I can easily see why it takes a lot of time to stitch this. And over one! It came out really beautiful.
Have fun at the Amy Mitten workshop.
I’ve not done any over one stitching yet. Your piece has me in awe!
I’m of the belief that it really does not matter how long it takes to finish something as the process itself brings so much joy!
Love it! Your picture does it so much more justice than the one in JCS. Hmmm.
Yay!!! Great finish!!!
Enjoy the Amy Mitten weekend!
Congratulations, it’s lovely.
Enjoy your workshop
Huge congrats! It’s so pretty. Hope your workshop is wonderful.
Wow, well done! Truly wonderful finish. Enjoy the AM workshop!
Your ornament looks great! Over 1? Wow! My youngest daughter requested this but I don’t believe it will be over 1 for my old eyes 🙂
Woo! Fantastic job, Michelle! Congrats for finishing it. I can’t wait to see how you finish finish it, and to hear about your Amy Mitten weekend!
How absolutely beautiful!! And I have always loved Bing’s version of Mele K!! Is there anything more cheerful?
Nice pattern, makes me think of where I use to live in Florida!! somewhat!!
It is so great to have a finish, Congrats.
It’s beautiful Michelle!
Yay! I’ve been waiting to see that you’d finished Mele K. It looks just lovely! I can’t wait to see the finished product; I’m curious as to how exactly you’ll finish it. Well done!
So cute!!!!!! I’ve GOT to stitch that one!