"Over the River" and Not a Minute Too Soon

This afternoon I devoted my entire time to finishing this Christmas piece.  It was a Limited Edition Kit, designed by Pat Thode, for HeartStrings in 2004.  As you can see, I finished the cross-stitching last year, then put it away before tackling the specialty stitches and the adorable embellishments. What makes us abandon a project when we are so close to the finish ?!!

Anyway, here is "Over the River," in all her finished glory, stitched on 32 ct. Polished Brass Reflections by Silkweavers, to which these pictures do not do justice.

I love the way the beard is accentuated by the long stitches in white. And, yes, there were a lot of metallics in this design!

The embellishments were adorable, especially Santa's candy cane

 ice skates!

And then this magnificent sleigh!