Some Stitching and a Gift

I have some stitching (but no finishing!) to show! I'm going to try to stitch more Christmas ornaments this year - my first one for the year is 'Winter Sheep' by Little House Needleworks. He is stitched on 28ct straw evenweave in DMC threads and topped off with a little Christmas tree charm. He is pictured on the fabric I'll be using for the finishing:

This piece I stitched towards the end of last year, but never finished it for Christmas. It is such a cute design by Tra-la-la and is stitched on self-dyed 28ct evenweave in DMC stranded cotton and DMC colour variations. It is also pictured on the fabric that I will, eventually, be using for finishing:
I stitched this piece, 'Beneath Sunlit Skies' by Black Bird Designs, also towards the end of last year. It is stitched on a Natural 28ct evenweave in a variety of variegated cottons. I did not follow the recommended colours for this chart, but instead had a look at the pic, grabbed my floss box with variegated threads, and pulled whatever I liked and seemed would work. It was really fun to do and also a great way to use some stashed threads! (Some of the colours are very soft and don't show up too well in the photo.)
Here are a few closeups:
Last, but certainly not least - I would like to thank dear Edit for the lovely Christmas present she sent me at the end of last year. Look at all the lovely goodies - fabric, ribbon, beads and a beautiful snowman ornament. (The ornament took pride of place on our Christmas tree and looked great!) Thank you again Edit, it was an unexpected and wonderful gift!
That is it from me for now. Hope to have some stitching updates again soon.

Thanks to everyone for the kind comments on my previous post - it is appreciated.

Until next time, Happy Stitching!

My Christmas Stitching

With Christmas rapidly approaching I thought it would be a good time to show you all my handmade Christmas ornaments. Some are very recent and some have been around for years. I absolutely LOVE Christmas stitching, I have been making ornaments for years and I still have so many Christmas pieces that I want to stitch!

Here is my 'collection':
All the ornaments are displayed on a Christmas Tree Skirt that my mom stitched a few years ago. It is a Dimensions chart by Barbara Mock, called 'Old Tyme Holiday'. I just love the snowy Christmas village - it has such a lovely atmosphere to it! (As you can see, it has not been finished into a tree skirt yet - can you imagine putting that on the floor to actually use it as a tree skirt! I don't know what we are going to do with it yet, but hopefully it will be out on display in coming years!)

Here is a break down of the ornaments:

These ornaments are mostly very recent, but a few of them have been around for a few years.

I made these emeries last year - they are so much fun to stitch and finish and look beautiful on the tree. They are all from Anita's Little Stitches. I hope to make a few more next year.

This little Hardanger angel is designed by Emie Bishop. I stitched it a few years ago on 32 ct cream Belfast linen and 'dressed' this little porcelain doll to turn her into a Christmas Angel. (I won't mention that a have the charts and fabric for a few more, but guess what - I can't find matching porcelain dolls anywhere!)

These are Mill Hill kits. I absolutely loved stitching them and I love Mill Hill kits - they are such a treat - I love unpacking all the little treasures that come with each kit, like the little Teddy button on the bell pull :)

For the past few years I have stitched a plastic canvas ornament each year. The finishing is so easy - just cut them out and add a tag! The designs are taken from various cross stitching magazines.

I stitched this 'Joy' Christmas sampler when I was sixteen. It is an Emie Bishop design (guess who likes her Christmas designs!) and has cross stitching and Hardanger bands. This is one of my favourite pieces of all time and is on display in our home year round!

Here are a few 'non-stitched' hand made Christmas ornaments. The little beaded stars look great on the tree!

That's it for now! I will post a picture of the decorated Christmas tree and a few other Christmassy things soon.

My little free "Merry Christmas" chart is still available - Please remember to leave me your email address in a comment if you want it! (Barbara C - I would like your email address please - I would love to get the chart to you as soon as possible)

Until next time, Happy Stitching!