Cookie Exchange

Hello blogging friends. Well, we are one week into the new year and I hope that it is going well for you. My days have been a little bit of this, a little bit of that, more time wasting and less cleaning. My Christmas decorations are still up. Very unusual for me, as I prefer to have it all down before the new year. So it seems I am procrastinating. Oh well.

In December I participated in a cross stitch SAL (stitch a long) with a designer I had not stitched before. I had seen a post of a beautiful blue fabric that Fabrics by Stephanie was dying for the Hands On Design SAL. So I had to check it out. It was for a Cookie Exchange. It was only going to be 3 sections from December 1 – December 5. I was sure I could squeeze it in. So I ordered the SAL from Hands On Design. I ordered the fabric from Fabrics By Stephanie. I ordered the red cookie board from Homestead Needleworke and the trims from Lady Dot Creates. Everything arrived in time to start on Dec 1.

I loved how the designer referred to the fabric, trims, board and floss as the “ingredients” for the Cookie Exchange. And the businesses as “the Bakers”. It really is a cute concept. So I was all ready to go. On December 1st I downloaded section 1 and went straight to stitching.

Section one was completed rather quickly. I love what looks to be strands of Baker’s Twine between the cookie cutters. At this point I was really curious as to what the rest of the piece would look like.

In section 2 I added the table and some holly. One more section to go to complete the scene.

How cute does that table of goodies look? I love the cookies under the cloche. And that jar of candy canes is adorable! So now that all of the stitching was done, it was time to do the finishing. And like with the snowman ornaments, it sat, waiting for me to cut it and finish it. I finally did just decide to gather the things I needed and sit down and do the finishes. I finished this one along with the snowman ornaments.

I think it turned out rather cute! I even had the perfect little cookie cutter in my kitchen cupboard that I just had to add. The gorgeous fabric is 16ct aida Vintage Tiffany and is so perfect for this piece.

I will enjoy adding this to my Christmas decorating every year. And I tried a new designer that I was quite happy with. Her designs appear to be quick and sweet and I think there may be a few more in my future.

Have you recently tried something from a designer that you haven’t used before?