Category: Stitched Ornaments

Cookie Exchange
cross stitch · Cross Stitch Patterns · Stitched Ornaments

Cookie Exchange

My Time Stitching6 Comments

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.

Cookie Exchange Ingredients

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 completed

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.

Section 2 completed

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

Section 3 completed

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.

Cookie Exchange Finish

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?

cross stitch · Stitched Ornaments

A Finish Other Than A Framing

My Time Stitching6 Comments

Hello Bloggers! So before the holidays, I decided I wanted to make a few cross stitch ornaments. I had only made one ornament back in 2014. You can read about that post here. I had done 2 other flat fold finishes back in 2015 and you can read about those here. I can tell you it can be very nerve racking for me to cut my finished cross stitch, but I decided I wanted to make more ornaments or finishes other than getting pieces framed. I had already purchased extra fabric back in 2014 to make several snowman ornaments, so that is where I started. I had 2 special friends I wanted to make an ornament for so I started there. I did the stitching on both and then they sat. I was so afraid to do the finishing because I was afraid I would mess them up. So I kept putting it off. But then one day I just decided to do it.

Snowmen Love ornament

I actually made 2 of these snowmen ornaments. The pattern is Snow Love from Country Cottage Needleworks. I stitched them on 16ct Aida Dirty. I used white acrylic paint and a toothpick to add the snow after I finished the stitching. The other ornament had a different ribbon and trim. I was so excited to finally get them finished that I quickly packaged the one up for mailing before I realized I didn’t get a photo. So I snapped this one right before wrapping it up and packaging it up. The recipients received them and loved them and I was so happy to get them made. They are the only 2 ornaments I did in 2021. But I have plans for several others for 2022. I should probably get started on them now, LOL. I did make one more flat fold finish item that I will share in my next post.

So what kind of finishes have you done with your cross stitch, other than a framing?

Happy Stitching!

Ginny

snowmen · Stitched Ornaments

Snow Love, So Sweet!

My Time Stitching9 Comments

First finished ornament

If you read my post yesterday, you saw that I was working on creating my first ornament (other than a pillow ornament).  Well this is the finished product.  I am very pleased with how it turned out and after all the stressing I did about cutting up the stitched piece, it wasn’t so bad after all.  The pattern is “Snow Love” by Country Cottage Needleworks.  I stitched it on 16ct Dirty Aida and hand painted the snow with acrylic paint.  I used The Twisted Stitcher tutorial for making a flat ornament and the instructions were quite easy to follow.  I did have a bit of a problem creating the hanger as the cord I purchased was a little too thick to tie into a knot.  That is the reason for my ribbon bow on the top of the hanger. So next time I will try to create a cord from DMC floss.  Have never done that before.  But I am very happy with my first ornament and  I can definitely see me making more in the future.  And this ornament can hang out all winter and into Valentine’s Day 🙂  It’s such a sweet pattern.

I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas!  Enjoy the day with your family and friends as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.  Love and hugs to all!