12 Ornaments for 2023

Back in January I decided to join in with the yearlong challenge of stitching one ornament each month and end up with 12 at the end of the year.

I had Novembers to FFo, which was ‘Winter Woodland’ by Patricia Ann Designs.  It’s stitched 1 over 2 on 36ct Sky Linen from Nicholas Flamel Designs, using Weeks Dye Works  threads.

Then I went on to stitch ‘Jingle All The Way’ for December.

This was a chart from Beth Twist of Heartstring Samplery and it was in the 2022 Christmas Ornament Book that was only available at the ‘Jingle Ball’

I stitched mine 1 over 2, on 36ct custom dyed Linen from Nicholas Flamel Designs, using Weeks Dye Works  threads.

 

All 12 ornaments are now displayed in my sewing room.

Talking of the ‘Jingle Ball’, I virtually attended for the first time this year. 

I didn’t have a lot of time over the weekend to join in with the  goings on at the stitching tables, in fact most were empty when I did have time to look in.  I did still have fun watching the pre-recorded entertainment though, especially Teresa Kogut and her other half getting slowly tipsy, mixing (and drinking) Christmas cocktails.  

I also managed to do some shopping and got my mitts on a chart from Jeanette Douglass I had my eye on,

as well as this years Christmas Bauble Book

And for this year only, the book from last year was also available, so I nabbed that too.

There were also a few other charts on my wish list, including the European Christmas Box from  Jeanette Douglas,

but they weren't exclusive to the jingle ball and I prefer paper charts to PDF's, so I decided to wait to get them. 

All in all it was a fun experience, so It’s already on my calendar for next year!

Happy Stitching!

Sue

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12 in 23 - Holly – Ornament 3/12

Because I was concentrating on getting my Heritage Book finished this month, there wasn’t a lot of time for other stitching, but yesterday I did manage to squeeze in my March ornament for 12 in 23.

I’ve stitched ‘Holly’ from Hello from Liz Mathews before, when I stitched it as a gift and I loved it so much, that I decided to stitch it again.

The first time round, I stitched it on linen and finished it in a small hoop,

but this time I used 14ch White Aida, using Weeks Dye Works thread.

I finished it flat and edged it with small ric-rac  and red beads.  I also made a corded hanger  

and added year charm on the front and a bulb pin and poinsettia charm to the back.

Happy Stitching!

Sue

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Do you Love it or Hate it?

It’s just like Marmite…….you either love it or hate it, but am I talking about? 

Backstitch of course!

Some people hate it with a vengeance but I really don’t understand why that is.

I personally love doing it and the trick, especially if there is a lot in the chart,  is to stitch it as you go, so you don't have to tackle it all at the end.

Just the smallest amount of outlining can add so much definition to a project.

Just look at this.

This is the little freebie chart that Liz from ‘Hello from Liz Mathews’ released this year, that I stitched a few weeks ago.

It’s such a cute little stitch and the only backstitch it has on it is the veins on the leaves. But when it came FFO’ing it, I decided to backstitch, before putting it into one of those rubber hoops.

Now, all the holly leaves pop and I’m so pleased with the way it looks.

Happy Stitching!

Sue

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Chart – Holly -  Hello from Liz Mathews

Fabric - 36 ct Linen – Vintage Country Mocha.

Threads – From Stash - Classic Colorworks and Weeks Dye Works