As I look though my WIP’s it would appear that 2022 has become the “Year of Christmas Projects”. The Christmas Spirit is strong with me this year and I have quite a number of Christmas projects on the go. I’ve also noticed that Christmas has also invaded my stash as well! I’ve got a number of new projects kitted and ready to go.
It all kinda started when I finished assembling all of my Erica Michaels Christmas strawberries…. Read about those here …
Early Snow Cardinals Christmas Stocking by Dimentions
Finally, my very own Christmas Stocking! I love cardinals and when I saw this kit I just knew it was for me. I started stitching in January and Hopefully I can get it done and ready to hang on the mantle for this Christmas! it’s stitching up fast thanks to a ton of half cross stitches!!
Twelve Days of Christmas felt ornaments by MmmCrafts (Etsy)
This wool felt ornament set has been on my wish list for a looong looong time so I finally decided to take the plunge! You need to check out no only Larissa’s Etsy shop, but also her blog. She has amazing instructions on working with felt and her designs are just so sweet. Here are links to her shop and blog below.
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/mmmcrafts
https://mmmcrafts.blogspot.com/?m=1
I didn’t realize how easy felt was to work with. You can do just about anything with it! I’ve also been able to work a lot with the Sticky Fabri-Solvy water-soluble interfacing. Sulky 8-1/2-Inch by 11-Inch Printable Sticky Fabri-Solvy Stabilizer, 11-Pack https://a.co/d/hF0Eyvf
It’s very easy to use and amazingly versatile. The trick is getting it properly removed from the felt after stitching. Thanks to Larissa’s awesome tutorials, it was easy to do!
Sulky 8-1/2-Inch by 11-Inch Printable Sticky Fabri-Solvy Stabilizer, 11-Pack
I decided to purchase a kit of materials (instead of kitting my own) so purchased a nice little bundle of goodies from Benzie Design (also from Etsy). Their felt is great and the kit I got, although not inexpensive, had everything I needed to make all over the ornaments (a few times over)!
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/BenzieDesign
I also decided too purchase pre-painted heads from yet another Etsy shop – Prim Heirloom Designs (they are a Canadian shop!). Another excellent purchase! The heads were beautifully done and shopping with them was great!
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/PrimHeirloomDesigns
Prairie Schooler – Santa Rides
I’ve had this pamphlet in my stash for a long, long time. It’s always been my favourite PS chart.
A very good friend of mine gave me the lovely wooden compartment tray which she made specifically for this series of patterns. As soon as I saw the tray I knew exactly how I wanted to finish it. Very simply with some of my most favorite red Pom Pom trim (by Lady Dot Creates) framing each of the pieces.
After some marathon stitching and a few creative decisions on thread colour, the 7 pieces are finally done!
I mounted the embroideries onto foam board using the same technique that I used for my embroidery tool tray. Follow the link below to the tutorial!
Hugging Penguins Stocking – Dimensions
I picked this little kit up from Amazon for $30! I was so enamoured with the piece that I didn’t realize it’s a needlepoint kit!
I have never done a painted canvas like this before so thought I’d give it a go. So far so good! The design is easy to follow on you only need to worry about your tension with the tent stitch and laying the stitches flat. A laying tool is very helpful. There’s lots of combined thread stitches in both wool and cotton to give the design texture.
The painted image on the canvas is not very precise but it allows for your own personal “artistic interpretation” on where you finish and start with different colours. I found the eyes a little chunky until I did the top stitching. I’m glad I did because the cute little penguin faces watch me as I stitch!! I also did their beaks to see how the definition is 👍👍
This project is also stitching up very quickly. I started the project mid February and I’m just about half way now.
There’s a TON of thread in this kit. It was a great deal!
I’ve reached the bottom of my Christmas WIP pile!
P.S. yep I have more Christmas project kitted and ready to go. More to come on my progress on these project and if I get any new Christmas projects started!!
The Needlesmith 