Yay! Blogging Mojo is stirring!

Hello my sweet Christmas Elves, 

After a long hiatus (almost a year), I am feeling the stirring of the need to blog again - hurray!  Long may it continue....

I hope that you are all as excited as I am about Christmas stitching for 2020.  For next year I am planning to stitch Theme 3 - I do so love flicking through a JCS Christmas Ornie mag and choosing my favourite design or designs to stitch.

For January 2020, the year to stitch from is 2016 - which I think was a bumper year for great designs in the mag (I have stitched several already).  So far, I have narrowed it down to four designs and I may very well stitch them all as we have three Free Choice months in 2020.

Here are the designs that have taken my fancy:

Be Joyful by Tempting Tangles Designs:
(p.70)

Waiting for Santa by Swallick Stitchery:

(p.74)

Friends are Christmas Treasures by Historic Handworkes:

(p.80)

 Prim Christmas by The Primitive Hare:
(p.86)

What are your plans for 2020 Christmas Stitching?

hugs, 

NEWS FLASH! 2020 THEMES REVEALED!

Merry Christmas, Christmas Elves, 

Here is the big reveal of the 2020 Christmas themes:

As you can see, Theme One is the same as previous years, Theme Two is still Christmas Carols but has been tweaked with new titles and Theme Three is now JCS Christmas Mag from 2011 to 2019.

I hope that you are happy with all of this - I only received a couple of comments with feedback so here we are.

Merry Christmas, everyone and thanks for taking part this year.

hugs, 

Suzanne's December Ornaments

Hello Everyone!
I have my final two ornaments for this year. I've continued with the Just Cross Stitch Magazine theme. First up, is Tidings of Joy by Heart in Hand from the 2004 Christmas Ornament issue. I've stitched it on 14 count Aida and used the DMC thread conversion. I finished it as a flat ornament and mounted it on a grapevine wreath for a little different finish for me. I've added twisted cord from my stash and little wooden Christmas trees.

My second ornament is from Just Cross Stitch Magazine 2003 Christmas Ornament issue Home for the Holidays by Heart in Hand. It's stitched on 18 count Aida with the DMC thread conversion. Finished as a flat ornament and again mounted it on a grapevine wreath. 

Thank you for all your kind comments through the year. I've loved this theme and hope to see the Just Cross Stitch Magazine as a theme next year too. Happy Holidays!

DJ's December Ornaments

Hi all!

I admit I ran ahead a bit on these ornaments and finished stitching them last month.  I have really enjoyed this challenge, but I'll be honest and say I think I bit off more than I could chew.   I don't think I'll stitch as many ornaments next year...haha.

First off is 12 Days of Christmas.  This month is 12 Drummers Drumming.  This is from March 1989 issue of Cross Stitch and Country Crafts.  These were stitched on 28 count over one.

Next is Christmas Carols.  This month was a free choice so I stitched Nature Sings by Fancy Work from the 2005 JCS Ornament issue.  It was stitched on natural linen 40 ct over 2.

Last is the free choice from any JCS ornament issue.  I chose Three Wise Men by Marie's Garden from the 2002 JCS ornament issue.  I have had this on my to do list for a long time.  I stitched it on natural linen 32 ct. over two.  I love how it came out.

Now I should get busy finishing them all, shouldn't I?  Thank you for all your hard work getting this challenge together!  I should have enough ornaments to share for years to come now!  haha  Happy Stitching!

DJ's November Ornaments

Well, time sure is marching on!!  I can't believe it's the middle of November already!  I've had a busy few weeks, but hopefully things will slow down a bit soon!  Who am I kidding?  With Christmas on the way in a little over a month, I've got tons to do...anyway...here are my November ornaments...

First off is 12 Days of Christmas.  This month is 11 Pipers Piping.  These ornaments were from the March 1989 issue of Cross Stitch and Country Crafts.  I've loved stitching these over one on 28 count white evenweave.

Next is Christmas Carols.  This month was Jingle Bells so I stitched Ring in the Joy by Serendipitous Designs from the 2007 JCS ornament issue.  I really love how this one came out!!  It was stitched on Natural 36 ct. linen over 2.

Last was the 2004 JCS Ornament Issue, and I chose Peace Tree by M Designs.  I used a varigated Gloriana Silk and stitched it on 32 count over 1, I think it was natural linen.

And that, as they say, is that!  Happy Stitching everyone!

Suzanne's November Ornaments

Hello Everyone! I'm continuing with the Just Cross Stitch Magazine Theme and this month was 2004. Both my ornaments are from the Christmas Ornament issue. I've stitched Lizzie*Kate's Rejoice. In the magazine it was finished as a mitten but I used an oval finish. He's stitched on red 14 count aida with DMC threads. I'll have to admit, at first, I thought he was holding martini glasses and that's why he was rejoicing! He got a little dented in my storage box, hopefully he'll bounce back.

My second ornament is Snow by Nancy Boyarsky of Glory Bee. Stitched on 14 count light blue aida with DMC threads simply finished in a flat ornament style. I must love the pom-pom trim this year because quite a few are finished this way.

Thanks so much for taking a look and I can't wait to see everyone's finishes this month.

Gwen: October ornament

This is my October Ornament. I left off the bottom border so that I can use this as a Christmas/Winter Ornament. Still looking for a snowflake button to replace the heart button.

Honeybee's October Finish

My October choice, from the 2003 issue of Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornaments. It's stitched on 30 ct. English Ivy from R&R Reproductions with GAST Antique Rose and Oatmeal, and CC Weeping Willow. The beads are Mill Hill #2012.

DJ's October Ornaments

I've really enjoyed stitching on this challenge!!  I have to say stitching keeps me sane, so it's been nice to have something I could concentrate on while the world spins around me.  I still haven't had time to finish any of these off, but hopefully soon as Christmas seems to be approaching at a fast and furious pace!

First off is 12 Days of Christmas.  This is the 10th day and these patterns are from the March 1989 issue of Cross Stitch and Country Crafts Magazine

Next is Christmas Carols and this month was I Saw Three Ships.  This pattern is from By The Bay Needleworks and is called I saw three ships come sailing in.  It's stitched on Star Sapphire 28 count fabric over one and is from the 2013 JCS Christmas Ornament Issue.

Last is an ornament from the 2003 JCS Ornament Issue.  I chose Time of Wonder by Julia Lucas.

Thank you for hosting this challenge and for allowing me to participate.  I'm having fun choosing things from my stash and adding to my pile of ornaments!  Happy Stitching!

Suzanne's October Ornaments

Hello everyone! I am nearing the finish line on 2019 ornaments and thinking about next year's stitching. I am continuing with the Just Cross Stitch Magazine Theme and have two ornaments from the 2003 Christmas Ornament issue. First is Glory Bee's Merry Christmas on 14 count ecru aida using DMC conversions. I finished this on a little 98 cent canvas bag from AC Moore with red fringe I found in the sale bin at Joann's Fabrics. It was a fun little stitch.

My next ornament is Santa's Stash by Full Circle Designs on 14 count ecru aida using DMC conversions. I left off the words so it would fit in the oval hoop and I didn't have any tiny buttons that were on the pattern, so I left them off too.

I can't wait to see everyone's stitching this month and what the themes might be for next year.

Themes for 2020....

Hello lovely Christmas Elves, 

Well, here I am - alive and well after a hiatus from blogging of several months.  Not sure what happened, life just got too busy, I suppose and something had to give and whilst it was not going to be my stitching or reading or cooking or spending time with family (or travelling for work), it ended up being my blogging!

But, today, I woke up and felt the need to visit all of my bloggy friends again, so here I am!

I thought that as I had neglected this blog for so long, I had better get my act into gear and get some suggestions for Themes for 2020!

These are our current themes:

Some ideas for next year are:

1. Keep Themes 1, 2 and 3 much as they are (with Themes 2 and 3 being tweaked with carol names and randomising the years, respectively).
2. Keep Themes 1 and 2 and change Theme 3 to JCS Christmas Ornies 2011 - 2019 (as suggested by Jo from Serendipitous Stitching)
3. Ditch all three themes and start again with new ideas (does anyone have any?  I have run out of ideas - lol!).

Let me know what you think, please, by commenting on this post.

hugs, 

Honeybee's September Finish

My September finish from the 2010 Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornaments issue. Haven't decided how I want to finish it yet. Info on my color conversion can be found on my blog.

Only 3 more to go! Happy Stitching, y'all!

UPDATE: Got it finished! Thought I'd go ahead and share.

Mary's September Ornament

Well, I'm sneaking in under the wire with my September ornament from JCS 2010! There are so many great ornaments in that issue it was hard to decide! I picked Brooke's Books' Madonna and Child. I do enjoy stitching on perforated paper.

I substituted threads I could get easily or had on hand for the many Kreiniks she calls for, using some of the new DMC Etoile for the blues, DMC Light Effects for the purples, and Petite Treasure Braid for the golds. I used white perforated paper because I didn't have blue. I decided not to do the leaf border because I found this darling pie tin ornament at Hobby Lobby which was a perfect fit! It has a metal hook on the top for a ribbon. I just need to dig out some gold ribbon now!

DJ's September Ornaments

Hi Folks!  I'm so excited as I was able to finish all the ornaments early this month!!  With a little luck I might be able to finish some of these into ornaments before the months is over!

First up is 12 Days of Christmas and here is 9 Ladies Dancing.  These are ornaments from the March 1989 issue of Cross Stitch and Country Crafts magazine.  

Next is Christmas Carols, and this month was Oh Holy Night, so I stitched The Holy Family from the 1993 JCS Ornament issue by Cathy Livingston.

Last is the 2010 Ornament by The Sweetheart Tree from the 2010 JCS Ornament issue.  I've stitched this one a few times, but I love it....I like stitching the specialty stitches!

I'm going to throw a couple other pictures up here that I finished recently.  They aren't part of the challenge but they are Christmas designs and thought you might like to see them.  The first is Chanson de Noel by Ekatrina Chaykouskaya...I just fell in love with her eyes and had to have her!!

The second is Let It Snow by Blackberry Lane Designs.  I changed a few of the fibers/beads/stitches to suit what I had on hand.  That little snowman is just too joyful not to stitch!!  

Last is just a portion of When Cardinals Appear by Blackberry Lane.  I only stitched the cardinal because I want to finish it as a round ornament.  I just love her designs!!

I guess that's all that's fit to print!  Happy Stitching everyone!

Suzanne's September Ornaments

Hello everyone! I'm so glad I joined this group as it has really kept me on track. I have two finishes this month from the Just Cross Stitch Magazine 2010 Christmas Ornament issue.

Lizzie* Kate's December 25 stitched on 14 count red aida using the DMC threads finished into a round ornament with a little snowflake embellishment.

Val's Stuff, Oh Joy! stitched on 18 count ecru using DMC threads of my choice and finished into a flat ornament with white pom-pom trim, blue ribbon and tiny blue jingle bells.

I'm so looking forward to see everyone's stitching this month. 

Honeybee's August Finish

From the 2005 issue of Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornaments. The threads are (from top to bottom): GAST Antique Rose, CC Wild Berries, and GAST Briar Rose.

DJ's August update...

Whew....this year is flying by isn't it?  One of these days I hope to actually get some of these made into ornaments.  

First up this month is the 12 Days of Christmas, 8 Maids a Milking.  These ornaments were first published in the May 1989 Cross Stitch and Country Crafts magazine.  This was stitched on 28 ct. over one on white even weave.

Next was Christmas Carols and Santa Clause is Coming to Town was this month's theme.  This is 1999 Christmas Ornament by Vermillion Stitchery from the 1999 JCS Christmas ornament issue.  I love the vintage look, but because it was stitched on 28 count Hermosa by Picture This Plus over one, it distorted his face a bit.  I'm trying to decide if I should take out the outlining and do something a little different with his face.  I tried a little bit, but because it was stitched over one, it's quite difficult....He may have to stay looking like Quasimodo.  haha

Last is the JCS 2005 ornament.  I chose Snowman Mitten by Ursula Michael.  This was also stitched on 28 count white even weave over one.  (I'm a glutton for punishment, aren't I?  LOL)  I love his jolly face, and the bright primary colors.  I think he's my favorite for this month!

And that is all that's fit to print.  Happy Stitching everyone!

Mary's July Ornament

It's been awhile since I've participated but I did finish a little thing for July: Blackbird Design's Quaker Berry from the 2006 issue of Just Cross Stitch Ornaments. I finished it with the lace that BBD uses on their "Deck the Halls" strawberries, but I added the jewelry finding cap myself thinking that would be a good way to turn it into a hanging ornament. Hope you like it!

Suzanne's August Ornaments

Hello Everyone! I hope everyone is well and having lots of time to stitch. I'm continuing with the Just Cross Stitch Magazine theme. This month was 2005 and both of my ornaments were from the Christmas Ornament issue. First is Glory Bee's Seasons Greetings stitched on 14 count using DMC alternatives. I used a pom-pom edging and stiffened felt for the backing.

My next ornament is Lizzie*Kate's Sweet Christmas stitched on 18 count using DMC threads. I didn't have the JBS buttons so I found sweet Sock Monkey buttons and used a red button from my stash to finish it. I also added a little back stitching on the candy because it wasn't showing up too well on the fabric. I finished this ornament the same way as the first.

I can't wait to see everyone's stitching this month!

DJ's July stitching

Whew....it's been a challenging month for me so far, but I'm happy to report that I've finished my challenge pieces for this month!  Here we go!

For the 12 Days of Christmas I chose the ornaments from the 1989 May issue of Cross Stitch and Country Crafts magazine.  Here is Seven Swans A Swimming.  This was stitched on 28 ct. over one on white linen.

For Christmas Carols the theme Let It Snow was chosen.  Here is Let It Snow by Plum Pudding NeedleArt I found in the 2013 Just Cross Stitch Ornament Issue.  This was stitched on 32 ct over one on light blue linen.

For July they chose the 2006 issue of Just Cross Stitch Ornament issue and I found this cutie Winter's Eve by Country Cottage Needleworks.  This was stitched on 32 ct over one on natural linen.

Off to work on something new.  Happy Stitching Everyone!