Hello lovely Christmas Elves, 

Your hostess here, Kaisievic, who has been so slack again in 2021 2022 and barely NOT posted all year (although Christmas stitching has featured on my IG and FB pages throughout the year).  Anyway, here I am, popping up to announce 2023's themes. Some are familiar, some are new but without further ado - here they are:

An old favourite ....... 

.... and a newer favourite (but with some different song suggestions from previous years)...

.... and another old favourite - everyone loves to stitch something from JCS Christmas Ornie Mags.....

.... and a BRAND NEW theme, inspired by the fact that I saw the wonderful production of A Christmas Carol starring David Wenham a couple of weeks ago at the The Comedy Theatre in Melbourne.

.... and lastly, here is our new badge for 2023 showcasing some of my Christmas Smalls finishes.

Anyway, I hope that you enjoy stitching any combination or all of these themes in 2023 and I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and a much happier 2023 than the past few years have been.

hugs, 

UPDATE: If any of you want to do some of the 'A Christmas Carol' choices - just check out PrimStitcherShoppe on Etsy (I have absolutely no affiliation) - she has some great 'A Christmas Carol' designs available in downloadable pdf at 20% off atm.

DJ's December Ornaments

Whew....we made it!  I can't believe Christmas is less than two weeks away!!  I didn't get to fully finished most of my ornaments, but I did finish quite a few in time to pass some of them out at Thanksgiving.  I was really hoping to fully finish up the 12 Days before I posted but I don't want to forget...I guess I can always come back  and update...right?  Anyway, here is where I am at the moment...

Theme one:  12 Days ... 12 Drummers Drumming from the book 2001 Cross Stitch Patterns

Theme three:  Something from the JCS ornament issues free choice.  I chose 2010 Ornament by the Sweetheart Tree.  I have loved this one, stitched it a few times for other people, this year I stitched it for myself.  I'm in the middle of getting it finished up...hopefully soon!  LOL

  

Theme four:  the Nutcracker free choice, for this one I chose ballet slippers.  This was from The World of Cross Stitch Issue 314.  

Here are a few pictures of ornaments I was able to  fully finish (some were a part of this challenge!  Others were from years past)  

As always, thank you so much for organizing this challenge and keeping us in line!  It's a great way to keep us motivated and have ornaments ready to give out by the end of the year!  I'm looking forward to next year's challenges!  I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and that Stitchy Claus is good to you!  Happy Stitching!!

Suzanne's December Finish

 

This was a fun stitch for the year. I wasn't sure how to finish it but I saw a post from Rhona Norrie about wrapping a hoop and thought I would try it. I like the candy cane stripe effect. Thanks so much for traveling along with my stitching this year. Have a very Merry Christmas! 

DJ's November ornaments

Whew, hard to believe it's November already, where has this year gone?  Been getting a bit more stitching done these days....having a cold/cough for over 3 weeks has kept me home and stitching (when I'm not sleeping...haha).  Here are the three themes I've been working on.  

First is the 12 Days of Christmas...11 Pipers Piping.  I like that this one is wearing a kilt and playing the bagpipes.  Seems more traditional.  This was a fun stitch!  

Next up is Theme Three which is something from the JCS 2011 ornament issue.  I chose Just a Little Flaky by Val's Stuff.  I love how this one turned out!  Still considering how I should finish this one...  

Last is Theme Four the Nutcracker.  The challenge for this one was Gnome, so I stitched Be Jolly by StitchyFish Designs from the 2021 JCS Ornament issue.  This one made me smile.

I've done a bit of finishing lately, but not these ornaments.  I should get busy, Christmas will be here before we know it!  I hope everyone is safe, healthy and happily stitching!

Suzanne's November Ornament

 

This is a Durene Jones freebie called Stripey Santa but I thought he looked like a gnome and could fit Theme Four this month. He's stitched on 14 count green Aida with the called for DMC threads. Finished with my favorite pom-pom trim (I hope your not bored with my finishes) and cute striped ribbon. He came out super cute!

I'm getting a little behind, eek! I've done little stitching in October and November so far. I have to finish my Nutcracker Sampler or I'll be so disappointed in myself. Wish me luck!

Take care everyone and see you next month. 

DJ's October Stitching

It's been another wild month!  Why does it seem the older I get the faster time goes?  I'm just thankful I was able to get most of the stuff done (I still have a few more things I really need to do but at least the ornaments are done!).  Anyway...here's where I'm at...

First up is 12 Days of Christmas.  Ten Lords a Leaping, what a fun little character.  He is stitched on 32 count Ice Blue over two.  

Next is theme three...and the year designated was 2008.  I chose the Holly Berries Mini Biscornu by Cherished Stitches.  I used up some left over silk that I had for the colors and some beads from my stash.  It's stitched on 32 count natural opalescent.  I love the shimmer...now to find time to get it finished off.  If all goes well it will be an exchange piece that needs to go out in a few weeks.  

Last is theme four, Nutcracker.  The category was snow, so I chose Twinkle by Courtney Collection from the 2011 JCS Ornament issue.  I couldn't find ANYTHING that worked for this project in my stash!!!!  LOL  I ended up scouring a few different shops, and finally decided on 40 count onyx (a scrap I found at the Salty Yarns) and seafoam Petite Treasure Braid.  I'm blaming the pandemic for not being able to find suitable light blue metallic thread....(my go to scapegoat) and the right navy fabric.  

I've been trying very hard to use materials from my stash as I've accumulated quite a bit over the years.  As I tell folks, I've been preparing for the pandemic my whole life!  Hahaha (sadly most of the stuff I've stitched this year has been from materials I've collected in my stash over the years...or maybe that's a good thing!)  I've finished most of these over the last week or so.  It was my birthday month, so DH kindly took me on a little vacation to the shore.  We spent a lovely 3 nights away on the 8th floor of a hotel overlooking the ocean.  Sunrises were lovely, Sunsets beautiful, and as always MANY games of mini golf. 

And yes, I won....did he let me?  I'm not sure, but he was kind of a sour puss for a few hours afterword, so your guess is as good as mine.  Hahaha.  As I told the cashier, all those geometry lessons I thought I would never use in High School paid off!  So that's the story for this month...I hope everyone is happy, healthy, and enjoying their stitching!  Till next time, Happy Stitching!

Suzanne's October Progress

 Hi Everyone!

I filled in all the little snowflakes on my Nutcracker Sampler for this month's theme. I was working on my Gazette 94 6th Day but didn't make much progress. 

There's a little train that I'm saving for December's Free Choice and then I'll be finished. I hope to have it fully finished to show in my December posting. 

I hope everyone is well and looking forward to the holidays. 

DJ's September stitching

Hello fellow stitchers!  It's been a crazy ride here, but I was able to finish up my September ornaments.  I'm hoping I can keep up until the end of the year, things keep happening that slow my stitching down a bit...Like my Granddaughter's first birthday yesterday.  

Anyway, here goes!  First up is 12 Days of Stitching and I stitched 9 Ladies Dancing from the 2001 Cross Stitch Designs.  These are so much fun to stitch!  Stitched on 32 count Ice Blue over two.

Next up is the designated year category.  For this month the year was 2015.  I chose to stitch Give Love for Christmas by Legacy Designs.  It's stitched on 32 count Clay over two.  

The last category I'm stitching is the Nutcracker and this month the subject was Hares.  I chose to stitch Baby Hare from the 2001 Cross Stitch Designs book.  It was stitched on 32 count Natural over two.  We have a new member of our DIL's family so I thought I would stitch this as a Christmas gift for him.  

That's it for all the categories...I hope everyone is healthy and safe.  My heart goes out to the British people and the Royal Family.  My thoughts and prayers are with you all.  *Hugs*

Suzanne's September Ornaments

 Hello!

I've been working on the Nutcracker Theme this month. My sampler didn't have any hares so I went to my Just Cross Stitch Magazines for inspiration. 

First is Snow Bunny by Cross My Heart from the JCS 2002 Ornament Issue

I stitched this on 14 count blue Aida nd left the larger border off because it's already quite large at 4x4. 

My second bunny is Good Tidings to You by The Sampler Girl from the JCS 2011 Ornament Issue.

I had stitched the little bunny part before but never the whole ornament. 

I also worked on my Gazette 94 Twelve Days of Christmas. I had finished stitching number 4 last month, but forgot to post it. Here is both 4 and 5. I mixed up the thread color on the rings but decided to keep going. 

 

I also fully finished both of the Gentle Pursuits Designs - Christmas Eve in Old Salem from the JCS 2004 issue. I shared the stitching only in May of this year. I had a lot of ideas for these but went very simple so not to take away from the specialty stitches. I make houses or door themed ornaments for two of my nieces each year since they've bought their homes. 

I hope you all are well and I'm looking forward to seeing your stitching this month.

Gwen: August 2022

7 Swans

Celebration of Needlework 

8 Maid A Milking

Celebration of Needlework

I'm posting July and August now. I thought I had posted July last month but I can't find that post. I finished the stitching on 8 Maids but I haven't stuffed it yet. After stuffing I plan to attach a bow to the top. Bows and I are not friends so it may take me a few tries. Fingers crossed.

Suzanne's August Ornament Stitching

 Hello! This month was free choice for both the Nutcracker and JCS themes. I worked on more of my Nutcracker sampler. Filling in little bits that don't fit any theme. 

I stitched up this cute Gingerbread House from the JCS Nov/Dec 2011 issue. It was designed by Ursula Michaels using Sullivan threads which I substituted with DMC. 

I hope everyone is doing well. Take Care!

Serendipitous Jo's August Ornament

Once again I am following the 12 Days of Christmas theme.  This year I am stitching the Jardin Prive 12 Days as my monthly project.  

This is Day 8:

stitched on 32 count Millenium Blue linen

I decided I ought to start FFO'ing them before the end of the year!

The backing is some tartan leatherette my friend used to make hairbows.  It is sparkly!

I mounted the stitching on some thick card, cut a piece of the backing to size and then whip stitched them together, remembering to sew the tartan ribbon tag in place.

DJ's August stitching

Hi Everybody!  

I've been madly stitching away and having a very productive month!  We've had some whacky weather that has kept me inside stitching....between the wild thunder storms, and the crazy heat, I barely step foot out my door these days.  Anyway...without further ado...here's what I've been stitching...  First up is the 12 Days of Christmas...and for this month I've stitched 8 Maids a Milking.  These are from the book 2001 Cross Stitch Designs.  I just love these cute little designs!  

Next is the designated year category.  I chose something from the 2011 Ornament issue as this month was a free choice.  This is Peace Ornament by Keepsake Stitches.  It should have been stitched on a medium green fabric, but since I'm trying to stitch from stash this year, I chose this 36 count clay...I'm sure it would have looked better on the green.  

Last is the Nutcracker series.  I'm not sure what I'm doing with this category...haha.  Since it was also a free choice month I chose to do a rocking horse.  This was in the World of Cross Stitch magazine issue number 314 included in a Nutcracker series.  I've decided to give this to my granddaughter's cousin for Christmas.  I think she will like it after it's finished.  

Well I guess that's all that's fit to print.  I want to thank everyone for their kind comments on my posts, they have been so encouraging and I appreciate every one!  I hope everyone is keeping safe and happily stitching!  

Serendipitous Jo's May, June and July Ornaments

 Once again I am following the 12 Days of Christmas theme.  This year I am stitching the Jardin Prive 12 Days as my monthly project.  I have kept up-to-date with the stitching, but not the posting here!

This is Day 5:

Here is Day 6:

And the latest one, Day 7:

I'm using a gorgeous 32 count linen called Millenium Blue (Day 7 photo is colour-accurate) and Anchor threads.  

I'm planning to finish these as individual ornaments.

Gwen July 2022

 This month I managed two ornaments. I was able to fully finish just one. I am on the hunt for a red or gold Mill Hill star for the Red Berry Wreath, Just Cross Stitch Ornament Mag 2018. 

Red Berry Wreath 

Elizabeth Foster

Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament Issue 20218

My second ornament was the 7 Swans, Celebration of Needlework 12 Days of Christmas.

7 Swans

Celebration of Needlework 12 Days of Christmas

DJ's July stitching

Hi Everybody!  It's been a wild ride lately here, but it's kept me home and my fingers busy so I guess I really shouldn't complain.  I managed to catch up with my Christmas stitching early this month...yay me!  LOL  I have completely dropped out of the Christmas movie challenge but I have kept up with the other three.  First off is the 12 Days of Christmas.  I finished 7 Swans a Swimming.  (I really need to think about fully finishing these!!)  

Next is the designated year from the JCS Ornament issue, this month was 2018.  I stitched A Christmas Dress by Giulia Punti Antichi stitched on 36 count antique white over two with gloriana silk poinsettia.  I love these little dress designs, but now I have to figure out how to fully finish it, wish me luck!!  

For the Nutcracker series I was supposed to stitch rosebuds/flowers.  So I chose this A Merry Christmas to You by Patricia Ann Designs from the 2018 JCS Ornament issue.  I really love how this turned out, the picture in the magazine really doesn't do this justice!  

Well I guess that's it for me for this month.  I hope you are all busily stitching and keeping safe!  Happy Stitching!