Week Five: Fa La La

Finally! The last day of a long, cold, snowy month...I look forward to short February and the possibility of warmer weather. My ornament this week is a freebie from Plum Pudding Needleart called "Fa La La." You can get a copy here. Isn't this singing snowman cute?! He was stitched on 32-count lambswool Jobelan using DMC threads. I changed the location of the words "fa la la" to the top of the piece and added a few musical notes for interest. He just may be a Christmas gift for my youngest music-loving son...

Week Four: Snow Happy

This jolly snowman just made me smile! It was a freebie called "Snow Happy" from Janlynn (designed by Beth Stephens) and I stitched it on grey 16 count aida cloth using DMC floss. I did change the main blue color in his hat and scarf to DMC 797--just made it more appealing to me. With all of the snow we've had here this month (it has snowed 15 of the last 24 days for more than 14 inches and been oh so cold--BRRRR) he'll feel right at home!

Week Three: Noel Birdhouse

I had admired this little Christmas birdhouse for a few years now and decided to add it to my collection. "Noel Birdhouse" was designed by Brittercup Designs and appears in the 2004 Just Cross Stitch Ornament issue. This version was stitched on 36 count lambswool jobelan and uses Weeks Dye Works Hand Over Dyed Floss. I love the way the variations of the floss make the birdhouse look like old, rustic wood. It is supposed to have a small white bird charm, but I'm not sure if I will add it.

Week Two: Not a Creature Was Stirring

For my second week's piece I found this cute little mouse in a teacup and immediately thought of my sister who loves both mice (as a child at least!) and tea (as an adult). I plan on sending it to her for Christmas 2009. "Not a Creature Was Stirring" was published in the December 2008 issue of Just Cross Stitch and was designed by Casey Buonaugurio. I stitched it on 36 count Sage Jobelan and used a tiny black Mill Hill bead for the mouse's eye and red beads for the holly berries.

Week One: Outside My Window

My first week's ornament is one I have stitched once before, framed, and given to my dear mother so I decided to create another one just for myself. It is a pattern called "Outside My Window" by Lynn's Prints and featured in the 2005 Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament issue. I stitched this particular ornament on Glass Blue Monaco (28ct) and used DMC floss with white beads for the icicles.

A new year...a new beginning...a new challenge!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2009...a new beginning and a new challenge for myself. I had the (crazy?) idea to stitch an ornament a week for the entire length of 2009. Now, you notice I said "stitch" not finish! I love to stitch and have been doing so for almost 25 years. I find it so very soothing and relaxing--a time to unwind and just breathe. However, finishing an ornament (sewing, gluing, taping, whatever) is not one of my favorite things.

Wish me luck in achieving my goal...