My First Christmas (part 2) by Praiseworthy Stitches

This will be Arden’s ornament for 2009. I made some slight changes to the pattern and stitched it in my choice of overdyed floss (but followed the original color scheme). I stitched it over one on 36 ct cream linen ffrom Vikki Clayton using GAST and WDW. I’d like to get my hands on part one and three so I could make the complete piece, but they’re OOP and I have yet to see them for resale anywhere.

This is the 2nd time I’ve stitched this – I also made it as a gift for Martine of Chatelaine Designs when her marriage ended. It seemed appropriate…. At that point, I also made changes to the design and I think I also stitched it over one.

YoYo Pincushion #3 by Niky’s Creations

This is for Aunt Joyce. I’ve stitched it in GAST and WDW on 36 ct HDF Cream linen. I think Aunt Joyce likes pink and blue, but I also worked in some red and green to make it a little Christmasy. I hope I can find a good backing fabric for it once I’m in Maine.

A Partrige, A Pare & A Turtledove by Heartstring Designs

Although I changed the deliberate misspellings, I love this design and plan to keep this one for myself! Stitched on 36 ct HDF linen using HDF silks that match up to the suggested DMC color key.

Wicked by primitivebetty

I’ve stitched this wee freebie from Betty Dukat as charted, using one strand of OWS Quaker Medallion Black over one square of 32 ct lambswool linen. After the stitching was done, I distressed it for a more prim look, using a fresh (= wet) coffee filte dabbed onto the design side of the linen, and then dribbling a couple of drops of coffee onto the design. I ironed it immediately with a super-hot iron to set the drips before they could simply spread out uniformly over the linen. Finally, I finished it using a bit  of gorgeous overdyed silk dupion in a coordinating deep slate shade (shown in background) and some vintage lace, because anything truly wicked has to involve a touch of decadence, a flash of luxury, doesn’t it? It’s hand sewn and stuffed with wool rovings.

January prim floss tag by The Needle’s Content

I just love how this turned out. The yellow is mellower IRL and the colors really work well together for a prim look. Most of the fibers are limited editions from GAST - only the Oatmeal is from their regular line. The other colors are Caramel, California Gold Rush, Bangor Autumn, LA Haze, Appalachian Trail and Seattle Sky. It’s stitched on 35 ct. Old Gray Mare from Vikki Clayton.