Holley's February Trio

This month I managed to stitch three ornaments, but to be fair, one was started last month. I'd like to average two ornaments each month so I was happy to get an extra ornament in this month. Maybe next month I'll work on a larger ornament. I'm very fond of these smaller designs though. Everything was stitched fairly quickly. Since I substituted missing fibers with stuff on hand, this SAL is helping to justify my stash.

The first finish was Christmas Tree by Whiskey Creek Ink, which can be found in the 2006 JCS Ornament Issue. I did not have the recommend threads so I used DMC 75 for the red and Watercolours 89 Caribbean for the Green. I love how it stitched and plan to make a teeny two sided pillow ornament. I also plan to stitch a darker version at a later SAL.

Next, I finished Red Berries by Rosewood Manor from the December 2006 Issue of Gift of Stitching. I absolutely love this design and have been admiring it from the first moment I saw it. I think I'll be greedy and keep this one for myself. Again, I didn't have the recommended fibers so I substituted with colors I had on hand. It's stitched on Queen Anne's Lace 32 count jobelan with DMC4210 and Crescent Colours Bejeweled (a gift from Charisse at the Wagon). The beads are Mill Hill 2012.

There are so many lovely variations that could be stitched: Metallics for the star shapes, silver and gold beads, white berries instead.... I liked this design so much, I purchased another Rosewood Manor Ornaments chart.

While watching the Oscars, I stitched Silent Night, a freebie by Elizabeth's Designs. The only recommended fiber used was the DMC B5200. The Star is stitched with toffee by Six Strand Sweets. I used Espresso by Six Strand Sweets and #448 Evergreen Soy Luster Solids (thanks to a very generous Maxine at the HAED BB--I love it!) were used for the trees. I used Bejeweled again for the border and words. The fabric is Squall by Sugar Maple Fabrics in 32 count lugana. The trees were fun to stitch! I think the trickiest part of this design is the white over one stars. If I did it again, I think I would use the Mill Hill petite beads instead of the tiny cross stitches.

All the designs are gorgeous this month.

Congratulations on the beautiful stitching!