Christmas Eve morning

Good Christmas Eve morning, everyone. It is very peaceful and quiet today.

I just wanted to show you some stitching I've done recently, the Cranberry Tea by Plum Street Samplers.

I did not finish it yet, wouldn't it be nice as a pillow or a framed wall hanging? I will have to think about it.

Merry Christmas, everyone! Lets be safe, cozy and with the people you love.

Free cross stitch pattern, spring flowers & birds by LaMariaCha

When I first saw this birds and flowers cross stitch design by LaMariaCha, I loved it. The colors are so bright and it has that nice folk feel. So I stitched it on tan Aida fabric and thinking of finishing it as a summer tote.

With Maria's permission I am posting the link to her chart on my blog today. This is not a quick project but definitely a nice one. You can download it here.

Enjoy!

A Holiday tree cross stitch necklace DIY

This cross stitch necklace is a very quick project for the coming Holidays. I made mine in cheerful green and red Christmas colors but you can choose any colors you want.

 To make this, you need:

pre-made brass necklace with round pendant setting (I made my necklace together with Albina albinasjewelry)

white cardstock

white felt

linen to cross stitch

DMC threads

beads

Fabric/ paper and all purpose glue

embroidery and beading needles, scissors, i

How to make this:

Measure your pendant diameter and cut a circle from cardstock and another one from felt to fit inside the circle. Cut a 3rd circle from a linen fabric but make it overlap the cardstock circle, about 1/4" all the way around.

Fold the linen circle to find the center of the design and stitch your little Christmas tree. Carefully iron it and start to assemble.

Glue the felt circle on top of cardstock. Place the stitched design on top of your cardstock & felt sandwich and make some small vertical cuts all the way around the linen circle to fold the extra fabric around the base. Add some glue around the cardstock perimeter and fold the excess of linen towards the center to make a perfect round stitched insert for your brass pendant. Place it in between 2 sheets of white paper and put in under a heavy book for about 10 minutes to make it flat.

Glue your finished ornament to the pendant setting with all purpose glue. Place it under the book to grip for 10 more minutes. Sew the beads around the perimeter.

Here is a free cross stitch chart for you to make this, A Holiday Tree:

Happy Holidays!

Blue Christmas, A Christmas tree to cross stitch

While I am making some new small cross stitch patterns for the coming Holidays I'd like to add one to match the previous Snowflake one. You will find it here in my previous post. 

I made both ornaments a long time ago, both ornament look pretty together and continue the theme of a Blue Christmas.

Both of these patterns are very simple and you can finish your project over the weekend.

 

Please enjoy this free pattern. Happy Holidays! 

Fall stitching Acorns

Isn't it strange, how is your taste change over the years and how your surroundings influence it? Over the years of selling on Etsy my taste is constantly changing. I am originally a city girl who likes skyscrapers and clean lines of modern architecture and now I became a fan of simple nature forms and shapes. My Fall favorites are acorns, pumpkins, leaves and owls.

I stitched this neeldlework holder case last year and I am only now showing it. 

 

The scissors got lost unfortunately so I guess it was their last photo session :) I am sad about it since I brought them from Ukraine long time ago and they  reminded me of that trip.

What do you like about Fall? What are your favorites? Please share!

Free cross stitch pattern Spring heart with flower and butterfly

With our warm weather I am in a spring mood right now. We are not just getting gorgeous blossoms in our garden but also a lot of birds are appearing. Love their morning songs right outside our window!

I was looking for a quick to stitch spring cross stitch project and I found this Spring Heart pattern from Maria Chaplygina (LaMariacha shop on Etsy). This was a free pattern that she was so kind to share it with me. So with her permission I am sharing it on my blog.

I just got it and I have not stitched it yet but I am going to. If you stitch it I would love to see your finished project, so please share!

 

Happy spring, everyone. It's almost here!

Free cross stitch ornament PEACE

I just made this little holiday cross stitch ornament and wanted to share it with you. I finished it as a door knob hanger but I am sure you might find more ideas of how to use it.

It will take you just one winter evening to make it, so get comfortable and enjoy your stitching!

Here is the free chart:

The Rose Sampling by Little House Needlework

My recent cross stitch is finished, the "Rose sampling" by Little House Needlework. It was easy to stitch and I had a great time doing it. I did not frame it yet but I am looking forward to doing this.

I am a big fan of LHN designs. They give me that cozy feeling of home in a rustic cottage. When framed, they looks great on the wall.

 So I am always waiting for the new ones to come out.

Free cross stitch design "Happy Easter"

This is a very easy design to stitch and it looks great on your handmade Easter greeting card. I made it originally for my friends in England but it is so easy to make that I used it more since then.

You can buy a tri-fold card for your stitching or you can make one yourself (see my previous post for step by step instructions).

 Enjoy this complimentary chart and please always give us a credit when using it.  

I am sure your friends will be happy to hear from you this Easter :)

Sweet holidays

These last several days in between the holidays are so delicious. They are full of sweet desserts and you don't care any more about your diet. Even thought you promised yourself to start a healthier lifestyle tomorrow. Well, 2013 is almost here so why not start that diet & exercise program on January 2nd?

 I am still planning to make that delicious holiday cake fromAleksa's blog for New Year eve celebration and for the smooth transaction to a new year the thai sweet rice and mango dessert from Marina's blog, and I am done with sweets. At least, until the other good reason to try a new recipe will come alone :) 

Snowflake cross stitch mini wall decor

Winter holidays are all about home, family, friends and a great time spent together. The house is becoming brighter with Christmas lights and warmer with the cheerful spirit.

The shops are full of Christmas decorations but your handmade creations are always so special. I don't have too much time in December so I am always trying to make something quick and easy, just in time for the Holidays. 

I stitched this little snowflake ornament this year and thought you might like to make it, too.

You will need:

a round ornament frame, 2 1/2" in diameter (I purchased mine at Jo-Ann)

Aida fabric, 28 count, Sand

DMC threads, #3842 and # 3841

14" long silk ribbon, blue or preferred color of your choice

First of all, make your stitching (a free pattern below) and trim to fit the frame.

If you are happy with the color of your frame, leave it like it is. If you would like to make it a bit different then paint your frame to your liking. I made mine copper and add some patina as a special touch.

 Frame your stitching, add the ribbon and you are done! 

 Free cross stitch chart:

Enjoy your Holidays!

Be true to yourself

This is my first finish for 2012, Be True by Plum Street Samplers.

The winter evenings are dark and chilly right now and I feel really cozy all wrapped up by a fireplace, stitching. 

 This little sampler took just a couple of evenings to stitch and it was quite enjoyable.

I love the rustic look of it and I am now thinking of how to finish it. A pillow, an ornament or a framed piece? It will look great any way I finish it!

Snowflake to cross stitch, free design

The holidays are in the air and it's time to think of decorating our homes. I stitched this very simple snowflake design for my tree and thought I would share it with you.

I finished it as an ornament but you can put it on a post card or use it for the elegant accent winter linen pillow. As the ornament it will looks lovely on a door knob or a Christmas tree.

I used evenveawe fabric in my design, some DMC colored cotton threads and golden metallic thread, Swarovski Crystals, a tassel and some ribbon. Feel free to decorate your work as your wish!

If you are needing some of the materials I will sell some of mine - please let me know!

Happy Holidays!

Easter Egg free cross stitch pattern

This chart will work perfect for your Easter tri-fold card.


You still have time to stitch and send your card by April 24th!


You might choose to stitch it in different colors to compliment your card, please feel free to do so.


I would be happy to see how your design will turn out!

 Please send me a photo of your finished card through the conversation at my Etsy shop (AGardenCottage) and I will publish it on my blog!