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Highland fling

When I saw the Highland cow in issue 312 (Nov 2021) I just had to stitch him and so pushed all my other projects aside. It took just over a week to stitch and an evening to frame and embellish him ready for Christmas. But I will probably keep him up all year round.

Sharon Duncan, via email

Lynne: It sounds like you fell head over heels with the handsome Highland cow portrait, Sharon! We love how you’ve embellished this fine beast, by attaching red buttons as berries on the holly. You’ve made the hoop look very festive too and it fits with the Scottish theme, with tartan bows and ribbon wound around the embroidery hoop. We have more animals for you to stitch with this issue’s Wrendale Designs calendar – enjoy!

If you’re included in the photo holding your stitching, then we’ll boost the size of the prize as it’s always lovely to see your smiley faces!

Highland fling Sharon created a frame filled with tartan flourish

DANGLING DECORATIONS

Dangling decorations

All that glitters – Doreen’s cards really stand out

Idecided to use up some perforated paper to stitch the baubles in the magazine, issue 313 (Dec 2021), and make them into Christmas cards. I have attached them so that the recipient can detach them to use next year! Hope you like the final result. Best wishes to you all!

Doreen Chinnery, St Austell

Sue: You’ve made a very fine set of cards with the retro baubles, Doreen! We love that they are suspended from the cards, and it looks as though you’ve outlined the baubles with gold metallic thread, matching the thread they hang from. They look wonderful with an extra sparkle, which picks up the gold colour on the card blanks too.

Fa-la-lala-lah!

Twice as nice – Linda’s little bird sings a festive tune

Fa-la-la-la-lah!

Every year I always like to add something new to my everexpanding Christmas decorations. This year I stitched a Chickadee by Valerie Pfeiffer called ‘Christmas Chick’ from Heritage Crafts*. I framed it in an oval hoop, added some star beads and a few other embellishments. I liked it so much I decided to stitch another on a smaller piece of aida so I could make a decoration and hang it on my Christmas tree.

Linda West, Isle of Man

Fiona: We think this festive chick has earned its place on your Christmas tree, Linda, you can almost hear its song. We love the red Santa hat and berry details.

Over to You Perfect Present

Special delivery

Cynthia found a meaningful gift to stitch and send to a set of new grandparents

SPECIAL DELIVERY

As soon as I saw the ornament for grandparents by Lisa Reakes in issue 301 (Xmas 2020), I knew I had to stitch it for my sister and her husband. Their first and most likely only grandchild had been born in the September so I had to simplify everything I could to get it in the mail in time for Christmas. I used a Stoney Creek pre-finished ornament which was the perfect size for only the words and used just one colour – DMC white. I added the sun button for baby Sunny Mae. My gift arrived in time, and the grandparents were thrilled. Thanks so much for the wonderful designs.

Cynthia Adams, via email

Hannah E: Baby’s first Christmas is a very special time for proud grandparents – no wonder your thoughtful gift has hit the spot!

Pick a pocket Darlene’s hubby has a sweet tooth at Xmas!

Pick a pocket

Season’s greetings, The World of Cross Stitching! Every year my husband complains about the small size of chocolates in the advent calendars I buy. I’d just decided to make him one that fits full-sized treats when issue 299 (Nov 2020) came out with Durene Jones’ incredible design. The motifs were perfect – cute but not childish, traditional yet bright and fun. Instead of attaching the motifs to envelopes I made them into pockets and attached them to a quilted background for hanging. At my husband’s request I added an extra pocket for 25 December, using a different Durene Jones design so it would stand out but still fit in. We’re both thrilled with how it turned out! Your magazine provides so many amazing designs to keep me busy – thank you!

Darlene Arnott, via email

Sue: Now that’s what we call an Advent treat, Darlene! How great that Durene’s designs were just the right size for full-sized chocolate bars and sweets. Bet you get lots of visitors in December!

Sew glitterati

Iwant to drop you a little note to tell you how much I appreciate the Christmas design from Emma Congdon in issue 311 (Oct 2021). I like her style and decided to use threads from my stash to do more than one project. I had a sparkling light blue canvas that I bought last Christmas because I liked it. I also had some silver painted wooden snowflakes and they were perfect to finish my project. I think I will have a very sparkling Christmas this year. By the way, I didn’t use glue at all, I backed the cross stitch with white felt and hand sewed it to the canvas. Thank you so much for always coming up with such a great magazine with special gifts. Have a nice day!

Sabrina Antiposmodico, Bergamo, Italy

Fiona: The sparkly canvas you’ve chosen is a glittering success!

Festive chums

Julie stitched this Xmas crew for her family

FESTIVE CHUMS

Iloved stitching the Christmas ‘Jolly Character’ cards from issue 300 (Dec 2020) on plastic aida. I have just completed my first set of six, I just need to attach the feet and boots. I intend to make a further two complete sets for my great-nephews and niece so they can enjoy them this Christmas. I’ve struggled to keep the patterns pristine and I’m going to try and download the app so I can access the patterns electronically, should they become too tatty.

Julie Sherlock-Smith, via email

Hannah F: That’s a good solution to keeping charts fresh, Julie, thank you for sharing. Your Christmas pals are really coming along – the children are sure to love them.

Sew glitterati

Sabrina got creative with a festive frame and charm

Xmas stag

Isubscribe to both your paper magazine and also digital. By having digital I don’t need to carry heavy magazines on holiday. I thought you’d like to see my festive deer. It took around three months, but I love the outcome.

Jayne Eggett, via email

Emily: That’s an amazing picture, Jayne, well done. Now discontinued, look out for DMC’s* ‘Christmas Reindeer’ in reputable stores on eBay.

Xmas stag

Jayne is proud of her festive reindeer stitch

Subs S Stars

Worth £24.99!

Each month we randomly select three subscribers to win a prize as a thank you

This month’s winners are:  Peter Quille, Luton  Lucinda Bentley, Batley  Laura Stachowski, Deeside

To subscribe turn to page 44

The lucky winners will each get ‘Love Yule’, a Bothy Threads* kit. Prizes every month! Our Media Ltd, publishers of The World of Cross Stitching, Subs Stars giveaway Terms and Conditions: Prizes were dispatched before the on-sale date of this issue. There are no cash alternatives. Winning entries will be chosen at random from all current subscribers. The draw is final and no correspondence will be entered into.