A Partridge in a Pear Tree

The Twelve Days of Christmas song starts out with the gift of a partridge in a pear tree, so this entry from  Linda about Melissa Shirley's partridge from her version of this Christmas theme is fun to see.  However,  when Linda shows you the real thing and states they don't have beads, I don't think Kelly Clark was paying attention.
http://splittheneedles.blogspot.com/2012/12/work-stoppage.html

That's a good thing, however, because Kelly's stumpwork partridge is stunning.
http://kellyclarkneedlepointhandbook.blogspot.com/2012/12/kellys-christmas-crazy-quilt.html

Not to mention the classic beauty of the Tapestry Fair partridge.
http://tapestryfair.blogspot.com/2012/12/merry-christmas.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Not everyone celebrates Christmas and for many folks it is a depressing time of year. There is too much to do, the expense can be crippling, and many folks don't have family and friends to share the season with.  Others just miss their loved ones who aren't around.  Still, we can always pick up our needles and stitch ourselves a Merry Christmas since we have a creative outlet to create our dreams or a better world.  We are lucky that way.

Hope we all have a terrific 2013!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Christmas Sets

Nativities aren't the only sets of needlepoint that decorate our homes during the Christmas season. How about carolers?  These are often done in a "Dickens" style.  This set that Stephanie beautifully stitched is from Heartstrings.
http://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2012/12/time-for-christmas-carols.html

The Twelve Days of Christmas designs make wonderful decorations.  Stephanie also collects the Ewe and Eye canvases of buildings and animals, and will one day have a terrific series to display.  To see everything, go to the second link and work backwards through her postings.
http://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2012/12/on-first-day-of-christmas-my-true-love.html

http://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2012/12/on-twelfth-day-of-christmas-my-true.html

Suzanne also stitched a Twelve Days set.  These are the last two in the series.  To see the rest, work backwards through her recent blog entries.
http://suzannehicks.blogspot.com/2012/12/on-eleventh-and-twelfth-day-of-christmas.html

Robin posted Judy's Twelve Days set, done in one of Robin's enhancement class at Amy Bunger's shop.
http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/2012/12/12-days-of-christmas-by-judy-melissa.html

ABS Designs' nutcracker ornaments are wonderful fun.  You can see Mer's here.  The second link shows off the whole series on the ABS Designs website.  Anne even blogged about stitching the models so you can read the entires for a sort of stitch guide.  (Note, the three nutcrackers ornament isn't from ABS Designs.)
http://www.mersworld.com/2012/12/10/nutcracker-needlepoint/

http://www.absdesignsonline.com/nutcracker_suite.html

The little tote bags are darling.
http://bootsandbeads.blogspot.com/2012/12/fab-finishing.html

You can make your own set if you like.  How about all these Russian-style Santas?  They are also from Heartstrings.
http://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2012/12/russian-style-santas-from-heartstrings.html

These similarly-sized and -themed canvases from Associated Talents make for a wonderful set when finished in a similar way.
http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=2b1a4dafdf1ba6e29e773aa79&id=d26a58e706&e=73961ee0ea

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

While Awaiting Santa UPDATED

While we wait for Santa Claus, I think I'll go study Joan Eidman's Noel piece, which is beautiful on many levels.
http://joaneidman.com/that-last-stitch/

UPDATE:  This piece is back from the finisher and it is lovely in the antique style.
http://joaneidman.com/mistletoe-noel/

UPDATE #2: I thought you would like to see Joyeux Noel, which has been made into a pillow. Nice!
http://joaneidman.com/2013/07/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Counting Under the Christmas Tree

Counted canvaswork admirers will enjoy seeing what Suky Lady has just finished--two Jim Wurth ornaments. These turn up on eBay occasionally (they aren't available anywhere else as Jim has retired from teaching) and are gorgeous!
http://sukylady.blogspot.com/2012/12/monrovia-stitched.html

I have heard hints that you can order these from Threadneedle Street in Palm Dessert, California but I don't know that for sure.  Anyone know?  The shop doesn't have an Internet presence but their phone number is 760-340-041.  (I hope that hasn't changed!)

Liz Morrow of LizArt is reworking a series of Earth-Sea-Sky designs she created a few years back and will chart them for sale.  Love Bargello?  Check these out.
http://lizartblog.blogspot.com/2012/12/nature-sea.html

Kathy at Needle Delights shows off her tree, full of ornaments of her own design.  As a bonus, there's a glimpse of her newest geometric design, still underway.
http://needledelightsoriginals.blogspot.com/2012/12/its-beginning.html

Laura Perin has a new chart available.  It's a Bargello Christmas tree!  Very inventive and pretty and probably a quick stitch, too.  Can't beat that!  BUT WAIT!  There's a problem with the chart.  Errata info is in the second link.
http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2012/12/time-to-trim-tree.html

http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2013/02/another-heads-up-stitchers.html

Laura is also planning a cyber class for early 2013.  Here are the details.
http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2012/12/first-cyber-class-for-2013.html

Maybe you'll get lucky and Santa will bring you this Twos Class from Nancy's Needle.
http://sonorandesertstitching.blogspot.com/2012/12/twos-class.html

Or maybe you'll get this neat Christmas ort box design from Hand Blessings.
http://yarntree.typepad.com/needlework_news/2012/12/counted-canvas-christmas-wreath-box-from-handblessings.html

If you can't decide, talk to Sara Leigh.
http://stitchything.blogspot.com/2012/12/wrapping-things-up-for-holidays.html

Merry Christmas to all counted folks out there from Chilly Hollow.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com