First Ornament Finished!

I didn't want to fall behind right from the start so I worked hard to make sure I'd get January's ornament completed.

It is Prairie Schooler's "Spring Cottage" stitched on 32 count Irish linen. I used a combination of sampler threads and DMC floss.

This is only a portion of the design. I had not seen this particular chart before and I came across it quite by accident. It was fun to stitch and perfect for January's theme.
(Vee - http://brokenneedle.typepad.com/)

One house down...

... two in process ... What can I say? This year I like houses. lol

JBW Designs from one of the JCS ornie issues (1999, I think)

in DMCs (not the ones the pattern called for) on white opalescent lugana

one of the in processes:

Little House Needleworks -- JCS ornie issue 2005
I changed the colors and I'm using Vicki Clayton's Hand Dyed silks on a scrap of probably Country French latte linen

Gosh I'm having fun on this!

January House

Hi everyone! This is my first post here so let me introduce myself. I am Olga from Louisiana, USA. I love different kinds of needlework, especially cross stitching. I hope to find nice friends and a lot of inspiration here.

For the January task I have chosen two winter houses with lots of snow - you know it's very important for Louisiana :-)). Here they are. The first design is called "Winter Cottage" freebie by Maryse. I used DMC floss on 28 ct.Glass Blue Monaco and modified the design some to make into a pin keep.

The other design is The Drawn Thread freebie "Home For The Holidays", stitched on hand coffee dyed 28 ct.Evenweave, DMC floss, MillHill beads, made into a knob knocker.

Jenn thank you very much for the prompt answer and help. Happy stitching to everybody, Olenka's Stitches

Home of the Brave

I apologize. I forgot to introduce myself. I am Jackie from Texas and I love to crosstitch. I was inspired to do this piece because I felt it was very appropriate for the January Bride's Tree SAL. My husband and I both served in the military and it also represents our patriotic family and home, Home of the Brave. This is a freebie design by The Useful Needle and is still available to date.

Hello!! Here It's my January ornament!!

Hi everybody,

I decided to do my ornaments in red work and "frame" them over wood with hooks to hang floss in my craft room.

This is my first month and I stitched a freebie from Flossbox that I modified (I eliminated the top of the chart) the original chart you can found here

For all the models I will be using DMC 221 and lugana 28 stitched over two.

I also have a question ; could I post two of each month? I'm planning to make a Bride's Tree for a dear friend. Could I post them as well?
Aury

Post Labeling

The more blogs I read, the more I realize just how useful labels are, especially in group blogs such as this. I've spent some times going over the posts and adding in labels, but I would like to suggest that we all label our entries to include the following:

• Designer or Publisher (Country Cottage Needleworks, Shepherd's Bush, etc.)


• Source - JCS ornament magazine (ie JCS 2007), book title, etc.


• If the pattern is a free pattern from the internet, label the post with "freebie", and if possible, provide a link or a website so your fellow stitchers can find it if they'd like to stitch it for themselves.


• You may also choose to label your posts with your name / nickname so that stitchers can click on that label to see everything you've posted. This is completely optional, however, and I didn't correct posts to include names if they weren't originally labeled as such.

Let's say you want to see what's been stitched from the 2006 JCS ornament issue. All you would have to do is click on that link listed under "Labels" and it will bring up all the posts tagged with JCS 2006. Or what if you want to see all of the Hillside Samplings or Prairie Schooler ornaments that have been posted. You'd click on that link and they would come up. As you can see, this is a pretty useful feature.

Labeling posts is very easy. At the bottom of the box where you enter your new posts, there is a box for entering labels. Blogger will even auto suggest labels from the current list as you start typing in that box. If your label is not auto-suggested by Blogger, it only means that it is not already on the list, so you should continue to enter it.

Labeling will also help make sure that designers are getting proper credit for their work. A lot of these designers operate on a small business level and work hard at creating these gorgeous designs for us. Their talent and creativity should be honored by giving them the credit they deserve, so be sure to label your posts appropriately and respect their copyrights. (On a side note, I know there are designers who have blogs of their own and participate in the blogging community, and I am sure they enjoy seeing their designs come to life at the hands of so many stitchers).

If you have any questions or issues, please don't hesitate to email me. Thanks!

Winter's Eve

Winter's Eve by Country Cottage Needleworks. Fabric is 28 ct Monaco white, thread all DMC.

Completed with a few days to go. I believe this project is wishing to be made into a pin keep, it would make it my first such finish. It was fun to make this house as the colors are close to what my house is painted.

Bride's Tree House

I was beginning to wonder if it would get done, but it is. The house design I chose to use is from the Best Wishes Ornaments by Rosewood Manor. It is stitched on 22ct Aida in Oatmeal using two strands of DMC cotton floss.

This is the front of the ornament



...and here is the back


I'm looking forward to February!

Janaina´s January Ornament

Here it is!:o)
Name: Home for Christmas
Designed by: Ann Pettit of Brightneedle
From: Just Cross Stitch 2005 Special Christmas Issue-page 33
Stitched on 30ct raw linen

It was supposed to be stitched on a different counting fabric, with The Gentle Art Sampler Threads, The gentle Art Simply Shaker Sampler and Weeks Dyw Works over dyed floss, but as it´s impossible to find this brand here, I made it all in Anchor.Sorted out the colors according to my personal taste, included the hologram stars,and removed the little snowflake at the right side of the design so now I think it´s no more an Ann Pettit design, but an Ann+Janaina design! Lol... :o) Goingo to stitch a few more ornaments in the same fabric so I can have many finishings at the same time.

Hugs to all!

Finished January House

I finished stitching the January house yesterday. The design I finally decided on was taken from a mystery SAL I'm currently doing in the wXSw yahoo group. It is designed by Helga Mandl & Barbara Ana. I liked the house in the pattern so much that I chose it for my ornament. And I liked the idea of stitching the information on the back of the ornament, so I also did that on mine.

Design

Well, I had decided what I was going to use for my ornaments, but the designs that I ordered will not be coming since one of the booklets does not seem to be available. Guess I'll have to find something else ... and quickly :) I think I'll be catching up next month on Jan and Feb. Have a great day!

All the great variety of houses

Hi there you lovely stitchers! It has been so fun to see how we have all decided on and stitched our various houses. This is almost more fun than working on my piece... I am not so good at writing out a comment on each house - but know that I am looking at them and oohing and ahhing to myself.
Hugs,
Ginger

Just Joining

Okay this is my first post and my first time at doing this so if I get it wrong please do let me know. Thanks Jennifer for answering so quickly I haven't actually started my Bride's Tree ornament, I thought I'd chosen one then found a few more houses that I like, I'll have to make a decision soon or I'll be behind!

Michelle in Scotland

January finished sal

Hi everyone, Here is my finished item for January. The pattern is a freebie Candy Land Gingerbread House. The floss is DMC miscellaneous scraps. The yarn wrapped around the pin keep is Manos del Uruquay variegated yarn. Now on to February! Happy stitching...Looyoo

January's House

Hi everyone!
I've finished yesterday evening my January's work:

It's a freebie pattern from "Les grilles de Maryse" called Sweet Hearts Cottage.
I've changed a little bit the colours and the size, and I've worked with DMC threads in Aida fabrics.

January Ornament

I have been successful in getting my January Ornament stitched and finished.

I am quite pleased with the results. My design is from Prairie Schooler, out of the 2004 Christmas Ornament Magazine. The design is called Log Cabin at Running Deer Farm. Here is how I finished it:



Now only 11 more ornaments to go!

Keep Stitching.
Joan

House Sampler

My first ornament . Adapted from a freebie at The Floss Box. Stitched on Polstitches Mythical Mermaid, using Gloriana silks - Cranberry and Vikki Clayton Silks - Haywains.

Pumpkin House - January

Design: The Sampler Girl (freebie)

Fabric: 28ct Flax Cashel from Zweigart
Threads: DMC & Anchor Multi-Coloured
Finishing: To be finished into a small cushion

New Freebies added

It's not quite February yet, but I've listed the heart-shaped freebies I've been collecting for the February ornament. As of this posting, all the links are active and working. I'll try to list as many freebies as I can, and post them a little before the month we're doing them so you can get started collecting your supplies. Remember, you don't HAVE to stitch these freebies - you can stitch anything you want and interpret each theme in your own way. I'm just providing them in case you need a chart.

I'll also be archiving the previous month's freebies at the start of each new month, just so the page won't be too cluttered. There will always be a link to those freebies on the main page, so if you ever want to go back, you'll be able to find things. As always though, if you do find something you like, it's better to save it or print it right away instead of hoping it's still there when you go back. Some freebies are only available for a limited amount of time and may not be there when you go back.

And if you know of any freebies that fit the themes, please let me know where to find them and I'll make sure they're posted. There are tons of hidden gems all over the internet and they're not always so easy to find.

Question for CinDC

I was looking on your blog and saw the Pisces pillow you did. I love that design. I plan on doing a set of these ornaments for my nephew who is getting married next year and he is a Pisces. You mentioned it was a free pattern. Who is it by? Where can I get a copy? Is there a link? I was going to send you an email, but didn't see a link from your blog.

I would really appreciate your help.

You can either post in the comments for this post or send me an email. poetrae@bellsouth.net

Thanks so much!

Finished my first ornament

Well, finished stitching it anyway! I still have to finish it into an ornament. I stitched a freebie pattern, La petite maison de campagne de décembre. (Click for the link) I'm stitching a set for my best friend and her husband, so I changed the Decembre to the family name (blurred for privacy). I also stitched in the year in the snow - I couldn't think of another good place to put it, but I think it looks okay where it is.


I stitched it over one on 25 ct. linen using mostly the recommended DMC threads. I did use up some Toasted Marshmallow I had left from another project for the snow, and I added a little gold star on top of the tree using metallic braid.

I'm also making a little progress on my own ornament, the 3-D Lavender house. I got a little tired of stitching on it (it's over one on 22 ct.), so I set it aside to work on other things. Guess I better get back to it!

January House

Hello All,
My complements to all who have posted their beautiful work so far. I am somewhat new to cross stitch and decided to join for the fun and the practice. I chose to stitch Home Sweet Home from Glory Bee. I didn't have the specific colors so used what I had on hand. Not sure how I am going to finish the edges yet (probably will just unravel).
Thanks Jenn for providing this opportunity.
Linda

Hi from Australia

Hi, my name is Sue & I live in Wollongong NSW, Australia.

Thank you Jennifer for allowing me to join this SAL. I look forward to seeing all the ornaments each month.

I finished my first ornament today. The design is from the 2004 JCS Christmas Ornaments Magazine by Heart in Hand.
Stitched on 32 count Jobelin with DMC Threads.
I've picked out my heart for February.
Happy stitching.

Sue in Australia.

Finally, a house!

Hi everyone! Here's my house that I finally settled on. It looks so much cuter in person. The colors are variations of brown and tan. I like it so much I may do one for myself!



Victorian Cottage Ornament
copyright 1995 by Nancy Spruance
stitched on 28 ct antique white Monaco with DMC color variations

A good beginning

Hi gang,

Here is my first ornament for our SAL. It's from a 1998 JCS ornament issue, and was designed by The Needle and I. I've always liked stitching little houses, but this one felt very familiar to me as I worked on it. It turns out that the house was part of a larger group of houses that I had stitched way back in 1988! Some things never change, huh?

Stitched on 32 ct natural linen, with DMC cotton floss (red is #4210).
Lee

January

Hello,

my house is ready. Originally, it was a Prairie Schooler pattern, but I modified it.

I stitched it on 16 ct. rustic aida.

Hugs

Éva

Teresa's January Ornament

I had a difficult time deciding which house I wanted to stitch. I settled on this design from the 2003 BH&G Cross Stitch Christmas magazine. It is from the Peace on Earth Sampler. I made a few color changes and put snow on the trees and yard using DMC Pearlescent Effects. I am not sure yet what the finish will be. I had a great time stitching, now on to February.

Hi! My first post & first month's finish...

Hi everyone! I'm Amy SC & I wanted to join in on this SAL! I love ornaments & I've always wanted to do the "Bride's Tree" theme, so here I am! :-) I decided to use a house from an EricaMichael design that I stitched last year for an exchange that I really liked. I just changed some colors & tried to make it more like our new house. Well, the colors anyway! :-) Thanks for looking & looking forward to Feb's ornament (I LOVE hearts!).
I stitched on 32 ct Lt. Mocha Belfast using GAST's & white DMC.

Happy stitching & have a great weekend!!

I can't make up my mind!

There are so many cute house patterns out there, I just can't limit myself to one. I'm trying to find one that looks almost log-cabinish, because my sis and hubby are outdoor types, hunting, fishing, skiing. Maybe one that looks like a lodge?

This is the only part I hate about stitching, is trying to narrow things down!

Greetings from Kuala Lumpur

Hello everyone!

Thank you Jennifer.

It's good to be here amongst stitching friends doing what we do best ... :)

I must confess Bride's Tree is a foreign concept to me until now. But it is a wholesome idea and quite symbolic.

They'll be no brides, no walking the aisles here just old good wishes :)

Barbara J

Request: Please tag your entries

Hello all,

When you post about your ornaments, please add labels or tags to the post. This will help others in the future when they want to search on a certain theme. If we can all get in the habit of adding "house", "heart", "bird", etc., I think it would be great.

I'd also encourage you to add your moniker as a tag, in case you or someone else wants to see all the posts you made.

Thanks, C

Decided to give a SAL a try

Hi,

My name is Joan and I live in Woodbury, Minnesota.
You can catch some of my work on my
blog: stitchingsquad.blogspot.com.

I heard about this SAL from one of my stitching buddy Jill.
I am excited to give this SAL a try.
Not sure yet what I will do with the ornaments,
but I like the idea of doing one a month.

Can't wait to see everyone else's work.

Joan

My Update

Hi, Ginger here - Here's the house. These are pretty small. All silk except the metallic, of course.

Jill's Ornament for January...

I finished my first ornament today. I chose an Elizabeth Design's pattern from the 2000 Just Cross Stitch Ornament magazine. I used 28ct. Lambswool and DMC floss.

Barbara's ornament for January

I finished the stitching on my January ornament last night. Here is First Moon Colony, by Bent Creek, stitched in my choices of DMC, 1-over-2 on a 40 ct. Silkweaver solo. As much as I'd like to do one for each of our four kids, I think I'm going to start slow. ;)

A few things...

First, I just want to say WELCOME to all the new members joining us recently, and a great big THANK YOU to everyone listing the SAL on their blogs. I think getting the word out has helped us get a wonderful group of stitchers together and I can't wait to see what everyone is working on. And if you want to put a link to the SAL on your blog, please feel free to do so.

Second, I've been collecting freebies here and there so if you're stuck finding a pattern for a theme, hopefully we can help with a freebie. Wait till you see the list of them for February's theme of a heart. There's TONS!! I've also been collecting links to some charts for purchase for the more difficult patterns to find, namely the pinecone. That one is going to be tough, I think. If you should happen to spot any free charts fitting any of the themes, please let me know about them so I can post the list. I'll also be setting up a place to keep the links after the month is up so stitchers can still access them. One word of caution though - if you see a freebie you like - PRINT IT OUT OR SAVE IT. There's nothing worse than going back for something and finding out it's no longer available. And while most designers label their charts, please make sure to note the designer so you can give proper credit.

Speaking of proper credit, don't forget to post the designer and name of the pattern when posting your pictures. Not only should they get credit for their design work, but who knows if you'll inspire another stitcher to do the same pattern? They'll want to know where they can find it. Also, if you're planning on selling any of these freebies, be sure to get the proper permissions from the copyright holder. I've only posted links to the freebies for your personal stitching. (And I'm sure you all know the drill about not kitting them up and selling them for a profit).

Hello from the Southern US!

Hi everyone! I'm Sandy from North Carolina and I'm so excited to be included in the SAL. I will be stitching these for my sister and her husband this year for Christmas. I plan on covering a hat box in satin and lace to put the ornaments in. I probably won't get started until next Tuesday, but I picked fairly easy patterns so they won't take so long to stitch up. I look forward to seeing everyone's progress!

Sandy

Hello!

I'm Chris from Massachusetts and I'm happy to be part of this SAL. I found a chart I want to stitch for the first ornament and can't wait to get started. I look forward to seeing photos of everyone's work.

Hi Ya'll

I'm Barb from Texas and am thrilled to be part of this SAL. I'm spending today browsing through my charts to find a house for my first ornament. I am looking forward to seeing all the projects everyone stitches.

A New Member...

Hello, I am Jill from Vadnais Heights, Minnesota and I am very excited to join this SAL. I was already thinking of stitching ornaments throughout this year and this will keep me on task. I might even give the whole set as a gift! I have a pattern in mind already for January--I just have to find it.

Progress Report

Hi - I have finished my house ornament and done a little on my sampler. Now onto my WIP...
Ginger

New Member

Hi,

I'm Éva from Hungary, and I'm excited to be joining this SAL! I haven't decided yet what pattern to stitch. I really like Victoria Sampler, but I don't have the patterns, and no place in the on-line classes until end of february. Best Wishes Ornaments from Rosewood Manor is nice, too.

And I love finding patterns, too. I found a nice little house at http://www.leschroniquesdefrimousse.com/ for january:



I look forward to seeing your choices!

House pattern

I mentioned in my previous post that the kit I had for my house ornament was missing the chart. I emailed the designer, who's in England, and the chart arrived in today's mail, less than 4 days after she sent it. I'm thrilled. Now I can get started.

I've starting stitching...

I found a fun house to stitch in my stash for January and on the "official" weekend of the SAL will be the time I turn it into an ornament...Finishing (framing or whatever) is what I tend to procrastinate so I am glad to be in the stitch along because I'll be motivated to finish one every month.

Waiting on patterns

I am looking forward to starting ... but I'm waiting for the patterns I ordered to get here. I decided to go with the Something in Common patterns ... though might make some changes as the year progresses. I really liked how they had the words on them as well as the symbol. Looking forward to starting soon!

Has anyone started yet?

I plan to decide on a house to stitch this weekend for January, and hope to have time to start stitching.

I do have a question. Does anyone have a pattern for the pinecone yet (for October I believe)?

Between my existing stash and the copy of the "Better Homes & Gardens 2001 Cross Stitch Designs" book that I picked up before Christmas, I have something for every month's theme except the pinecone. I've searched a few other places (PatternsOnline being one), no pinecone found yet.

What a fun SAL

I am looking forward to participating in my first SAL! I plan to decide on a Jan design this weekend. I too hope to stitch from my stash. My niece is getting married in July and maybe I will make a set for her. Thanks for the invite!

Ready to get started!

It's 2008 and I'm ready to get started. I don't know that I will actually start today, but definitely this week!

For my first month I have picked "Christmas Eve" by Brightneedle. It is in the book Small Samplings. It was also given out as a freebie at needlework stores prior to the book being published. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of the piece to show you.

Can't wait to see what everyone else has picked.