Hello all! I'm reviewing Stitch the Halls by Sophie Simpson from What Delilah Did today, and we're also doing a very special giveaway!
This is an absolutely delightful book that I wouldn't hesitate to add to your library - the main focus of this book's projects is counted cross stitch and embroidery, but many of the projects could easily translate into freeform embroidery, as well. The book begins with a nice summary of counted embroidery basics - going over fabrics, thread, and frames, and how to read counted charts. There's also a helpful stitch directory of 11 counted stitches you can use in addition to the basic cross stitch.
Let's open it up and have a look, shall we?
As you can see, the watercolor illustrations by Ana Victoria Calderon are absolutely gorgeous, and you'll find them throughout.
The book's 12 projects are divided into 3 broad categories: Stylish and Chic - for sophisticates; Merry and Bright - for modernists; and Classic and Cosy - for traditionalists.
I am loving the Stylish and Chic section of the book - with muted shades and classic black and whites for a nice variation from the ordinary Christmas red and green:
The Merry and Bright section is just as modern and refreshing, however. I love how crisp and geometric the designs are, and the bright pops of color in the projects within:
Last up is the Cosy and Traditional section, and although there is a traditional selection of red and white, the patterns don't lose their clean, modernist take - and how adorable are those mini Christmas sweaters?!
What I love about these patterns is that there is plenty of room for creativity - they are fresh and modern while being classic and elegant - in short, not unlike What Delilah Did's signature style.
I chose one of the small Advent Tree designs to stitch up on for this review - it was a quick, delightful stitch - easy to follow, geometric, and striking. I used the Mountain Merino Wool from our previous giveaway, and the homespun quality of the wool added a great deal to this, I think:
So, on to our giveaway! I call this a very special giveaway because in addition to the review copy which we were kindly sent - we have been offered 3 copies of the book to give away to our readers! 3 copies! You have 3 times the chances to win this gorgeous book, just in time to do a bit of Holiday stitching.
To win a copy of Stitch the Halls!: 12 Decorations to Make for Christmas
, simply leave a comment on this post by Sunday, October 26, 9 PM US CST, and tell us, which section of the book appeals to you most, and what do you think you might make?
What a charming book.
ReplyDeleteStylish and Chic and Classic and Cozy both! Everything from ornaments to table linens to storage baskets to hand-drawn cross stitch patterns on plain brown gift wrap! This book looks great!
ReplyDeleteMerry & Bright looks cute, but I really like all the designs!
ReplyDeleteLove the Christmas trees!!! Definitely my favourite!
ReplyDeleteMerry & Bright is my fav...those sweet little tree bags are perfect to put my signature toffee within and mail to friends and family afar.
ReplyDeleteThe Classic & Cozy section for sure! Having moved away half way across the country for grad school, I'm finding myself drawn to more traditional patterns that remind me of home (patterns I used to shy away from in favor of more trendy/modern patterns).
ReplyDeleteI love Sophie's things! I'd love to make the decorations for an advent tree from the merry and bright section. Could see our December baby enjoying them next year! :)
ReplyDeleteLovely simply lovely
ReplyDeleteLovely give away, merry and bright looks interesting, I'd love to make those felt chains.xx
ReplyDeleteI would love to make the Christmas Jumpers from the Classic & Cozy section. They would be a great detail for the christmas presents.
ReplyDeleteOoh, the Merry and Bright section looks so fun! I'd love to win this book.
ReplyDeleteI love the Classic and cosy section, the Christmas Jumpers are amazing, i could see them hanging from my Christmas tree! I also adore the pretty watercolour illustrations.
ReplyDeleteOh, exciting! The Merry & Bright appeals to me most—here in the Midwest we don't see the sun from roughly Thanksgiving through late April, thus I've filled my home with pops of colour and will continue to do so. Thus that sounds right up my alley—and our mantel DOES need some sort of swag-like decoration. Why not an embroidered one?!
ReplyDeleteI would love to make the animal bunting in the stylish and chic section. All the patterns are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteStylish & chic looks fabulous. I would love to stitch the polar parade bunting as it's wintery and could remain on display in my home for longer.
ReplyDeleteStylish and chic is the one for me and I would make the bunting. It looks a fabulous book. Thank you for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteall the the Christmas stitching, thanks for the chance
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to pick which section I like best as I like projects in each of the sections. I think I'd love to make that lady decoration first. She is so different.
ReplyDeleteMerry & Bright looks like the most fun to me. I love the reusable countdown rings. Reminds me of the paper ones my brother and I used to make as kids!
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm usually rather modern in my style, when it comes to Christmas I just love the traditional. So I think the third, cosy part would be my favourite. But the others look beautiful as well!
ReplyDeleteI'm really interested in the modernist section. I want to make the paper chain and tiny tree bags.
ReplyDeleteI thought I would stick with stylish and chic, but the merry and bright is fun and fresh, I'd probably start there. But I think I would have no problem finding joy in all the projects!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I love modern stuff right now, I also love the look of Scandinavian type Christmas design which shows in the Stylish & Chic section. Those mittens are adorable & the animal bunting is a must!
ReplyDeleteI think the classic and cosy section would be for me! thank you!
ReplyDeleteThe Merry and Bright looks like a lot of fun colors! I love the geometric shapes--the trees are great!
ReplyDeleteMerry and bright looks right up my alley. I really want to make that little stocking. It would go with the rest of my Christmas decor perfectly. I will ask my library to order this book!
ReplyDeleteOoh Stylish and Chic, 100%. I can be a total Scrooge about the traditional Christmas aesthetic but some of those projects look lovely.
ReplyDeleteI love the redwork on that doll ornament!
ReplyDeleteThe entire book looks awesome!!! I think that my favorite section is Cozy & Traditional.
ReplyDeleteMerry and bright looks fun and colorful! Not sure what I would make yet as everything looks so pretty!
ReplyDeleteThis looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteCosy & traditional looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI think I like the merry and bright designs the most. I would love to make some ornaments for people.
ReplyDeleteI love the mittens in the first section, although I probably would not do them in black and white. I would love to make these as ornaments, for me, family, and friends.
ReplyDeleteAll are fantastic, but the mitten ornaments in "stylish and chic" would be my first project.
ReplyDeleteThe Stylish and Chic section looks right up my alley. Those mittens!
ReplyDeleteI think I am drawn to the Stylish and Chic section. I would love to try the mittens but might make them white with light blue stitching. The book looks like it is full of great projects.
ReplyDeleteThe assorted Christmas Trees in the Merry & Bright section look like they would be a fun project to make.
ReplyDeleteOh it all looks devine but I think I would have to start with Merry & Bright and make the little advent bags! they are so cute!
ReplyDeleteI like most the merry and bright section and I would do first the cute little bags. So adorable.
ReplyDeleteTraditionalist for me. jennylarking at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI love the classic and cosy!
ReplyDeleteI'd go for something from the classic and cosy traditional sections - I'm a sucker for red and white cross stitch at Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI liked the classic and cosy section as well. I would like to make the doll in red and white. :)
ReplyDelete"Stylish and Chic", definitely. It reminds me of the first book. But the doll is so very cute.
ReplyDeleteMerry and Bright! Love the advent tree bags and you could scale up the patterns and use on enviro friendly totes for gift giving or day to day shopping.
ReplyDeleteI would choose Stylish and Chic, and the silhouetted animals in black and white.
ReplyDeleteI love the garland in Merry and Bright, but those mittens in Stylish and Chic are super cute too!
ReplyDeleteohh this is such a great chance to win this giveaway.. i', looking forward to see if there's any great ideas for making christmas ornaments.. love the ideas for the geometric christmas trees for the advent calenders. :D
ReplyDeleteI love the merry and bright section! I would use some of those ideas to make gift bags :)
ReplyDeleteI love the MERRY AND BRIGHT, but know I will love it all. So much fun to be had.
ReplyDeleteI love the traditional section. I would make the snuggly winter jumpers for our tree.
ReplyDeleteThat is a gorgeous book! I'm loving the Stylish and Chic section as well, particularly the silhouetted animal banner!
ReplyDeleteThe stylish and chic section looks right up my street. I adore the mittens, they combine the stylish part with the fun aspect of christmas!
ReplyDeleteReally appreciate the sophisticated look of the embroidery. Clean and simple.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful book, I'd love a chance to win a copy!
ReplyDeleteI think the classic and cozy appeals to me most. I have always been drawn to classic looks.
ReplyDeleteI would be happy to stitch anything from Stylish and Chic section.
ReplyDeleteThe Merry and Bright advent project would at the top of my list to try. What a great book!
ReplyDeleteIt is tough to choose, but I think Merry and Bright is my favorite. I love the bags.
ReplyDeleteMerry & Bright is terrific. I'd like to make the felt garland and stitch the trees as gift toppers. Such cool designs.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful book! I'd be happy to get my hands on those patterns!
ReplyDeleteLovely looking book. I would love to do all of the projects!
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute idea book. I would totally love to make gift card holders from the geometric trees.
ReplyDeleteI like the Sophisticated mittens.
ReplyDeletei love the merry & bright! and the little advent baggies are adorable!
ReplyDeleteSo many cute patterns!
ReplyDeleteI think I'd combine different elements from the sections -- like a Stylish and Chic design with Merry and Bright colors. Really, all of it is lovely!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous book! The bold colours of Merry and Bright really appeal, but the Stylish and Chic section is lovely too. I took a look at the illustrators website - wow! Beautiful! Thanks for the chance, and the reminder that I need to start thinking about getting those Christmas parcels away!
ReplyDeleteI love the classic and cosy - I'm definitely a traditional gal! Love the look of all the projects though!
ReplyDeleteThe felt garland is adorable!!
ReplyDeleteI love the black and white mittens. So cute!
ReplyDeleteClassic and cozy!!! Can't wait!
ReplyDeletei really like the Modernist section- looks like it could be fun-
ReplyDeleteI love the Stylish and Chic section and would love to make the bunting!
ReplyDelete