Christmas Countdown #25: Snowflakes

I've been making lots of Christmas Snowflakes from this Free Snowflake Pattern on the American Felt and Craft blog. Boy, have I heard the word snowflake a bit too much this season. But to me, the message of the snowflake is simple - it is that every created thing in this world has worth, is important, is exquisite, and has meaning.

Half the fun of crafting these is just grabbing a handful of pretty colors and sequins and making it up as I go along. If you're looking for a quick fun pattern to fill in some moments by the tree today, I highly recommend it! Get the free pattern on American Felt and Craft.

I'm not normally a purple person, but I'm loving this color combo I created.

Lastly, I would like to wish you and your families the merriest of Christmases. However you celebrate it, or even if you do not celebrate it at all - may the spirit of love that fills this season fill your hearts and guide you in hope and joy into the new year.

Thank you for reading Feeling Stitchy, and for being a part of all the things that bring us hope and joy throughout the year.

Christmas Countdown #24: CozyBlue

Let's not forget Hanukkah begins tonight, and I can't think of a lovelier way to commemorate it than to stitch this beautiful Festival of Lights pattern by Cozy Blue.

How special it would be to stitch each candle, one per night, until you have a finished piece!

Christmas Countdown #23: Alicia Paulson

Just how sweet is this Night Before Christmas pattern set by Alicia Paulson? There are three patterns in the set, including a mouse and a lovely snowflake.

I'm also a fan of this adorable Snow Day pattern set as well:

Christmas Countdown #22: September House

These Festive Flock patterns by September House are gorgeous - I love the elegant colors and imaginative stitches:

Christmas Countdown #21: Mollie Johanson

A wonderful free pattern, Posable Gingerbread People by Mollie Johanson are on Handmade Charlotte.

If you adore Mollie's sweet style as I do, there are lots of holiday themed patterns in her Etsy shop as well:

Christmas Countdown #20: Lia Griffith

I've fallen in love with a series of small felt ornament patterns by Lia Griffith - this Little Felt Bear is one. They require very little sewing and embellishment, so they are very quick to turnaround in these wee hours before Christmas is upon us!

Also not to be missed are these Felt and Pinecone Owls:

And this sweet Felt fox pattern

Christmas Countdown #19: Betz White

A teeny tiny felt Sewing Machine pattern by Betz White is perfect for your crafty friends!

There are plenty more delightful ornament patterns in Betz White's shop as well:

Fa La La La Lllama pattern

Hot Chocolate Ornament pattern

MooshieStitch Monday: Woven Picot Stitch with Wool

Ever since I did the Simply Stitched book review, I have really enjoyed working with tapestry wool.

I had some leftover wool from my plushwork wreath, so I decided to try stitching a woven picot stitch flower with it.

You can refer to my tutorial for the woven picot if you need to learn the stitch - this post is more to show you how it looks using tapestry wool.

DMC Red 7108 and Blanc

I usually stitch the woven picot with pearl cotton. The first thing I noticed using wool is how quickly you can stitch it up - less weaving since the wool is so thick.

Here are the finished flower petals.

I added woven picot leaves and white french knots for the center of the flower.

I love how it looks with the tapestry wool.

It sorta reminds me of poinsettia - but maybe because it's red and I have Christmas on my mind :)

Thank you again to DMC for providing the tapestry wool!

Christmas Countdown #18: Jenny Blair Art

I love these sweet Winter Woodland Ornament patterns by Jenny Blair Art! The muted colors and cute animals are lovely and adorable.

Christmas Countdown #17: What Delilah Did

These Cindermice patterns by Sophie at What Delilah Did are so bright and wonderful. What a cute little gift they would make, or some time well-spent, teaching a beginner how to stitch!

Christmas Countdown #16: iManuFatti

I adore this Cute Christmas Robin pattern by Etsy seller iManuFatti. Seriously, it is filled with delightfulness, if that is even a word. :)

And there are so many more sweet holiday ornament patterns in Manuela's shop:

Just wonderful - for more visit iManuFatti's shop!

Christmas Countdown #15: Noia Land

I can't think of anything more delightful than this Mouse Elves pattern by Noia Land. If adorable patterns are your thing, there are lots more to be found in Noia Land's Etsy shop!

Christmas Countdown #14: Bumpkin Hill

This Friends For Tea ornament pattern in Bumpkin Hill's shop is adorable, isn't it? We featured this Friends for Tea pattern a few years ago, but it is totally worthy of a repost, in my opinion!

Catherine also has some delightful new patterns in her shop as well:

Thanks Catherine, for pointing these out via email - to see more, visit the Bumpkin Hill Etsy shop!

Christmas Countdown #13: Erica Hite

Continuing the vintage Christmas charm are these lovely Felt Christmas Ornaments patterns by artist Erica Hite. I love how these patterns can either take a lot or a little embellishment and still look fantastic!

Christmas Countdown #12: Daisy Eyes Handmade

This Silent Night pattern by Daisy Eyes Handmade has so many beautiful touches. I love the variety of colors and stitches, and the wonderful vintage look.

Christmas Countdown #11: Hallodribums

Nothing says Christmas like this sweet UFO themed Christmas pattern in the Hallodribums Etsy shop! I love the simple, sketchy lines, and the sweetness of this little pattern. For you less traditional Christmas fans out there.

Christmas Countdown #10: Little Thimble Studios

Simple, sweet, and lovely - this Merry and Bright pattern by Little Thimble Studios is just perfect! This shop is a lovely place to visit for some Christmas cheer, and exquisite hand-embroidered artworks.

Christmas Countdown #9: The Flossbox

This Old Christmas Feeling pattern by The Flossbox is just impeccable. The wool threads really give this sweet piece an heirloom feeling - there are so many lovely crewel patterns in The Flossbox's Etsy shop, and some really adorable cross stitch patterns.

Also, don't miss Emily's site for many wonderful embroidery tutorials and resources!

Christmas Countdown #8: Satsuma Street

These exquisite Christmas Baubles cross stitch patterns by Satsuma Street are full of bright, happy color and Christmas cheer! Again, I love the bright, nontraditional colors for a welcome twist on holiday crafting.

Christmas Countdown #7: Trellis and Thyme

I'm in love with this Merry Little Trees pattern for ornaments by Trellis and Thyme. I love the unusual colors - a cute change from the traditional red and green - who can resist a cheery pink tree? If you enjoy making handmade felt ornaments, there are many to be found in the Trellis and Thyme shop!

Christmas Countdown #6: Little Beach Hut

How about this adorable Christmas Badgers cross stitch pattern in Little Beach Hut's shop? So cute, and perfect to give as a gift or ornament.

There's also a beautiful kit version of this pattern in her shop as well!

What a lovely shop!

Christmas Countdown #5: NaNee Hand Embroidery

I adore this sweet Cozy Sweater pattern in NaNee Hand Embroidery's shop. It looks just perfect stitched on natural linen, doesn't it? And the nice traditional Christmas reds and greens are wonderful.

MooshieStitch Monday: Plushwork Wreath

Today I am going to show you how to stitch a plushwork wreath for the holidays!

For best results - I highly suggest tapestry wool.

This wreath is stitched with DMC Tapestry Wool (which DMC has so kindly provided).

DMC Green 7344 and Red 7108

For my wreath template, I cut a circle about 2.5 inches wide in diameter out of cardboard.

To start, bring your wool up through the fabric (A) and back down (B)

Continue with your surface satin stitch - bring your wool back up next to the previous stitch on the same side.

Then down again across the template.

Back up again next to that stitch on the same side and repeat until your template is covered.

Here is the first layer complete.

I stitched 3 layers of wool around the circle template.

Now you are ready to cut through all the layers.

Remove the cardboard template.

Here it as without any fluffing - notice you can see a gap in the wool.

I tried fluffing the wool to remove the gap / indent in the middle of the wreath but it would not go away. Maybe my template was too wide? 

Although I was not 100% satisfied with my first attempt, I trimmed the wool a little with my scissors, fluffed it as much as I could and added a red bow and french knots for decoration.

My second attempt, I cut a smaller, thinner circle template.

Below is the first circle in white paper on the right and the new template on the left. 

Same process - I stitched three layers of wool.

I cut the layers and removed the template. See how there is less of a gap this time??

Here it is trimmed and fluffed. You can still see a line around the middle but it's less than the first wreath.

Here is the wreath finished with the bow and french knots!

Do you like the first or second wreath better? 

I hope you try this plushwork wreath sometime. If you do, leave a comment below and let us know!