Ornament of the Month – February 2011

I know that I said I was going to stitch Julia Lucas’ Home for the Holidays this month, but when I sat down to sort through the remaining ornament patterns, Sweetheart Tree’s Hollyberry Heart (1998 JCS ornament issue) jumped out at me.

Hollyberry Heart from The Sweetheart Tree

I stitched it using the called for DMC threads on a piece of interesting linen I found in my stash. It was only after I finished that I remembered I was saving it to stitch the Carol Elmer Santa ornament. Argh. Oh well, I’m sure I can find something nice for him.  I do wish I knew what this linen was though. It is a darker brown than the picture shows, and is quite lovely.

You may have noticed that the design looks like it is missing something. There should be a little red heart in the centre (Sweetheart Tree Ruby Cabochon Heart (SV-CP152)). I don’t have it in my stash, but I thought I had a good replacement. Well, the hearts I have are purple, and the brass Santa charm I tried looked awful. So, I’ve ordered the heart from 123 Stitch. And, uh, while I was there I also ordered Just Nan’s Floral Fifteen since it was on sale. (It was a husband approved purchase; a small reward for finally finishing Enchanting Lair’s Kitchen Blessings. Pictures soon!) So, I’ve fallen off the wagon a little bit, but not too badly.

Next month’s ornament will likely be the aforementioned Santa Bellpull from Carol Emmer Designs (1997). I pulled the floss for it today, and will look for some fabric for it shortly. It has a very large floss list for such a small design, but it looks like some of the colours are used for about five or six stitches. Fun, fun.