A few days ago I started a little cross-stitch project for Christmas, I like to have something small and portable on the go so I can pop it in my bag if I’m going away or somewhere with a lot of waiting! I also tend to keep it in the dining room so whilst I’m cooking tea I can pick it up and do a few stitches, I do have to use the oven timer religiously though, otherwise I’d get carried away with the cross-stitch and tea would be ruined!
This is a design by Faby Reilly, I only discovered her designs recently and I love them, there’s a few I want to do but I thought I’d start with some Christmas ones (yes, I’ve another two to stitch before Christmas in theory!)
This is a Humbug I can hang on my Christmas tree, it’s got mistletoe and gold ribbon entwined round it. I really like the apparent simplicity of her designs, she just uses whole cross-stitches but uses the back-stitch to give the shape, the eye follows the outline rather than the blocks of colour, it gives a lovely light effect.
The design only uses nine DMC thread colours, it never ceases to amaze me that however extensive your thread collection is, you never have the right colours in! Despite having a box full of threads, I only had two in stock, they’re not even ‘new’ colours!! I went to the Knitting & Stitching show with a list of what I needed.
The design is fairly quick and simple to stitch, though I found I did have to concentrate, it was frustrating how many times I had to undo stitches in the first hour! I’ve just got to finish the ribbon and a line of backstitch around the design, then I can make it up. The backstitch is used with a whip-stitch to sew the seams of the humbug. There are instructions to either stuff it as an ornament, or line it to make a mini present box, I think I’ll just be stuffing it. Hopefully I’ll finish it this week.
I’m linking up with Kathy’s Quilts for Slow-Stitching Sunday, why not have a look what everyone else is stitching.
thecraftycreek 
Really like this and I know just what you mean about never having the right threads!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a pretty holiday project! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so beautiful!! No doubt not having the right threads has something to do with “Murphy’s Law”; since I have to mail order my threads I’ve become a good substituter, lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
All my threads are older…I have them wound on the same cardboard shapes that you have. I love that little ornament you are making…so nice to have a little project to work on while the tea is being made!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s so pretty and will be a lovely gift!
Thanks for sharing with the Slow Sunday Stitchers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s looking brilliant !! So pleased you’re enjoying this design 🙂 !!
LikeLike
Thank you Faby, your designs are beautiful, I’ve a few on my ‘to do’ list 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, fantastic! It’s just delightful to see your progress pictures 🙂
LikeLike
What a lovely project. I’m going to check out fabys designs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very nice little project!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And I thought I had a lot of threads! Love the mistletoe – just beautiful:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Christmas is Coming | thecraftycreek