Christmas is not all snowmen and reindeer for everyone. In Australia, Christmas Day is typically uncomfortably hot, spent under blazing blue skies with family and friends. The way we celebrate is different too: when I was little, I remember one of my grandmothers battling to create the traditional baked lunch, when it was too hot to even breathe. Now, most Australians that I know celebrate much more informally, with a seafood BBQ or picnic at the beach.
When I was thinking about Christmas designs, I wanted to do one for how you celebrate – in either the hot or the cold. My first design, Be Merry, is for traditional Christmas: for those of you lucky enough to enjoy the holidays surrounded by snow, candlelight and pine. This little design is a very quick stitch that only uses full crosses over 2. It would make a lovely gift or addition to your traditional Christmas display.
My model for Be Merry was stitched on 32-count ‘Weathered’ and finished with ‘Army Greens’ chenille trim, both from Number12StitchCo on Etsy. I used Classic Colorworks, Gentle Arts and Weeks Dye Works thread, and the chart includes a full DMC conversion.
For those of us who celebrate a Summer Christmas, I created the Christmas Bells Pin-keep. This design features a beautiful native flower that blooms around Christmas. In this design, the Christmas Bell Blandfordia nobilis, is surrounded by eucalyptus blossoms instead of snowflakes.
This is also a quick stitch, using full crosses over 2 and Algerian Eyelets sewn around a central cross-stitch. My model was stitched on 36-count Spice by Number12StitchCo on Etsy, using Weeks Dye Works and Classic Colorworks thread, and finished with red recycled silk sari ribbon (available in my Etsy store).
As always, the chart contains a full DMC conversion, and I’ve also stitched up the central motif into a little Christmas decoration, using the Cottage Garden Threads conversion provided below:
- CGT Blackwood (for Weeks Havana)
- CGT Oregano (for Weeks Moss)
- CGT Burgundy (for Weeks Garnet)
- CGT Clivea (for Weeks Sweet Potato)
- CGT Flax (for Weeks Whiskey)
- DMC 3770 (for Classic Colorworks Khaki Mocha).
I hope these designs provide some cheer for you these holidays, and that you, your families and friends can celebrate together, after so long being apart.
Hard-copy charts and PDFs for these designs are available from the many lovely stores listed on my Stockists page, and directly from me from my Etsy store. You can also stock up on Cottage Garden Threads there too. Happy holiday stitching!
Mojo Stitches 