Living somewhere that has hot-weather Christmas, it can be a struggle to find Christmas decor that fits my experience. Growing up, all our Christmas decorations were jolly snowmen, playing among snow-laden trees, and snowflakes… in the snow. All while we’re sweating and longing for a breeze!
So in my Christmas designs, I’d like to cover all the options: a traditional design for those lucky enough to have cool weather, and an Australian-themed design too. This year, I’ve designed a companion to last year’s “Be Merry” – “Be Bright”…
I always think of the word ‘bright’ when I hear the word ‘merry’ – I think it’s from a White Christmas: ‘May all your Christmases be bright’… This is a quick, easy design that’s also easy to customise to what you have in stash, or to a different colour scheme. I think it would look lovely in blue and silver, or in metallics, for example.
The models of “Be Bright” and “Be Merry” were stitched on 32-ct ‘Weathered’ by Number12StitchCo on Etsy, and finished with her chenille trim in Army Greens. It’s stitched in a mix of Weeks Dye Works, Gentle Arts and Classic Colorworks threads, and the chart comes with a full DMC conversion.
And for my Australian design, I’m starting a series of Bushland Christmas Ornaments, based on the beautiful flora and fauna here. The first in the series celebrates Australian Mistletoe, and the gorgeous Regent Honeyeater that feeds on it. Sadly endangered, this beautiful bird relies on mistletoe as a major food source. You can learn more about it here.
I stitched this on a scrap of 32-ct ‘Platinum’ by Zweigart (ornaments are such great projects for using up your fabric scraps!), 2 over 2. And I use the Bookshelf range – my collaboration with Cottage Garden Threads, which were such a delight to work into this little wreath. Of course, the chart has DMC and overdye conversions as well.
And for finishing, I relied on this fabulous tutorial by Cindy’s Cross Stitch on YouTube – only leaving out the cording and using a piece of my recycled silk sari ribbon for the loop. Another small piece was tied around the bottom of the loop and the ends cut diagonally at different lengths for some visual interest.
Both these designs are available in my Etsy store and from your favourite needlework store. And you can see them in more detail in my latest Flosstube video. Happy Christmas stitching, wherever you are!
Mojo Stitches 