Merry Christmas

December 1st was our annual Christmas Open House at the shop.  It was a wonderful day geared to appreciating our customers.  The shop was decorated for Christmas, the snack table well stocked, plenty of specials throughout, and a gift of christmas stitching free bees.

One of the Christmas suprises at this year's Open House was a kit of a singing reindeer I designed just for this occasion.  All were quite taken with him, and Margaret even named him "Felix". 
I realize many of you were unable to drop by on this day, so I would like to share Felix with all of you. 
Click here for Felix, the Singing Reindeer.

Gitta's team this year at the Open House, from left to right, consisted of Clare, Margaret, Mary, Gitta, Me, Helen, and Ietje.  To see our Christmas Open House photo album on facebook  click here.   At the shop we appreciate your support throughout the year and look forward to helping you with your stitching projects in 2013.

I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas, 

a season filled with love, family, and good friends,

 and a New Year filled with good health and happiness.

 

A Surprise for Kathrin

I recieved an email Tuesday entitled "A Surprise for Kathrin"  It was like opening an early Christmas present.  The surprise was from Kim Beamish, she had already completed her 15 Sided Pulled Thread Biscornu and so much more.  Kim is designer herself and has had many of her designs published in A Needle Pulling Thread Magazine.  (issues available through Gitta's)
Here are some photos of Kim's finished project.

Her Biscornu

Her box is way beyond the box I plan on completing sometime (when I find some time)

She had the box almost all finished before I even posted the last square. 

What's a treasured stitching box without tools to tuck inside.

Absolutely Awesome; great job Kim.

However, Kim's was not the first photo I received.  2 weeks ago, I had received a photo from Susan H., she had completed hers before I even posted the last square (using one of the pattens twice).  She had to have it finished for her (Toronto) Guild's annual Christmas luncheon and gift exchange.  The recipient was totally thrilled (I was told).

Great job ladies!!!  If I'm lucky I'll manage to stitch mine together over the holidays.

Square #15 - Chessboard Filling Stitch

15. Chessboard Filling Stitch
It has taken me a while to post this last and final square, and for that I do apologize.  It was a hectic week before our Christmas Open House, and this past week I was desparately catching up on finishing seven Christmas Stockings.

Well here is the last square.  Although it is called Chessboard, when I look at the finished stitch I see interwoven ribbons.  No matter the name, what is in a name any way, I love the finished look.

Click here for the stitch instructions and stitch diagrams.


As for the finishing.  Please follow the finishing instructions from my last 15 Sided Biscornu.  I first posted these instructions on my March 18, 2011 blog post, but you can also click here. 
The only differnece between that and this 15 sided biscornu is that this one has open areas.  So before following the finishing instructions, you will first need to sew a backing fabric behind each square.  Sew this backing fabric to the square just along the outside of the backstitched border.

I will not get to finishing mine until after Christmas.  Sorry, to leave you on your own, but many of yours' will probably be finished before I get a chance to finish mine.  Lots of luck, and I'd love to see them all done !!