A Little Cross Stitch Bauble Pattern

A little cross stitch Christmas Bauble pattern

Only once the final show of the year, Knitting and Stitching in Harrogate, is finished do I start thinking about Christmas and it is the perfect time to say a little thank you to everyone who has supported my tiny needlework business over the past year.

This year I have been inspired to design some Christmas baubles on perforated paper stitched in a combination of cross stitch and seed beads. If I had been a little more organised I would have started work on these back in the summer but as it turns out I began stitching about two weeks ago! By some miracle my mother and I have managed to get a few finished and although there are no kits yet I would love to share one of the patterns with you and hope you have some bits and bobs in your stash that you can put to good use.

The sample shown was stitched on 14count, the finished size is approximately 9cm x 7cm and can be stitched in about four hours, so you should be able to make it in time for Christmas….. and if you are a particularly speedy stitcher then why not make a few in different colours to create a garland?

If you would like a copy of the free pattern and instructions please click on the link below.

Happy Christmas, Emma Pavier

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Win!!! Tickets to the Knitting and Stitching Show Harrogate

Hoorah, it is that time of year again when I am in full swing getting ready for the Knitting and Stitching Show in Harrogate – the end of the show always coincides with my annual trip to the dentist and then the start of the Christmas preparations.

I have some tickets to give away to this super event. Please drop me a line, either in the comments box below or email epavier@annsorchard.co.uk by Friday 8th November if you would like to be included in the prize draw on Saturday 9th November. Two lucky winners will each receive a pair of tickets and a needlework kit of your choice.

If you are planning to come along to the show please give us a wave, we shall be at C550.
It should be a fantastic day out and a great opportunity to stock up on materials for your Christmas makes or presents for your crafty family and friends.

A Christmas Biscornu

I have been so fortunate over the past year to have received so much support and encouragement for my little needlework business. It means so much to hear such positive messages from this community of crafters and to be so inspired by your creativity. One of my favourite projects has been designing cross stitch biscornu so it seemed appropriate to create one as a Christmas gift.

This quirky shaped needlework is surprisingly easy to make. Simply two squares of Cashel linen covered in festive cross stitch motifs and then the process of offsetting the finished needlework squares when stitching them together causes the shape to fold itself.

For a PDF copy of the cross stitch charts and instructions simply click on the link.
I do have a few kits available but feel free to raid your stash.

You are very welcome to share this pattern with friends and family

Wishing you a very happy Christmas and joyful New Year x

Christmas Cross Stitch Designs

After all the rain the weather is now beautiful and the sun shining so it is very hard to believe we are mid way through November and Christmas is on the horizon.

It is this time of the year when I am preparing for the Knitting and Stitching Show in Harrogate, crafting some presents and thinking of a Christmas pattern giveaway. One of my favourite projects this year has been designing biscornu so I thought a Christmas themed version would be perfect for a little seasonal stitching.

One side has been designed over the weekend and the stitching should be complete by tomorrow I just have to design the second side!!!! Normally inspiration strikes when I am in the midst of doing something very boring. It is as though part of my brain is at a loose end so starts wandering off into creative thought and the images start to appear in my mind. Since I have a set of shelves and the ceiling of the summerhouse to sand and undercoat today I am hoping this will be the perfect stimulus to create some more motifs to complete the biscornu.

If you would like a free copy of the finished pattern, hopefully at the beginning of December, please head over to the homepage and sign up to my newsletter.

Crochet Christmas Pudding Bauble

It is almost the end of another year during which I have been so grateful for all your support and encouragement.

This year, as a very small thank you, I have designed a crochet Christmas pudding bauble. It is made using DMC natura cotton and you should be able to get three or four from a single ball of yarn. However, feel free to raid your stash, use some chunky yarn for a full size pudding, add some beads to give the impression of dried fruit or make lots to create a garland. At only 2.5″ in diameter you should be able to squeeze a few in before Christmas – this year!

For full instructions and pattern please click on the link to the PDF file.

You are very welcome to share this pattern with family and friends.

Crochet Christmas Pudding

Christmas Robin Hoop Embroidery

It seems quite incredible that we are almost at the end of another year and I have been so grateful for all your support and encouragement in my stitching endeavours.

As a very small thank you I have designed a little hoop embroidery robin.
He is sewn on linen in a variety of stitches with a few beads for good measure.
At only 5″ in diameter he is quite a quick project and you may be able to squeeze him in before Christmas – this year!
I have put together a few materials packs from my stash but feel free to use whatever you have to hand – I would love to see what you create.

For full instructions, pattern and optional materials pack please click on the link.

You are very welcome to share this chap with family and friends.
Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas!

 

The Queen’s Speech

I just had to share this photograph of the Christmas card I received from my friend, Sue Insole…..’The Queen’s Speech’

I love it, embroidery, appliqué, beads, buttons, sequins and glittery thread all work together perfectly to capture the comfortable chaos of Christmas afternoon in front of the television.

Partridge in a Pear Tree

I have been so fortunate over the past year to have received so much support and encouragment for my little, fledgling needlework company.

To thank everyone I have created a Christmas cross stitch…
A Partridge in a Pear Tree

He is inspired by traditional redwork so follows a simple, rather curvy line design rather than a more formal sampler.

I plan to stitch him on 32 count Belfast linen, possibly platinum, using a single strand of a deep raspberry red embroidery floss over two strands of the fabric. However, you are welcome to make the pattern your own, stitch on any fabric in any colour and I would love to see your work.

To obtain the PDF file for the pattern please click below.

Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year.

Partridge in a Pear Tree

A Lucky Christmas Pickle

‘Frohe Weihnachten,’ from Munich….

I decided to take advantage of the fact that my husband often works in Germany and popped on a plane to join him this week. Whilst he was in the office I had a wonderful few days exploring the city and taking in the atmosphere of the Christmas markets.

One thing that really caught my eye, and made me reach for my purse, were the hand made glass tree ornaments. They were so kitsch, sparkly and frankly bonkers! From dinosaurs, to London buses, flying cows and fast food. However, one that really stood out was the pickle and it comes with a lovely tradition.

‘The pickle is a symbol of good luck for the coming year and is the last ornament to be placed on the tree. The first child to find it on Christmas morning is rewarded with an extra present from St Nicholas.’

So, I have managed to get my ornaments home on a flight to London in one piece and they shall be placed on the tree, pickle last. However, I am still debating whether to tell the children about the lucky pickle as I’m not sure I can face them getting up even earlier on Christmas morning!

Perfect Accompaniment to Christmas Dinner

Lots of beadwork kits sold at the Appleducks fair in Tunbridge Wells this weekend and as an added bonus I met some fantastic artists.

These sprout bowls are individually made by Alison Alldis and are the perfect size for a single brussel sprout. My lucky children are getting one each this Christmas so they can savour a single, delicious (?) sprout without it coming into contact with any other item on their plates!!!