Wednesday, November 24, 2021

"My Frosty Friend" - 2021 Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament

My Friend Frosty ©Copyright 2021 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com
Hello creative friends - thanks for stopping by for a visit! Today, I have a very special Thanksgiving post that includes my 2021 Christmas Ornament. 

NOTE: If you are a regular reader of my blog, I'm sure you recall my post about the Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament Issue (if you have not read it, please take a look for context). 

I struggled with how to release a holiday ornament this year, as I proclaimed 2021 to be the year I value myself and my artistry. I didn't want to provide my ornament design for free (for the sixteenth year) to a publication/corporation that was profiting from it, as I truly believe that artists should be compensated appropriately for their work. However, when I created my 2021 Christmas ornament, I found myself wanting to provide it directly to my fans and needleworkers for free. In a year full of challenges, unrest and divide, I wanted to do something positive and share some joy - after all, sheer happiness comes from giving. Many have needed strength, love, hope and positivity to overcome challenges and loss over the past year - and at this time of Thanksgiving, even with my own challenges and struggles, I have an abundance of blessings. Today, I want to thank YOU for a multitude of things: for allowing me the opportunity to continue to pursue my passion - for your kind support of my needlework and quilting designs - for shopping my website and Etsy Shop - for inspiring me - for your uplifting comments, notes and e-mails - and for sharing your enthusiasm of all things needle and thread with me. 

My 2021 Christmas ornament is called "My Frosty Friend" and is available as a complimentary pattern. It complements my previous ornaments and is in the same style as my 2020 ornament (Rejoicing Reindeer). I continued in my flat-finish tradition (if you stitch it on 32-count fabric, 3 1/4" circles work perfectly) and used DMC floss (321 and 505) to make two-tone twisted cord. I decided to attach a 3/8" red gingham ribbon bow with a couple 1/2" red jingle bells. I used hand-dyed 32-count fabric this year....search your stash for a darker neutral fabric...just make sure the white floss will stand out. I used Weeks Dye Works cotton floss for the model and provide DMC conversions with the chart, if you prefer. I truly hope this cheerful snowman will bring you joy - please stitch it with a happy heart

You can find the printable PDF chart here:
https://blueribbondesigns.com/free-charts/
I kindly ask you do not post the actual chart on the Internet/social media or on Pinterest - instead, post a photo of the finished piece and direct users to this post or my website.

My Friend Frosty ©Copyright 2021 Belinda Karls-Nace/Blue Ribbon Designs, LLC http://www.blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com

UPDATE to the original post: for those who have kindly asked if they could purchase this ornament design in the spirit of valuing my work (your messages make my heart happy!): I ask you talk about my designs with your stitching friends (spread the word about Blue Ribbon Designs) and/or visit my Etsy Shop or website to make a purchase...or you can Buy Me a Coffee...it is definitely not required or necessary, but truly appreciated - thank you for supporting my creativity and valuing my artistry!💓

I also want to note, Just CrossStitch Magazine has changed their policy going forward (starting with the 2022 Christmas Ornament Issue) - they will now be compensating  designers for submissions. I should also note -  they did not invite me to design an ornament for the 2022 issue. I want to thank each and every one of you who spread the word regarding my blog post and called out Just CrossStitch Magazine for their outdated policy. We did make a difference!...and while they did not reach out to me for the 2022 publication, I am proud of myself and everyone who stood with me to make this change that benefits all cross stitch designers working with them in the future. Thank you.

Finally - if you plan to stitch "My Frosty Friend", I hope you will share an image of your progress or finished ornament on social media and tag me, so I can see it! 

To everyone celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow - and to my many international fans and friends - take a little time to count your blessings...and a little time to stitch...

Happy Thanksgiving!

20 comments:

  1. My Frosty Friend is so adorable, Belinda. What a precious piece! While I am sad they didn't extend an invitation to you, I am glad that your stance about value and compensation was heard. Well done! Wishing you a very blessed Thanksgiving. Love you!

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  2. Just read your previous post about the issue and wanted to say thank you for taking a stand for what you believe is right. I have thought for a few years now that the quality of the Ornaments issue has deteriorated, and after buying this year's issue I had pretty much decided to stop buying it in future. I have little doubt that the lack of payment for designer's time, materials and postage has contributed in some part to the decline, so perhaps paying the designers going forward will help bring the quality back up. It looks like you have had an impact going forward, so congratulations on making a positive change even if it might have come at a cost to you. Wishing you the happiest of holidays and all the best in 2022!

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  3. It is beautiful! Thank you for your generosity.

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  4. Thank you so much for this sweet design. I have never purchased that magazine but I hadn't realized the designers were not compensated for their work. Thank you for bringing this to light and also for your generosity.

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  5. Thank you so much for the beautiful freebie.

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  6. This is so sweet of you, Belinda! Thank you for your generosity and kindness... the world needs more folks like you! I'm glad that you bringing the matter of not being compensated for your hard work helped change the magazine's policy for future issues, too! Wishing you all the best at Thanksgiving and Christmas! ♥

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  7. This is so sweet of you, Belinda! Thank you for your generosity and kindness... the world needs more folks like you! I'm glad that you bringing the matter of not being compensated for your hard work helped change the magazine's policy for future issues, too! Wishing you all the best at Thanksgiving and Christmas! ♥

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  8. Belinda: I am so happy you posted the snowman design, you are an amazing Lady, I will be posting on my blog about your free design.
    I think that a magazine that makes so much money with advertising and free designs from designers should start to compensate, if we as stitchers make enough noise about the upcoming issues I bet they will have you back.
    I hope you have a beautiful Blessed Thanksgiving

    Catherine

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  9. Thanks so much for the posting....Happy Thanksgiving.....

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  10. Thank you so much for this sweet little design! Happy Thanksgiving!

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  11. Thank you so much for your generosity. It is adorable!! Congrats on your diligence on getting compensated for all the hard work you have done! Happy Thanksgiving and a Blessed Christmas!

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  12. Thanks for the lovely chart. I decided to add an extra Poll in the Ornament FB Group in light of your post and you're doing rather well in the voting!
    So happy they have taken notice of the stance you have taken. I did a little add-up and ten of our most popular previous Designer choices were not in the magazine this year.

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  13. Thank you for the sweet chart .
    I will visit later to see the new designs.

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  14. Adorable ornament Belinda, as usual. Frosty will be a sweet addition to your other holiday designs I’ve stitched. And a big congrats for calling out JCS on their policy and for having the big enough impact to make them change their ways. Their loss for not inviting you to the 2022 issue but standing by your principles is what’s important. Well done!

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  15. Thank you very much. We do appreciate all your hard but beautiful work.

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  16. Also wanted to say that is terrible that they used a "free" ornament from you for 16 years and now that it is a paid opportunity they have omitted you. I am sure that many of us (me included) were unaware of this policy. I will NOT be re-subscribing to their publication.

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  17. Bless you, Belinda, for the charming "free" Frosty pattern...
    It looks like a joy to make and gift. Congrats on your recent
    Church appointment.... you will shine. As to the Just Cross Stitch
    issue, many thanks for being a voice for fairness, a voice that has
    gotten results for yourself as well as others.

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  18. Thank you very much for the free 'Frosty Friend' pattern I just love it, I also watched your video tutorial about finishing the cute ornaments and subscribed to your channel as well. Thank again Belinda !!

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