Special Delivery – My 2025 Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament

Greetings, friends—and to those celebrating in the U.S., Happy Thanksgiving!🦃

Today is one of my favorite days of the year—my annual complimentary Christmas ornament release day! Thanksgiving feels like the perfect time to share this gift with you because my heart is overflowing with gratitude. If you’re here reading this, you’re part of the stitching community I cherish so deeply.

Since 2020, I’ve proudly released my yearly ornament independently—after designing 15 ornaments for a publication that didn’t truly value my artistry. Every year, your kindness reminds me why I chose this path. Your support—through purchases, comments, emails, and sharing your enthusiasm—fuels my creativity and allows me to keep pursuing my passion for needle and thread. Thank you for believing in me, valuing my work, and cheering me on!

📬Introducing “Special Delivery”

This year’s design is the fifth in my Woodland Ornament Series, and it’s called Special Delivery. Picture a charming little rabbit delivering holiday cheer—a Christmas card in paw—against a cozy winter backdrop. It coordinates beautifully with previous ornaments in the collection (My Frosty Friend, Bundled Up Birdie, Peppermint Pressie, and Festive Fox) and uses the same classic color palette and finishing style.

I continued my tradition of a flat finish—if you stitch on 32-count fabric, a 3¼" circle works perfectly. For the model, I used hand-dyed 32-count fabric and Weeks Dye Works cotton floss (with DMC conversions included). I finished mine with two-tone twisted cord (DMC 321 and 505), a gingham bow, and a couple of jingle bells for extra holiday sparkle.

This cheerful rabbit is sure to bring a smile to your face—please stitch it with a happy heart!

🐰Download the Chart

You can find the printable PDF chart for Special Delivery here:

👉 https://blueribbondesigns.com/free-charts/

Please do not post the actual chart online or on Pinterest—instead, share a credited photo of the finished piece and/or link to this post or my website instead.

✀Finishing Help

As an added bonus, you can find a step-by-step finishing tutorial on the Therm O Web Blog—complete with templates and photos—so you’ll have plenty of time to stitch your ornament and finish it beautifully. You can also watch a short video tutorial on my Instagram and YouTube Channel as well!

🍬Previous Ornaments

If you’re new here and missed the previous ornaments in this collection, I have good news! I’ve released a new pattern that includes the first four ornaments in the set - it is called "Woodland Series Volume 1" and is available NOW in my Etsy Shop!

Paper Pattern: https://blueribbondesigns.etsy.com/listing/4415678605

Digital Pattern: https://blueribbondesigns.etsy.com/listing/4415678888

This new pattern includes color and black/white charts and full finishing instructions for:

• My Frosty Friend
  
• Bundled Up Birdie
• Peppermint Pressie
• Festive Fox
  
  

🩷A Heartfelt Thank You

My hope is that this complimentary design inspires you to pay it forward—maybe gift your stitched ornament to someone who needs a little holiday cheer. If you’d like to support my creativity, please visit my website or Etsy Shop, or consider buying me a coffee (never required, always appreciated!). 

Thank you for being part of my stitching journey and for valuing my art. Your encouragement  and kind support of my small business truly means the world to me. 💕

If you stitch “Special Delivery,” please share your progress or finish on social media and tag me—I love seeing your creations. 📷

This holiday season, may your heart be full of joy, may you find creative time each day, and may you see the beauty that surrounds you. Take a little time to count your blessings…and a little time to stitch.

Studio Snippets

Greetings, friends!

Winter seemed to fly by, and I am so happy it looks like spring is here to stay for a while. The last couple of months have been a whirlwind. We're still on a "night schedule" in our household, which continues to make life interesting. Even after all this time, I find myself adjusting to this upside-down schedule, but there are far fewer interruptions when I work from 7:00 PM to 5:00 AM.

I've been catching up on needlework finishing and custom orders that are long overdue. I'm down to one last order, which is amazing, as I have a pile of original designs I want to focus on. I've been keeping busy with fun projects for Therm O Web and Poppie Cotton. Plus, I've been planning something really exciting that will be announced tomorrow! I'm itching to get some pattern writing done. Design work brings me the most joy and is my favorite part of my job, so I'm looking forward to finalizing some original designs very soon.

This weekend, we're heading up to Iowa to see dear friends (who are family to me) and attend the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival. I have a long list to complete beforehand. Then, at the end of May, we'll be taking a road trip to Bentonville, AR, for several days to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary (which was at the beginning of April). I'm trying to stay as focused and productive as possible to meet all my deadlines and still have time to travel and play.

Today's photos showcase some of the needlework finishing I've completed for customers (not my stitching, just my finishing) and custom project bags and sewing I've sewn with customer-supplied fabrics. Enjoy the eye candy.

My own design - Needle and Scissor Keep

INSIDE: My own design - Needle and Scissor Keep

Tote Bag Pattern: My own design - Focal and Four Tote Bag

Tomato Season Mat by Notforgotten Farm (Punch Needle)

BACK: Tomato Season Mat by Notforgotten Farm (Punch Needle)
Backing fabric: vintage - Nell’s Flower Shop by Blackbird Designs

Garden Morning Drum Pinkeep by Blackbird Designs
 from the Sewing Club Booklet finished as a pincushion/bowl filler.

BACK: Garden Morning Drum Pinkeep by Blackbird Designs
 from the Sewing Club Booklet finished as a pincushion/bowl filler.

Truly Thine by Blackbird Designs

Festive Fox Finishing Tutorial

Greetings friends! It is new project tutorial day - time to share my December project created for the Therm O Web blog with you. I always enjoy putting on my Fabric Education Designer hat and creating new projects/tutorials to share with you. For the month of December, I have something a little different planned, a cross stitch finishing tutorial. This month I am sharing how to finish my 2024 Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament "Festive Fox." My comprehensive tutorial contains a complete supply list, printable  templates, and step-by-step directions with color photos. You can also find a detailed supply list here: https://blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com/2024/12/festive-fox-finishing-supply-list.html

As many of you know I have been doing professional needlework finishing for nearly 25 years...and I get numerous messages and questions (every week) about my process, favorite products, and techniques. I have shared several finishing videos on my YouTube Channel, but I was yet to share how I have been finishing my current Woodland Ornament Series. Therm O Web products are a staple in my needlework finishing, so I thought sharing a tutorial on the Therm O Web Blog would be ideal.

First of all, if you don't have it yet, you can find the complimentary pattern for "Festive Fox" and all the pattern details here (IT'S FREE!):
https://blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com/2024/11/festive-fox-2024-cross-stitch-christmas.html

A few things about the finishing tutorial - the templates and directions are for stitching the ornament as directed on 32-count linen/16-count Aida fabric - if you use a different count of fabric, you will need to adjust the templates and measurements. Also - I normally do not use glue when finishing cross stitch (personal preference), should you want to use glue to speed up the process, notes are made in the tutorial for you. Finally, I made my own two-tone twisted cord using DMC floss 321 and 505, along with a Kreinik Custom Corder - you may choose to make your own cording or purchase pre-made cording.

My tutorial will take you step-by-step through my finishing process. You can find the tutorial here:
https://blog.thermoweb.com/cross-stitch-ornament-finishing/

Look for an Instagram Reel/YouTube Short video showing the process, as well.

You can also find the exact supplies I used for finishing by visiting the posts in my Amazon Shop (note, as an influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases).

I hope this tutorial empowers you to finish the ornaments in my Woodland Ornament Series...

I am creating monthly projects for the Therm O Web Blog and I will be sure to post here when I have a new tutorial available. My next project is scheduled to be on the Therm O Web blog on January 20th and I am working on a possible Valentine project idea. ALSO - I will have a Poppie Cotton Fabric Tour post on January 15th for the Serenity Blooms collection (it's a BEAUTY!). PLUS, there is an exciting surprise coming tomorrow...

Thank you for stopping by for a visit today - I always enjoy sharing with you. Have a great week and make time to work on something creative...

I hope you have been enjoying my holiday content with complimentary patterns and tutorials! My hope is that these gifts inspire you to pay it forward by giving a holiday surprise to someone you love or someone in need! I would love to start a movement of giving and positivity. I also hope this cross stitch finishing tutorial will entice you to visit my website and/or Etsy Shop to take a look...or if you feel so inclined, you can Buy Me a Coffee...it is definitely not required, but truly appreciated. Thank you for supporting my creativity and valuing my artistry!💕

Festive Fox Finishing Supply List

Greetings friends! Have you been busy stitching your "Festive Fox" Christmas ornament? In case you missed it, I released my 2024 Cross Stitch Christmas ornament chart on Thanksgiving Day. This year's ornament is another in my Woodland Ornament Series...it is "Festive Fox." You can find it here: 
https://blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com/2024/11/festive-fox-2024-cross-stitch-christmas.html

Making it even more special this year, I am sharing a complete finishing tutorial on the Therm O Web Blog on Monday, December 16th. The tutorial will include templates and step-by-step finishing instructions (with color photos) to finish your ornament just like my model in the photo!

By request, I am sharing a finishing supply list here, so you will know what you need on Monday for the finishing tutorial. I am going to share the exact products I use (links when I have them), but feel free to use your favorite items/brands or what you have on hand.

What you need to finish one cross stitch ornament:

• Printer and Printer Paper (to print templates)
  
  
• SpraynBond Pattern & Stencil Spray
  
  
• SpraynBond Basting Adhesive Fabric Spray
  
  
• HeatnBond Medium Weight Non-Woven Fusible Interfacing
•   2 – 6” x 6” 
  
  
• Pressing Paper Fabric and Craft Sheets
• 1 – sheet
  
  
• Optional: HeatnBond Fabric Fuse Liquid Adhesive (if you want to glue your disks and or twisted cord instead of hand sewing)
  
  
• Cotton Fabric (for backing): I am using 12 Days of Christmas by Sharon Montgomery for Northcott Fabrics (this is an older retired fabric) – choose your favorite fabric.
• 1 – 6” x 6”
  
  
• Cotton Quilt Batting (I like Warm & Natural)
• 2 – 5” x 5”
  
  
• Comic Book Board or Light Cardboard or Cereal Box (I always use Comic Book Boards for needlework finishing)
• 2 – 5” x 5”
  
  
• Strong Lacing Thread - Nymo Beading Thread (my favorite!) or Unwaxed Dental Floss
  
  
• Transparent Nylon Thread (I use Harriet Hargrave's Invisible Nylon Thread or Sulky Premium  Invisible Sewing Thread
  
  
• Sharp Hand Sewing Needle – I use a Bohin #5 Embroidery Needle
  
  
• Twisted Cord - I make my own cord with DMC floss and a Kreinik Custom Corder or you can purchase premade cording
• Approximately 22”
  
  
• Red and White Gingham Ribbon - I used 3/8"
• 12” length
  
  
• ½” Jingle Bells
• 2 – Red
  
  
• Oliso M3Pro Project Iron (my very favorite - this mini iron packs a punch and has a headlight!)
  
  
• Cutting Tools (cutting mat, rotary cutter)
  
  
• Basic Supplies/Tools (small sharp scissors, rulers, Wonder Clips, Clover Applique Pins, pencil)

I get asked all the time what my favorite finishing products are and what I personally use...so there you have it, an exact list with product links. You can also find the exact supplies I used for finishing by visiting the "Festive Fox" posts in my Amazon Shop - I can only put so many items in a post, so there are two lists (note, as an influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases).

I hope you will visit with me on Monday on the Therm O Web Blog...or check out my social media on December 16th for a video and links. Happy Stitching!

Festive Fox - 2024 Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament

Greetings friends - thank you for stopping by for a visit on this very special day....and to those celebrating in the United States, happy Thanksgiving. Today is my 2024 Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament unveiling and release day! Thanksgiving Day seemed like the perfect time to share my yearly complimentary cross stitch ornament design, as I am extremely grateful to be a part of your stitching journey. Yes, if you are here, then you must be a part of the stitching community that I love so dearly. Since I stood up for my artistry in 2020 and decided to release a yearly ornament on my own and not through a publication (if you are new here, please see this important post for context), I have the honor of feeling the love from so many stitchers that value my art and designs. It brings me immense joy to design a holiday ornament each year and share it on my own terms with stitchers who appreciate me and my passion for needle and thread. On this day of thanks, 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 making purchases in my Etsy Shop...for inspiring me...for your uplifting comments, notes and emails...and for sharing your enthusiasm of all things needle and thread with me. I kindly ask you please take a moment to read all the details below before downloading the chart - then enjoy!

This year's ornament is another in my Woodland Ornament Series...it is "Festive Fox." I had so much fun designing this happy winter fox with his lovely red scarf. It complements my previous ornaments and is in the same style as my 2021, 2022, and 2023 ornaments (My Frosty Friend, Bundled Up Birdie, and Peppermint Pressie). 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 again 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 fox will bring a smile to your face - please stitch it with a happy heart. 

As an added bonus this year, I will be sharing a finishing tutorial on the Therm O Web Blog in December - this will give you time to stitch your ornament and be ready to put it together. There will be templates and a step-by-step finishing tutorial available on the Therm O Web Blog on December 16th...along with a video tutorial Reel/Short on my Instagram Feed and YouTube Channel. You can also find the exact supplies I used for finishing by visiting the posts in my Amazon Shop (note, as an influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases).

You can find the printable PDF chart for "Festive Fox" 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/or direct users to this post or my website.

My hope is that my gift to you inspires you to pay it forward by giving a holiday surprise to someone you love or someone in need! I would love to start a movement of giving and positivity. I also hope this complimentary pattern will entice you to visit my website and/or Etsy Shop to take a look (all shippable orders will include a pretty printed "Festive Fox" chart)...or if you feel so inclined, you can Buy Me a Coffee...it is definitely not required, but truly appreciated. Thank you for supporting my creativity and valuing my artistry!💕

NOTE: To be fair, I want to note, Just CrossStitch Magazine has since changed their policy going forward (starting with the 2022 Christmas Ornament Issue) - they are now compensating designers for submissions (insert applause here). I should also note - they have not invited me to design an ornament since I sent them the letter in December 2020 and posted about it publicly online. 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 non-compensation policy (my message truly went viral!). While they did not reach out to me for the 2022-2024 publications, I am proud of myself and everyone who stood with me to make this change that benefits all cross stitch designers working with them going forward. Thank you for helping me find my voice to make a difference.

Finally - if you plan to stitch "Festive Fox,"  I hope you will share an image of your progress or finished ornament on social media and tag me, so I can see it. It truly warms my heart to see each of you stitching my designs!

This holiday season, may your heart be full of joy, may you find some creative time each day, and may you see the beauty that surrounds you. Take a little time to count your blessings…and a little time to stitch…

Focal and Four Tote Bag - New Quilt Pattern

Yes, you read that title correctly - I have another new quilt pattern! This is my “Focal and Four" bag - a large-sized tote made with four-patch blocks and focal fabrics (perfect for showing off a very favorite fabric!). This versatile tote has two bottom-pointed pockets on the outside (one on each side) and two large pockets inside. It measures 15" W x 15 H x 5" D and has a handle drop of approximately 8". It's the perfect size for a stack of cross stitch project bags, or as a daily tote, or a trip to the farmer's market. The pattern contains comprehensive/detailed instructions with all sorts of color diagrams and a template for the pointed pocket. This 13-page pattern is designed to easily use your favorite fabric collection, is precut friendly, and is good for all skill levels. You can find this new design in my Etsy Shop, in both paper and digital format...

I designed this tote bag several months ago and made my first sample bag with Finding Wonder by Sherri McCulley for Poppie Cotton - you got a sneak peek of this design in March on the Finding Wonder Fabric Tour.  I already have an oversized tote bag pattern (Forty-Five Tote Bag) and a medium-sized tote bag pattern (Mini-Medi Tote Bag) in my current catalog...and this one fits in-between as a large tote. It has a fun shaped pocket on the front and on the back, the perfect size for a cell phone...and has large pockets inside, both measuring 9-inches square. 

The model bag was created with Mushroom Blooms by Jill and Rani for Poppie Cotton (shipping to quilt shops this month). This fabric has a wonderful mushroom print (Shroomies Mint, Shroomies Pink, and Shroomies Yellow) that I knew would be my focal fabric for the tote. This collection also has wonderful florals, dots and stripes. Plus, I knew the color scheme would be perfect for this new bag! I had fun creating the patchwork, putting this extremely useful bag together and writing the pattern...and I hope you will add it to your design collection.

I used a fat quarter bundle to create my model, along with 1 1/4 yards of coordinating fabric for handles, pocket and bag linings, and the bag base (Country Confetti - Strawberry Lemonade Light Pink). It also uses 1 3/4 yards of HeatnBond Fusible Fleece, my favorite for a soft, but structured bag! If a fat quarter stack isn't your speed, a 10" precut stack (layer cake) gives you all the variation in fabrics. This bag also works great for scraps - I am hoping to make a scrappy version from my scrap bins soon. I really want to showcase how easy it is to create this pattern in any fabric collection (or scraps!) and how versatile it really is! 

You can still find the pattern in my Etsy Shop in both paper and digital format.
Digital: https://blueribbondesigns.etsy.com/listing/1743028230
Paper: https://blueribbondesigns.etsy.com/listing/1762265076 

Thank you so much for visiting with me today and checking out my latest quilt pattern. I will be back tomorrow for my turn on the Mushroom Blooms Fabric Tour, where I will show of this tote bag and what I made to put inside of it! Then, stop back on Wednesday to see my latest project for Therm O Web...and it is a beauty...

For now, I am back to the studio...I am scrambling a bit right now to get things done...I have EXCITING news...I will be accompanying my parents on a trip to Paris and London in September. I just found out about the trip a week ago and I was not prepared to travel out of the country for a couple weeks (in a little over a month). I never thought in my wildest dreams I would be going on this trip and my head is swirling! I have a lot to do in a short amount of time. More all about this in a future post...

Projects Aplenty

Happy Thursday friends! It is another early morning (4:01 AM) and I thought I would quickly stop by for another visit. Today, I thought I would share with you a plethora of recent sewing projects for clients - project bags, zippered pouches and a large quilted retreat mat. It is always enjoyable to work with the fabulous fabrics my clients supply for their custom orders. I have been busy getting client orders complete, so I can focus on new design work...and sewing for my Etsy shop. I will have some new patterns and designs coming out over the next couple months and I need to make time to sit down at my desk and work on layouts and instructions....plus, I want to do some extensive design work for a few ideas floating around my sketchbooks. I have multiple upcoming fabric collections to work/design with for Poppie Cotton (collections for remainder of 2024 and into 2025!) and several Therm O Web Blog projects for the upcoming months. AND...a very dear friend recently sent/gifted me yardage (like ten plus yards!!) of Blackbird Designs sampler fabric (yes, I truly have incredible friends in my small circle!), which I am itching to create with for my shop...but some other things on my plate are taking priority for the next week or two. I am hoping to cut into it this coming weekend (if I am lucky!). Alright, I will stop babbling and get to the photos, so I can get back to my sewing studio...

While I am here, I just have to share this zipper photo I took - I order zippers by the hundreds (like 500 at a time!) several times a year - and here is a colorful photo I took of some of the latest order (the other bunches were of single colors, so not as exciting). I had to stock up, so I could work on more project bags and items for my Etsy shop...

Finally - here is another colorful photo I took of some hot air balloons flying over our small, rural neighborhood this past weekend. We have lots of large fields and open areas around us and hot air balloons can be seen often on postcard days. When I posted this photo on my Instagram story, one of my close friends said that the patterns on the balloons looked like quilt designs...I think so too! 💕