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.

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…

BRD 20th Celebration Giveaway Week 4

Greetings friends and welcome. It's another exciting week in the month of April and time for my 4th (and final) giveaway of the month. Friday, April 5th marked the official 20th Anniversary of Blue Ribbon Designs and I am celebrating all month long with a BIG giveaway each week...AND I've had a few surprises too (read previous posts to find two new free designs)! To everyone that has supported my small business over the last 20-years, THANK YOU!

Simply follow the guidelines to enter for a chance to win this week’s prize pack! 

✂️This week you will need to enter via the Rafflecopter form below. There are a handful of ways to get entries this week (please know I will be verifying information). One prize pack winner will be selected randomly from all eligible entries. Start by entering your e-mail address and name (or log-in through Facebook) - we will not save, use, or share your email - it will only be used to contact the winner. The options for entry will then appear - you can receive up to 12 entries/person - you may chose to enter through all the options or just one or two.

✂️This week, since I have AMAZING prize sponsors that will be shipping items, you must have a United States address to be eligible. A HUGE thank you to Poppie Cotton, Therm O Web, and Lady Dot Creates! Please visit and follow these incredible sponsors for creative content (and you get an entry for each one - see the Rafflecopter form below)!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

THIS WEEK'S PRIZE:

Cosmic Cottage Pincushion Prize Package

Everything needed to create a handful of Cosmic Cottage Pincushions...one for yourself and some to give/gift/share...these are the exact items I used to create the model for my pattern...

✂️ One Fat Quarter Bundle of Fabrics (Moodbeam Dreams designed by Amanda Grace Design for Poppie Cotton) provided by Poppie Cotton.

✂️ One $50 Therm O Web Gift Card (for use on thermoweb.com) provided by Therm O Web.

✂️ One package of Hand-Dyed Rick Rack (color: Birds Nest), one package of Hand-Dyed Pom Poms (color: Sandy Gold), and one package Hand-Dyed Twill Tape (color: Vintage Ruler) from Lady Dot Creates provided by Lady Dot Creates.

✂️ Cosmic Cottage Pincushion Pattern by Blue Ribbon Designs (I will include the color quilt pattern, with the foundation block printed on a StitchnSew EZ Print Quilt Block Sheet from Therm O Web - my favorite base for foundation quilt blocks...and I will include several 1/4" buttons!

While you won't receive my personal pincushion model, you will get everything listed on the pattern (and more!) to create a plethora of pincushions for yourself and a friend or two! The Moonbeam Dreams Fat Quarter Bundle has 21 prints, so you will have all sorts of lovely fabric...and the Therm O Web gift card will cover the StitchnSew EZ Print Quilt Block Sheets, HeatnBond Medium Weight Non-Woven Fusible Interfacing, and Fusible Fleece, with plenty leftover for some additional items! Plus you will receive THREE packages of hand-dyed trim from Lady Dot Creates and I will send you a color printed pattern with the foundation block printed on a StitchnSew EZ Print Quilt Block Sheet and a few 1/4" buttons...I'd say that is definitely worth entering for....

One winner will be chosen randomly from all eligible entries.

The giveaway will run from 12:00 AM on April 22, 2024 until Sunday, April 28, 2024 11:59 PM.

...and don't be discouraged if you don't win the prize pack - you can download my Cosmic Cottage Pincushion pattern for FREE. The pattern can be found here:
https://blueribbondesigns.com/free-charts/

GOOD LUCK  TO ALL! 🎉

Cosmic Cottage Pincushion - New Free Pattern

Greetings friends - thank you for visiting with me today. As you know, I am celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Blue Ribbon Designs this month, with a giveaway each week (four total) and a few surprises. Today I'm here to share a 2nd surprise...another brand new free pattern! I want to say thank you for your kind support over the last 20 years...and what better way to do that, than to design another new complimentary pattern - this one is for my sewing and quilting friends/fans.

This is a celebratory one and I am calling it "Cosmic Cottage Pincushion." This unique pincushion has a hidden/secret pocket to hold your scissors. ✀ I had so much fun creating this new original pattern. It is a blend of foundation piecing and traditional piecing...and will truly brighten up your stitching nest! The fabric I used is from the Moonbeam Dreams collection by Amanda Grace Design for Poppie Cotton....and of course, I used some of my very favorite Therm O Web products. For embellishments, I used Hand-dyed Rick Rack, Hand-Dyed Pom Poms, and Hand-Dyed Ruler Twill Tape, all from my favorite Lady Dot Creates!...plus I added a 1/4" button for the cottage doorknob. The printable color pattern is five pages, including my Cosmic Cottage quilt block foundation. You will need basic foundation piecing knowledge, but it is a simple pattern that a beginner can handle and comes together quickly! I stuffed my pincushion with a mix of fiberfill and sawdust and had fun pulling some decorative pins from my collection to adorn it.

You can find the printable PDF chart here:

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

I kindly ask you do not post the actual pattern 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.

Some of you may recognize this fabric collection - this anniversary pincushion is made from the same fabrics I used for my "Flutter and Flower" Sewing Machine Dust Cover and Sewing Machine Mat Pattern.
You can find the digital pattern here: https://blueribbondesigns.etsy.com/listing/1607789751
You can find the paper pattern here: https://blueribbondesigns.etsy.com/listing/1607784455

I have also added a post to my Amazon Shop, where you can find the exact tools and supplies I used to create my pincushion (full disclosure: as an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases - I only share products I actually use - and I truly appreciate you visiting and/or shopping from my links, thank you!): https://www.amazon.com/shop/brdgirl

For those who have kindly asked if they could purchase the Cosmic Cottage Pincushion pattern (💗), I ask you talk about my designs with your quilty/stitching friends (spread the word about Blue Ribbon Designs) and/or visit my Etsy Shop to make a purchase...or you can Buy Me a Coffee or shop at Amazon via my link...it is definitely not required or necessary, but truly appreciated - thank you for supporting my creativity and valuing my artistry!💕

Finally - if you plan to sew up a "Cosmic Cottage Pincushion,"  I hope you will share an image of your progress or finished pincushion on social media and tag me, so I can see it.

Enjoy and sew/quilt it with happiness in your heart!

Oh and one more thing, if you have read this far and you like the Cosmic Cottage Pincushion, you are going to want to return on Monday to enter my (fourth and final) 20th Anniversary Giveaway...it is one you won't want to miss!!🎉

Blue Ribbon Birdie - NEW Complimentary Chart

Greetings friends - thank you for visiting my blog today. As you know, I am celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Blue Ribbon Designs this month, with giveaways and a few surprises. Today I'm here to share one of those surprises...a brand new free chart! I want to say thank you for your kind support over the last 20 years, and what better way than to design a new complimentary pattern.

This is a special one and I am calling it "Blue Ribbon Birdie." If you have been following me, then you know I have a signature design series out called "Rick Rack Rounds" - counted cross stitch patterns that feature three round designs finished in my signature style, with rick rack and pins around the perimeter. I have already released five patterns in this series, with more to come. To give you a chance to make one (they are addicting), I decided to design one for my 20th anniversary celebration to give to you. 

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/or direct users to this post or my website.

Blue Ribbon Birdie complements all the designs in my Rick Rack Round Series and is finished in the same fashion. Full finishing instructions are included with each pattern in the series (but not with the free design). This free pattern is stitched on 32-count linen (any light neutral linen will work) with DMC cotton floss. For finishing, I used Hand-Dyed Velveteen in color Shallot from Lady Dot Creates for the backing...and Hand-Dyed Rick Rack in the color Chianti from Lady Dot Creates. I used coordinating light blue sewing pins. You can find a complete list of the actual items I use to finish my Rick Rack Rounds in my Amazon Shop  (full disclosure: as an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases - I only share products I actually use - and I truly appreciate you shopping from my links, thank you!). 

Rick Rack Rounds make great bowl fillers or could be finished as seasonal ornaments. The patterns come with a plethora of creative ideas! I filmed a comprehensive FlossTube video showing how to do the finishing on these, you can find it here: https://youtu.be/YkBe77naAZI....and I am working on a fun REEL with some UPDATED finishing tips that will be posted soon. These seasonal/holiday-themed rounds are quick to stitch and easy to finish...and more seasonal/holiday Rick Rack Rounds are on the way!

The signature patterns in this series can be found in my Etsy Shop, in both paper and/or digital format.
Sweet Slice of Liberty: Digital Pattern OR Paper Pattern
Hitchin' A Ride: Digital Pattern OR Paper Pattern

Sunflower Delivery: Digital Pattern OR Paper Pattern

All Spruced Up: Digital Pattern OR Paper Pattern

Perched on a Pincushion: Digital Pattern OR Paper Pattern

For those who have kindly asked if they could purchase Blue Ribbon Birdie in the spirit of valuing my work (💗), I ask you talk about my designs with your stitching friends (spread the word about Blue Ribbon Designs) and/or visit my Etsy Shop to make a purchase...or you can Buy Me a Coffee or shop at Amazon via my link...it is definitely not required or necessary, but truly appreciated - thank you for supporting my creativity and valuing my artistry!💕

Finally - if you plan to stitch "Blue Ribbon Birdie,"  I hope you will share an image of your progress or finished Rick Rack Round (or ornament or your choice of finishing) on social media and tag me, so I can see it.

Enjoy and stitch it with joy in your heart!

Oh and one more thing, if you have read this far and you like Blue Ribbon Birdie, you are going to want to return on Monday to enter my Week 3 Giveaway...it is one you won't want to miss!!🎉

"Peppermint Pressie" - my 2023 Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament

Greetings friends - thank you for stopping by for a visit. Today is a very special day - it is my 2023 Christmas Ornament release day! I hope you will take a moment and actually read this post and about the sentiment behind this design...then follow the link to my website for the chart...

A quick history for those who are new to my blog and/or designs...
For fifteen years, I was one of the featured designers in the Just CrossStitch Special Christmas Ornament Issue. This magazine is a fan favorite and is highly anticipated every year. For fifteen years, I was invited and participated in this special issue without payment - the issue that Just CrossStitch Magazine always boasts is their "best-selling" issue of the year. In 2020, I received my 16th invitation to design an ornament for 2021 and I decided to stand up for myself and my fellow designers by publicly calling out JCS magazine on their outdated policy. I asked them start paying designers fair compensation for their work...for without designers, there would be no needlework industry.  You can read about my thought process and the letter I submitted to them (along with their response) here:
https://blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com/2020/12/the-end-of-era-finding-my-worth.html

Keeping with tradition, I still wanted to create a cross stitch Christmas ornament each year, but I wanted to do it on my own terms...and today I am excited to share my 2023 design with you!

For the past couple years, I have struggled with how to release my holiday ornament, as I have tried to put more value in myself and my artistry. I didn't want to provide my ornament design for free to a publication/corporation that was profiting from it, as I truly believe that artists should be compensated appropriately for their work. However, the last couple years, I found myself wanting to provide it directly to my fans and needleworkers for free...and this year, my feelings have not changed. In a year full of challenges, unrest and divide, I want to do something positive and share some joy - after all, sheer happiness comes from giving. These last couple years have been rough - many have needed love, hope, positivity and strength to overcome challenges, loss, and anger - and during this season of giving, 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 making purchases in my 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 2023 Christmas ornament is called "Peppermint Pressie" and is available as a complimentary pattern. It complements my previous ornaments and is in the same style as my 2020, 2021, and 2022 ornaments (Rejoicing Reindeer, My Frosty Friend, and Bundled Up Birdie). 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 happy squirrel, wearing a scarf  and gifting a candy cane 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/or direct users to this post or my website.

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 to make a purchase...or you can Buy Me a Coffee or shop at Amazon via my link...it is definitely not required or necessary, but truly appreciated - thank you for supporting my creativity and valuing my artistry!💕

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. 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!). Thankfully, we did make a difference!..and while they did not reach out to me for the 2022 or 2023 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 for helping me find my voice and make a difference.

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

Enjoy and stitch it with joy in your heart!

"Bundled Up Birdie" - 2022 Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament

Hello creative friends - thanks for stopping by for a visit! Today, I have a very special post that includes my 2022 Christmas Ornament. 

NOTE: If you are a regular reader of my blog, I'm sure you recall my post in December 2020 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 my holiday ornament again this year, as over the last couple years I have tried to put more value in myself and my artistry. I didn't want to provide my ornament design for free to a publication/corporation that was profiting from it, as I truly believe that artists should be compensated appropriately for their work - see the noted link. However, last year, I found myself wanting to provide it directly to my fans and needleworkers for free...and this year, my feelings have not changed. 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 couple years - and during this season of giving, 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 making purchases in my 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 2022 Christmas ornament is called "Bundled Up Birdie" and is available as a complimentary pattern. It complements my previous ornaments and is in the same style as my 2020 and 2021 ornaments (Rejoicing Reindeer and My Frosty Friend). 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 birdie wearing a scarf 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.

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 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 or the 2023 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 "Bundled Up Birdie,"  I hope you will share an image of your progress or finished ornament on social media and tag me, so I can see it.

Enjoy and stitch it with joy in your heart!

Studio Samplings and a Sneak Peek

Greetings friends - happy Tuesday! It is a lovely (dare I say) autumn day here in Kansas, and I am enjoying the cooler temperatures and sunshine. It has been a bit of a whirlwind here the last few weeks, while I try to prepare for a trip to New Zealand. Yes, I am headed to New Zealand with my momma and second dad for the trip of a lifetime! We will be doing two weeks of hiking on the South Island - visiting the forests of the Routeburn Track, waterfalls of Milford Sound, mountains and glaciers of Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, and have exclusive access to Doubtful Sound, Martins Bay and Okarito Lagoon. We will be taking a helicopter trip through the remotest parts of Fiordland National Park...and Dan and I will be doing a Heli-Hike on the Tasman Glacier (where we'll take a helicopter or ski plane to Tasman, New Zealand’s longest glacier, put on crampons and explore the ice caves). We are seeing/doing so many incredible things, I can't even begin to mention them all here! I know, I can hardly believe it myself and feel extremely blessed to be invited on this grand adventure. This trip will have me out of my office/studio for three weeks, starting at the end of this month - and for a one-woman show/small business owner without vacation pay, I have been beyond overwhelmed and overloaded trying to even begin handle everything...but then, I take a deep breath and know it will all work out. I have been working on custom client orders, creating for my Etsy Shop, working on a couple new quilt patterns and projects for Poppie Cotton and finishing up three new cross stitch models/charts. I have been busy in every waking moment and the lists are still too long to even comprehend. I have, however, acquired all the needed gear for the trip and my suitcase is full...I have my hiking boots broken in...and I have been getting my cardio in at the gym - so I do feel mildly prepared for the actual trip. I would like to thank everyone who has made a purchase from my Etsy Shop - I really appreciate your project bag and pattern purchases - those sales are helping me pay the bills while I am out of the country - I am truly grateful for your orders. Here are just few things that have been on my studio table over the last few weeks...an assortment of creative projects (some custom project bag orders, some project bags I made for Etsy, and some client needlework finishing)…and there will be a sneak peek of a new cross stitch design at the bottom of this post....

I believe this was a limited piece from Brenda Gervais/WTNT. A glass cloche 
covers it - I just did the cross stitch finishing for the base. The client/stitcher sent
me a photo with the cloche after I returned it to her (see next photo).

Snow for Christmas - WTNT

Bring Us Good Cheer - Shepherd’s Bush

‘Tis Autumn - Shepherd’s Bush

October Pin Cushion - Shepherd’s Bush

Today, I'll be in the studio...I will be binding a new quilt design and preparing the pattern layout...plus I will be piecing another patchwork project and I sill have another cross stitch model to finish. Whew! I will leave you today with a sneak peek of a new cross stitch design - the next installment in my Rick Rack Rounds series....I am hoping to release it in the next couple weeks...

I'm so happy you stopped by to visit with me today! I hope you were inspired and have something creative planned for the week. Thank you again for your kind support of my designs and my Etsy Shop - sharing my artistry truly makes my heart sing and it is a privilege to share my joy with you.💗