Christmas Ornaments in July?

I'm reminded of the commercials that retailers air about how their prices are so low it's like Christmas in July. It seems like an unlikely time of year to think about Christmas but I love to stitch Christmas ornaments year round. I am always on the look out for new patterns and bought several a few weeks ago when I visited a needlework shop.



The Santa is a pattern from a Leisure Arts Christmas Ornaments book copyrighted 2003. It was stitched on white perforated paper using the listed DMC threads. The finish was completed by using white and green stiff felt and medium rick rack for the hanger.

The Noel ornament was stitched on 14 ct. white aida using Treasure Braid. The finish is a flat ornament finish trimmed in gold.

I started out my summer nursing my 9 year old miniature schnauzer back to health. He had surgery and I've stayed home with him for about two weeks. It gave me lots of time to stitch and create a huge mess in the office and living room.

One positive that came of my "down time" was finding new ways to access cross stitch patterns. I was on the public library's site one day looking for books and had the idea to type in cross stitch. I was amazed at the amount of books I had access to. Our library is a member of a statewide inter library loan program so I am able to borrow any book from across the state. Before I knew it I had about 15 books on hold. I picked several of them up today (ignoring the strange looks from the librarian) and have already put post-its on about 10 ornaments I want to stitch.


I am so excited to have found this new resource. I have been obsessed with cross stitch for 20 years and it never occurred to me to check the library. Please comment on where you've found unexpected access to cross stitch patterns. You never know, sometimes the obvious to you is news to others. I'm reminded of another saying, if it was a snake it would have bit ya.

Keep on stitchin' on,

Nan