I’ve just received an email from Trevor concerning an error in the instructions for the Advent Calendar that appears in Countdown to Christmas and Cross Stitcher (UK) magazine. For all of you that have taken on this large project please note that the outline squares you will be stitching  should measure 27 X 27 stitches. The instructions read 21 X 21 stitches which would leave no gap between the motifs and the edge of each ornament! I feel terribly about this misprint as it appears in the original instructions in the book. I hope I have caught this before you’ve gotten too far into the stitching. If you’ve already started, you will have noticed this and I hope that extending the outline box won’t be too much of a headache. I know how aggravating it is to have to rip! If you know anyone else who is working on this or any blogs where you think this information will be useful please pass the word. Thanks!

It has also been brought to my attention that there are no colors listed for the Mill Hill beads  I used on the edges of each ornament. Here they are: Red- 03049    Green- 02054    Gold- 00557

The star buttons are all from Mill Hill. I used their #86290 for the three large buttons at top and #86288 for the smaller buttons. Please see my Supplies and Resources page at right to link to their website.

Photo ©Cross-Stitch & Needlework November 2008 Design ©Joan A. Elliott

In the November issue of Cross-Stitch & Needlework magazine you will find my Give Thanks table setting. There are three designs for stitching on beautiful Light Oatmeal Royal Classic pre-finished place mats, bread covers and napkins, all available from Charles Craft. In designing these easy to stitch pieces I’ve used a rich autumn palette to add a bright touch to your Thanksgiving table.

Image ©Cross Stitcher Issue 205 Design ©Joan A. Elliott

My Christmas Angel design is now out in Cross Stitcher (UK) from Future Publishing. I’ve used my favorite Kreinik gold threads and beautiful Mill Hill beads throughout which I hope lend an air of elegance to this heavenly figure. A few fractional stitches help to capture a graceful look in her face and hands but otherwise she is worked in full cross stitches.

Image ©The World of Cross Stitching Issue 143 Design ©Joan A. Elliott

For The World of Cross Stitching I’ve done a loving portrait of Santa and Mrs. Claus. I hope they will carry a message of love and the joy of family to your home this Christmas.

Image ©Cross Stitch Gold Issue 60 Design ©Joan A. Elliott

Here’s a fast and fun way for everyone to count down the days to Christmas. The whimsical Advent Calendar I’ve designed for Cross Stitch Gold is stitched on 14 count Aida with the numbers worked on 16 count Aida band. Assembly is fast and easy on this one and the tiny pockets are perfect for stuffing with little holiday sweets.

Image ©Crafts 'n Things October 2008 Design ©Joan A. Elliott

 In the October issue of Crafts ‘n Things, from Amos Publishing, you’ll find my holiday kitchen set. Gentle doves and  festive holly sprigs adorn  the rich letters  and spell out the beautiful words we all think of during the Christmas Season… Peace, Joy, Love. The jar wrappers are stitched on Charles Craft’s 14 count Vinyl Aida. Wouldn’t they make a lovely way to present a jar of homemade jam or spiced fruit and nuts. You could also wrap these around a box full of Christmas candy or cookies, string them together to form a wonderful swag for an entryway, or make them up into hand made cards. I’m sure you’ll come up with lots of other creative uses. They are easy to stitch and working on the pliable vinyl is a breeze. Charles Craft’s Banded Huck towels  are just the ticket for a quick and easy handmade hostess gift to bring along on your holiday visits.

As far as other work goes. I’ve started on my machine embroidery book. What fun this one is! There is lots to learn and it certainly opens a world of creative possibilities! I’ve also sent in first sketches for two new cross stitch themes for Leisure Arts. I’ll keep you posted on developments. Some nice new  designs for the magazines are now being stitch and will be out in next year’s issues. So, it’s still as busy as ever here. 

We’ve been enjoying  incredible weather here in the Northeast for the past week or two. I love the Fall with it’s radiant color and that certain something in the air. Oh yes, I have three more holiday pieces in the magazines  coming next month. Until then, enjoy!

With fondest wishes-

Joan

This is a collection of various types of needlework that I’ve done over the years. They are now ready for framing. They include: cross stitch, needlepoint, hardanger, needlelace and bargello. Some are done on linen and painted canvas. Threads used were DMC floss, tapestry yarn, pearl cotton, silk, and Rainbow Gallery specialty threads.

In 1998, I was bored and yearning for travel, so I went online and signed up for a needlework trip to England for two weeks with complete strangers. They were wonderful and we had great adventures.

This was internet infancy and I did’t know what the rules were so this is what I did:

• I called the shopkeeper/sponsor to ask about the trip and to find out how often she had taken them.
• Next I checked out her shop in the online White pages to make sure there really was a brick and morter building.
• Then I called the Better Business Bureau to see if there were any complaints against them or the travel company that they were using.
• I checked other web sites for previous needlework trip information  to get an idea of what to expect.
• Since the trip was to England, there would not be a language barrier, but I did teach myself how to convert money exchange rates on a calculator.
• I also brought some English money that I got from my bank to bring along as pocket money for the first day/ night.

Adventures:  While in London we saw the Phantom of the Opera.  After leaving, one of our ladies realized she had lost her money, passport and everything somewhere.  I led everyone on a search back through the theater and found nothing.  While leaving through the back door, I looked down to see all of her belongings neatly shrewn along the wall.  That was a miracle that no one else had seen it and gained a windfall.

One morning I overslept and had to take a cab to catch up with the rest of my party to tour the Tower of London. I directed the driver to the place where we were to meet, hoping he would not take the “round about way” and charge me more.  Understanding my urgency, he got me there promptly.  No one was there from my group so I decided to have some breakfast.  My group arrived later very surprised to see that I had gotten there before them and had time to have breakfast.

We had a forty minute stop in a small village.  One of our ladies collected antique silver thimbles.  I, being the most nimble, volunteered to run ahead sticking my head in each shop asking the owner if he had silver thimbles.  If the answer was yes, I shouted, pointed at the door and continued on.  I was the nimble thimble runner!

While touring the Royal School of Needlework, which was the highlight for me, I asked so many questions and took so many notes that our guide suspected me of being a writer.  I was flattered.  That was just me wanting to take it all in. 

A few days ago in Riga I bought a copy of the British “Cross Stitcher” magazine, which I regarded as the best of the embroidery magazines currently available.

This August issue certainly vindicated my earlier judgment.  It was packed with tempting projects and offers;  and every page was both informative and a feast for the eyes.

But for me the ultimate gift was illustrated lists of both Anchor and DMC threads, all packed into the two sides of one page.  This was simply brilliant.  I possessed an Anchor shade card, but found it too heavy to carry around on my travels, and had always missed it;   all too often I needed to look up a number or  try to identify a certain shade of thread.

I use Anchor and DMC threads interchangeably.   Around mainland Europe DMC threads are more commonly available, though odd pockets of Anchor stocks can be found.

Now armed with both lists, my thread-buying will be so much easier.