a good start

I was worried that I wouldn't be on time with this, the first ornament of the new year for this SAL. Last year, I stitched over 20 ornaments, thanks to this SAL, but I wasn't very systematic about it. I'll have to do better this year!

Thank you, Jennifer, for the suggested themes. As usual, I simply could not make up my mind which of my fantastic holiday patterns to stitch ... and then this one popped up and it was a clear choice!

This is simply called "Christmas Ornament 2001" and is designed by The Needle's Content, a wonderful Dutch designer. Stitched in my choice of overdyed and blended DMC floss.

gifts for the better half

I stitched a design from The Sampler Girl (Merry Christmas My Love) this year for my DH, using VC silks on a 40 (?) count coffee-dyed linen. I just love how it came out. I made up the personalization on the backside.

Last year, I stitched a design from The Needle's Content for him. It was my first attempt at ruching, and because the ribbon was a thick velvet one, I had to improvise quite a bit but it came out looking pretty good. :)