Four Ornaments, in two Colourways. This lovely collection of ornaments is perfect for giving to family and friends at Christmas and can be used to enhance gift bags, or little pillows as well! I was inspired to design these ornaments when I discovered the Virtues ProjectTM online this past year. This Project is a worldwide movement that provides "empowering strategies that inspire the practice of virtues in everyday life through programs of excellence and simplicity". I loved the idea, and Faith, Hope, Charity, Patience, and Trust are the first ones I designed, and I would like to add another 5 next year! These first 5 Virtues embody deep meaning and purpose in my life, as I hope they do in yours. Increasing our awareness of our values at Christmas gives us a special meaning to the season. What I also like is that people of all faiths and cultures can appreciate the value of these virtues, as they cut across all fences, and faiths. They seem to embody the very meaning of the miracle of Christmas to us all.
This leaflet gives directions for the first FOUR ornaments, and lent the copyright for the FIFTH ornament, "Trust", to the 2002 Christmas Ornament Issue from "Just Cross Stitch" Magazine for the next 6 months. The magazine should be published and distributed to your local needlework shops and newsstands this September, 2002!
These little designs also lend themselves to many interpretations and uses. For instance, stitch one of the designs and fashion it into a little gift bag, fill it with some seasonal potpourri and add that scented touch! Or frame them as a group of 3, 4, or 5, using the chart for the ornament hanger and ribbons! They would also look marvelous stitched on some banding as a bellpull!! Each one of these ornaments would look gorgeous in the opening of a hand made Christmas Card!!!
Just a word about the two different colourways… I had designed these ornaments originally in the Victorian Red and Green colours you see on the front cover of the leaflet. One day, as we were considering when we would publish them, Lisa asked if she could stitch them in her favorite antique rose and green colours on Platinum to make them look Antique. I was a bit hesitant at first, she'll tell you.. but I was grateful for any input, and Lisa has a great colour sense, so I agreed. Imagine my joy when I saw the results of her efforts! The "Patience" ornament, in the Antique Rose colours was soo gorgeous, I asked her to stitch the others in her "colours" also, in a row of three, and I designed a little gold hanger, with a little red bow for each of them, so they would look more like ornaments. I framed the result, and as you see, Lisa did a wonderful job, the trio of Faith Hope and Charity are a work of art! Thank you soo much Lisa.. and I hope we can work together again this way! So, whichever colourway you choose, or whatever fabric you use, enjoy stitching these heartfelt designs, and no matter what time of year it is that you read this, have a Merry Christmas throughout the year!
EACH ORNAMENT:Design area: 40h x 40w
25ct Lugana - White: 3.3" high X 3.3" wide (
Cut fabric: 5" high x 5" wide)
28ct Cashel Linen - Platinum: 2.9" high x 2.9" wide (
Cut fabric: 5" high X 5" wide)
Suggested Materials for the Victorian Red and Green Colourway
- Kreinik #4 Braid #002 - gold
- Caron Wildflowers #083 - Pineforest deep greens
- DMC #12 Perle Cotton #503 - lt green
- DMC #8 Perle Cotton #498 - red
- Au ver a Soie #2924 - red
- Au ver a Soie #3426 - dark green
- Au ver a Soie #5024 - med green
- Au ver a Soie Blanc - white
- Mill Hill Seed beads #3021 - cream
Suggested Materials for the Heirloom Rose and Green Colourway
- Kreinik #4 Braid #102 - vatican gold
- Access Soie Perlee Crème - cream
- Access Soie Perlee #37 - dusty mauve
- Au ver a Soie #1741 - platinum
- Au ver a Soie #1843 - light green
- Au ver a Soie #1844 - dk green
- Au ver a Soie #4635 - burgundy
- Mill Hill Seed beads #3021 - cream
Stitches used in this Sampler:
- Cross Stitch
- Backstitch
- Zig Zag
- Half Cross
- Smyrna Cross Stitch
- Scotch Stitch
- Double Running Stitch
- Lazy Daisy Stitch
- Herringbone Stitch
- Daisy Chain Stitch
- Algerian Eyelet
- Ray Stitch
- French Knots
- Sheaf Stitch
- Feather Stitch
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