All the latest news for cross stitching for the holiday season and for Christmas, as published in Creative Poppy's newsletter.
Perrette Samouiloff's signature style Christmas fairies
Six graceful little fairies have arrived, just in time to cross stitch for Christmas. They will make wonderful little cards, gift tags, ... or you might want to stitch them all together.
>> see more Christmas patterns by Perrette Samouiloff
Slowly, oh so slowly, Christmas is coming
Trust Barbara Ana to come up with the most unexpected and whimsical ideas. Who hasn't waited excitedly for Christmas to arrive? Barbara's vision is that of Santa riding ... a snail. A whole town, roofs covered with snow, is enjoying the ride, as well as a couple of Santa's little helpers, sitting under a tree.
More Christmas patterns by Barbara Ana
>> see all Christmas patterns by Barbara Ana Designs
Joyous Christmas Ornament
Delicate beads embellish this elegant ornament, letters standing out on a stunning orange background mimicking stained glass. A design by Kathy Bungard of Gracewood Stitches.
More Christmas Ornaments
We carry a huge selection of cross stitch Christmas ornaments, it runs several pages long. Here's just a tiny selection. Click on the bottom link to review them all.
>> see all Christmas Ornament patterns
Christmas Snow Globes: whole collection now available
Two more charming snowglobes to cross stitch. These are in a jar the other way round.
 |
Car Snow Globe | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Shannon Christine Designs |
|  |
You can now collect them all and stitch them as if they were on a shelf. So cute!
Embedded Jewels
Love Beads? Love cross stitch? Here's an opportunity to combine both in an extraordinary piece of work where sew-on emerald, ruby and topaz-like stones are combined into the stitching. Some are actually embedded, forming the main motif of the baubles, others are actually pendants. Color shading and the dimensional effect of the beads are a pure wonder. A Shannon Christine Design.
>> see all the latest news for Shannon Christine Designs
Christmas in Silver and Blue
Light sparkles in Faby Reilly's works with metallic threads, sequins and beads capturing light and adding extra dimension. Here are two new releases, a Christmas tree busrting with fine detail and a star ornament with intricately silver snowflakes.
More star ornaments by Faby Reilly
>> see more Christmas patterns by Faby Reilly Designs
>> see all Christmas patterns by Riverdrift House
Countdown to Christmas
The little lord is wearing velvet pants and a brocade vest, the hens come with beribboned gift boxes and the lady-a-dancing is twirling in the snowy landscape. Full of fun detail to cross stitch as you hum along the traditional Christmas carol. A design by Cheryl of Tiny Modernist, now available on Creative Poppy's website.
>> see more patterns by Tiny Modernist
>> see all the latest news for Tiny Modernist
Exquisitely Designed Angel
Here are some photos of an exceptional piece by Lesley Teare. Check out the wonderful detail of the angel's face, the luminous golden wings or the fine detail of the dress and laced boots. Each tiny section of the work will bring hours of pleasure.
Nature's Christmas
More delightful Lesley Teare patterns have been added lately to our website, including these 3 works inspired by Mother Nature.
New photos of the Holly Girl
We've received some new photos of the Lesley Teare's Holly Girl stitched on natural raw linen over two (instead of white fabric). She was stitched by Marie-Claude who decided to add little snow flakes in the background. Well, well done Marie-Claude and thank you for sending your picture!
 |
Holly Girl | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Lesley Teare Designs |
|  |
>> see all
Christmas patterns by Lesley Teare
Christmas Giving
Exquisitely designed by Deborah A. Dick of Tempting Tangles, some more Christmas patterns are now available on Creative Poppy's website.
To start withhere is a wise - and very ornamental - reminder of what Christmas is all about.
 |
The Only Gift | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Tempting Tangles Designs |
|  |
Winter Birds
Also by Tempting Tangles Designs, two lovely portraits of birds with evocative verses. Both are set in the snow, with a fine layer covering twigs, berries and flowers.
>> see more patterns by Tempting Tangles Designs
>> see all patterns of Birds in Winter
Christmas Greetings banner
New by Alessandra Adelaide, a large and cheerful banner to greet visitors into you home come Christmas time.
A Creative Poppy exclusive.
>> see more Christmas Greetings banners (all designers)
A question from a stitcher: Christmas earrings
Annette asks:
I'm looking for Christmas patterns suitable to make earrings out of, roughly 19 x 10 stitches total for each one, to be earing size. Do you have any small enough motifs?
Carole replies for Creative Poppy:
The two last rows of Maria Diaz 60 Christmas mini motifs, that's 22 designs, are small enough to fit into a 14 x 14 square. A couple of them are only 10 stitches wide, that's 3/4 inch high by 1/2 inch wide (2cm x 1.5cm) on 18 ct fabric. You can then roll and mount them into a tiny cylinder shape with a ring at the top hanging from the earring hook.There's plenty of fun themes including snowmen, Christmas tree, penguins, stars, and more... Why not stitch on red Aida?
I hope you find a lot of inspiration for your earring project. Do send us a photo!
Woodlands Christmas
Celebrating Christmas in the quiet of the woods....
 |
Woodlands Deer | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Shannon Christine Designs |
|  |
 |
Woodland Fox | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Shannon Christine Designs |
|  |
Stitch a Gift-Tag
How better to personalize a gift than to stitch the gift card yourself? The stitched piece can then serve as a Christmas ornament. The three designs are also by Shannon Christine Wasilieff.
>> see all Christmas patterns by Shannon Christine Designs
More Gift Tags
Choose from charts full of mini motifs brought to you by Lesley Teare and Maria Diaz or the refined Christmas series by Faby Reilly (detail of one of 4 patterns shown).
>> see all
Small Christmas motifs (for cards, gift-tags, etc..)
Christmas Reindeer
Shy creatures of the forest, reindeer are such a beautiful theme in cross stitch. Here are two Christmas patterns with reindeer, brought to you by Barbara Ana, including this unique portrait of a reindeer, with deep blue eyes and a message of Joy.
 |
Deer Joy | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs |
|  |
>> see all Christmas patterns by Barbara Ana Designs
More Reindeer in Cross stitch
>> see all Christmas patterns with Reindeer
Miniature Christmas landscapes - inside a Snowball
A lovely new series by Shannon Christine: tiny little snowy landscapes inside a glass globe. They come in different shapes so you can collect them or stitch them in a single piece of fabric. We just love the red Christmas truck loading the trees. So cute!
>> see more Christmas patterns by Shannon Christine Designs
New photos of Christmas Joy
Check out this beautiful stitched version of Christmas Joy, also by Shannon Christine.
 |
Christmas Joy | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Shannon Christine Designs |
|  |
>> see more Christmas patterns by Shannon Christine Designs
Nativity in cross stitch
Brought to you by Riverdrift house. What makes this nativity design unique is that, like other Riverdrift House cross stitch patterns, it was created in the manner of a sampler, with plenty of detail and many decorative motifs and borders.
More nativity designs
>> see all Christmas patterns (all designers)
Highlights of Winter
Winter is not all doom and gloom. Think of the frozen icicles shining in the pale morning sun, frost motifs on the windows, red berries in the bushes attracting all kinds of birds. Deborah A. Dick of Tempting Tangles, captures the spirit of Winter in this very pretty design.
>> see more Seasonal patterns by Tempting Tangles
'Twas the night before Christmas...
A delightful cross stitch ornament showing the stockings of all the family, from Dad's big wooly socks, to the baby's tiny little red one.
>> see more Seasonal patterns by Tempting Tangles
>> see all Christmas ornament patterns (all designers)
A greeting card with a vintage touch
So delicate and exquisitely designed, we love Monique Bonnin's latest vintage postcard, just in time for Seasons' greetings!
It's so beautiful you might want to keep it for youself...
More vintage Greeting Cards by Monique Bonnin
Why not collect them? You can even mount them on stiff cardboard and send them by the post. Don't forget to stick a real stamp though!
>> see all vintage postcard patterns by Monique Bonnin
>> see all greeting cards (all designers)
Christmas nativity
With beautiful visual effects in the way the decorative border is designed, this ornament focuses on the essential of Christmas, the Holy Night of the Nativity.
>> see all cross stitch patterns related to the Nativity
Christmas cuties
Children singing merrily a little boy plays the violin. A delightful pattern by Perrette Samouiloff that will look great as the background of a Christmas wreath, or simply framed in an embroidery hoop.
>> see all patterns related to music (all designers)
More Christmas patterns by Perrette Samouiloff
When it comes to Christmas, Perrette Samouiloff is always full of ideas for cross stitching. Here's a glimpse of some of her Xmas patterns. There are many more to check out!
>> see more Christmas patterns by Perrette Samouiloff
Christmas Gifts - Customized
Imagine receiving a personalized gift with this little polar bear and your own initial! These little bears by Lesley Teare are so cheerful and cuddly, they are a delight to stitch and will be cherished by the gift's recipient for their own sake.
Of course you could also stitch the whole alphabet as a banner too. Click on images to see the full alphabet.
>> see all Christmas mini-motifs (all designers)
Happy Christmas to All, and to All a Good Night!
Now complete, From Tempting Tangles, Deborah A. Dicks' "Night before Christmas" series, comprising 4 ornaments, that put together read the entire poem. We particularly love the beautiful last part with an imposing St Nicholas holding a bejewelled staff
>> See all Christmas Ornament patterns (all designers)
Awesome Tree
Take a close look at all the exquisite detail in Faby Reilly's Tannenbaum.
The piece is entirely stitched in powdery pink tones, with delicate details of gold and ivory as well as some specially adapted stitches. A masterpiece of needlework.
>> see all Christmas Tree patterns (all designers)
Jewels and fairies in the snow
Another tree, this time a branch. A white silhouette covered with snow. All the better to show of the gem-like ornaments around this bird house. Designed by Shannon Christine.
Next some tiny dancing fairies, exquisitely detailed in a mixture of beadwork and cross stitch.
>> see all Christmas patterns by Shannon Christine Designs
Winter visitors
Thre's a delicate Christmassy feel to this wreath pattern, embellished with red berries, ivy, holly and Christmas roses. Five little winter birds have come to visit, expertly rendered in cross stitch by Lesley Teare.
>> see all bird patterns by Lesley Teare Designs
Stitchers' essentials
Indispensable in any stitcher's chart library: a chart full of joyful mini Christmas motifs, always handy whenever there is a personalized gift to make - or just for the fun of stitching cheerful and quick pieces, one for every day leading up to Christmas!
A British Christmas
Traditional designs with a special touch - we love Christmas as seen through the twinkling eyes of British designer Lesley Teare.
>> see all Christmas patterns by Lesley Teare
>> see all the recent news for Lesley Teare Designs
Christmas Ornaments from Tempting Tangles
New from designer Deborah A. Dick, 2 designs inspired by the all-time favorite poem "The Night before Christmas". All Tempting Tangles designs, no matter how small, are elaborately designed with fun stitch detail such as the loop-made beard of Santa Claus, the red-bead-tipped noses of the reindeer, or the decorative borders worked with Sofia crosses and beaded diamonds.
>> see all Christmas ornaments (all designers)
Kyoko Maruoka's little Christmas shop
One a year in Japan, GERA! designer Kyoko Maruoka stages her pretty embroidered creations in a small shop and invites stitchers to attend. It is an opportunity to exchange and proudly showcase one's achievements, find new ideas, seek inspiration and ask for advice. For those stitchers who live too far to attend, here is a glimpse of the GERA Christmas Shop!
>> see all Christmas patterns by GERA! Kyoko Maruoka
Jewel like ornaments in Blue, Silver and Gold
Beautifully detailed, with soft curves enhancing every tiny stitch, these new ornaments by Faby Reilly sparkle in a contrast of icy blues and silver highlights. They are part of the exquisite Frosty collection.
Everything you can dream of for Christmas
Here's a wonderful pattern by Shannon Christine Designs. It's chockfull of everything you can dream of for Christmas.
 |
Christmas Joy | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Shannon Christine Designs |
|  |
>> see more Christmas patterns by Shannon Christine Designs
>> see all Christmas patterns (all designers)
Happy Christmas times
Let designer Maria Diaz take you way back in time, with these nostalgic scenes of Christmas. The joy of Christmas is very much in the times leading up to it - cross stitching these cheerful pieces, with all their wonderful detail, is sure to bring you many hours of happiness.
>> see more Christmas patterns by Maria Diaz Designs
Christmas with a baroque touch
How about giving your tree an elegant baroque style this year? For a sophisticated decor, stitch to a set of limited colors, say red and gold, for a luxurious opera house feel. Pick matte gold, for a vintage touch. This cute ornament with winged cherubs will be the perfect final touch. A design by Perrette Samouiloff.
Small is beautiful
Even if you hardly have time to stitch, of if you have a huge piece underway, you'll find time to stitch these lovely little Christmas motifs designed by Perrette Samouiloff. The color range is absolutely gorgeous. See our tips further down for some cute finishing ideas.
>> see more Christmas patterns by Perrette Samouiloff
Finishing ideas for Christmas ornaments
Take a look at how the Perrette Samouiloff ornaments further up. Here are some finishing ideas worth looking at. Maybe they will trigger some more creative ideas. Do contact us if you have any you'd like to share too!
 | Jingle bells, jingle all the way Idea: Stitch a row of tiny jingle bells, so they hang at the base of the ornament and add a merry touch. Tip: Make sure all the bells are stitched at an equal distance. You can sew them loosely first with a basting thread, then slide them into the exact position and secure them and remove the basting thread. Make sure the stitch is not too taut or they will hang at an awkward angle. |  |
 | Pleats, please! Idea: To make a change from satin and organza ribbons, how about a pleated ribbon, with preformed folds, accordion style, which gives it a lovely texture. Tip: For a refined finish, instead of tying a knot, a loop of ribbon is slipped through a golden bead (using a tiny wire, folded in two). The loop is then made into two bows with a tiny stitch. |  |
 | Beads Express Idea: For a highly decorative finish in minimum time, how about using a pre-beaded trimming ribbon? Tip: The beads are already sewn on the side of the ribbon. The ribbon part only serves for holding them in place. Mount the ornament as you would a small cushion, slipping the ribbon part inside so only the beads show. |  |
|
There are plenty more ideas and tutorials for your Christmas ornaments.
>> see all tutorials and finishing ideas for Christmas ornaments
When needlework meets jewelry
Looking at this jewel-like ornament, you might actually wonder if it's actually cross stitch. Well yes, it is mostly counted cross stitch and backstitch that have been complemented with seed beads and sequins and embellished with a little crystal sew-on in the center. The combination of white, silver and light reflecting textures creates this extraordinary jewel-like effect while the biscornu shape with its hollow center and curved sides captures the light in a wonderful way.
Sophisticated needlework brought to you by expert designer Faby Reilly.
>> see more Christmas patterns by Faby Reilly Designs
Miniature snow landscapes
New from Barbara Ana Designs. Tiny little treasures with rustic simplicity, just the right size to attach on your Christmas tree.
>> see more Christmas patterns by Barbara Ana Designs
Cute teddies to celebrate Christmas
Adorable teddy-boys and teddy-girls to cross stitch for the festive season. Decorate your house, send them as greeting cards, make tiny decorative cushions, there are so many ways these mini charts will come handy for your Xmas stitching.
>> see more mini Xmas motifs and motifs for greeting cards
Finishing ideas: mini frame embellishments
Don't neglect the last part of your stitching: the finishing!
We have added a new article on Creative Poppy's website where we discuss ideas for pairing mini motifs and embellishments. Searching through your stash for the perfect accessories that will compliment your stitching is so much fun!
>> see ideas for mini frame embellishments
Christmas cut-outs
How about stitching a couple of new ornaments in the manner of paper cut-outs. You can get stitching right away with these cute new cross stitch patterns designed by Shannon Christine Wasilieff. Like all other patterns on Creative Poppy's website, these motifs and available for instant download. Search through your stash to find some fun color combinations or stitch to classic back on white, red or green fabric.
>> see more patterns by for Christmas ornaments (all designers)
This year's Christmas banner
Welcome visitors into your house with a cute Christmas banner, scandinavian style. Stitch in your favourite color of red (overdyeds look great too) and pick a fun background fabric. A new design by Agnès Delage-Calvet.
>> see more patterns with Christmas wishes and welcome banners
Christmas maiden
New from Lesley Teare, meet the holly girl, sheltering from the cold in an elegant fur hat and muffer, and a buttoned-up red jacket.
 |
Holly Girl | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Lesley Teare Designs |
|  |
>> see more Christmas patterns by Lesley Teare Designs
Beautifully detailed Christmas stitching
Encased in their own hoops and ready to display, here are four exquisitely detailed cross stitch projects which have been embellished with beads, sequins, specialty stitches and even some miniature ribbons which you learn to make yourself. They come with very detailed tutorials by Faby Reilly.
>> see more Christmas ornament patterns by Faby Reilly Designs
Jingle bells
Christmas will be jolly and musical with these cute little motifs by Lesley Teare, each featuring a little bird inside a different Christmas wreath. A design by Lesley Teare.
>> see more patterns by Lesley Teare Designs
In a hurried stride
A jolly expression on his face, Santa is walking in a hurried stride. Will he make it in time? An exquisitely detailed combination of cross stitch and beadwork brought to you by Shannon Christine Designs.
 |
Jolly Santa | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Shannon Christine Designs |
|  |
>> see more patterns by Shannon Christine Designs
Waiting for Santa
This new advent calendar by Agnès Delage-Calvet is large enough to accommodate sweets or tiny gifts on each day of the month. Gifts can become bigger as you get closer to Christmas. Sew mini rings onto the stitched piece right under each date and use strings or miniature clothes pegs to attach each treat.
>> see more Advent calendars and Christmas projects for cross stitch
Stitching ideas: snowflakes in the background
Did you know there are needlework fabrics available with a printed white polka dot on a raw linen color background? They come in both Aida and in 32 ct linen (available from Zweigart, Maison Sajou and other sources). Here's a stitched model of the Victorian lady that was stitched on Zweigart polka dot Aida. It was stitched by Sylvie B. who sent us the photo. Naturally she omitted stiching the original snowflakes in the background (check the original piece here). We find it's a great idea and wanted to share it will all. Thank you Sylvie!
 |
Victorian Lady | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Shannon Christine Designs |
|  |
Christmas with GERA! by Kyoko Maruoka
Lovely, sweet designs, now available in English and in Color, as downloadable charts on Creative Poppy's website. Check out all the Christmas cross stitch designs by Japanese designer Kyoko Maruoka.
 |
Santa's House | | Counted cross stitch pattern by GERA! by Kyoko Maruoka |
|  |
>> see more patterns by GERA! by Kyoko Maruoka
What Else for Christmas? A Biscornu!
If you've only got time for one more small project, then check out our biscornu ornaments. They are so much fun to make and will add a cheerful Christmas touch to your home.
>> See all Christmas biscornu patterns to cross stitch
Pictures of the Victorian Lady
We've just received from Shannon Christine Wasilieff some lovely pictures of the Victorian Lady, with amazing beading details. We just love the way the flowing satin is embellished with golden highlights as well as the attention to detail such as the lamposts decorated with Christmas garlands.
She is stitched on 32 count Crystal Sprite by Picture This Plus Fabrics, which is an opalescent soft purple.
 |
Victorian Lady | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Shannon Christine Designs |
|  |
 |  |  |
>> see more patterns by Shannon Christine Designs
A traditional Saint Nicholas
He comes of course under many names,St. Nicholas originally, then Santa Claus, now simply Santa. We love the vintage feel of these 4 motifs that were designed for cards but can be stitched on many other Christmas projects too! A design by Lesley Teare.
 |
4 Santa cards | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Lesley Teare Designs |
|  |
Fun Christmas cards
In a totally different style, also by Lesley Teare, here's a good way to have some fun this Christmas. Cross stitch these ... Christmas legs.... and send them to your best friends!
>> see more patterns by Lesley Teare Designs
A selection of Christmas Trees
Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a Christmas tree. Here'a sampling of some of the trees growing on Creative Poppy's website. Which one would you pick?
>> all cross stitch patterns for Christmas
New Free Tutorial: a shooting star
Here's a pretty embellishment idea you can add to many Christmas cross stitching projects. Seen here are the 3 Kings designed by Perrette Samouiloff. The star is a combination of a metal embossed charm and Metallic pearl applied using a couching technique. There is a chart to help precisely position the Metallic Pearl threads.
We offer many ideas and free tutorials on Creative Poppy's website. You can check them out here:
>> see more free tutorials
Creative Poppy Gift vouchers: great to give ...or to receive
Are any of your loved ones asking you what you would like to receive for Christmas? Why not suggest some Creative Poppy Gift vouchers. They make great gifts for your stitcher friends too.
- starting from $9.99 (about £6.50)
- valid one year
>> find out more about Creative Poppy Gift vouchers
Samantha Purdy Textile
Tempting Tangles Designs
Frosty Humbug 
Frosty biscornu 
Frosty Pendeloque 
Frosty star 
Frosty table mat 
.jpg)
