Quilt-Holder Ornaments

What is it about the holidays? When I saw Berene @happysewlucky post her quilt-holder bear recently, I suddenly wanted to make one too! Except I couldn't find any bears of the right variety, so when I happened upon some ornaments with their paws out in front, I was pretty sure I could adapt them just fine.

As Berene did, I used her HSL Tinies Christmas Pack pattern to make the very tiny quilts. Most were about 2"; the reindeer just a little larger. Here are the four cuties I made.

Fiddly as they were (tiny is not my first piecing-language!) they were so fun to make and to give.

Snowflakes

When Rebecca of Dropcloth Samplers posted a new ornament sampler a few weeks ago, I was right on it! I love snow and snowflake motifs, so it was an obvious decision. As usual, the ornaments were stitched with #8 Wonderfil perle cotton.

Originally, I'd had in mind to stitch them all with Wonderfil Dazzle, with a silver metallic thread running through it. As it turned out, it was a little finicky to work with, so I only used it on one snowflake (below). I had actually purchased a Sparkle Kit, too, just to add a little bling for a change. 

So I used some beads and sequins here and there...

Note that I tried a different 'border stitch' on each one, top to bottom: chain stitch, woven back stitch, stem stitch, and couching. That was a fun little challenge.

The finished ornaments are just 3" diameter, and I added perle cotton hangers. I forgot to take a photo, but they are all backed with a darker blue Essex Homespun. Do you have a favorite?

Dropcloth Heart Ornaments

A few weeks ago, I shared my finished Dropcloth Heart Ornament sampler, and I'm happy to report that I actually made them into ornaments, per their original intent!

With four different designs, the sampler was such a fun one to stitch! For the ornament backings, I used Scarlet Essex Yarn Dyed Homespun, which is what they are laying on in these photos. Yes, it's a lot lighter than the red on the fronts, but I loved the texture, so I went with it.

Rebecca, the Dropcloth shopkeeper, also had those tiny little brass bells in her shop, so just for fun, I added those, differently on each heart. Then I used red perle cotton #8 for the hangers. Super simple. Kinda want to make more, buuuut. I think I'll go ahead and move on to something else. Just not sure what yet!