We awoke to a few flakes at our house! It is pretty unusual for us to have snow, so even when it doesn't accumulate, we get excited. I was so excited that I got out of bed before 7am - that is more unusual than snowflakes. (I am NOT a morning person.) All these flurries make me want to work on some of my wintry projects.

The free Falling Snowflakes pattern might just be the one I start today. With a trio of stylized snowflakes, the design will look pretty stitching in shades of white and cream on dark fabric, or I might even decide to do it in shades of blue on white fabric. Decisions, decisions...

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The free Miniature Ornaments collection is filled with small designs that will make perfect gift tags or new ornaments for your tree this year or next. You may even decide to get the kids involved - read on to see how.



The Back Stitch Ornament is especially quick-to-stitch and will be easily embellished with paint, beads, or sequins. Stitch several and get the kids or family involved in decorating them. Use fabric glue to attach the beads or sequins for an even faster project.

The Two Color Mini Ornament (shown here) is a good project for a beginning stitcher. If you have some antsy young ones who need a project to keep them busy for a few hours, why not teach them to stitch using this pattern and the floss colors of their choice? This is a great way to fill some of those hours when they get out of school, or if you home-school your young ones, do a unit on Cross Stitch!

It's the first week of December, so it's time you got cracking on those holiday crafts. Here are some winter treasures to get started with.

Winterscape Needlepoint Ornaments
Create a needlepoint ornament with these Winterscape printable patterns. Cheryl Fall has your pattern and how-to.

Antique Christmas Scraps
Use these great looking antique Santa illustrations to use on all your paper projects-- scrapbooks, cards, ornaments and newsletters!

Knit Tinsel
If you can make an I-cord, you can use a fancy eyelash yarn to make knit tinsel in no time for your hearth or holiday tree. Sarah E. White shows you how.

Shrink Plastic Necklace
Use shrink plastic to create unique charms to make necklaces and other items of jewelry. These are quick to make and are perfect for last minute gifts!

Sweater Holiday Lighting
Make a light-up Christmas tree using an old sweater and a little know-how form the Sweater Surgery blog.

Printable Paper Sleigh
A Printable Sleigh to fill with goodies. This sleigh fits dolls house scale dolls, but it also stands nicely behind most commercial reindeer figures to make a table decoration. You can print it in the colors shown, or use the template to construct your own sleigh in the color you want.

Peace Cross Stitch
One message during the holidays that everyone can agree with is 'Peace'. Create this simple cross stitch with the free pattern and instructions from Connie G. Barwick.

Draw a Santa
Decorate cards, tags and more when you learn how to sketch the perfect Santa from Helen South.

Glittery Wood and Wire Snowman Earrings
These super easy snowmen earrings are a whimsical design that even the beginning jewelry maker can create.

Ribbon Wreath Craft
Find out how you can create a unique wreath using pieces of ribbon. By looking at this finished project, you will never believe how easy it is!

Holiday Pear Quilt
Create a pear quilt as a holiday gift or just to spruce up the place. Cyndi Lavin at the Mixed Media Blog has your tips and instructions.

Cuttlebugged Christmas Cards
These quick Christmas cards were made using my Sissix Big Shot, ProvoCraft Christmas Tree embossing folder, Versamark inks and embellishments. Get the instructions at the Firenze Cards blog.

Christmas Card Art Worksheet
Make a watercolor Christmas Card out of a cathedral rose window without all that pesky drawing. Just print this outline from Marion Boddy-Evans on a sheet of watercolor paper using waterproof ink.

Want to Join Make it Merry to show off your holiday crafts? We will showcase your crafts and recipes of all holiday traditions. Learn more.

There's just something pleasing about the combination of the colors brown and blue. It feels serene and calming to me somehow. A few years ago my niece had the cutest skirt in these colors. I was inspired to create this border pattern after seeing her with such a cute outfit on. Now, she's nearly a teenager and into the whole black and dark colors thing. Not as inspiring for her aunt, but I went through the same thing, so I understand.

The great thing about Cross Stitch patterns is that if you don't like the colors used in a design, you can change them! So, if brown and blue aren't your thing, then choose your favorite colors for this border. Use it to stitch around a saying, make a frame for a photo, or whatever your imagination can come up with.

More Free Patterns:

• Free Border Patterns
• Back Stitch Border Pattern
• Christmas Tree Border