Incorporate your favorite hobby into your holiday celebrations as you use Cross Stitch for gifts, cards, decorative ideas, and more.
11. Make a Magnetic Candle Tin Topper
Create a magnetic topper for a candle in a tin. To do this, stitch a design on plastic canvas or Aida that is small enough to fit on the lid of the candle. After you stitch the design, trace a pattern of the lid, make sure the design is centered on the pattern and cut out the circle or square (depending on the shape of your candle tin.)You may want to use fabric stiffener on the Aida. Finish the edges with ribbon or cording, or leave them raw. Place a magnet strip on the back of the design.
This becomes two gifts in one. The magnet dresses up the candle tin and it may be removed to place on the fridge if desired.
Thanks to Pat Sorby for sharing this idea.
12. Stitch a Cross Stitch Bracelet
Handmade jewelry is very popular now. Why not whip up a Cross Stitch Bracelet or two for the fashionistas on your gift list? Match an outfit, personalize the bracelet with name or initials, or create a unique design of your own.Examples of Cross Stitch Bracelets:
13. Transform a CD with Cross Stitch
To make a sparkly ornament or gift tag, use a damaged or unwanted CD as a background for a Cross Stitch design. Transform a CD with Cross Stitch and go green with your holiday giving. Back the CD with craft foam or acid free paper to create a great gift tag or ornament. Write the gift information on the back or sign the back and date it to create a special Christmas memory.Suggested Ornament Patterns:
14. Decorate a Wreath
Cross Stitch Ornaments aren't just for the tree. Add your favorites to a wreath and hang in on the door to the kitchen pantry or on your front door as long as it doesn't get too much sun. You wouldn't want your stitchery treasures to get faded out!The free Mini Ornament Patterns would be great for this project. Designs include:
15. Cross Stitch Candy Dish
Candy is an important part of the holiday season - at least for me! If you need to make several gifts for friends, why not create simple Cross Stitch candy dishes? Stock them with peppermints or even better, CHOCOLATE! After the holidays, the dish can do double duty as a paper clip holder.Suggested Patterns:
16. Band a Bar of Soap
Make some decorative soaps for your home by stitching holiday motifs on a band of Aida fabric, then wrapping the fabric around pretty bars of soap. These would also make lovely gifts. Use purchased soap or make your own.Soap Making Information from About.com Guide David Fisher:
17. Make Beaded Ornaments
Substitute seed beads for some or all of your cross stitches in a design to created a textured ornament. Use beads as ornaments on a small Christmas tree design. Or, make a beaded ornament hanger.More on using seed beads:
18. Holiday-Themed Coasters and Placemats
I like using placemats and coasters to protect my table from spills and coffee rings. One material I have used is a bit unusual. We stitchers joke about seeing everything as a potential Cross Stitch surface and as selected drawer liner, I noticed that Duck Select Easy Liner had a uniformly square weave.I used yarn and a plastic needle to stitch the design.
19. Mini Pillow Ornaments
Cross Stitch ornaments are fun to make and give, but sometimes using frames for them can get a bit pricey. Another option for displaying Cross Stitch as an ornament is to back the ornament with some decorative fabric or even Aida fabric and use a little fiberfill to make a mini pillow ornament. If your sewing skills leave something to be desired, use fabric glue. Be sure to leave a space for adding the stuffing though.You can even leave the fabric edges exposed and create a fringe as Elaine did with her Back Stitch Ornaments. Elaine used the free Back Stitch Motif Collection to create her ornaments. Another great set of patterns for simple ornaments is the Cross Stitch Tile Pattern Collection.
20. Add Sparkle With Metallic Flosses
If you enjoy stitching ornaments, be sure to explore adding metallic and other specialty flosses to your work. These flosses just seem to be made for use with Christmas lights! Metallic, silk, and rayon floss adds a special sparkle to holiday designs. Hand-dyed, over-dyed and variegated flosses add a different look to projects as well.If you have never tried metallics or other specialty flosses, don't be intimidated. Get help with the information listed below or visit the About.com Cross Stitch Forum for assistance.
Here are some tips and information to help you with specialty flosses.
How Do You Celebrate with Cross Stitch? Share Your Tips and Ideas.
Do you have a special way of combining your love of Cross Stitch and holiday celebrations? Submit a Cross Stitch Tip and let us know.
