If you’ve been following my blog for some time, you may have recalled a few posts that offer needlework ideas for embellishing gifts. Today, I’d like to re-visit one of the ideas using leftover bits of threads.

It would be an ideal project for kids or grandkids to do over the holidays for a break in festive activities!

I originally came up with the samples above after Kathleen who I feature on my blog came to a wool applique workshop with some very small washers she had wrapped. Of course, as with all workshops, lots of lively discussions followed and I proceeded to experiment. 

The base of several of the samples shown above is curtain rings which I had picked up at the thrift store at one time. The “Christmas” ring started with a small wooden ring I had.  Other options would be small grapevine wreaths.

You are sure to find something at your local dollar store or online. Here is one option.

I started by simply wrapping one of the rings with a metallic shown at the top and finished by adding a bead. Then I moved onto different size threads using buttonhole stitch for another three of the rings. 

After these were completed I started playing some more.

Embellishing Gift Ideas: How To Create Some Christmas Rings

I started with a slightly larger wooden ring which I wrapped with a scrap of eyelash yarn.  I think if I were to try this again I’d use a brighter lime green yarn!  I then printed up the word Christmas on a piece of cardstock, cut this out and inked the edges with brown ink.  I wanted to give a vintage appearance. This was attached with glue. 

While all the samples shown above are small, I also ended up wrapping a slightly larger grapevine wreath with wool. Opportunities are endless. Any hollow circular shape will work!

Have fun with embellishing your gifts and be creative with what you come up with.

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Well, I couldn’t have a star series without a Christmas Star now could I?

I started posting my Christmas Star series early in December.  I know it might be a bit late for Christmas stitching this year but hopefully we have inspired you to stitch some Christmas stars for next year – have we?

All of the star posts can be found in the right sidebar of the blog under categories – Colourful Christmas.

Remember, the pattern was designed by Janet from Nuts about Needlepoint. Thank you Janet.  Each star measures about 2 ½ inches and all were stitched on 18 count white mono canvas.

Karen chose a traditional Christmas colour scheme of red and green.  Her Christmas star features three colours.  She used colour #133 in a size 5 perle cotton which is a fantastic combination of green and burgundy red variations shown in the photo.  She then added a solid tan also size 5 perle cotton DMC colour #3046 and finally a gold size 12 metallic braid #002 (likely Kreinik).

We hope you have enjoyed my Christmas star series this season.  More importantly, I hope we have inspired you to start stitching some stars for next year.  It is never too early.  Remember the goal of the series was to take a simple star pattern and alter the appearance depending on the threads chosen.

I want to thank all the ladies in my stitch group for stitching the stars – thank you ladies!

What will your stars look like?

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Do you remember those little gold stars we used to get awarded as a mark of achievement in school?  I know, I’m going wayyyyyyyyyy back here!  Since I’m featuring stars this month, this particular one reminded me of those little sticker stars we used to get often accompanied by a little note our teachers wrote.  Sadly, some of those “notes” were not always as positive as I might have liked them to be BUT that’s another story.

I hope you have been enjoying my Christmas star series.  Remember, you will find all the stars if the check in the right sidebar of the blog under categories – colourful Christmas. 

If you have been following my star posts then you know the pattern is featured on the Nuts about Needlepoint blog. Thank you for this Janet.  Each of my stars measure about 2 ½ inches on 18 count white mono canvas. 

So, gold stars features colour #187 which is a very popular and gorgeous blend of reds, pink/reds and orange/reds.  It is an ideal blend for seasonal stitching.  Marie started by stitching a small central star in colour #187 surrounded by alternating gold and red metallic threads.  The outer border is stitched with colour #187.

What do you think about filling in the outer areas with perhaps basketweave to create a square ornament? 

Next time I’m sharing my final star – can you guess what I named it?

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In my last post I featured star light and I couldn’t forget star BRIGHT!

If you are joining me for the first time, star bright is the fourth post featuring my Christmas star theme.  I will be featuring a series of star posts all month.  You will find all the stars if you check in the right sidebar of the blog under categories – colourful Christmas. 

The pattern is featured on the Nuts about Needlepoint blog. Thank you for this Janet.  Each of my stars measure about 2 ½ inches on 18 count white mono canvas. 

In the first star post I showed a sample using only one thread and in the second two threads.  Star bright uses three threads, one of which is a metallic for a little bling!  I think this is a great example of a pattern within a pattern.  The center section of this star is stitched with a coral shade of perle cotton, DMC colour #892.  Marie added some Kreinik 1/16” ribbon to create the appearance of a wrapped gift.  The outer green is colour #184 which is a fantastic blend of greens ideal for any seasonal needlework project.

I like the use of the coral in this star because it is a bit different.  You could easily stitch a series of this variation simply by switching the colour used in the center.  I could envision a garland with these could you? 

All the stars are ideal beginner projects! What’s next – wait and see!

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I find it challenging coming up with titles for my blog posts but star light just seemed to fit this one!  

If you are joining me for the first time, I am featuring a series of star posts all month. You will find all the stars if you check in the right sidebar of the blog under categories – Colourful Christmas.

The pattern is featured on the Nuts about Needlepoint blog. Thank you for this Janet.  Each of my stars measure about 2 ½ inches on 18 count white mono canvas. 

In the last post, I showed you Blazing Stars which was stitched with two threads.  Star light features three threads.

Johanna started with size 5 perle in colour #138 which is a lovely pastel blend.  She alternated using Caron Wildflowers Buttercup, colour #057 AND added some bling!  This is the first of the stars showing a metallic.  This one is a lovely turquoise metallic but another option would be pink or green.

Are we giving you ideas yet for some seasonal stars – hope so.  Can you guess what star is coming up next?  Star bright of course……

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Once again, I am showing you two samples that I am calling blazing stars because they jump off the canvas, a real pop of colours!

If you are joining me for the first time, I am featuring a series of star posts all month.  You will find all the stars if you check in the right sidebar of the blog under categories – colourful Christmas.

The pattern is exceptionally easy to stitch, ideal for a beginner and offered as a freebie thanks to Janet from Nuts about Needlepoint.  You will find the pattern HERE.  Thank you for this Janet.  Each of my stars measure about 2 ½ inches on 18 count white mono canvas. 

In the last post, I showed you two stars stitched with two threads creating a pattern within a pattern.  Once again, I am sharing two stars stitched with two threads BUT I think both of these stars demonstrate how the placement of colours can produce additional designs. 

The top left star is stitched with size 5 perle cotton in colour #137.  The variegated is shown alternating with a solid yellow, DMC #307. 

Don’t you think they look great?

The star on the bottom right is stitched with a size 5 perle in colour #31 shown on the bottom left.  Once again a solid colour was added, DMC #906 in blue.      

Fun to see the changes in appearance with different threads!  More stars soon.

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Well, I am featuring stars this month so twinkle twinkle little star!

Since some of you may be joining me for the first time, this is the second post featuring my Christmas star theme.  I will be featuring a series of star posts all month.  You can find all the posts in the right sidebar categories – colourful Christmas.  All the stars measure about 2 ½ inches on 18 count white mono canvas.

The star pattern is featured on the Nuts about Needlepoint blog. Thank you for this Janet.

While the pattern is very simple, I’ll be demonstrating how the appearance can change depending on the colours and threads used with each star. 

In the last post I showed you the basic pattern using only one thread and colour.  Twinkle twinkle shows two stars each using two colours and different threads, one variegated and one solid.  The top star is a combination of colour #138 (pastel blend) in a size 5 perle cotton with blue floss DMC colour #322.  You will note that the floss gives this star a slightly more open appearance.  The star on the bottom is stitched with colour #137 and a solid white all in size 5 perle cotton.

Naturally, both of these stars could be finished as is BUT you could also fill them in with further stitching to create a square. 

The stars are a great opportunity to use up bits from leftover projects but I must admit, I really like both of these colour choices for Christmas.

Twinkle twinkle little star – more stars coming.

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Each year I like to celebrate the Christmas season at Colour Complements.  I generally choose a theme and offer a variety of samples.  Last year my theme was trees.  This year it is STARS!  

Why stars?

Well, I chose this quite by accident.  I saw some completed stars posted by one of the finishers I follow on Instagram and thought this would be a fun series for a Christmas ornament.  So, I went in search of a star pattern.

I have followed Janet Perry’s blog, Nuts about Needlepoint for many years.  Janet always has a lot of great information so it is worth a visit.  Make yourself a cup of your favourite beverage as you will be there awhile!  I came across her eight point star project which was a simple star pattern composed of one stitch that she created to test out threads and colours.  Check out her site for this pattern and more.

I asked my stitch group if they would be interested in stitching some stars using various colour combinations.  The only criteria was that each star would have a minimum of one Colour Complements colour.  They could choose any additional colours/threads of their choice AND they could either use the original pattern or modify it as desired.

Throughout this month I will be sharing each of the stars created.  As always, I hope they inspire you to stitch a star for Christmas.  It might be a bit late for this year but you could always start now for next year!!! 

So, let’s get started with the first star in the photo above.

This is the basic pattern as Janet posted.  Susan has used Colour #31 in a size 5 perle cotton for the entire star.  This is a great example of showcasing how ONE variegated thread works!! 

In upcoming posts I will be showing you how adding different threads can alter the appearance of the design as well as create new patterns. You won’t want to miss them! Make sure you join me for my Colourful Christmas!

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Merry Christmas from Colour Complements

I’m dreaming of a White Christmas.  Well, it isn’t in the forecast despite my wishes!

Every year for as long as I can remember I’ve dreamed of a White Christmas and still do today.  It is a rare occurrence.  I live on the west coast of Canada on Vancouver Island just above the ocean so the climate is fairly temperate.  We have had a few snow falls on Christmas day during my lifetime but they generally do not last long.

As I write, I know many of you in other areas of North America are experiencing significant snowfalls.  Perhaps many of you just want winter to be over.

SNOW

Snow transforms a landscape to a magical wonderland.  Personally, I have always loved the “sound” of snow.  Years ago I used to work on a ski resort and sometimes the staff would assist ski patrol doing last run.  Last run is when ski patrol checks out all the runs to ensure no skier is left on the mountain after the lifts close.  It is magical time when you ski a run solo.  I used to pause part way down to just listen.  A very fond memory. 

SNOW – what does it mean to you?  

Last year I saw more snow over a three week time frame than I can recall seeing in my lifetime.  Sadly, it was not at Christmas but in February.  Shovelling the driveway was not fun!  AND, I learned ours is the largest of the driveways in our neighbourhood!! 

Many years ago, my husband and I were on a ski trip in Lake Louise (Alberta).  If I recall correctly, it was the early part of December which can be a quiet time to travel, at least we found it so.  We were out for dinner and the restaurant was not busy so we had a window table. 

The view was into a lawn area studded with small trees and a creek in the background.  In the middle of the lawn was one of those old fashioned lamp posts.  It had started snowing lightly as we arrived, just a few flakes.  During dinner it became heavier BUT the snowflakes were very small and light in appearance. 

The lamp post light reflected beautifully on the snow creating a glittered sparkly effect.  It was truly magical.  To this day, we talk about this.  One of those memories that are hard to duplicate. 

If you are in areas that are experiencing a White Christmas, drive safely and stay warm.  For those of you in warmer climates, enjoy Christmas BBQ.

I would like to wish all of my friends and customers a Merry Christmas from Colour Complements. I will return to regularly posting on Monday January 6th.

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It is a Christmas tree bonanza today. 

THREE more trees for you to stitch. 

The first is by Marie stitched with the very popular Colour Complements Colour #44.  Marie opted to add a green metallic.  If you recall, Colour #44 is used in Rainbow Ribbons.  This was recently published in the November/December Needlepoint Now.  You can read more about it in my blog post. 

Once again, an incredibly easy and fast project.  Thank you Marie.

The second tree is simple random stitches arranged artfully using a variety of leftover Colour Complements perle cottons and floss.  Love the embellishments.  Thank you Dominique. And, a more tradition colour theme – thank you Marie

And a third tree in my Christmas tree bonanza!

I hope you have enjoyed my O Christmas Tree series.  It certainly has taken me down memory lane.  Hopefully you will have been inspired to create some ornaments for next year. 

Never underestimate an ornament to add to the three.  When I unpack ornaments each year, I fondly remember either who gave it to me or where I picked it up.  I have only one ornament on the tree that was my parents – I believe it is over 60 years old now.  Fond memories indeed……

I have one more post on Christmas Day coming…..   

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