Deck the Halls is one of the newest books by Blackbird Designs released during the Nashville Needlework Market 2018. The book contains six patterns that can be stitched as strawberries OR small charts for finishing as pin pillows or whatever you want. The book also contains finishing instructions for the strawberries.
Deck the Halls by Blackbird Designs
I decided to stitch at least four of them and attempt finishing as strawberries, something I have NEVER done. I was able to purchase the suggested lace trim (#257691) from Hobby Lobby. I could not locate the recommended seam binding ribbon but another stitcher very generously sent me some. It is 1/2″ wide dark olive by Hug Snug.
Christmas Cactus
The first one I selected to stitch is called Christmas Cactus. The recommended fabric is 36ct Sand by Picture This Plus but I cannot see well enough to stitch on the small a count so I chose 16ct pink that I had in my stash. I did use the recommended floss on this one which is all Weeks Dye Works – Aztec Red, Baked Apple, Olive, Oscar, Palomino. One recommended color, Whiskey, I did not have so substituted DMC 680.
Started Stitching: 4/13/2018
Finished: 4/19/2018
Christmas Cactus by Blackbird Designs
Christmas Cactus by Blackbird Designs
Dancing Sugar Plums
The recommended fabric for this one is 36ct Opal by Picture This Plus. I used the same 16ct pink Aida I had in my stash to stitch this one also. I used the recommended floss – Weeks Dye Works – Cranberry Ice, Dolphin, Oscar, Pink Sand, and Palomino. I did not have Cattail so used DMC 543 and for River Rock used DMC 3860.
Started Stitching: 4/23/2018
Finished: 5/13/2018
I did work on some other project during this time so took longer to finish up.
Dancing Sugar Plums from Deck the Halls
Dancing Sugar Plums from Deck the Halls
Christmas Cactus turned out super, Pat. I look forward to seeing the others you are going to stitch.