Wrapping Paper, Nutcrackers, and Fairy Tales

Happy Tuesday!

Isn't wrapping presents fun? Every year I pretend to be a Christmas elf, gather up my scotch tape, paper, and gifts, and wrap wrap wrap. Most of the time I use colorful wrapping paper, with snowmen, Santa, and other Christmas themes printed on it. This year, I've used a lot of paper that is red and white like a candy cane. Next year, I'm thinking of using Kraft paper instead. Like this:

Photo by Nathan Lemon on Unsplash

I'll add labels, and use bright ribbons, or maybe bright twine.

What wrapping paper do you like?

Cross Stitch Corner

I'm happy to report that I've gotten out of those couple of dark squares, and made it back to the sky:

Russian Hunting by Riolis

Parking my floss has enabled me to make a bunch of progress on this WIP! Going ahead, I don't think that I'll see as much orange as when I had Nikolai's coat to work on, but I am looking forward to stitching on another horse head.

Last week I shared one of my new designs that was still a work in progress. This week I'm pleased as punch to introduce you to Fairy Tale Birth Sampler:

Fairy Tale Birth Sampler by EmnEllie

I tried to make it look like it was straight out of a storybook. There's your castle, there's your classic beginning to a story. There's plenty of room to add birth info. I hope that whoever has this hanging on their bedroom / nursery wall, enjoys looking at it as much as the stitcher who stitches it. If you'd like to order a PDF chart, the link is here.

I've decided to stitch something seasonal over the 12 days of Christmas. Because it isn't just Christmas Day, and then wait for next year here at the Castle! I stay jolly and merry for all 12 days! Here's a beautiful freebie cross stitch chart from DMC:

Isn't he stunning?!? I absolutely adore Nutcrackers. Naturally, I will post my WIP updates. My goal is to finish him before Epiphany (January 6th).

Odds & Ends

So a bunch of you have probably read this festive short story by the great O. Henry, but I thought I'd put the link here anyway, because I don't think you can ever read it too many times The Gift of the Magi | by O. Henry

Christmas with Queen Victoria, anyone?

Great music, great costumes, great dancers. Guess what I'll be watching soon? Maybe my Nutcracker WIP will be watching with me! Here's a beautiful version of the pas de deux from the Nutcracker, by the Royal Opera House:

If you haven't seen it already, The Copper Fox is having her Christmas Open House on her blog! The link to her blog is here.

Happy stitching!

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