After a long hiatus from stitching, and an even longer one from participating in an exchange, I have just signed up to a Blackbird Designs ornament exchange. The brief – to stitch a Blackbird Designs design, or part of a design, make it up into an ornament and send it off to someone somewhere in the world by a particular time. So it was out to the shop I went, so that I could choose the design I wanted to stitch. Some of my choices were:
1. 
In the Just Cross Stitch ornaments magazine, there is often a Blackbird Designs chart. And I always love what Barb and Alma do. I usually have the design on my short list, but rarely do I get around to stitching it. Seeing as though this is an ornament exchange, my first thought was naturally this magazine.
2. 
Many of the Rewards of Merit pincushions would make a fantastic ornament. Who said that the ornament had to have a Christmas theme. I think that many of these beautiful pincushions would be perfect.
3. 
The mini stocking series is another serious contender. My concern – do I have the fabric and threads that I need to complete one of these? Will I get it done in time?
4. 
The Anniversaries of the Heart designs are actually quite small samplers, and even if the design stitched on 32ct would be around 15cm long, I am sure that stitched on 40ct, one of these would make a fantastic ornament. I would probably finish it in the pinkeep style.
5. 
And then there is part of a design. Many of the larger designs have some good areas that would make the perfect small ornament, but the one that caught my eye was Christmas Garden.
I made my choice, and started stitching yesterday. I can’t wait to show you what I chose…
