We are quickly approaching the season so aptly called "Christmas in July." Thankfully in the stitching community we have "Flossmas" or "Stitchmas" where we start working on holiday stitching. Many of us will start small ornaments or start larger projects like full coverage Christmas stockings. Regardless of your stitching methods, it's all about having fun and joining in on the #flossmas and #flossmasinjuly festivities. 

I have decided to create four holiday themed patterns perfect for stitching! I have included them in my new Flossmas in July printable. The first PDF includes three patterns and a few pages to organize and prep for stitching in July. I have included the color and symbol charts and black and white charts. The total page count is 12 pages. In a separate PDF is my "Flossmas Santa" pattern. This is a full coverage pattern. It is 110 x 175 stitches. He is charted in DMC floss. It has a six (6) page black and white symbol chart and a six page colored chart. In total, you get 25 pages of fun for your Jolly July stitching. 

I just premiered my newest cross stitch chart, Gnome Pretzel Party! Stitch this up just in time for Gnome Day. The small stitch includes gnomes making cheese dip, drinking beer, and having a fondue party. Yes please! I also show my WIPS including my Barbara Ana mermaid, Comfort lighthouse, Needle's Dance, and Prairie Schooler fairies.  

​You can watch my newest episode here

Show Notes for this episode:
New Pattern: Gnome Pretzel Party 🎉 🥨
Sulky 12 wt cotton thread pack used to stitch my Prairie Schooler Fairies (affiliate): 
-Donna Rae Flannel Jammies farm garden tour video and her darling cigar box dollhouse creation.
-Flosstube Channel Database  Website by Amanda L. 
-Threads Entwined  
- Inspired Needle box set of Needle’s Dance
-Maryland State Fair  
-Fair open class home arts exhibition page for 2019 page
-Bow tutorial by Javagirlstitches 

#ardithdesign #flosstube #stitchbetterwithsulky

As a new stitcher, I was blown away with all of the amazing opportunities there are to showcase your stitches. Of course there are all of the online social media platforms where you can showcase your efforts via digital photos and video, but did you know you can enter your stitching into your local fair? As a millennial, I remember going to the fair with my friends. They exhibited their lambs with 4H and I rode the rides and ate funnel cake. Now as an adult, I think I want to participate in spreading the joy and beauty of counted cross stitch. Here is some of the information I found on entering my work in the Maryland State Fair.

2019 PDF document from the Maryland State Fair for the Open Class Exhibits, Home Arts Section E: Counted Thread, Counted Cross Stitch, and Embroidery.  You can find it here.

If you're interested in the Maryland State Fair, the official website is here.

On my 46th episode of Flosstube, I show you some lighthouse FFO cross stitched pieces, my formal living room decorated for the Fourth of July, and some crafting with kids DIY projects. I share my Christmas in July tree adorned with upcycled jewelry, memorial day poppy stitching, and flag lapel pins. I attached the lapel pins to the top of unbreakable satin and glitter ornaments for some extra flair. At the end of the video I do a quick drive around the Civil War cemetery on Memorial Day. 

You can find the freebie pattern for Ink Circles "I Voted" sticker here. My Memorial Day Flanders Field poppy pillow pattern can be found here.