Look for the Holiday Issue of "Craft Ideas" Magazine

The Holiday 2015 issue of Craft Ideas magazine is out, and a few of my projects are featured inside.

The Festive Leaf & Berry Pillow (and coordinating garland) is sewn from cotton print fabric, wool-blend felt, and red baby rick-rack.

The Peacock Purse is an embroidery project. It's stitched with peacock colors of DMC embroidery floss on black Aida fabric, and then assembled with lining fabric and a chain to make an evening bag.

Check out the issue for lots of other Christmas crafts--ornaments, jewelry, gifts, cards, decor and more!

Oak Branch Cross-Stitch Pin

More acorn love this week--and another free cross-stitch chart! This Oak Branch design uses just three colors of DMC embroidery floss--898 Very Dark Coffee Brown, 422 Light Hazelnut Brown, and 3820 Dark Straw. It's simple to stitch, but I think the finished design has a detailed look. You can follow the chart below or click here to download a printable chart and color key.

I really like this bar pin setting from the Etsy shop Kailea. If you stitch the design on 18-count Aida, it will fit perfectly. You can use another setting if you like, or stitch the design on 14- or 11-count Aida and make your finished embroidery into an ornament.

Oak Branch Cross-Stitch   ©2015 Kathleen Berlew

Owl Treat Bag

Who doesn't love owls--and Halloween? I made this owl treat bag a few years ago. I had been playing around with the idea of making felt fringe, and it seemed perfect for this project. The cylinder-shaped bag is made from felt and embroidery floss, with a few button details. I designed the project as a Halloween treat bag, but you could also use it as a tabletop decoration. That's where my owl will be landing soon.

This little guy was featured in the Fall 2013 issued of Crafts 'n Things--now Craft Ideas--magazine. (That's him up there on the cover.) Instead of giving you the directions here, I'm sharing the link to the project page on the Craft Ideas website: Owl Treat Bag. You can print the directions right from the page, which also has a link to printable patterns.

Here are some additional photos to help you understand how the owl is constructed:

Back view

Inside view and handle

Wing detail

See My Designs in "Just CrossStitch" Magazine

The December issue of Just CrossStitch magazine is out, and my poinsettia pin and bracelet are featured inside! Look for a copy on your newsstand--it's filled with beautiful holiday projects.