One of the great joys of Christmas is giving gifts to others.

It’s well documented that whenever we focus our time and attention on being a blessing to others and engaging in acts of kindness, it provides a huge benefit to both the giver and the receiver.

With that in mind we certainly hope that Anna Scott is feeling every bit of health, happiness and harmony that she deserves in her life right now, because the gift she has given the needlework community this year has most definitely been a blessing to so many.

Anna’s project Mistletoe & Holly is without doubt a star attraction in Inspirations magazine issue #124, which has become a blockbuster publication,

We don’t know about you, but every time we look at the front cover of issue #124 and see that glorious image of the Holly ornament by Anna, it just fills our heart with joy.

While Holly may have stolen the spotlight, that doesn't mean that it’s twin, Mistletoe, is any less deserving of praise for it too is a glorious celebration of Christmas in stitch.

Mistletoe and Holly are in fact a matching pair of gorgeous stumpwork ornaments, featuring sprigs of mistletoe and holly in classic Christmas colours worked onto oyster silk dupion with stranded silk and metallic threads.

Decorate your tree, your table, your doorknobs or anything else your heart desires with this stunning pair of festive delights.

Whether you choose a spray of mistletoe with gently curved, grey-green leaves and soft white berries, or a sprig of festive holly with glossy green foliage and clusters of bright red fruit, both projects have been created using the quintessential Christmas palette.

An all-over grid design in coordinating colours is worked on the back of each one and the outer edge is finished with beaded knotted pearl stitch, a red organza ribbon bow and hanging loop.

Each finished ornament measures 7cm (2 ¾") in diameter, omitting the hanging loop and incorporates a range of different surface embroidery and stumpwork techniques.

Thanks to Anna’s clever use of common thread colours and materials across both ornaments, the Ready-to-Stitch kits for Mistletoe and Holly represent outstanding value for money.

All the requirements you need to complete the projects are included in each kit for only AU$73 or a little as $62.05 if you’re a magazine subscriber.

In keeping with the spirit of the season, why not stitch one for yourself and use the other as the perfect way to bless someone else with the gift of a hand stitched original.

Thank you, Anna, for being instrumental in putting the joyful, joyful into Inspirations magazine issue #124. You have created two magnificent designs that we all simply adore!

Make Your Own Mistletoe & Holly

We have all the materials you need to re-create this project yourself, from easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions to Ready-to-Stitch kits with everything sourced for you.