23 March 2015

The Fox Tree Project

For years and years, I've been collecting fox Christmas ornaments, but my collection grew very slowly because they were so hard to find. In the last couple of years, foxes have become "trendy" and my collection has grown more in that time than in all the years I've been collecting them. After last Christmas, I decided I finally had enough fox ornaments for them to have their own tree, so I hit the after-Christmas clearance at Hobby Lobby and got a 6' tree for $25. 

I've also been slowly collecting ornament-sized fox cross stitch kits and freebies, and also a few free felt patterns. My project for this year (yes, another one) is to get all of these little fox ornaments made to add to my bought ornaments for my fox tree. I think a mix of store-bought and handmade foxes is going to look charming!

Here's my first ornament finish, a pretty loose interpretation of Country Cottage Needleworks' Snowy Foxes.



Mine is stitched on 32 ct. Wichelt linen, and I obviously whacked off half of the design! I wanted the focus to be on the foxes so I just made a skinny version! The trees are Caron Wildflowers Evergreen, and the foxes are Crescent Colors Colonial Copper (my favorite fox color). I left off a couple of stitches on the sides of the faces, and also left off the whiskers. I changed the color of the legs and tree trunks from DMC 869 to DMC 898. 

These are the kits I'll be working through, in addition to some felt and cross stitch freebies. I'm always on the look-out for more, as they're not exactly easy to find.

I'm looking forward to "Christmas-ing" these... just doing whatever I want with them to make them fun and Christmas-y. 

Happy Stitching!

14 comments:

  1. Well done! Sweet ornament conversion!
    Looks like you have some great projects in line.

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  2. I've just found your blog, and I love your fox ornament! Your stitching is lovely and I must get some of that dotted linen for myself! I've seen it a few times on other blogs, and it really makes the stitching pop! I love your fox tree idea! I fix a tree for every holiday/season--a mixture of cross stitch and purchased ornaments. I enjoy it so much--you will enjoy yours, too!
    Glad to find your blog! Come visit mine when you have a chance!
    http://www.asymphonyofstitches.blogspot.com/

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  3. So cool, your fox tree idea. Think my husband and boys would go for an all pink and poodle Christmas tree?! HA! I actually ran the idea past them a few years ago, and all three said no way!

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  4. I love this! So cool the way you tailored the design to fit YOU! :D Cathryn

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  5. Congratulations on your fox finish! I love the color you chose for the foxes. And I see you used some of your polka dot fabric. Go Honeybee!

    Robin in Virginia

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  6. Love this! Again it reminds me of my dog, and I'm thinking that I should stitch this ornie for my tree for her :)

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  7. What a great idea! We only have room for one tree and the theme is...there is no theme! Everything goes on it. I think the American tradition of having themed trees is a lovely one.

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  8. I love your stitched foxes!! They are SO cute!!

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  9. I love your stitched foxes!! They are SO cute!!

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  10. I like the ornament your way much better than the entire piece. Great choices.

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  11. found your blog through a u.k magazine.i also am a slave to my cat frankie ,i also love foxes and am mad about cross stitch.Your humour is great ,i look forward to seeing more of your work.

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    Replies
    1. Welcome, Katy! Tiger Lily says, "Hi" to Frankie!

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    2. Thank you for your welcome ,i look forward to seeing more of your work ,love the little foxes.Frankie says Hi to Tiger Lily !

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