Christmas Of Gnomes Cross Stitch Project Update
Hello friends,
In November 2024 I began a new Christmas Cross Stitch Project, Christmas of Gnomes, from Sodastitch Design on Etsy. The plan was to only work on the cross stitch project in the months of November and December leading up to Christmas. I love doing seasonal cross stitch projects, and this project fills the months leading up to Christmas.
I used the called for DMC threads, and bought 32 count Lugana opalescent even weave in the colour Eucalyptus from Country Stitch in New Zealand. I've been stitching the design 2 x 2.
In 2023 I finished the second row of gnomes (I started as close to the middle of the project as possible), and began the first row of gnomes. It was a lot of fun using bright Christmas colours along with the opalescent Evenweave, and began stitching the Christmas tree in the top row.
In November and December 2024 I managed to finish the entire top row, and began the third row of cross stitching featuring a gnome carrying a gingerbread cookie.
This is my first time stitching on Evenweave, and it's been a little tricky to get the stitches looking square, as the holes in between the threads are quite small. I've really enjoyed this project so far, and now look forward to working on it later on this year. I'm not sure if I'll get the project finished in 2025, but if I'm quite close to the end, I may continue to work on it in January 2026 until it is finished.
Have a wonderful day
Julie-Ann
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Dahlia Profile - Caitlins Joy
Hello friends,
Today's dahlia profile is for the ball dahlia Caitlins Joy, which I got from Bulbs Direct a couple of years ago.
From Bulb's Direct website: "Iridescent raspberry compact blooms. Very long stems, beautiful shape, and a great vase life. A real work horse and a great arrangement flower. A must grow. Flower size of approx 10-14cm wide. Height 90 - 120 cm."
Flower bud opening:
Caitlins Joy Fully Flowering:
Caitlins Joy is a stunning raspberry red ball dahia, with long stems. This dahlia is bred for bouquets and vases, and it a super popular variety over the last few years, you have to get in quick to pick up a dahlia bulb when they go on sale in winter.
I'm so pleased to have Caitlins Joy in my garden, and get so many positive comments about her from our neighbours who see her in our front garden.
Have a wonderful day
Julie-Ann
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Dahlia Profile - Lucky Number
Hello friends,
Today's dahlia profile is for Lucky Number, a large flower decorative dahlia of unknown origin.
I rescued my Lucky Number dahlia tuber one year in Wellington, in November, from the clearance section in Mitre 10. It was in a clear plastic bag and had a cardboard label on top stating it's name. It was in pretty bad condition, with numerous shoots growing through the plastic bag. I took it home and planted it in my garden, and hoped for the best. I was rewarded with a strong growing dahlia, with numerous, beautiful pink flowers, and a bright yellow center which attracted many bees. This was the first dahlia I ever bought, and it's what started my obsession with dahlias. Lucky Number is my favorite dahlia for these reasons.
The plant gets to about 160 cm high and 100 cm wide, and the flowers are approximately 15 cm wide.
Flower bud opening:
Fully Flowering:
Lucky Number has numerous flower buds growing on it, and over the coming it week's it'll absolutely put on a show until late autumn. I collected seed from this dahlia last year, and now have two seedlings, and in the coming weeks they will flower too, I'm excited to see what they look like.
Have a wonderful day
Julie-Ann
Want to discuss my post? Feel free to chat with me on Instagram or Mastodon or Bluesky.
Dahlia Profile - Totally Tangerine
Hello friends,
Today's dahlia profile is for the anemone dahlia Totally Tangerine which I purchased this year from Bulbs Direct.
From the Bulbs Direct website: "Add a splash of tangy citrus hues to your color palette with this lively and spirited flower, Dahlia 'Totally Tangerine'. These vibrant
blooms create a buzz in any garden, flaunting coral pink petals and a bright neon orange ruffled center. This playful dahlia is always ready for a good time - let it loose in your garden and enjoy the lively show!" The plant will reach 50 - 60cm high.
Flower bud opening:
Dahlia Totally Tangarine Fully Flowering:
Totally Tangerine is just amazing. Not only am I loving the bright citrus hues of the flower petals, but I'm really now obsessed with anemone dahlias in general. This dahlia is a total keeper for me, and I can't wait for my other new anemone dahlias to start flowering in the garden.
There are five more dahlias about to flower, including some of the Floret "Bee's Choice" dahlias I grew from seed, so it's super exciting to go for a walk around the garden each morning to check them out.
Have a wonderful day
Julie-Ann
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Dahlia Profile - Keith Hammett Dream Seeker
Hello friends,
Today's dahlia profile is for Keith Hammett's Dream Seeker.
From the Gardening Solutionz website: "Dahlia Dream Seeker is a clump forming, perennial plant that produces beautiful orange collarette blooms with a pink central collar over bronze coloured foliage from late spring into summer. Tall stems hold flowers high above the foliage and create a stunning display for cottage style gardens, garden borders, rockeries and bright container displays. It prefers full sun and well drained soil." The plant will reach 80 cm high and 60 cm wide.
Flower bud opening:
Dream Seeker Fully Flowering:
Dream Seeker is another dahlia bred by Keith Hammett in New Zealand. This dahlia is absolutely stunning in the garden, and everyone who's seen it wants to know it's name. The orange is just so florescent, along with the pink collarette petals in the middle, especially against the dark mahogany of the leaves and stems. I'm just so happy to have it in my garden.
Have a wonderful day
Julie-Ann
Want to discuss my post? Feel free to chat with me on Instagram or Mastodon or Bluesky.
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