For needlepoint addicts in the northern hemisphere at least, this is the time when, as the nights get longer and longer, we can look forward to many peaceful hours stitching. We can't be in the garden, or preparing barbecues and picnics so we have every excuse to snuggle up and enjoy the stitching season.

Christmas is nearly here and if you have stitchy friends, they will be thrilled to be given a tapestry kit for a present; if you do not, then the only thing for it is to do the stitching yourself and give the finished article.

At One Off Needlework the Christmas rush is well under way and it is not only Angels and Robins that are flying off the shelves.
But I am in the mood for Christmas and have a new idea that is taking a long time to get right. My idea is guinea fowl... I know they don't conjure up Christmas in most people's mind but they do with me! They look so very festive with their grey plumage covered in white "snow flakes" and the flash of red and bright blue on their heads.

So I have been trying to translate all this into a Christmassy tapestry. It is not going well! However, I am not giving up just yet - I have a lot more stitching and unpicking and restitching before I do that. I will keep at it until I have design that works or that there is no hope. I will let you know the outcome...

Luckily, there is no shortage of Christmas (or otherwise) needlepoint kits for your winter stitching. Christmas Decorations and Stockings, Hearts, Angels, Music, and Pink Elephants.

Something cheery to brighten up the darkest of winter evenings.