Nantucket Rose by Lavender & Lace

Nantucket Rose by Lavender & Lace has always given me the feeling of Anne of Avonlea, where she's sitting on the shore at the beginning of the second movie writing her novel.  Therefore, when I started to stitch the blond hair that is charted for this piece, it just didn't feel right to me.  I went about converting her hair to be a "very handsome auburn", and now it looks perfect!  Here is the original design, which can be found here: https://www.123stitch.com/item/Lavender-and-Lace-Nantucket-Rose-Cross-Stitch-Pattern/5004.


And here is my hair conversion:

DMC 3827
DMC 977
DMC 976
DMC 301
A blend of DMC 300 & DMC 301
DMC 300

Stargazer by Mirabilia

Stargazer is a really gorgeous Mirabilia design that has been converted to numerous different color combinations over the years.  My version takes into consideration my favorite colors and my choice to stitch her on dark navy fabric.  Here is the original version, which can be found here: https://www.123stitch.com/item/Mirabilia-Designs-Stargazer-The-Cross-Stitch-Pattern/06-1285.


And here is my conversion so far:

All colors listed are DMC embroidery floss.
Hair:
869
420
3828
422

Hair Ribbons:
931
932
3752
3753
3756
B5200

Jacket:
3685
3803
3688
3687
3688
Dark Beads in Jacket: Mill Hill 02077

Dress Ribbons:
869
680
729
676
677
746
Petite Beads on Jacket & in Stars: Mill Hill 42011

Skin and Skirt as charted.

Falling Leaves by DMC

This free pattern by DMC is small and perfect for using a variety of variegated floss colors!  It's charted to showcase a few of the new DMC Variations threads, but you can easily select from your stash of "fancy floss" to create your own look.  I stitched mine on 40ct silk gauze with 1 over 1 half stitches using some Colour & Cotton threads.

Original pattern, which can be found on the DMC China website, or inside the box of DMC Color Variations Amazon Collection.

My conversion:
Leaves:
Colour & Cotton Rust Orange
Colour & Cotton Eat Your Greens
Colour & Cotton Antique Gold
Swirls:
Colour & Cotton Flagstone

Joy by Stitchrovia

While this design is absolutely lovely as a Christmas piece, I wanted to create a year-round piece to gift my mom, who's name is Joy.  In order to accomplish that, I adjusted every color to reflect my mom's favorites.  After some trial and error, and restitching some areas, I arrived at a color combination that I was happy with!

Here is the original, which can be found at https://www.etsy.com/listing/455939594/christmas-joy-cross-stitch-pattern:

And here is my conversion stitched 1 strand over 1 thread of 28 count white Monaco evenweave:

Letters:
Outline - DMC 995
Top inside color - DMC 3843
Middle inside color - DMC 996
Bottom inside color - DMC 3842

Birds:
Bodies - DMC 3943
Wings - DMC 995
Eyes & Beaks - DMC 3842
Spots on Wings - DMC 3822

Berries:
Dark - DMC 3733
Medium - DMC 3832
Light - DMC 3831
Very Light - DMC 3354

Flowers:
Center - DMC 3821
Inner Layer - DMC 3842
Middle Layer - DMC 996
Outer Rim - DMC 995

Leaves:
Dark - DMC 3815
Medium - DMC 3816
Light - DMC 3817

Bells:
Main color - DMC 3822
Rim - DMC 3821
Inside - DMC 3862
Ball - DMC 3822

Swirls:
Main swirls & dots - DMC 3862
Sprigs & branches - DMC 3864

Pears: 3821