• Our Christmas issue is packed full of gorgeous quilts, cushions, cross-stitch projects and embroideries to get you ready for the festive season.

• There are plenty of lovely Christmas projects to inspire you, including an incredible appliqué quilt by Anne Curry, a beautiful pieced cushion by Heather Lownds and some exquisite folk-art tree decorations from Effie Carayannis.

• We take a look at different Christmas decorations around the world, and talented embroiderer Merrilyn Whittle gives us an insight into her Christmas crafting.

• Plus, our regular items – Take Note, Web Watch, Magazine Rack and Faces and Places – will keep you up to date on new products and events.

All this and more in the next issue of Beautiful Country Crafts – Vol 21 No 3 is on sale now!

A FEW OF THE LOVELY PROJECTS IN THIS ISSUE:

	Florentine Christmas Anne Curry has created a truly stunning Christmas quilt - again. This is a challenging patchwork project that features colourful foundation-pieced Log Cabin and Mariner’s Compass blocks, accurate piecing and beautiful raw-edge machine appliqué. The results are brilliant.
	Christmas Candles Candles, poinsettia and Christmas roses are lovely symbols of the festive season and Delma Moore has embroidered them in a charming arrangement. The painted candles and the sheen of the rayon threads on the flowers add dimension to the work.
	Holly Pod Merrilyn Whittle created this delicate little embroidered trinket worked in silk threads that’s sure to adorn your Christmas tree for many years to come.
	Wish Upon a Star Add to your Christmas decorating with this charming cushion by Heather Lownds. Stars are Heather’s favourite patchwork blocks and this 12-pointed snowflake-inspired one takes on a layered look with the use of two red prints set with a green one. It’s worthwhile taking the time to hand-piece this project to ensure the points are accurate.