One Stitch at a Time

A History of Chris-Mystery

 As I was preparing this year’s free Christmas Mystery Stitch-a-long, I discovered it’s the TENTH ANNIVERSARY! Seeing how nostalgic I have been lately, I thought we might enjoy a little stroll down memory lane. The Mystery projects started in 2011. Many of you have been with us since than and some even since our start on eBay in 2003. xoxo

So, the Chris-Mystery projects began as a Halloween stitch-a-long! We had been doing “Friday Freebies” to generate some traffic, and it occurred to me that something on a larger scale might be more fun. Each week, we released a letter– this is where the poems began, too! Here’s our very first instruction sheet. 

Pretty cute, huh! If you told me I would be expanding on this tradition through ten years of stitch-a-longs, well, I just don’t think it’s believable.





We had the Yahoo group at this time– participation was fabulous! Were you a part of the old group? You could post your own photos, and each week we had hundreds of photos of each letter. When Yahoo closed the groups down, all these photos were sadly lost.

Of course, we went on to do a Christmas one, just a couple of months later. Short words seem to work well. Both my finished Halloween and the Joy table runner were given away as gifts. I know exactly where they are–hee,hee– do you think it would be nervy if I asked for them back to take better photos! 


2011 Chris-Mystery JOY

A year later, we were still working on short words! This one, I had the presence of mind and also the greediness to keep– it also had quilting patterns for the embroidery machine to finish it. I think a bell definitely went off in my head– and it took a while, but this is the precursor to the fully quilted designs you see now, like Stitches of the Sea.

2012 Chris-Mystery NOEL

Now we’re in three years, and the next one lives in INFAMY– my main embroidery machine broke down, and would be in the shop for WEEKS! I had to get out an old one– and then finally had to buy a new one. Instead of PUT UP THE TREE! and SLICE UP THE FRUITCAKE!, other exclamations were coming out of my mouth all through this stitch-a-long. Looking back on it, it was one of my least favorites– I think I see it in a better light now. This one, I have no idea of where it is honestly. I think it’s in the house somewhere buried. Cement shoes.

2013 Chris-Mystery DECK THE HALLS

In 2014, I decided to go back to short words– I wanted us to make something for our sewing rooms. We stitched out the word PIECE, because I though “Piece on Earth” was sew cute! To this day, I have people write to me saying Piece is spelled wrong. For those people, did you know that an A is included so you can also stitch it as PEACE? Apparently, no one reads product descriptions anyway.

I ended up donating this, unfinished, for my local quilt guild’s sale– someone finished it, and I guess at that point, I felt better about it–
I bought it back!! LOL

2014 Chris-Mystery PIECE

I guess by 2015 I’d had enough with short words– we did ornaments. I love the way this came out, and this is out every year in my home. This stitch-a-long had one color ornaments for free, and full color ornaments for sale– the upgrade kit had been born!

2015 Chris-Mystery Ornaments

2016 was the year of the Countdown to Christmas Advent Calendar– we did a design a day for the month of December. I do not know how I kept up with this! I would still like to take these counting designs and make a big applique quilt out of it.

For the stitch-a-long, I just took bits and pieces from it and used them to cobble together a table runner. This is one of my favorites– I hate to say it, but it’s still just a flimsy–quilted this year? Hope so.
2016 Merry Christmas Tablerunner

Next came the Twelve Days of Christmas– this had a free charm size, and then a 4″x 4″ detailed version for sale. The charm size has a beautiful finishing kit, not pictured here.
2017 Twelve Days of Christmas

The 4″ x 4″ set I stitched on large star blocks I had made with the Fat Quartershop’s book “Among the Stars.” They just re-released it, and it reminded me how close I was to finishing this! For the life of me, I cannot find it. It’s one of those situations where I have obsessively looked in the same places time and time again. 


The next is my very favorite one! My Christmas Album. There were charm and 4″x 4″ designs. I was thinking of the song “A Few of My Favorite Things” when I digitized this.

My Christmas Album 2018

Here is my finished 4″x4″– completely embroidered with sashings and plaid and bows. Art from the heart! This hangs proudly at my front door, from about Thanksgiving to Valentine’s Day… all the finishing designs are also available you can make one just like it, too!


Then the year of Cross Stitch began!
These were sew fun to digitize, with all of our favorite Christmas Carols. Again, there were two sizes. 

Kris Kringles Cross Stitch 2019

Last year, such a crazy year! I did not even think of a Christmas Stitch-a-long. Instead, we did “Once Upon a Time, Winter.” There was talk of a dark winter for all of us– I hope this brightened yours. 

And all of these past designs are still on the website– visit the sale page today, 12/05/22 and buy them now for 80% off.

 Ghosts of Christmas Past On Sale!

Plus, our 2022 free stitch-a-long begins Wednesday–

“Winter Twist!”


And now let’s hear from you! Did you stitch along for all ten years? Did you finish, or still WIPs? I hope I’ve inspired you to put a few stitches in something today… as for me, I’ll be looking for my Twelve Days of Christmas stars!

xox 

Carol

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48 responses to “A History of Chris-Mystery”

  1. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I think I have all the designs but have only stitched out the 4×4 Kris Kringle. When I decided to enter it in our annual quilt show, I couldn't find it so I could quilt it. It will show up eventually – probably after i make a new one.

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  2. Avatar
    Anonymous

    It's probably with my Twelve Days… still looking!

    Like

    Reply
  3. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I love the 4×4 Christmas Album. Just so Christmasy!

    Like

    Reply
  4. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I love your Chris-mysteries! I had collected them all, but somehow missed 2013- don't know what happened that year- but I bought it anyway. I think these have just gotten better and better over the years!!

    Like

    Reply
  5. Avatar
    Anonymous

    So many fun memories. As the song goes, Thanks For The Memories!! XOXO

    Like

    Reply
  6. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I just finished the 2016 table runner blocks but I made a wall hanging instead.

    Like

    Reply
  7. Avatar
    Anonymous

    That is honestly my favorite, too, Vicki, but let's see how St Petersburg comes out! xoxo

    Like

    Reply
  8. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Thank you! It's fun to see which ones stand the test of time. xoxo

    Like

    Reply
  9. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Always love when you break into song, Dottie! ❤

    Like

    Reply
  10. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Making it your own is the BEST PART! Thanks for stitching along. xoxo

    Like

    Reply
  11. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Forgot I'd done the 12 Days as a quilt-as-you-go orange peel wallhanging. It was a fun project. I loved how you visited various countries for each day.

    Like

    Reply
  12. Avatar
    Anonymous

    In 2012, my bestest sewing buddy,June,introduced me to your designs. I have done 7 of the Christmas Mysteries and they all come out this time of year. My favorite is “Peace” of which I added lots of red, green and clear crystals. It's pretty long, so was hoping I would have a wall to hang it on when we made our move to Florida. We do! Love the mystery sewing we have done over the years and treasure them all. Thank you for sharing your talent, tips and stories with us.

    Like

    Reply
  13. Avatar
    Anonymous

    My 2011 JOY project proudly hangs in my living room every Christmas. I still love the small words around the edges to Joy To the World. Thank you for all you have given us over the years.

    Like

    Reply
  14. Avatar
    Anonymous

    NOEL is the only one I have finished. I love it, and display it every Christmas. It was the first quilt in the hoop design for me.

    Like

    Reply
  15. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I started Group and have 2009 Calendar year and Desk Top. I have All and more. I have January, February 1st MOY mug rugs. Bouquets de Noel Basket of Flowers Baskets for Mothers Day Gifts, mug rugs. Kris Kringle UFO's. I do like the Ounce Up On A Time 2020 But I like the border on 2nd Winter, with the snowflakes and leaves. Will try to make that one. I also have 2017 4th MOY Flower Baskets and need one more, number 12 December. I have a lot UFO's. Will try to finish ONE. I love all SF designs. Love, Merry Christmas Carmen

    Like

    Reply
  16. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I have bought many with the intention of stitching them out and finishing them but alas, I have only stitched some out and not finished them. I enjoy visiting the website and looking through the designs.Thank you for your inspiration because it is what you do with the designs that gives me ideas and keeps me trying.

    Like

    Reply
  17. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I have did most of them……..I remember the old Yahoo group…….it was so fun to see everyone's projects. It seems like not as many people post their projects anymore and I know I am one of them but it's been a terrible year (or more) for me. Looking forward to the new stitch outs.Bea

    Like

    Reply
  18. Avatar
    Anonymous

    First, thank you for the wonderful designs you have gifted to us over the years! I made the Joy table runner with the letters turned by 90 degrees. I had embroidered some but had never quilted. It still turned out wonderful, with your great instructions. My self binding has gotten better over the years but I love the fabrics I used and the end result. Your designs are always top quality. Around that same time you had a road trip mystery embroider along. The Paris designs, with the key, bicycle, watch and many other beautiful designs. It hangs in my sewing room as one of my first quilted projects also. I really didn't know how t quilt and cut precisely back then or to use quality fabrics but your beautiful designs made up for it and although the cutting of the cornerstones and piecing may not be the greatest, it still turned out wonderfully! These mystery embroider alongs are sooo fun! I have also made a Halloween one from that year but it is not all put together. I loved the first one with the Boo. I can't wait to do one again. I was just learning to embroider when I started these in 2011 so every week I looked forward to the new designs and stitching them out. They are some of the highest quality designs I have ever stitched and always stitched out perfectly. No problems ever and I had a small less expensive embroidery machine back then. A Janome 300. Anyway, thank you for going down memory lane with these mystery stitch projects and allowing us to purchase some we missed for a wonderful price Anyone will love stitching these designs. I have several mug rugs around my house, that I love too! They look perfect!

    Like

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  19. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I have a couple of these sets, but haven't stitched them out yet, now we are packing up to move, so unlikely to happen this yr… maybe 2024 will be the year! Had to laugh at your 2013 comments!

    Like

    Reply
  20. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I have struggled with sticking with embroidery period all these years. I remember the yahoo group there were so many it was fun all over the world. Fist the sights started closing and I added to my collections by purchasing intire websites of designs as they closed, putting all this inventory on external hard dirves duplicating it onto disks ever few months even paid a company to backup my work and purchases. One day my external hard drive stops losing everything I have saved for 20 years. I was told by the company of the product it was unretrivable completely damaged. All my redundency did not pay off and very few companies carried any histroy of purcases. I am still dealling with the lose of my work and purchases 7 years later, emotionaly hard to invest the time in it knowing how unstable all my systems are I even tried a cloud device these past 2 years and that has been as much a heartach as all the rest too long to explain it all but I am trying to push through all that lose. and move on to find creative feelings again but still struggle with wanting to sell it all and go back to hand embroidery and crochet happy happy joy joy sorry.

    Like

    Reply
  21. Avatar
    Anonymous

    The Yahoo Groups were great. A real “club” atmosphere. Groups IO which many moved to as a replacement was never the same. And as for Facebook …. well Facebook is Facebook – love it or loathe it. Christmas is not a big thing in our house so I tried not to get carried away with the Christmas sets but have ended up with pretty much all of them in my design stash. They are just too nice to ignore. I've made a few over the years, all have been gifted. I do have a problem with stitching snowflakes and snowmen – Christmas time is the hottest time of the year here, with temperatures averaging over 30C (mid 80s and higher) and high humidity, but have yet to find a Tropical Christmas embroidery that I like. Too fussy! Seasons greetings to all the SFSC gang. Peace on Earth indeed.

    Like

    Reply
  22. Avatar
    Anonymous

    “Sew” much fun reminiscing! Loved the Yahoo groups and all the weekly postings – I think, along with all the inspiration from everyone's block pictures, it was fun, fun, fun. While FB is the “new” social media format, the “old” yahoo seemed to work very well (especially with everything being in chronological order vs. postings being updated to something that might have been posted 3 weeks ago). THANK YOU for all the beauty you bring to our lives. XOXO

    Like

    Reply
  23. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I totally agree. I also have many of your designs. I love the mystery sew along. Thank you so much.

    Like

    Reply
  24. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I have all of them and cherish them. I look at them every now and than, to make sure I still have them by year. I did make Kris Kringle blocks, that all. I made January Mug Rug First year and February Cross Stitch. I have mad 11blocks of the Flower Baskets, than we moved. I hope I can find the rest. Hope this coming year will be better for sewing, embroidering and quilting. Love, Merry Christmas to all SF friends.

    Like

    Reply
  25. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I think I have all the designs but have only stitched out the 4×4 Kris Kringle. When I decided to enter it in our annual quilt show, I couldn't find it so I could quilt it. It will show up eventually – probably after i make a new one.

    Like

    Reply
  26. Avatar
    Anonymous

    It's probably with my Twelve Days… still looking!

    Like

    Reply
  27. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I love the 4×4 Christmas Album. Just so Christmasy!

    Like

    Reply
  28. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I love your Chris-mysteries! I had collected them all, but somehow missed 2013- don't know what happened that year- but I bought it anyway. I think these have just gotten better and better over the years!!

    Like

    Reply
  29. Avatar
    Anonymous

    So many fun memories. As the song goes, Thanks For The Memories!! XOXO

    Like

    Reply
  30. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I just finished the 2016 table runner blocks but I made a wall hanging instead.

    Like

    Reply
  31. Avatar
    Anonymous

    That is honestly my favorite, too, Vicki, but let's see how St Petersburg comes out! xoxo

    Like

    Reply
  32. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Thank you! It's fun to see which ones stand the test of time. xoxo

    Like

    Reply
  33. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Always love when you break into song, Dottie! ❤

    Like

    Reply
  34. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Making it your own is the BEST PART! Thanks for stitching along. xoxo

    Like

    Reply
  35. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Forgot I'd done the 12 Days as a quilt-as-you-go orange peel wallhanging. It was a fun project. I loved how you visited various countries for each day.

    Like

    Reply
  36. Avatar
    Anonymous

    In 2012, my bestest sewing buddy,June,introduced me to your designs. I have done 7 of the Christmas Mysteries and they all come out this time of year. My favorite is “Peace” of which I added lots of red, green and clear crystals. It's pretty long, so was hoping I would have a wall to hang it on when we made our move to Florida. We do! Love the mystery sewing we have done over the years and treasure them all. Thank you for sharing your talent, tips and stories with us.

    Like

    Reply
  37. Avatar
    Anonymous

    My 2011 JOY project proudly hangs in my living room every Christmas. I still love the small words around the edges to Joy To the World. Thank you for all you have given us over the years.

    Like

    Reply
  38. Avatar
    Anonymous

    NOEL is the only one I have finished. I love it, and display it every Christmas. It was the first quilt in the hoop design for me.

    Like

    Reply
  39. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I started Group and have 2009 Calendar year and Desk Top. I have All and more. I have January, February 1st MOY mug rugs. Bouquets de Noel Basket of Flowers Baskets for Mothers Day Gifts, mug rugs. Kris Kringle UFO's. I do like the Ounce Up On A Time 2020 But I like the border on 2nd Winter, with the snowflakes and leaves. Will try to make that one. I also have 2017 4th MOY Flower Baskets and need one more, number 12 December. I have a lot UFO's. Will try to finish ONE. I love all SF designs. Love, Merry Christmas Carmen

    Like

    Reply
  40. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I have bought many with the intention of stitching them out and finishing them but alas, I have only stitched some out and not finished them. I enjoy visiting the website and looking through the designs.Thank you for your inspiration because it is what you do with the designs that gives me ideas and keeps me trying.

    Like

    Reply
  41. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I have did most of them……..I remember the old Yahoo group…….it was so fun to see everyone's projects. It seems like not as many people post their projects anymore and I know I am one of them but it's been a terrible year (or more) for me. Looking forward to the new stitch outs.Bea

    Like

    Reply
  42. Avatar
    Anonymous

    First, thank you for the wonderful designs you have gifted to us over the years! I made the Joy table runner with the letters turned by 90 degrees. I had embroidered some but had never quilted. It still turned out wonderful, with your great instructions. My self binding has gotten better over the years but I love the fabrics I used and the end result. Your designs are always top quality. Around that same time you had a road trip mystery embroider along. The Paris designs, with the key, bicycle, watch and many other beautiful designs. It hangs in my sewing room as one of my first quilted projects also. I really didn't know how t quilt and cut precisely back then or to use quality fabrics but your beautiful designs made up for it and although the cutting of the cornerstones and piecing may not be the greatest, it still turned out wonderfully! These mystery embroider alongs are sooo fun! I have also made a Halloween one from that year but it is not all put together. I loved the first one with the Boo. I can't wait to do one again. I was just learning to embroider when I started these in 2011 so every week I looked forward to the new designs and stitching them out. They are some of the highest quality designs I have ever stitched and always stitched out perfectly. No problems ever and I had a small less expensive embroidery machine back then. A Janome 300. Anyway, thank you for going down memory lane with these mystery stitch projects and allowing us to purchase some we missed for a wonderful price Anyone will love stitching these designs. I have several mug rugs around my house, that I love too! They look perfect!

    Like

    Reply
  43. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I have a couple of these sets, but haven't stitched them out yet, now we are packing up to move, so unlikely to happen this yr… maybe 2024 will be the year! Had to laugh at your 2013 comments!

    Like

    Reply
  44. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I have struggled with sticking with embroidery period all these years. I remember the yahoo group there were so many it was fun all over the world. Fist the sights started closing and I added to my collections by purchasing intire websites of designs as they closed, putting all this inventory on external hard dirves duplicating it onto disks ever few months even paid a company to backup my work and purchases. One day my external hard drive stops losing everything I have saved for 20 years. I was told by the company of the product it was unretrivable completely damaged. All my redundency did not pay off and very few companies carried any histroy of purcases. I am still dealling with the lose of my work and purchases 7 years later, emotionaly hard to invest the time in it knowing how unstable all my systems are I even tried a cloud device these past 2 years and that has been as much a heartach as all the rest too long to explain it all but I am trying to push through all that lose. and move on to find creative feelings again but still struggle with wanting to sell it all and go back to hand embroidery and crochet happy happy joy joy sorry.

    Like

    Reply
  45. Avatar
    Anonymous

    The Yahoo Groups were great. A real “club” atmosphere. Groups IO which many moved to as a replacement was never the same. And as for Facebook …. well Facebook is Facebook – love it or loathe it. Christmas is not a big thing in our house so I tried not to get carried away with the Christmas sets but have ended up with pretty much all of them in my design stash. They are just too nice to ignore. I've made a few over the years, all have been gifted. I do have a problem with stitching snowflakes and snowmen – Christmas time is the hottest time of the year here, with temperatures averaging over 30C (mid 80s and higher) and high humidity, but have yet to find a Tropical Christmas embroidery that I like. Too fussy! Seasons greetings to all the SFSC gang. Peace on Earth indeed.

    Like

    Reply
  46. Avatar
    Anonymous

    “Sew” much fun reminiscing! Loved the Yahoo groups and all the weekly postings – I think, along with all the inspiration from everyone's block pictures, it was fun, fun, fun. While FB is the “new” social media format, the “old” yahoo seemed to work very well (especially with everything being in chronological order vs. postings being updated to something that might have been posted 3 weeks ago). THANK YOU for all the beauty you bring to our lives. XOXO

    Like

    Reply
  47. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I totally agree. I also have many of your designs. I love the mystery sew along. Thank you so much.

    Like

    Reply
  48. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I have all of them and cherish them. I look at them every now and than, to make sure I still have them by year. I did make Kris Kringle blocks, that all. I made January Mug Rug First year and February Cross Stitch. I have mad 11blocks of the Flower Baskets, than we moved. I hope I can find the rest. Hope this coming year will be better for sewing, embroidering and quilting. Love, Merry Christmas to all SF friends.

    Like

    Reply

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