Cross Stitch Blog, page 20

Stitch designs

26th Nov 2016

These lovely pictures of four of my designs have been sent to me by Liz. All of them have been made up into cushions for a lovely floral display. She apparently enjoyed stitching them all. Thank you Liz for choosing some of my designs and for sending the pictures through to me.

Folksy angels

20th Nov 2016

Just ready to put these folksy angels on to my shop, but wondering how you would appreciate buying them?! All three as shown or as separate designs? Any comments would be appreciated.............stitched size for each design: 84 w x 63h

The individaul price for each design would be £3.00 or the three together £8.00

Oriental beauty

16th Nov 2016

You can find this lovely Oriental lady along with the striking blackwork dragon that you can see in my previous blog notes. Both are in Cross Stitch GOLD, issue 134 that will be available from the 22nd November. This design is full of colour and beautiful motifs and patterns that will keep you happily stitching for hours!

Blackwork dragon

15th Nov 2016

Although the long shape of this wonderful dragon is perfect to use as a draught excluder when made into a long padded cushion, it would also make a truly lovely design for a framed picture if simply mounted and surrounded with a thin moulded frame.

The pattern is made up of various types of blackwork stitch in both red and black threads, along with cross stitches of golden yellow for the feet and the spiny ridge along its back.

Find it in...

African story

9th Nov 2016

On our recent trip to the Kruger National Park we had a morning on a Safari walk with out two brilliant rangers, Civil - short for civilised which he really was - and Glen, who was the front tracker. Glen was very quiet, except for the moment when he saw a 10 foot python crossing the track in front of us (We were, thankfully, in the vehicle at that moment!)

On part of the walk, Civil picked up some dried elephant poo........absolutely odourless......and proceeded...

Canadian Costume dolls

25th Oct 2016

Finally, here they are!  I had such a great response from you about ideas for this group and I have tried to pick four costumes to represent the First Nations. Again, my interpretation, so please do let me  know if I have overstretched the idea. The names for the dolls are based on the Elemental Clans for Fire, Earth, Air and Water which repesent the twelve birth totems. 

American dolls - the latest peek!

25th Oct 2016

After much thought and work! I decided to remove one of the previous dolls and add her to the Canadian group. The replacement is a fun - I hope! - Cheer leader doll.

I am hoping to get the sets of costume dolls for both America and Canada on to the SHOP site at the end of this week, so, if you have any comments, I would love to hear from you. I so want to get these right.

Cross Stitch CRAZY

25th Oct 2016

In the latest edition of CRAZY, issue 223, you can find 50 rustic winter gift ideas for cards, stocking fillers or easy decorations for your home.  Stitch them on rough natural linen Aida for a 'homespun' look! A few of them are shown here.

USA costume dolls

16th Oct 2016

Hi all, managed to get the next 4 dolls done. These represent the USA!!! I knew 50 states would be quite a lot! Mine are hopefully a feeling, an image that conjours up America. Please, please let me know if I have got anything wrong, or if I have offended anyone by the designs I have worked on.

They will go on sale with the other 8 later this week.

Hope the stitching is going well for everyone. Kind thoughts, Lesley

Folk art angel

11th Oct 2016

Here is my picture of the Folk-art angel that I designed for the latest edition of Gold Cross Stitch magazine, issue 133, out now. This pretty angel was such fun to work on with my original ideas based on a New England style design. This meant working with simple lines, black and white gingham and a homely basket to carry all of the presents and sentiments for the season. With her pretty red and green outfit decorated just with white spots and simple trees added to...

First of four for Europe

9th Oct 2016

Here is the completed group of 8 dolls. For my second group at present, I have chosen from the rest of the European continent; the Netherlands, Italy, Germany and France. Perhaps those of you in the Netherlands can let me know if you prefer the term 'Holland?'

As I said in my earlier blog, these are more a general feeling for the costume than a national one, as even in the UK, with such a small country, we have very different styles that we associate...

First four dolls!

8th Oct 2016

Not quite ready to go up for sale on my SHOP as I need to complete the first four for Europe. Hopefully they will all be ready by the end of the weekend. Here is another peep at my take on the British Isles for England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Thanks for all of the comments so far, a big help. Please note that they are not National costumes but a flavour, I hope, of that countries style of costume.

With a bit of luck.....and...

Sneak preview!

5th Oct 2016

I am just working on a set of national costumes designed on doll-like figures. Here is a sneak preview as I would love to hear your comments.

Please let me know if the idea of the flag at the bottom of the main design, which can be omitted, is really necessary or anything else you particulary like or don't!!!

Would you like to see them sold as separate designs - ideal for cards - or perhaps as sets of 4: such as the UK;...

South African adventure

5th Oct 2016

What a fantastic holiday David and I had recently in South Africa. If you can possibly add this to your bucket list then please do so! A wonderful bespoke experience thanks to Alex at: www.alexandra@extraordinary-africa.com 

The two lodges we stayed at were very different but both had animals right up to our balcony. We had two drives a day and managed to see all of the big 5 as well as numerous birds, plus a fantastic 10 foot python - from the safety of...

Autumn butterfly fairy

15th Sep 2016

Find this beautiful Autumn fairy surrounded by cute woodland animals in the latest Cross Stitch Collection magazine, which is out on Friday 16th September. The issue also has some Christmas designs for you to make a start on that seasonal stitching!

World of Cross Stitching

14th Sep 2016

The latest issue of World of Cross Stitching is full of goodies, including a free calendar with beautiful animal illustrations by Hannah Dale and the charts of some of them for you to stitch. This issue 247 has many Christmas designs including 39 of my designs for quick stitched motifs for seasonal cards plus a free bonus chart, shown here, of a cute robin and wreath.

Rosie at harvest time.

13th Sep 2016

I just couldnt resist this one, and the fact that a friend's comment on it was "Good idea to start young making plans to marry a farmer!"

Vintage style cushion

7th Sep 2016

This vintage style patchwork cushion can be found in the latest edition of Cross Stitch Collection, issue 266. It is decorated with various pretty floral patterns to give that old style look. There is even a small section which is stitched in petit point stitches to give a Victorian feel to this pretty design. Finally 'lace' strips give another texture and dimension which add to the overall delicate look.

I hope many of you will enjoy stitching it.