Cross Stitch Blog, page 23

Birthday fairies - a new slant!

6th Nov 2015

What a lovely surprise on opening my emails this morning to find this picture of one of my Birthday fairies made up into a calendar. This charming and original idea, so beautifully done, is for the stitcher's  six year old granddaughter. Each month next year, another fairy will "fly over" to be added.

What a charming and original idea and thank you to Diane for sending me the picture.

Clock faces to stitch

19th Oct 2015

Along with the circle of garden birds, I have now added another pretty circular design of flowers through the seasons to my Shop page. Both of these charts can be made into lovely clocks by adding an embroidery hoop and the mechanism - both of which can be bought from www.sewandso.co.uk.

Both of them would make unusal and pretty presents, but each of the motifs are also ideal for small cards, especially for gardening friends.

Poinsettia design

14th Oct 2015

This latest design, which you can find in Cross Stitch GOLD, issue 124, is a classic design using the festive floral favourite, the poinsettia. This flower evokes all sorts of festive memories, and this design, which has been made into a bell pull, will give you that feeling of nostalgia while at the same time brightening up your home in the cold winter months.

I also think it could be stitched on to a tablecloth to make a spectacular centre piece for...

Time to start stitching for Christmas!

4th Oct 2015

Time is moving on! If you haven't started to stitch your Christmas cards then please have a look at some on my SHOP list where you can find more under both CARDS and the SEASONAL section.

Christmas angel

2nd Oct 2015

Dressed in an elegant red and green fur trimmed gown, this divine angel will be a joy to stitch for Christmas. Snowy white doves flock to her, giving her gifts of golden hearts which they carry in their beaks. It is stitched on a 28 count evenweave but you could choose a 14 count Aida, but more care will be needed with some of the finer backstitch details.

Find her in the latestCross Stitch CRAZY magazine, issue 209, out now.

Floral alphabet quilt

1st Oct 2015

I was delighted when I received this picture of another quilt especially made for the Angel Quilt Project. As with the previous one, based on the picture of an African mother, the cross stitching has been worked by James Farmer and the actual quilting by Linda Laird. Linda has worked on these projects for nearly 10 years and what  beautiful work. The combination of these skills to produce such lovely quilts must give a great deal of pleasure to the recipients. 

The latest magazine design

22nd Sep 2015

This poppy design is to be found in the latest Cross Stitch Collection, issue 254. This colourful design will brighten up the gloomiest day with its array of reds, oranges and pink flower heads. This lovely floral arrangement is even more striking with the addition of the beautiful, traditional blue and white vase to complete the picture.  Stitch the design for a picture or a cushion, as either will make a delightful centre -piece for any room.

My apologies!

22nd Sep 2015

This lovely quilt was fininished earlier this year, and I have to send my apologies to James Farmer for not adding this lovely picture on my Blog. I just forgot..........a few too many senior moments perhaps!

James started this project "Afghans for Angels" many years ago after the loss of his own child. This organisation, made up completely of volunteers, make and deliver baby blankets to local hospitals to give to parents who have suffered the same bereavement.

James likes to cross stitch, so his...

And another lovely stitched design!

18th Sep 2015

This time the stitched design is from Canada. We have already seen lovely stitching from this lady before - see blog dated 07/07/2015  of one of my floral scenes. This time she has adapted one of my designs of roses, seen here in the first picture; removing the soft background flowers and a few leaves to make a simple and effective frame for the very special words.

Apparently, and I can see why, "the lady recipient, who adores roses, loved it."

 Well done Canadian stitcher!

Partridge in a pear tree

18th Sep 2015

Love the way a stitcher from Russia has framed this design of my "Partridge in a pear tree." This design is also one of my favourites and I think the simple frame she has chosen is just great.

Thank you Lyudmila for sending it through for me /us to see.

Autumn fairy

6th Sep 2015

This Autumn fairy can be found in the latest edition of Cross Stitch Collection 253 which is out now. The lovely fairy is surrounded with colourful cosmos and rudbeckia flowers which are perfect colours  for this season of the year. The cute owl nestles safely in her arms, quite happy, I think, to watch the world go by.

Baubles and blooms

28th Aug 2015

Deck the halls with this gorgeous alternative to a traditional garland, in vibrant Christmas colours. This novel idea will be fun to stitch, with the addition of metallic threads and beads and finishing off the embroidery hoop with festive pom - poms

Find it in the latest Cross Stitch GOLD magazine, issue 123, where there are lots of lovely design to stitch.

End of the holidays

25th Aug 2015

I have just had a lovely few days with my family, but time went so quickly that I didn't get the photos of all of the group, children seem to move very fast these days, except for Rosie with her Mum.

And thanks David for all of the back up. Here today, as I am on deadlines for DMC and the mags, is the bake- off suprise from David! Love you AND it is all gorgeous.

Hope you all like the latest additions to...

Autumn Glory

14th Aug 2015

This picture is completely different from the elegant, subdued colours of buttons and cross stitch. Here we have all of the Autumn colours on show in some of my favourite flowers. Find this in the latest Cross Stitch Collection, issue 252.

Buttons and cross stitch

14th Aug 2015

This simple, yet elegant design, will grace your home for years to come. This pattern is easy to stitch and what better way to show off those buttons that have been at the bottom of the drawer!

Find it in Cross Stitch Collection 251

Floral flourish

3rd Aug 2015

These are quick and easy mini makes with step be step instructions on how to make up a pretty needlebook for those needles. Find them in the latest Cross Stitch Crazy, issue 207.

Using whole stitches in an array of fresh colours with French knots in a sunny yellow (seed beads can be substituted) for the flower centres. These delightful needlebooks will provide any cross stitcher with a pretty and practical way of storing those run away needles.

They will also make quick...

Gold magazine 122

30th Jul 2015

My three latest designs for GOLD magazine, issue 122, are all completely different from one another. From the rich, bold shades and golden threads of Eastern charm; a country cottage in Autumn with rich, red and purple flowers against a mustard yellow and rust red field, to Bunny and blooms that will keep you going until Spring!

Folk Art Deer

27th Jul 2015

I had a lovely note from a stitcher this week that makes me feel good about the work I am lucky enough to be able to do.

She wrote: "When I started to stitch the Deer I was not sure I would be able to come to an end. The chart seemed pretty tricky to me! Now all fears are far behind and almost forgotten. Hmm, maybe the bright colours, energy and beauty of the design have helped me to get over the...