Cross Stitch Blog, page 24

Tapestry / needlepoint designs

27th Jul 2015

I'm thrilled to offer, through my SHOP, designs that are stitched with wools onto canvas. This type of needlework is called Needlepoint or Tapestry. Instead of Aida or linen the wools are stitched onto a double canvas in either white or an antique shade using a diagonal stitch (just like one diagonal stitch of a cross stitch) The whole of the canvas requires filling but the end product can be made, in this case, into a cushion or framed.

All of these designs...

DMC Kits

16th Jul 2015

I have just heard from DMC that my latest KITS are selling really well. I'm so pleased as I really enjoyed the experience right from the start. It is always a pleasure when starting on a new design, to get my pencils out and start sketching. Then there is the the decision of what colour palette to choose before finally painting the pictures. It is  then easy to match the lovely DMC Stranded cotton threads with the painted colours ready for charting. Once I...

This week's additions

14th Jul 2015

I hope you are having a good week. Mine has been very busy but I have found the time to add a few more designs to my SHOP.

My "Home Sweet Home" design has been added especially as a request from Rebecca, but I hope many of you will enjoy stitching this as it is so simple to do and will make a lovely house warming present.

The four animal silhouettes, filled with pretty flowers, are my latest addition to the card section and...

A lovely ending to a mistake!

7th Jul 2015

I was contacted a few days ago from Anna in Canada, who pointed out that I had mistaken carnations for peonies in the title of a chart that I am selling. I quickly checked, and yes! she was right!

I'm not sure of what influence I was under! but all rectified now. The following day I was sent a WIP of the said piece.......French knots still to be added...........and I was delighted.

Thanks Anna for picking up on my mistake, but I so enjoyed seeing...

Wild flower meadow

26th Jun 2015

Creating a wild flower garden has become a popular pastime and gardeners are realising that a mini meadow sewn on their own patch of land can, not only look pretty, but can be a home for butterflies, insects and birds.

This picture of several flowers, including poppies and foxgloves, is packed with colour and detail. For a fun finishing touch you will stitch the seed packet separately and then attach it to the main design. Or stitch this as a very...

LOVE is.................

25th Jun 2015

I had an email today that just made me smile:

"Thank you, I am sure my wife will love them and enjoy making them, she doesn't know I have bought them yet, but loves your work so it will be a nice surprise for her"........thank you Andrew for that comment, it has made my day.

One of the pictures was of these lovely red poppies. I do hope your wife will enjoy stitching this design and the others and I would love to see some...

Summer fairy with pretty butterflies

23rd Jun 2015

This fairy is the second one in a series to be found in issue 250 of Cross Stitch Collection.

This beautiful fairy sits amongst pretty pink, briar roses while she gazes on the array of butterflies that we find in our gardens through the summer months. The Large Totoiseshell, Peacock, Red Admiral and Common blue add detail and colour to this pretty circular design and one that I hope you will enjoy stitching.

Rosie

7th Jun 2015

I hope you don't mind yet another picture of Rosie as I'm not just doing the proud grandmother bit, well, a little, but I am trying to show off the dress that she is wearing.

The cross stitch motifs were commissioned by Jenny Dixon, the editor of Cross Stitcher magazine, and I was delighted, as I'm sure you will agree, how brilliant the dress has turned out. It was beautifully made and instructions are all in the 290 issue.

The dress is simply a...

Summer fairy

5th Jun 2015

This summer fairy can be found in issue 205 of Crazy Cross Stitch magazine that comes out on the 11.06.2015 or, if you are a subscriber she will be with you tomorrow.

 Designed in lovely warm colours for the months ahead, this fairy is fairly simple to stitch. Just take extra care when stitching her face so that the features look right. Her wings, like patterns from the wings of butterflies, are striking in design and with pretty flowers and butterflies to surround her I'm...

Pick of the month

25th May 2015

World of CrossStitching out now, issue 30, has chosen my pink roses to be their pick of the month and also pride of place on the front cover, which is lovely. It is a  timely choice for gardeners with thoughts on the Chelsea flower show and these roses are a reminder that these blooms are now ready for their annual summer display.

You can achieve this design with its lifelike shading and detail with purely whole cross stitches and backstitch............no fiddly fractionals in sight!

I love the way...

Designs for CARDS now added to my SHOP!

19th May 2015

I'm delighted to say that I have added a new category to my SHOP site just for CARD designs. At present just four but this section will be added to on a frequent basis. At only £3.00 for sets of designs I hope you will feel it is good value. Cards that we stitch are so special and very appreciated by recipients. Take a peep at the first few.

Bird talk!

6th May 2015

This pair belong together! This folksy feathered friends will make the cutest couple to keep your sofa snug.

This bright and simple design can be found in the latest issue of Cross Stitcher magazine, 292. It has been worked using 4 strands of the stranded cotton which gives big, chunky stitches so you'll see the design grow really quickly. No fractionals and simple backstitch it's a sure winner.

Summer cottage

6th May 2015

Rest and relax as you stitch the third one of my 4 - part country cottage series which can also be found in the latest edition of GOLD magazine 120. As with the other designs in this series, your eye is led into this scene by the flowers in the foreground. The wild mallow has French knots to their centres which makes them stand out and add texture to the picture, while the field poppies are vibrant against the bright green...

Simply chic

6th May 2015

Just catching up with everything after a restful week's holiday in East Sussex. We stayed at this cottage two years ago with both dogs and it is still a favourite spot for us all.

In the latest GOLD magazine, issue 120, I have two designs; this one of an elegant female which has been inspired by the iconic actress, fashion model and humanitarian, Audrey Hepburn. Hopefully this model is every bit as stylish with her flowing summer dress, long black silk gloves...

Creative Poppy

7th Apr 2015

I'm pleased to announce that you will now be able to puchase 16 of my designs from the French company: Creative Poppy. The charts are available as downloadable pdf files although they also offer a printing service which I know will be of interest to many of you. More designs will be published throughout the year and soon you will be able to purchase kits for many of them.

I hope you will take a look at Creative Poppy: www.creativepoppy.com

Patchwork Tortoise

30th Mar 2015

This design is also in the latest edition of GOLD Cross Stitch Magazine although I'm  not quite sure if this is a tortoise or turtle! But I don't mind as this was such a fun design to wok on and my grandchildren love the cushion it has now become.

The shell is worked as hexagon shapes which make up the patchwork design of zigzags and squiggles. Although this is a large design you can concentrate on just one hexagon at a time,...

Oriental fan

30th Mar 2015

I've long been fascinated by the art, textiles and traditions of the Orient. I wrote a book called Oriental Cross Stitch in 2007 which has over 30 exquisite designs on this subject and I always find creating this style of design a very special process. This lovely design can be found in the latest issue of Gold Cross Stitch magazine, 119.

Stitchers with a keen eye for luxury and detail will enjoy working this Oriental - style fan. The design is worked in rich...

Floral clock

27th Mar 2015

Just think - next time you're rushing around and look up to check the time, you'll be greeted by a selection of gorgeous flowers and a poetic prompt to appreciate all those liitle things we take for granted. This floral time piece is to be found in the latest edition of World of Cross Stitching, issue 228.

With its soft muted colour palette worked in simple whole cross stitches and backstitch, you can relax and unwind as you bring each pretty...