Cross Stitch Blog, page 31

Waterlily and dragonfly

10th Jul 2013

Enjoy the exquisite bloom of a water lily all year round by stitching this serene design. The chart is to be found in the latest Cross Stitch Collection, issue 225.

The beauty of water lilies has led to their widespread use as ornamental plants. The French artist Claude Monet depicted the flower in many of his paintings but I chose to show a single flower and naturally thought that a gorgeous dragonfly would be perfect to complete the design.

I have chosen...

Dancing Duo

14th Jun 2013

Capture all the glamour of the ballroom with this elegant dancing duo. I have always loved all types of dancing but sadly don’t get much opportunity now……..however I can dream when I look at this picture. This chart is more detailed than the following vintage teacup pictures, as it uses both fractional stitches and the addition of beads and metallic threads throughout the design. However, if you love to dance or know someone who does, it will be worth a...

Vintage Roses

14th Jun 2013

This gorgeous summery floral cushion is still in the vintage, shabby – chic look. The jug, an original Laurua Ashley design, is one I purchased in the early 1980s and is still a favourite and often used. If you like roses as much as me then have a look at my section; Ideas for You, where you can find another design showing off these beautiful flowers.

Remember to check out The Making Spot where each month you can download a free...

Sports Motifs

12th Jun 2013

Hey ho!! who managed to hit the wrong button yesterday and remove all of the Father's day charts!! But, as it is probably too late anyway for stitching a card for him, and the cricket season has started and..... Wimbledon mania is about to descend on us, here are the reinstated charts, plus one for fishing enthusiasts and one for tennis fanatics.

A chaffinch in Summer

14th May 2013

The summer chaffinch is the second in the seasonal bird series to be found in the latest edition of Cross Stitch Collection. The spring blue tit was a great success with a lot of readers (see the preview in an earlier blog piece) so I hope the rest will be as popular. I have certainly enjoyed designing this group…..and please do look out for the lovely little wren set in an autumn landscape that will be printed in a couple...

Proud Peacock

27th Apr 2013

This peacock design is in the latest edition of Cross Stitch Collection. Many of you will have already received the magazine as I am still trying to catch up with work and my blog after a week's holiday. The holiday was lovely but the catching up can be difficult.

Whilst on holiday in France a few years ago, I stayed on a farm in the region of Provence. The farmer was pleased to show me his first peachick, which had recently...

Canadian theme

8th Apr 2013

I have just had a bit of a calamity this afternoon with my blog and here I am trying to redo the charts!!

As I said previously, these two Canadian motifs are free charts that I was asked to do for a WI member who made contact with me. It celebrates the day when Canada became self – governing, although remaining a dominion of Great Britain. Some of you may like to use these designs as cards for Canadian friends and...

Tulips

15th Mar 2013

Just in case you are looking for a bold and bright spring flower picture rather than the pretty bird one, then check out my colourful tulips…..also to be found on The Making Spot - Go to the Designer names and click on Lesley Teare and follow through to the charts.

This design will also make a great cushion and, if you are into canvas work, then check out my idea for turning this great design into a needlepoint one. Go to...

Delightful blue tit design

15th Mar 2013

This year my bird series in Cross Stitch Collection starts with the delightful blue tit. How I love to watch this playful little bird on my feeders. Despite the freezing conditions of late many of the birds appear to have started building their nests. One robin in my garden, has found a safe and sheltered spot in my old barn….how very sensible of it. The next birds to watch for will be a pair of blackbirds which regularly nest in...

Mother's Day / Mothering Sunday

27th Feb 2013

Remember the date: 10th March

Mother's Day is the contemporary version of the original name – 'Mothering Sunday.' The occasion dates back to the 1600 during which time the poor used to send their children to work as domestic servants. Once a year, these children were given leave to visit their Mother Church as well as their own mother. The common practice would be to take fresh flowers or freshly baked cakes – quite often Simnel cakes.

This shows a small watercolour...

Home is where the heart is

18th Jan 2013

Just thought some of you might like something other than flowers to cheer the day…….. 'Home is where the heart is' shows an ideal design to stitch for a new home or just because you like it! This charming cushion is to be found in the latest edition of GOLD magazine and perfectly captures happy thoughts of home and the warmest of welcomes that a contented cat will always provide…….. I hope the small FREE chart will be a simple...

Signs of Spring

18th Jan 2013

It might be cold and dark outside, but enjoy the promise of sunshine to come with my spring flower display. This design is to be found in the latest issue of Cross Stitch Collection – out today.The small stitched sections will give you an idea of the colour shading; the blend of different yellows makes the petals glow with warmth.

Some of you may be interested in seeing how I work on an idea for a chart. My first step...

Rustic Style

14th Jan 2013

This small design - one of mine - is to be found in a chart booklet that accompanies the latest Cross Stitcher magazine.

There are lots of lovely small designs, as the following shows, with simple pretty motifs that are perfect for the country kitchen. With these charts you can add some country cottage charm to your home with projects inspired by nature.

Look out for a Valentine's Day chart

6th Jan 2013

The red and white designs are so popular so look out for my latest designs to appear for Valentine’s day…..it will be a couple of love birds but with the red and white appeal…………. keep stitching, Lx

Floral Sampler

21st Dec 2012

This flower sampler, in the latest edition of Cross Stitch Collection, will be a lovely, colourful picture to stitch and admire as a framed piece. The design however, can also have a dual purpose as each flower with its month will make ideal motifs for greetings cards throughout the year.

The small picture of the snowdrop shows you how one of the motifs could look when stitched separately. I have added a single row of cross stitches to form a border...

Elegant Anemones

21st Dec 2012

This design is to be found in the new redesigned Chart of the Month in the latest Cross Stitch Collection. Here you can read a bit more about my designs and get expert tips from the stitcher of the design -Gill Muggeridge says 'I love to stitch anything to do with flowers and the anemones were very realistic when stitched' There are no backstitches as I wanted the design to rely solely on the shapes and colours of the flowers...

I hope you all have a happy festive season, Lesley xx

6th Dec 2012

This chart requires the following colours:

Cross stitch: a red, green, yellow, black, brown and white......choose from the selection of stranded cottons you have.

Backstitch: a black or dark grey - or a dark brown will be fine.

Happy stitching, Lx

I hope you like the latest free chart..........just in time! I'm having trouble getting the chart large enough but here goes so I hope it will work.

Angel's Wings

4th Dec 2012

An update for you as Cross Stitcher magazine is now in the shops. My design of the angel's wings makes a pretty cushion and I think not just for Christmas as I know it will look lovely in my bedroom with the creams and taupe decor that I have.

However, the design of two Scottie dogs in this issue by Felicity Hall is an absolute delight .............it's hush, hush though, as Webs might get a bit jealous.

Scottie dog cushion

The latest...