I’ve been slowly working away on a piece of cross stitch for the past couple of weeks.  I tend to do an hour or so at a time, and don’t usually rush through projects like this.
Of course, if it was for a gift, I’d be tearing through it, but I enjoy the contemplative nature of hand embroidery.  I’m enjoying the process as much as I’ll enjoy the finished project… hopefully
I’m still working away on the borders right now:

One thing that I’ve noticed about my stitching habits, is that I tend to like to get the “structure” of the …read more

St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner, but there is still enough time to do a little Irish-themed cross-stitch!
Here are three free cross-stitch patterns for St. Patrick’s Day projects – time to break out the green embroidery floss…  Just click on the photo to get the pattern.

image: Clare’s Celtic Cornucopia

image: Free Patterns Online
This pattern is simple enough that it would work for a child’s cross-stitch project:

image: Cross-stitch.About.com

I love checking out new books and patterns, so when I picked up a copy of Heather Holland-Daly’s new book “Stitch Graffiti – Unexpected Cross-Stitch” I was definitely looking forward to it.

Stitch Graffiti is a fun, approachable introduction to the world of cross-stitch. There is a useful overview of threads, basic stitches, types of canvas and more.  The patterns are easy to follow and will definitely appeal to a younger audience, whether it’s a tween, 20 or 30-something.
The patterns are hip, colorful and great for anyone from a complete beginner to a more advance stitcher who wants to have fun …read more

I think this is such an amazing project – and a great way to try out some new fiber art techniques too!
“I am very pleased to announce the next project at hand for the 2008-2009 year for the International Fiber Collective.  The title of this sculpture is called Interdependence. We will create a full sized tree that will be on display in April 09′ at Big Springs International Park in Huntsville, AL.
Much like a live tree is interdependent on it’s leaves/roots for survival, like minded societies are interdependent on the greater whole, family units, communities, countries.
The collective is calling for …read more

image: Stock.xchg
It’s the season for fireworks – in fact, I’m expecting to hear them start any minute now
Do you want to express your creativity with some festive projects?  All of these designs are free and available for download – just click on the links to check them out!
Paper-pieced fireworks motif from Four Twin Sisters:

 image: Four Twin Sisters
Celebrate July cross-stitch pattern from Connie G. Thomas:

 image: About.com Cross-stitch
Festive Fireworks cross-stitch pattern from Rainbow Gallery:

Happy sewing!

Is it really time to start thinking about Christmas? If you want to make a nice cross stitch Old World Santa, it probably is. The pattern is available free (don’t you love freebies?) at Coats and Clark.

You can download the instructions or just print them. Here’s what Coats and Clark has to say about this lovely design: ” There are many stories of the 4th century Saint Nicholas, a Russian bishop, and patron saint of children. This “Old World” Saint Nicholas is a favorite subject of needle workers around the world, and can be yours too, …read more

Finally.
I hadn’t been doing as much stitching, as it was making my eyes hurt. But now I have new lenses in my glasses, and the mad rush of many houseguests has calmed a bit. That means over the last couple of days I have had time to work on my needlecase! yay!
I realized in the reading of my chart last evening that I need to backstitch around the flowers in the center motif with gold metallic. I’d thought I was done with that one (except for beads & crystals, which I’m going to …read more

I recently received the latest newsletter from Scarlet Quince, and they will be donating 20% of the proceeds of their new Elephant pattern to the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. If you do not receive their e-newsletter, you can read them on the Scarlet Quince website. The issue with links to the patterns and Elephant Sanctuary is the June 2006 Newsletter.

My mother is spending part of her vacation visiting my family, and she brought me a present! Yay! I have hunted online for a vendor that has an image of this book, or even just has it for sale, but no luck. It is titled “Navajo Rugs in Cross-stitch & Needlepoint” (ISBN 0-9708911-1-3). It has 8 different traditional rug designs as charts. Each design has a bit of history, stitch count, colors needed, and size of cloth. Color numbers are listed for DMC and 3ply wool. There are no symbols listed …read more

Yesterday I spent hours re-organizing our shelves of books, and in the process unearthed a few needlework gems I’d forgotten about. One of these is the March 2006 issue of Cross-Stitch & Needlework magazine (formerly Stitcher’s World).

This issue has several smallish motifs to stitch, as well as some Springy pieces. There are Faberge-style eggs, some bunnies, etc. In addition, there is a set of kitchen cloths with Southwest themes (chili peppers, clay pots..) and a set of Christmas ornaments done in pastel pinks and greens. ah, and the issue includes a larger piece – ’spring quilts’, …read more