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 piece done before I get to the more decorative stitching.

Is it because I want to get the less interesting stuff out of the way first?

I’m not quite sure, but it’s something that I’ve done since I was a child, just learning to embroider.

So how do you like to structure your embroidery?  Do you like to get into the pattern right away, or do you like to get the borders and less interesting stuff out of the way first?

image: C Findlay-Harder

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So What Do You Work On First?

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

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Free St. Patrick’s Day cross-stitch patterns

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 with their cross-stitching!  I definitely recommend this book

image: Amazon.com

disclaimer: This is not an affiiliate post, nor do I receive any additional compensation for this review.

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book review – Stitch Graffiti

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 participants around the world to create leaves to contribute to the creation of the tree. In total I am looking for 30,000 leaves.

Your leaf can be fiber/fiber technique related. Example: you can think about the ecologically interdependence of societies and then think about recycling and reusing of materials. (Plastics, Old Fabric, etc.) You can be as creative as you will for what materials and techniches you use, you can paint, stitch, crochet, patch, quilt, knit, glue (water resistant glue), just keep a fiber twist to it in some way.

Each Leaf should measure roughly 2 1/2″ wide (at it’s thickest point) x 4 1/2″ from end to end. You do have the option to give it shape and dimension.”

Need some suggestions on creating your own leaves?

How about…

• Use plastic needlepoint canvas or cross-stitch paper and embroider leaves (need a pattern?  Here’s several free ones).
• Paint heavy weight, non-woven interfacing in leaf colors and cut them out – this would be a great way to make a lot of leaves!  Heavy weight interfacing is sturdy enough that you can even machine embroider it too.
• Crochet or knit leaves – I did this for an art quilt I made a few years ago.
• Fuse two fabrics together and cut out leaf shapes – this is another method that would work for machine embroidery.
• Paint water color paper and hand-embroider the edges of the leaf – this could be a great family project too.

image: Stock.xchg

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Call for participants – 30,000 fibre art leaves needed

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!

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free festive fireworks craft & needlework patterns

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, in Anchor’s brilliant palette of embroidery floss colors. “

I love Old World Santas and this one is just great!

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Cross Stitch: Holidays

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 add last so I don’t catch my floss on them while stitching). *sigh*

This second motif I’m working on is going really quickly. I have to do some more leaves and vines, a couple butterflies, and the filling stitches on the hardanger blocks. I’d better get the whole needlecase done soon, because I have started a bad habit of sticking my needle into the leg of my pants and then forgetting it is there.

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A Needlecase Update!

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Elephant Sanctuary

This is a unique and interesting pattern book, which I’m glad to have and look forward to creating a lovely rug in cross-stitch.

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From the Stash

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’, which has 5 cute quilts on a line. (largest stitched area sizing is just under 21″x6″)

The large article of interest in this issue is “The Embroideries of Maní, Mexico” by Leann Bemis Roberts. I found it to be highly informative, and richly illustrated with many color photographs. There is a complimentary motif to stitch as well.

All in all, I enjoyed the issue, and am debating whether or not I want to subscribe to the magazine. I like it, but it only comes out six times per year.

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Cross-Stitch & Needlework