New Patterns at Ant of Sweden

Here they are!  

Jeanne Dansby patterns at Ant of Sweden!

Gift Pack 1 includes stitching instructions and directions for the "No Measuring Required" ornament

Blessings

Monarch

Another gift pack is coming soon.

While you're there, check out the list of designers on the left sidebar.  

Yep!  I've got my own category, too.

Happy Shopping!

What's in a name?

"Rule Zombie"

I like to sit in front of the TV at night and play with my PCStitch software.  Sooner or later the battery will run low and I'll need to save my work and turn off the laptop.  The 'puter asks, "Save As"?

I gotta give it a name, a title, a way of identifying the pattern in the folder.  Most of the time, I use the name of a loved one or a character from the show I'm watching.

For some reason, the other night, I chose "Rule Zombie".  I can't remember why; I think it was a line of dialogue in a show.  Nevertheless, I've grown rather fond of the name; I like the pattern, too.  What can I say?  I'm Wyrdbyrd.

Rule Zombie

Another snowy day

It hit the rest of the country first, but the west coast has finally gotten its share of winter.  And a weird one it is.  Three and four feet of snow followed by spring-like weather wherein the snow melts away and swells the creeks and rivers with cold, green water.  Then - bam - another four feet of snow.  Don't get me wrong; I'm grateful for the water.  That's one thing California always needs: water.

I'm content to watch the weather from my cozy corner, but my cats, Thomas and Delilah, are having a devil of a time.  Both cats are just this side of feral, and the outdoors is their world.  The snow, the rain, the incessant wet has had them camping indoors the past few weeks.  Poor darlings have cabin fever, I'm afraid.  Constantly at each other's throats, they play a noisy game of "King of the Mountain" using various chairs, counters and our bed for the battle ground.

For now, there is an uneasy peace in the house; a moment of truce.  Delilah has stationed herself in front of the slider door where she mopes as she watches the snow fall.

Delilah

Thomas has commandeered a chair in the bedroom and defends it with a nasty glare.

Thomas

But not all is lost in the Dansby home.  Granny Smith apples and tangy, green limes brighten the room and give color to this rather gray day.

A spot of green in our snowy day

May your day be filled with love, laughter, and maybe even a cranky cat or two.  :-)

Post Pattern Depression

It's my own fault.  I don't need to get so involved, but sometimes I just can't help myself.  Sometimes a design becomes so intriguing, so mesmerizing that when I finish it, even under the joy and thrill of accomplishment, I feel a sense of emptiness, a little bit of loss.  Such is my relationship with "Blessings."

I think I'll set the stitching aside and go read a book.

Buy Wyrdbyrd Patterns at Ant of Sweden

Looking to purchase my patterns online?  Look no further.
Visit Ant of Sweden http://www.ant-of-sweden.com/38/variousother_designers.

I have just a few listed at present, but there are more to come.  Ant of Sweden has a wonderful variety of cross stitch, blackwork, and needlepoint patterns from designers all over the world.  It's a Pay Pal site, so you're transaction is secure.

Coming soon:

Hannah

First Step

Kate

Gloria

Monarch

Snowflake Mandala

Never underestimate a good motif

One of the basic foundations of blackwork is the motif.  A motif is a distinctive, recurring shape in the design of a picture.  I like designing with motifs.  They offer a continuity that I find most appealing.

"Link" is an elegant border motif

I used this "link" motif in "Monarch" and again here, in "Erin":

"Erin"

Here's a motif that you can use to design your own custom pattern.  

Go ahead, let your mind wander and think of the options...

Start Here.

Line up your motif for a fascinating border effect.

Overlap the elements of the motif and you can create a diamond shape that you can continue to expand as you like.

Add a border, if you like, or maybe a specialty stitch or two.  

Voila!  Without a pattern, you have created a beautiful ornament, quilt square, or maybe even a drink coaster.  Whatever you can imagine, you can create!

  Google "geometric shapes" and you'll get all kinds of great ideas.

Stitch Happy!