Holiday Greetings

''Tis the season and I'm celebrating with a new ornament! Thank you all for continuing to visit my blog, even when I don't. Happy 2017 to you all!

 

Seasons of Love

I see that this is my 100th blog post. I really never expected it to last this long. I figured I'd get bored or busy with other things...

I did get busy with other things, but when it comes to needlework, the passion still burns bright. My posts are few and far between, as are the designs I so love to make and share, but when things are just right, my heart tells my mind what to draw, what to stitch, what to share.

Today, I share Seasons of Love:

Seasons of Love

To the 160,000+ visitors to my blog, I say, thank you. Thank you for your interest, thank you for enjoying the patterns, thank you for sharing me on your Pinterest walls. Thank you for sharing all the incredible needle art on your Pinterest walls. You are inspiration and joy. I love you all.

Click here for pattern

Thanks for the photos!

I got two very special emails recently. 

Elaine Sweet sent photos of cards she had made from Wyrdbyrd Designs. I love the bead work!

Michelene Gublin used one of the same patterns to fashion an ornament. The bell is charming!

Thank you, Ladies, for your incredible ideas and for sharing the finished products! 

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I see colors: Peacock Feathers

I started out with a forest in mind: very dark mahogany (DMC 300) with very dark turquoise (DMC3809). But once it was stitched, rather than leaves, I saw peacock feathers. So I added a flourish with royal blue (DMC 797) and French knots of very dark shell pink (DMC 208). I am very happy with the results.

I intended to make a diamond ornament, but stitched the margin too close to the design. Thus the ragged edge.

I think it will look amazing in reds, oranges and yellows. Next time.

Unfolding Leaves

I've been quite taken with leaves as of late. Here is a motif that is a ton of fun to stitch! Unfolding Leaves makes a pretty pattern for a greeting card, border or maybe even a bookmark. I've included some variations you might want to try.

Unfolding Leaves is fun and easy to stitch.

Click here for the pattern.

Spring Bloom

It's really happening. Spring is on the way! To celebrate, I give you Spring Bloom:

I stitched this one with two threads, the design inside the petals is stitched with a single thread. French knots in the corners add a bit of whimsy. Click here for the pattern.

Faces

Not much time lately for designing, stitching or blogging, though I will admit that I've been quite taken with the iPod Touch I won at a recent company gathering. Much like the iPad, but, of course, smaller and easier to carry around. And yes, I do have access to some of my patterns through Dropbox.

However, this post is not about iPods or Dropbox. It's about my new pattern to you: Faces.

Still small, still symmetrical, but a little different from my more 'architectural' designs. My friend, Maria, stitched it a few times, each time using different colors and thicknesses. The effects were quite interesting:

Stitched with two threads

Single thread

Colors

My version on evenweave

I know this isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I have discovered a new perspective and I am eager to see where it takes me. Click here for the free pattern. 

All you need is love. And a rainbow.

Busy, busy, busy! The job has me on my toes and I'm just starting to get the hang of things. But I have not forgotten you. I do, on occasion, get a chance to play with another new iPad app: StitchSketch by KG-Chart. It's a nifty little app for small charts (less than 64 stitches). Great for cross stitch and bead charting, but no back stitch or outline capabilities. Super easy to use and exports PDF patterns.

I came up with a cross stitch chart I would like to share with you: click here.

Rainbow

Enjoy!

My mother died last week. It was not unexpected nor was it unwelcome. Just weeks shy of 89 years, my mother's body and mind were both worn out. I had the profound honor of holding her hand as she passed, and I rejoice in knowing that she is in the hands of the Light.

My Mother

Today, to honor her memory, I give you, "Peavine"

Peavine

It's a simple chain design with lots of potential. In a single line, it's a delicate accent. Stitched in rows, side-by-side, it becomes positively lush. The possibilities are almost endless!

Enjoy. When you stitch it, I hope you think of your own mother and your unique and special relationship with her. And smile.

Be blessed~

Jeanne

I am gobsmacked! Twizzlefixed! Over the moon!  Rose at Christmas City Stitcher has presented me with the Liebster Blog award!

The word, "Liebster" is German for "Favorite" and I'm thrilled to know that my blog has become a favorite place for other bloggers to come to be motivated and inspired. Thank you, Rose. I am truly honored.

To accept the award, the blogger must:
1. Link back to the person who gave it to you and thank them.
2. Post the award to your blog.
3. Give the award to 5 bloggers with less than 200 followers that you appreciate and value.
4. Leave a comment on the 5 blogs to let them know they have been offered this award.
5. Share 5 random facts about yourself that people don't know about you.

So it is with great pleasure that I present to you my five favorite small blogs~

•  The World According to Agi With charming free patterns and innovative finishing techniques, Agi gets my creative juices going! She now offers paid patterns, too. A visit to Agi's world is a true adventure.

• Feeling a little blue? Visit Flossy Bobbin and that blue will become a veritable rainbow of color and light. Flossy Bobbin is funny, irreverent, and very creative. She's got a sunny attitude and can't help but make you feel the same.

• Aurelia at Eglantine Stitchery has been an inspiration to me for quite some time now. Her fun ideas, her careful and meticulous stitchery are a joy. Her cross stitch resource page is one of the best on the net! She hasn't posted since the holidays. Hopefully, she'll return soon with lots of new ideas.

• Ant-Stitch is a new blog on the scene that focuses on the great new patterns featured at Ant of Sweden. There are contests and freebies, so be sure to bookmark this one and visit often.

• A Bit of This and That is like sitting down with a friend over a hot cup of coffee. Beautiful stitchery and fun finishing techniques make Shannon's blog a great place to visit.

Be sure to stop by and say hi to all these talented and creative people.


Now for those five random facts...

1. I love games. Card games, word games, board games; I love 'em all. I'm horrible at chess and bridge, but can hold my own in dominoes and canasta.
2. When I travel, I end up taking lots of pictures of architecture and scenery, none of the people I am traveling with. 
3. I'll admit it; I'm a Facebook addict. Pintrest is starting to grow on me, too.
4. Parties scare me, but I love speaking in front of a group. 
5. I know how to fly an airplane.

Thanks again, Rose, for your support and encouragement. 


Happy Stitching to you all!
Jeanne

Framing made easy

Well, now that I have learned how to frame, I'm finding it a lot less intimidating. One of the best methods I've found is at Carol Leather's Needlework Tips & Techniques. This easy-to-understand tutorial uses foam core board and straight pins to secure the fabric. A couple of stitches at the back corners, and it's ready to display in the frame. The nice thing about this method is that the picture can be removed from the board and washed if necessary.

I used Carol's framing method for my most recent pattern, Fleur de lis:

It really was simple and stress-free, after I figured out how to handle the glass without getting smudges on it. My secret weapon? Vinyl gloves, of course!

And yes, this pattern will be available soon at Ant of Sweden.

Love Letter

For you, dear readers, I present, Love Letter. I fell in love with this pattern as I worked it, changing colors, changing moods, until finally it felt right. This is a special "Thank You" to you all for your support and patronage. I don't know which pleases me more, creating and stitching the designs, or sharing them. At any rate, this is my belated Valentine's Day gift to you.

Visit the Cross Stitch Smalls page for your free pattern

New Patterns at Ant of Sweden

Designed by Ant of Sweden

Now available exclusively at  Ant of Sweden: Gift Pack 2.

I've packaged 4 of my most popular patterns in one PDF ebook. These are some of my favorites, and I'm thrilled to bring them to you.

Deco, Ilsa, Hannah, and Erin 

Visit  Ant of Sweden today and see all the great new cross stitch and blackwork designs. From samplers to seat covers, Ant of Sweden offers something for everyone. Check it out; I think you'll be inspired!

The box

What makes the ideal stitching experience? How do you organize yourself? I've tried lots of methods for keeping my stitching supplies handy and convenient, but the best I've found is the Caboodles box. It's relatively compact, easy to organize, and easy to tote.

I love how much I can stuff in there and everything has a place, even the extras like an iPod Flash (for my favorite tunes), a personal fan/flashlight (handy for when I get hot flashes or drop a needle--sometimes both at the same time), and my favorite lip balm. Crisco boxes are perfect for storing thread bobbins (so are Fig Newton trays). I glued a magnet strip to the front of the upper tray. It's a great parking place for needles and my Dritz needle threader. Best of all, I can take the Caboodle box anywhere, from craft corner to living room, from home to a long weekend out of town! All in all, it's an ideal system for me.

What about you? How do you keep your stitching supplies organized and handy? Leave a comment below, or send a photo to jeannedansby@gmail.com. It will be fun to share our ideas and handy hints.

Happy stitching!

Using Metallic Floss

Metallic thread is a must for holiday stitching. It's a fun way to make your needlework sparkle.

If you haven't used metallics before, now is a great time to start. Don't be nervous; it takes a little practice and patience, but if you follow my guidelines, you'll find it's a lot easier than you think.

1) Keep the thread length short--about 12 inches.

2) Use a size 24 needle. Smaller needles can cause extensive fraying.
3) Condition the thread with Thread Heaven or beeswax.

4) If using two strands, thread the needle with a single thread folded in half. Make a slipknot at the head of the needle. If using a single thread, keep the tail short.

45 The needle will cut at the thread and cause it to fray. To reduce that effect, as soon as you have the needle through the fabric, let go of the needle and pull the thread through. Not only does it put less tension on the thread, it also keeps the thread from twisting.

6) Try to keep the thread from rubbing too much against the fabric. Friction against the fabric will weaken the thread and start fraying. Pull straight through the hole.

7) Good tension is essential. I recommend a laying tool or trolley needle to help make the threads lie flat so they can reflect the most light. Pulling too tight can cause kinks (especially in DMC Light Effects) and will kill the sparkle, too.

My favorite metallics for blackwork are Kreinik braid and blending filaments. DMC Light Effects is nice for cross stitch. 

Give it a try and see what magic you can create with metallic thread!

Quirky Twee from France

One of my favorite things about designing patterns is seeing what people do with them. Earlier this week, I got a message from Michele in France. She had completed her version of the Quirky Quistmas Twee and wanted to share the photos:

I especially like her use of metallic thread on red and green fabric. It really sparkles!

My directions advise that you fill the bottom biscornu with rice, but Michele used decorative gravel; she pointed out that rice could get wet and moldy.

Find out more of her stitching secrets at her blogs:

http://freebiegallery.blogspot.com/2011/11/quirky-quistmas-twee.html

https://bagladyinstitches.wordpress.com/

A little Christmas cheer

I was going through a box of goodies I've stitched over the years and found this little cutie:

"Four Christmas Trees"

I call it "Four Christmas Trees". It's ideal for a diamond ornament or biscornu. 

"Four Christmas Trees" back

I have to be honest, I really can't remember if it's one of my designs or a free design from the Internet. If you are the creator of this design, please contact me. I have no desire to step on anyone's copyright. You can find the pattern on my Blackwork Smalls page.

First frame job

Well, I did it. I framed the Celtic Sampler in a shadowbox. This is my first attempt at framing and no, it's not perfect. But it does give me the incentive to try again soon. Any advice or tips for making the job easier would be greatly appreciated.

Happy stitching!

Tennis elbow, Christmas, and Friends

A few years back, I developed a case of tennis elbow. Too much stitching resulted in searing pain that radiated down my arm making needlework far too painful to enjoy. I had several new patterns I wanted to stitch and share, but I simply could not do it. I don't release anything that hasn't been stitched, so several of my stitching sisters and brothers agreed to help out. I sent them patterns which they then stitched up, photographed and critiqued. It was a great help. The patterns made it onto my site and I made some wonderful friendships along the way.

That's how I met Maria. From our first emails it was obvious that we were on the same wavelength. She had me laughing out loud from the beginning, and even though she's half a world away and we've never met in person, our friendship is as solid as any I've ever known. That friendship was forged by the Quirky Quistmas Twee.

The imaginative Maria was playing with biscornus one day and stacked a few together, creating an adorable little tree. I loved her idea, so I designed several blackwork squares and we set to work stitching. This is what we came up with:

The Quirky Quistmas Twee

Maria did most of the stitching; I beaded the squares, then stuffed them, stacked them, and secured them with carpet thread through the middle. For complete instructions and pattern, click here. 

The moral of the story? Don't be afraid to ask for help, and don't be afraid to lend a hand. The rewards are great.