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

Floral Border

Here's a little something new. It has been ages since I did any design work, but I recently found this rattling around in my brain. It's a nice floral border pattern. That's right; it's asymmetrical! I really enjoyed creating this one and used it for a small sampler. I can't give you the layout for the quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, as it is a copyrighted font from PCStitch, but it's such a versatile border, I'm sure you'll find a number of ways to use these whimsical vines.

Click here for the pattern

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.

Snowflake Fill

Snowflakes are a great motif for repeating patterns. This snowflake is a nice size for ornaments or borders.  Click here for pattern

Happy Stitching!

And Happy New Year!

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!

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