DMC and Needlework History

If you don't already go regularly to the new DMC blog, written by "Emma Broidery," be sure and see it now - a post describing the total history of the DMC corporation, and also history of needlepoint, needlework in general, etc. This one also has the usual little "freebie" - a charming counted cross stitch mini-sampler.

An Egg with Memory Thread! (and a new blog)

"Tis the Season" to do an egg or two, and I'm loving what the ladies at DMC did with my little egg and their new Memory Thread.

"Emma Broidery" is doing a blog for them, where you may find this egg as a Freebie, as well as other interesting things to browse and for finding inspiration for your needlework - do go see it. The link is on the side bar under "Good Stuff."

A Delightful Valentine Freebie from Liz

For anyone who hasn't found Liz Morrow's beautiful blog, she has now added a web page with downloadable patterns - and a freebie, which changes regularly.

I wanted to share this delightful Valentine with you, and also couldn't resist the purchase, myself, of one of her gorgeous bargello patterns.Her bargello is so imaginative! These patterns may be delivered to your e-mail by PDF - or you can get them "hard copy" as she calls it.

The little picture I'm showing says "click to download" - but this was on Liz's site when I touched it with my mouse - so you have to go to her web page to do that.

Also, don't forget that these charts work equally well for needlepoint or counted X-Stitch. Each little square represents a stitch, which would be an X for cross stitch, and a tent stitch for needlepoint - a simple "translation."

A Cheerful Crazy Quilt!

I decided that the header needed to be changed from the January Birthday CQ, even though outside here in Austin, it still feels like the gloom of the overcast sky with wet stuff falling down - and it's cold. This is much more cheerful!

It's a cut-out from my "beginner" crazy quilt heart, which is available for sale on my web page as an e-pattern - a downloadable, print out for "do-it-yourself" and spare the expense of a painted canvas (although that is also offered) See those at Elegant Whimsies.

Earrings for the Season: Needlepoint or Counted X-Stitch

This is one of those almost mindless activities that could keep me happy and busy for the whole day if I don't make myself put it down. I just call it "doodling on canvas," as I never use graph paper for designing. That takes time to color in little squares, and it doesn't give me a true picture of the way it will look on the correct size canvas anyway.

These little pictures will work on size 18 needlepoint canvas (you wouldn't want to use larger mesh for earrings) or 18 count Aida for counted X-stitch. For the X-stitch, just make the little X on the square wherever there is a dot on the needlepoint canvas - it's a very simple transition.

One converts X-stitch charts to needlepoint the same way - where there is a colored square, just make a tent stitch on the canvas.The four earrings in the top photo were drawn onto canvas on the odd number - 11 or 13, so that the heart would work, as it has to have a center stitch. These are small enough that one could add still another row of border.

The next photo shows the earrings a bit larger - by one or two threads, as they must be kept in the 3/4" diameter range to be attractive. They may be left square, or with the corners taken off, as in the kpicture of the Christmas set in the previous post.

Again, these are either odd or even count - the even count is necessary for the little blue flower (the red one in the previous post), as the center is a Smyrna Cross, as are the petals around it.

I have used Sharpie ultra-fine point permanent drawing pens to do this, as they are not for commercial purposes, so the drawing pens are fine - just not very pretty.

You might use beads, sparkling fibers of all kinds - just use your own imagination and make something special. I don't know how to finish needlepoint, but I've seen people on other blogs do this - and the earrings simply involve backings one can purchase at craft stores, I believe. Anyway - have fun with this! They are quick to do, so there is still time to wear them for a Valentine party.

Earrings for February in Needlepoint!

This is something I've shown before - and is actually for Christmas - but it gave me an idea! I'll see what I can do with some tiny hearts or something especially for "the day." Maybe tonight or in the morning - and then post the pattern.

It is a cuff bracelet and a pair of earrings I did two years ago - with lots of beads, of course, for sparkle. The earrings are tiny, so would be quick to accomplish, and easy to finish with a backing glued in place.

Actually, the flowers could be a different color on this one, and change to forget-me-nots.

More Beautiful Freebies for Needlepoint/Bargello!!

A beautiful new web site to explore - and freebies to print out also! (both counted work and bargello)

Liz Morrow, whose bargello, in my opinion, is the best on the planet, has now started a web page that is worth spending some time cruising. She has a section that offers free print outs - so do go take a look at Lizart Needlepoint and Bargello!

The illustration is not a "freebie" to my knowledge - it's just a selection of ornaments I especially like. I think they are offered as "beginner" pieces - very simple and very effective. I'd love to do them myself, and I'm not a beginner. I'm sure I would learn a lot that I don't know.