6th Feb 2014
I know many of you have already started stitching the purple rhododendrons in this new flower series that started in last month’s GOLD, issue 108
But here, with the second instalment in this series, in issue 109, are a bright and colourful display of red, pink and orange hollyhocks. The hollyhock is a classic cottage garden flower, and there are quite a few that stand tall in the herbaceous borders of my garden. This design is brought to life simply with whole cross stitches, no fractionals or backstitches,...
read more6th Feb 2014
I hope that this magnificent peacock design will be a sheer joy to stitch with its palette of brightly coloured stranded cottons and metallic threads.
This glorious bird is to be found in the latest edition of GOLD magazine, issue 109
As you probably know by now, I find it a delight to create detailed designs and this peacock with its vibrant colours is just one those special ones. These beautiful creatures are one of my favourite subjects to work on, and, in this...
read more5th Feb 2014
I am inviting you into Spring with this bright and beautiful posy. After the winter months, especially with such bad weather many of us have had to cope with, this is a picture that captures the excitement we feel when spring has sprung!!
This design is in the latest edition of Cross Stitch Collection, issue 233. With such a choice of beautiful flowers at this time of the year, it is always difficult to decide which blooms to choose; in the end...
read more9th Jan 2014
I just mentioned that it was the Chinese New Year on the 31st January - the year of the horse - so here is a quick, FREE chart.
This has been taken from my book 101 Weekend Cross Stitch Gifts where you can find the full chart for all the Chinese animals so if you need more details for a palette then look at page 73. I think though you will be able to choose the colours you would like here and if it...
read more9th Jan 2014
This example of a bell pull can be found on page 84 of my Oriental Cross Stitch book.
This lovely design is sure to draw admiring glances. Linen bands have attractive edges, which can be scalloped or coloured and are ideal for this sort of project.
If you like this then below is another FREE design based on the one in my book that you might like to try. If you don't wish to make a bell pull then each of the motifs...
read more9th Jan 2014
Heart shapes are always on trend – not just for Valentine's day! These simple shapes make a wonderful colourful wall art display. You can find these hearts in the February edition of Cross Stitcher. Here each heart has been stitched onto white perforated paper and mounted into a box frame using 3D foam tape. Equally the shapes can be stitched directly onto a square of white 14 count Aida or 28 count white linen if preferred.
Why not stitch some for...
read more9th Jan 2014
After last year's bird series, I thought long and hard about a new bird design for Cross Stitch Collection as the designs were all very popular, but I wanted to design something a bit different for you this time. In this cross stitch the flowers make a greater splash of colour to go with my choice of bird. I have also gone with a more uncommon species, with a pair of redstarts resting amongst beautiful magnolia flowers. The redstarts visit Britain between...
read more24th Dec 2013
Fresh from the garden!
Start to look forward to Spring... it may be cold, wet and miserable today, even if it is Christmas Eve, but this picture of herbs may be one to start stitching in the New Year. This picture is in the latest World of Cross Stitching, issue 212, and it will bring the earthy goodness of herbs to life with this charming design. I love cooking... and eating, so herbs play an essential part of my time at the stove. So...
read more19th Dec 2013
It's always a joy to start working on a new series of designs for Cross Stitch Gold and this one in the present issue, 108, was an absolutely delight. I enjoy taking close - up photographs of flowers that I see while on walks with Webs and also in my garden. I will often use these as reference for my paintings before charting the designs. Large scale flowers like these always, in my opinion, look really striking on a cushion. I have...
read more16th Dec 2013
Seeing the lovely faces of pansies brings me a feeling of happiness, especially when we are in the depths of winter and there is very little visible colour in the garden. I have used a bright shade for the jug, which offsets the mauves on all of the flowers, and the spots give a modern touch. The chart for this design is fairly easy as I have allowed the patterns on the flowers to remain simple – allowing the colours...
read more5th Dec 2013
It's time for the annual British Craft Awards from the publishers of Cross Stitch Crazy, The World of Cross Stitching, Cardmaking and Papercraft and Quick cards made easy.
You can vote on line:http://www.britishcraftawards.com or by postal vote if preferred. Everyone who votes will be entered into a prize draw to win one of three fabulous prizes - a year's worth of crafting stash!
read more27th Nov 2013
Hi everyone, just one last chart for Christmas... if you can't stitch the whole sampler in time, then these quick, cute motifs stitched separately for cards will take no time to stitch... no fractionals so you are away. Just remember to remove the wording.
read more24th Nov 2013
I once read that swans mate for life - a romantic notion, which I have tried to reflect in this scene of a protective male swan, spreading his wings around his elegant lady friend.
Swans are beautiful birds at any time of the year, but winter is a particularly fitting setting, as it is such a romantic season. I always hope that I get the chance to take snowy walks and wonder at the beauty of nature. With snowy - capped...
read more24th Nov 2013
I've designed many cross stitch pieces featuring geisha in my time, but they continue to be popular and I have never grown tired of the theme. In this scene my geisha is framed by cascading wisteria and big, blowsy peonies which also decorate both her hair and gown. I do hope you will be inspired to add this one to your collection.
Peony geisha is found in the latest edition of Cross Stitch Collection, issue 107
read more5th Nov 2013
Hi everyone, according to Helen Dorritt, my lovely editor on Crazy Cross Stitch magazine, this design has been a massive hit with many of you. It's one of my favourites and although the chart was a special for Crazy subscribers I will hopefully soon be able to sell the chart here on my blog.
Just trying to sort out a few things and then, with the whiz kid Rebecca, who will use her expertise to get 'The Shop' up and running...
read more24th Oct 2013
Well, here is the preview of the cover... It is some time since I wrote my last book and I am so excited about it, not just this one, as there are a series of four that will all be published by the end next year. I have been working with a lovely company in Turkey for a couple of years designing for their beautiful magazines, and I was asked to create this and the other books for them.
Here you...
read more22nd Oct 2013
In the latest issue of Gold - 106 With this cushion, I have created a modern take on the mistletoe wreath - a softly curving sprig of bead - like berries, with bold patterned leaves.
The trend for contemporary Christmas colours, such as bright pink, purple and turquoise, seems to be growing, so I wanted to introduce these colours into my design.
My design uses cross stitch and traditional backstitches only so it is ideal for all stitchers... as the editor, Medina...
read more22nd Oct 2013
Blackwork stitches add something special to this traditional nativity scene of the three kings. This design is in the latest issue - 106 - of GOLD magazine If you love designs that change you, then I think you'll enjoy stitching this glittering Christmas scene. I have used a combination of cross stitch and backstitch to create blackwork filling patterns for the three kings' magnificent robes. Colourful blackwork works particularly well here, with jewelled shades of turquoise, purple and cerise against...
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