27th Feb 2013
Remember the date: 10th March
Mother's Day is the contemporary version of the original name – 'Mothering Sunday.' The occasion dates back to the 1600 during which time the poor used to send their children to work as domestic servants. Once a year, these children were given leave to visit their Mother Church as well as their own mother. The common practice would be to take fresh flowers or freshly baked cakes – quite often Simnel cakes.
This shows a small watercolour...
read more18th Jan 2013
Just thought some of you might like something other than flowers to cheer the day…….. 'Home is where the heart is' shows an ideal design to stitch for a new home or just because you like it! This charming cushion is to be found in the latest edition of GOLD magazine and perfectly captures happy thoughts of home and the warmest of welcomes that a contented cat will always provide…….. I hope the small FREE chart will be a simple...
read more18th Jan 2013
It might be cold and dark outside, but enjoy the promise of sunshine to come with my spring flower display. This design is to be found in the latest issue of Cross Stitch Collection – out today.The small stitched sections will give you an idea of the colour shading; the blend of different yellows makes the petals glow with warmth.
Some of you may be interested in seeing how I work on an idea for a chart. My first step...
read more14th Jan 2013
This small design - one of mine - is to be found in a chart booklet that accompanies the latest Cross Stitcher magazine.
There are lots of lovely small designs, as the following shows, with simple pretty motifs that are perfect for the country kitchen. With these charts you can add some country cottage charm to your home with projects inspired by nature.
read more6th Jan 2013
The red and white designs are so popular so look out for my latest designs to appear for Valentine’s day…..it will be a couple of love birds but with the red and white appeal…………. keep stitching, Lx
read more21st Dec 2012
This flower sampler, in the latest edition of Cross Stitch Collection, will be a lovely, colourful picture to stitch and admire as a framed piece. The design however, can also have a dual purpose as each flower with its month will make ideal motifs for greetings cards throughout the year.
The small picture of the snowdrop shows you how one of the motifs could look when stitched separately. I have added a single row of cross stitches to form a border...
read more21st Dec 2012
This design is to be found in the new redesigned Chart of the Month in the latest Cross Stitch Collection. Here you can read a bit more about my designs and get expert tips from the stitcher of the design -Gill Muggeridge says 'I love to stitch anything to do with flowers and the anemones were very realistic when stitched' There are no backstitches as I wanted the design to rely solely on the shapes and colours of the flowers...
read more6th Dec 2012
This chart requires the following colours:
Cross stitch: a red, green, yellow, black, brown and white......choose from the selection of stranded cottons you have.
Backstitch: a black or dark grey - or a dark brown will be fine.
Happy stitching, Lx
I hope you like the latest free chart..........just in time! I'm having trouble getting the chart large enough but here goes so I hope it will work.
read more4th Dec 2012
An update for you as Cross Stitcher magazine is now in the shops. My design of the angel's wings makes a pretty cushion and I think not just for Christmas as I know it will look lovely in my bedroom with the creams and taupe decor that I have.
However, the design of two Scottie dogs in this issue by Felicity Hall is an absolute delight .............it's hush, hush though, as Webs might get a bit jealous.
The latest...
read more28th Nov 2012
The hyacinths in this month's Cross Stitch Collection will just about give us a glimpse into Spring..........on a dreary day like today oh! how I wish.
No free charts with this one, but keep watching and next month..........the delightful anemone will be on show with a lovely small free chart to download.
read more28th Nov 2012
Another view of the hyacinths as this may be a little clearer to see. Will be touch soon with more updates. A very busy month so far as I think everyone is leading up to that festive holiday!!
read more4th Nov 2012
The backstitches are in red as I hope this will make them clearer for you when stitching. Please choose any colours for the motifs - metallic threads and gold beads would look lovely. Use them for quick cards, invitations to your Christmas parties or glue the stitched designs to white card tags as simple ties for your presents.
read more2nd Nov 2012
Do check out Helen Phillips's blog and take a look at her new quilt that she has just finished - it is so cheery and makes me feel really happy......plus a sneak preview of the cover of her new book : Pretty Patchwork Gifts, that will be published next Spring - it is a great idea.
read more1st Nov 2012
A brilliant day for all of us; in particular my youngest son who is now married to his beautiful wife... but now back to work.
read more22nd Oct 2012
Webs, my companion, thinking about food no doubt! The swing was put up earlier this summer by my two sons.............absolutely lovely. It hangs from a large willow tree and is the perfect spot to watching dragonflies dart up and down my stream that flows through the centre of the garden.
read more22nd Oct 2012
Hi everyone, getting back to the blog, as I said, bear with me its new, and at present Im a little involved with the preparations for my youngest sons wedding it is next week! Im sure it will all go well.
I hope some of you had a go at red and white designs oh, so simple, but so effective and, brilliant for Christmas ideas.
Just to say there is an update on 'About me' especially for CareyAnne...............another...
read more17th Oct 2012
This design came out in issue 215 of Cross Stitch Collection but it is available to buy as a chart from www.themakingspot.com
Christmas is such a lovely time of the year and if, like me, you enjoy bringing out special designs for the season then this cushion would be ideal . Do look at 'Ideas for you' page above and add your own.
5th Oct 2012
Simple shapes can be easy to cross stitch. Keeping this month’s Scandinavian theme have a look at these red and white cross stitch sampler designs from another Tom Pudding Designs: http://wibbo.typepad.com/tom_pudding_designs/2010/12/scandinavian-red-white.html
They are based on very simple shapes, similar to patchwork but using just red thread….let me know how you get on?
read moreLesley Teare © 2025