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The simple joys of the natural world
You don't need much to lure a bit of nature into your life. A bird-house for the kids to observe the feathered creatures, a few pots of narcissius for the kitten to take cover and explore the outdoor world, a sheltered area for growing some vegetable seedlings.
Designer Samantha Purdy captures the simple joys of life in cross stitch, in a series of very personal contemporary-style patterns. These new spring outdoor patterns are her latest addition to a wonderful collection of snapshots of life's happy moments.
More Watering cans (and a hose) by Samantha Purdy Needlecrafts
More Watering cans - all designers
>> see all Gardening patterns (all designers)
Patterns for dance lovers
>> see all Dance patterns (all designers)
In the manner of William Morris
Brought to you by Lesley Teare, and loosely based on a printed textile pattern by William Morris, this decorative cross stitch pattern focuses on a pair of birds coveting a single strawberry. We love the ornemental effect of the strawberry leaves in the background, interwoven with the large indented leaves of the flowers.
More Birds patterns by Lesley Teare
>> see all patterns with Birds designed by Lesley Teare
A new seasonal series of samplers by Lesley Teare
Brought to you by Lesley Teare, here is the first in a series of classic cross stitch samplers featuring a typical georgian House in the English countryside. The Spring pattern features birds digging out a worm from the grass; bouncing rabbits, yellow daffodils and plenty of other flowers.
More samplers by Lesley Teare
>> see all Samplers by Lesley Teare
More Spring Homes
>> see all patterns with Houses (all designers)
Barbara Ana's irresistible urge to stitch
Here's a new piece by Barbara Ana straight out of her imaginative mind. Why did she create it? Well she just felt the urge... Oversize mushroom, exotic flowers and fruit flow out of a doll shaped vase. And looking inside you will discover a lilliputian landscape with tiny houses clutching every hill. Perfectly balanced, full of rich colors and entertaining detail, a real treat to cross stitch.
>> see all patterns created by Barbara Ana
Not one, but two twin samplers. Who were they for?
Searching for unique antique cross stitch samplers, Meriem Chauvet struck luck when she came upon this pair of rare twin works, dating back to 1823. A collector of antique samplers (who creates the Couleur Tourterelle Reproduction Samplers) this is the first time she was confronted with two samplers of almost identical layout and signature. Only the inscription differs, one offering her heart (coeur), the other a bouquet.
>> see all Reproduction Samplers by Couleur Tourterelle
Two in one
This colorful cross stitch chart is both a very decorative piece stitched as a whole, or a series of sweet individual initials, perfect for a beginner. Why not stitch it side by side, with a friend or loved one, you the experienced one tackling the whole pattern, while you guide them through the first steps of cross stitch. They could stitch a single box with their initial and a flower, then maybe complete another one? This is the perfect project for learning to cross stitch, satisfying for a beginner because it is quick and easy, yet pretty and colorful.
A pattern brought to you by Lesley Teare designs.
More patterns suitable for beginners
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Patterns featuring Paris
>> see all patterns related to life in France (all designers)
From early childhood on, preparing for marriage
Even as late as the earlly 20th century, young French girls would practice cross stitching initials and numbers, using the "'linenmaid's alphabet". These were used for marking linen, a practice usually done just before marriage, as the bride-to-be prepared her set of household linen, the “trousseau”. Interestingly it includes a "croix de par Dieu", a little cross preceding the letters of the alphabet, a tradition that goes back centuries earlier, to remind children to make a sign of the cross before reciting the alphabet.
A cross stitch reproduction sampler by Couleur Tourterelle.
>> see all Reproduction Samplers by Couleur Tourterelle
A Window into the Mind
Open the door to fantasy and follow Barbara Ana along the surprising paths dictated by her creative mind, always overflowing with ideas. Her latest Dreaming Girl pattern , is a masterpiece of color, with light shining through the night. The flow of the girl's dark hair - as if blown by the wind - structures the whole design, wrapping together all the diverse elements.
A cross stitch pattern, part of the Dreaming Girl series by Barbara Ana Designs.
More Dreaming Girls' by Barbara Ana
>> see all patterns in the Dreaming Girls series designed by Barbara Ana
Blackwork gains color
Don't be detered by it's name. Blackwork is a counted stitch technique that involves basically backstitch. And while traditionally it was worked in black thread, modern designers add a new twist and more fun by using color. Brought to you by expert needlework designer Lesley Teare, these cute little spring motifs are perfect for giving it a try!
More Blackwork patterns by Lesley Teare
>> see all Blackwork patterns by Lesley Teare
Creative ideas to stitch for Children
>> see all creative ideas for a child's bedroom
Stitched by a seven-year old for her grandmother
In catholic France in those days, a person was feted, not on their birthday but on the day celebrating the saint they were named after. In 1851, a seven-year-old girl, struggles with letters but all the same delivers a charming piece of needlework dedicated to her beloved "bonne maman". A cross stitch reproduction Sampler brought to you by Couleur Tourterelle.
>> see all Reproduction Samplers by Couleur Tourterelle
Spring is round the corner
Oh what joy to watch seedlings plants grow in their pots and to see the first ladybugs and butterflies appear in the vegetable patch.
Simple life, simple joys, such as watching plants grow, depicted in cross stitch by Samantha Purdy.
More Plant patterns by Samantha Purdy Needlecrafts
>> see all Spring patterns by Samantha Purdy Needlecrafts
Bunnies play hide and seek
At first glance this Easter sampler features Father and Mother Rabbit surrounded by their two kids. But then you missed the other members of the family. Can you spot the other bunnies hiding behind an Easter egg? A cross stitch pattern brought to you by Kateryna - Stitchy princess.
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Easter Bunnies | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Kateryna - Stitchy Princess |
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More Rabbits patterns by Kateryna - Stitchy Princess
>> see all patterns with Rabbits (all designers)
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