Latest News: needlework patterns
| Sign up for our newsletter ! |
All the news, as published in Creative Poppy's newsletter
Now available for Presales
Lesley Teare 2023 Stitch-along
As the year draws to an end, and the last part of Lesley Teare's 2022 SAL was released, we have some exciting news:
a delightful new 2023 Lesley Teare stitch-along to follow suit, featuring seasonal activities of countryfolk on a farm.
The SAL comes in 12 parts and the first pattern will be released on January 1st 2023.
We have already posted a list of supplies and the subscription is open for presale. Order now and source your supplies so you are ready to start as soon as the first part is available.
>> preorder the 2023 Country Folk SAL by Lesley Teare
Whimsical Harvest
Part of the Dreaming girl series, here comes another young lady arms full with a lush harvest. Vintage Barbara Ana, the cross stitch pattern is stuffed with fun detail including a hidden face.
>> see all Dreaming Girl patterns by Barbara Ana Designs
More patterns with Foxes
>> see all cross stitch patterns with Foxes
Ice skating and Christmas market shopping
Days turn shorter and shorter but that's no reason not to go out and have fun. Like meeting one's sister at the ice rink, and enjoying a warm drink browsing the booths at the Christmas market. Samantha Purdy captures the simple joys of life, in cross stitch.
>> see more Winter patterns by Samantha Purdy Needlecraft
More Ice Skating patterns
>> see all ice skating and skiing patterns
Snug and Cosy
All wrapped up in our matching tartan coats, doggy pulling hard on the leash, we're off for a walk!
All the simple joys of life, depicted in cross stitch by Samantha Purdy Needlecraft.
 | 
Matching Coats | | Counted cross stitch pattern by samanthapurdyneedlecraft |
|  |
More Dachshund patterns
>> see all patterns with Dogs (all designers)
Vivacious Bird sampler
The vivacious bird featured on this reproduction sampler is showing off colorful feathers. Bright-eyed and full of life, it has its head turned as if on the lookout for food or danger. Stitchers of the time - late 19th century - would often pick motifs in various pattern booklets. They would however have to do with the yarn colors they had access to, and often adapt the motif. In this case, the stitcher did a wonderful job with colors. A reproduction sampler by Couleur Tourterelle.
More reproduction patterns with Birds
>> see other reproduction samplers with birds
Puzzling letter order
What is striking about this reproduction sampler by Couleur Tourterelle is the unusual order of the letters of the first alphabet. This is by design, to help young pupils of the needlework class learn and memorize those stitched letters. Letters were taught by type, first straight letters, then rounded letters (O P Q B R), and diagonal letters (K A, V, W, X, Y, Z). Similar letters were taught in pairs (U and J, M and N).
The first alphabet is notably a variation linenmaid's alphabet, the letters used for "marking" household linen with ones initials (and a number), for the sake of identifying each piece. It was still in vogue at the dawn of the 20th century in France and we can presume the students of the school were expected to know how to stitch them..
>> see all Reproduction Samplers by Couleur Tourterelle
More patterns featuring the Linenmaid's alphabet
Almost a hundred years apart, these 19th and early 20th century French samplers all use the
linenmaid's alphabet, albeit slightly modified for the later ones, where letters are all aligned at 7 stitches high.
Glory to the Newborn King
As the angels joyfully announce the birth of Christ, Mary bears a peaceful look, hands joined in prayer. We love Ukrainian designer Kateryna's interpretation of the Holy family and the visitors come to pay tribute, following the Star of Bethlehem. A cross stitch chart by Stitchy Princess.
>> see more Christmas patterns by Kateryna - Stitchy Princess
More Christmas nativity in cross stitch
>> see all Christmas nativity patterns (all designers)
Cat-chy Christmas Quotes
Fun cat and kitten motifs with catchy quotes, ideal for greeting cards or small Christmas ornaments. Delight your cat-lover friends with a hand stitched card sent with all your love. Cross stitch chart designed by Lesley Teare.
>> see more Christmas patterns by Lesley Teare Designs
>> see all Christmas motifs for Greeting cards (all designers)
Wild and mysterious
Facing us with large hypnotic eyes is Awbow! , Barbara Ana's latest cross stitch portrait, a mysterious tortoise-like-but-winged creature surging out of a lush tropical garden, its stunning colors standing out against the deep black background fabric.
 |
AWBOW! | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs |
|  |
>> see all portrait patterns by Barbara Ana Designs
More cross stitch on a black background - our tips
Cross stitching on a black background works wonders, with colors illuminated against the dark fabric but can be a bit tricky. Here are some tips for making it easy to cross stitch:
- Use natural light when possible and put a white cloth on your lap to make holes more visible
- Go for a smaller count fabric, and use Aida rather than linen, like Barbara Ana did.
- Consider stitching with 3 strands of thread for better coverage. Test a small area of the design first.
In any case, make sure the fabric you select has a deep black tone (all black fabrics are not created equal) and which is colorfast.
Mamma Mia, how can I resist you?
This pattern is dedicated to all of us who cannot resist a beautiful thread, a soft colorful yarn, a deep rich colored skein, as we feel the irresitible itch to reach for our needles and turn them into unique works. Featured here is a sample of needlework joys, knitting, needlepoint, cross stitch and even French knitting, the very first time we may have been introduced to yarn. A cheerful and irresisitible cross stitch chart by Perrette Samouiloff.
and for those of us who prefer knitting exclusively
>> see all patterns by Perrette Samouiloff dedicated to needlework and leisure activities
More cross stitch patterns dedicated to Knitting
>> see all patterns related to Needlework activities (all designers)
Creative Poppy Designers in the news
Searching for a cross stitch pattern you've seen featured in a needlework magazine?
Click on the picture to access to the corresponding design.
Kateryna - Stitchy Princess - Miss Deer
As featured in the Best Buys section of The World of Cross stitching magazine issue 327 on sale Nov/Dec 2022
 | | Miss Deer | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Kateryna - Stitchy Princess |
|  |
>> see all patterns featured in cross stitch and needlework magazines
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!
A delightful new Christmas cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana, portraying her favorite in Santa's awesome team of reindeer. Lady Dancer is pictured wearing a warm woolen sweater, red of course. Powdery snow is falling from her antlers where a tiny village is nested. The date 1823 featured in the cross stitch medallion refers to the year the author of the poem, Clement Clarke Moore, wrote the story initially titled A Visit from St. Nicholas.
 |
Dancer | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs |
|  |
>> see all Christmas patterns by Barbara Ana Designs
Bah Humbug!
Barbara Ana takes us on a wild ride in this Christmas cross stitch pattern combining eeriness and attraction in a surprising mirror effect. Vintage humor by Barbara Ana Designs.
Emerald City
Here is Kateryna's tribute to the Wizard of Oz, featuring the Emerald city in the distance, Dorothy, with tidy bows in her braids and her three companions.
>> see more patterns by Kateryna - Stitchy Princess
Wonderland
Another tribute this time to Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. We love her surprised look as she plummets down the rabbit hole, following the frantic White Rabbit. The pattern is stuffed with fun references to Alice's adventures.
>> see all patterns by Kateryna - Stitchy Princess
We're all Mad Here
SAL subscribers will have recognized her. Here is Barbara Ana's female version of Alice in Wonderland's Mad Hatter. Drinking tea and wearing an oversize green hat, with price tag still attached. Any resemblance stops here though and the rest is left to the designer's imagination.
The Bonkers SAL has now ended. If you are an existing subscriber, you can still download your patterns from your download page. Else please purchase the regular pattern
>> see more Dreaming Girl patterns by Barbara Ana Designs
More Alice in Wonderland portraits
>> see all patterns with Stories and Fairy tales (all designers)
Netherland
Talking of children's story characters, we received from Nona J. this wonderful picture of Barbara Ana's original Dreaming girl reappearing as Peter Pan's Wendy Darling. We love it when stitchers reinterpret and reappropriate a design. Nona switched background colors, which gives the piece a very different look, and accompanied her piece with a quote from Peter Pan: "Second Star to the Right, then Straight on till Morning".
The alphabet that she chose to be "Pan-worthy" is from a Better Homes and Gardens hardcover book of "Alphabets and Borders", page 151, "Elegant Swerve Alphabet".
 |
Dreaming Girl | by Barbara Ana Designs Original right, Left reinterpreted by Nona J. |
|  |
This is not Nona's first reinterpretation of a Barbara Ana Design. She also turned Dreaming of Klimt into the Queen of Sheba (check her out in Barbara Ana's news section below)
>> see all the latest news for Barbara Ana Designs
New Christmas releases by Barbara Ana
This pair of ornament size patterns can fit into a small hoop. You will recognize designer Barbara Ana's unmistakable style in the depiction of the sleepy village , the pretty quaker motifs appearing in the snow, Assisi style, and the beautiful detail of the miniature reindeer.
 |
Holy Night | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs |
|  |
 | |  |
More Christmas designs by Barbara Ana
>> see all Christmas patterns by Barbara Ana Designs
French fashion
While 18th and early 19th century French samplers mainly featured religious themes, as charted motifs stared to be published, sampler layout and style changed altogether, with ornament becoming the main focus.
Among these samplers a unique category of "compliment samplers" became popular. These featured a short poem expressing gratitude and paying tribute to a loved one. This sampler dated 1893 is a fine illustration of the genre, with the text elegantly nested among colorful motifs.
 |
AG 1893 | | Reproduction Sampler by Couleur Tourterelle |
|  |
An intriguing sampler and a fascinating story
When Meriem Chauvet of Couleur Tourterelle first saw the intriguing original sampler, with its palace and air of Arabian night fairy tales, only signed Maria Lhomme, and not even dated, she could not resist investigating further. Pouring through masses of documents, she identified the actual building which, it turned out, was as sumptuous inside as it was outside. A large pool of water with fountains, surrounded by exotic plants, occupied the interior. If you look closely through the arches you can indeed guess the presence of the basin. We will not disclose the full story here, but it will be revealed to you in detail in the introductory pages of the chart, supported by beautiful period illustrations.
>> see all Reproduction Samplers by Couleur Tourterelle
Portrait of a lady
Lady squirrel seems to be posing for a painting, actually a cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana. We love the contrast between the aqua blue of the dress and the natural colors. The light variations in color of the dress are achieved through the use of a nuanced thread from the DMC Color Variations range.
More Autumn patterns by Barbara Ana
>> see all Autumn patterns by Barbara Ana Designs
More patterns with Squirrels
>> see all patterns with Squirrels (all designers)
A vegetable patch in full splendor
What a sight! The yellow flowers growing from the end of the leafy vines have gradually grown into the most amazing pumpkins, gourds, squash, kabotcha and more variations of them all, some round, some elongated, some yellow, some green and some orange.
More vegetable patterns by Perrette Samouiloff
>> see all patterns with vegetables (all designers)
Stormy weather
The wind blows and children are battling the rain and gusts. We love the flowering wild grass turned to seeds, forming a delicate background, as the sole element of landscape of this atmospheric design. A cross stitch pattern by Perrette Samouiloff.
>> see more Autumn patterns by Perrette Samouiloff
Year round stitching with Lesley Teare
With the final Winter pattern now published, Lesley Teare's year-round sampler collection is now complete. The playful design combines a quilt-style house and garden, Quaker stars and tiny seasonal motifs creating the variations between the seasons.
>> see all Year-round patterns with one for each season (all designers)
Meet Baba Yaga
Ukrainian designer Kateryna (Stitchy Princess) is ever fascinated by her homeland's legends and specifically the character of Baba Yaga, a witch sometimes evil, sometimes kind, who lives in the magic forest. This pattern portraits her riding her broom, in the company of her cat. Two owls look on, unperturbed.
More portraits of Baba Yaga
>> see all Baba Yaga patterns by Kateryna - Stitchy Princess
Woodlands, riverside and seashore
A keen observer of wildlife, Lesley Teare brings to us four delightful samplers depicting different natural settings. You will appreciate cross stitching all the fun detail, as well as the beautiful warm tones set against the natural background.
Fall Splendor
We love this Quilt style sampler celebrating each new season, another creative idea by Lesley Teare. This is the third in the series and features lovely warm autumn colors, mature fruit, honey bees and little squirrels harvesting acorns. The Winter pattern will follow shortly so you can complete the whole series.
Year-Round Blackwork
With the Autumn Blackwork design, Lesley Teare's seasonal Blackwork series is now complete. This cute patterns can be rotated on display in your home, to mark every season.
>> see all Blackwork patterns by Lesley Teare
>> see all Year round and Seasonal patterns (all designers)
New Tales of Baba Yaga - by Kateryna, Stitchy princess
Present throughout East European folklore, and particularly in her native Ukraine, Baba Yaga is one of Kateryna's favorite characters, depicted in numerous designs. An elderly witch, ugly and bony legged, enigmatic and unpredictable, alternatively really evil, or maternal, kind and helpful to the trouble hero.
As you enter the magical forest, trees comes alive moving their arms, animals behave strangely. Notice in the distance a wood cabin perched on chicken legs, occasionally turning round? It's the home of
Baba Yaga.Baba Yaga is never spotted without her cat. Even in the dark you'll always spot its yellow eyes.
Oh, she is a busy lady. Here she is preparing collecting mushroom to prepare her mysterious broth. Or serving tea from her Samovar.
But what she likes best is to unwind and relax in a bathroom fit for a ... witch! Even witches deserve a rest, don't they?
>> see all patterns featuring Baba Yaga
Vintage greeting cards
Two retro style greeting cards by Monique Bonnin a cross stitch designer who loves to "recreate" postcards and greeting cards with a vintage feel. Inventive and full of fun detail, you'll enjoy completing every stitch of these precious images. Collect them all!
More vintage Greeting Cards by Monique Bonnin
>> see all Vintage Postcards and Greeting cards by Monique Bonnin
Christmas in the Woods with Kateryna
Winter Woodlands is a sampler packed with wonderful detail to stitch for Christmas. Our favorite is the white bear hibernating under a mantle of snow. A cross stitch pattern designed by Kateryna - Stitchy Princess
Christmas Fairy tales
>> see all Christmas patterns by Kateryna - Stitchy Princess
Lights in the night
Whimsical, vintage Barbara Ana.
Lights shine in the night. Come close and discover the most extraordinary creature, a stylish deer, clad in a 1970's vintage jacket, face white in the moonlight and wearing a head dress, with luminous lanterns and silver droplets hanging from her antlers in a halo of light.
 |
Deer Dreams | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs |
|  |
More patterns with Christmas Lanterns and Lights
>> see all patterns with Christmas Lights (all designers)
Christmas timekeeper
This pattern by Perrette Samouiloff, with a cuckoo clock keeping track of the hours, reminds us that Christmas time is fast approaching and it's time for us stitchers to start working on our projects.
We love the dainty angels, the mischievous boys swinging on the clock's weights and the carol singing children accompanied by a flute and violins. But above all, we love the tiny cuckoo bursting the door open above the clock to strike the hours. Rejoice! the countdown to Christmas has started.
More patterns with Clocks
More Christmas Music
>> see all patterns related to Music
The largest gift
This little boy is overjoyed. Guess whom the largest beribboned gift box was for?
>> see all Christmas patterns by Perrette Samouiloff
More Christmas Gifts
Mitten Ornaments in scandinavian blue
Fun little woolly mittens to hang on the tree. So cute!
The cross stitch chart by Tapestry Barn comes with full instructions for finishing each piece. You can even add some sweets inside.
More Christmas patterns by Tapestry Barn
>> see all Christmas patterns by Tapestry Barn
Woodland Animals in Winter
An important gathering in the Forest
All these young ladies are wearing their very best gowns and seem headed for an major event, maybe the Forest Christmas Ball? These romantic designs can be stitched as a series to be displayed in your home during the whole holiday season.
>> see all Winter patterns by Kateryna - Stitchy Princess
New Greeting Cards by Lesley Teare
The wreaths will fit nicely within a 3 inch hoop. Teddy however is so busy discovering the presents under the Christmas tree that he bursts out of his frame.
>> see all Greeting card and mini motif patterns (all designers)
The Twelve Days of Christmas in cross stitch
Nativity in cross stitch
From Greeting cards to large nativity samplers, the choice is yours. Discover three new nativity designs by Lesley Teare.
More Nativity patterns
>> see all Christmas Nativity patterns (all designers)
Stained Glass windows
These cards have been designed on the manner of stained glass church windows where colored glass panes are assembled with lead, letting through the light from outside.
Similarly the cross stitch version is fully filled with various areas of solid colors and black backstitch lines
>> see all Christmas patterns by Lesley Teare Designs
Creative Poppy Designers in the news
Searching for a cross stitch pattern you've seen featured in a needlework magazine?
Click on the picture to access to the corresponding design.
Monique Bonnin - Vintage Greeting cards
Barbara Ana Designs - Thanksgiving Biscornu
As featured in The World of Cross stitching magazine issue 325 on sale Oct / Nov 2022
>> see all patterns featured in cross stitch and needlework magazines
That's not all! More news continued on next page...
>> more Creative Poppy News (continued...)
>> back to most recent news
Creative Poppy Newsletter
| Sign up for our newsletter ! |
Samantha Purdy Textile
.jpg)
