Latest News: needlework patterns
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All the news, as published in Creative Poppy's newsletter
King of Birds
This is actually how this tiny bird is referred to, possibly because of its conspicuous golden crest, outlined by black bands. Expert needlework designer - and keen birdwatcher - Lesley Teare is expanding her bird series with a new format with colored corners that replicate the color of the bird's feathers. Designs focus on the birds, depicted in cross stitch, while the surrounding floral wreaths are worked in lace-like blackwork patterns.
There will be more designs to come in this series. Why not collect them all!
More Blackwork Flowers and Birds, by Lesley Teare
>> see all Bird patterns by Lesley Teare Designs
>> see more patterns mixing Cross stich and Blackwork by Lesley Teare
By all means an exceptional sampler
You have probably never come across such an extraordinary antique sampler. Meriem Chauvet (the collector and needlework expert behind Couleur Tourterelle) hadn't either. Yet when it caught her eye, she had to stitch it (and therefore rechart it). Most of the individual motifs would suffice for a single sampler.
Take the seascape, with three ships battling waves and wind against a rocky shore. Or the spaniel seated on a velvet red cushion, a favorite of stitchers of yore; the bird of paradise, perfectly balanced on its branch, or the bucolic river landscape, both interpretations of Sajou catalogues of the time.
We are the lucky ones, able to pick and choose among the beautifully recharted design pack brought to us by Couleur Tourterelle.
>> see all Reproduction Samplers by Couleur Tourterelle
Detail of the Seascape motif and more similar Ships at Sea
>> see all patterns with Ships (all designers)
Maritime blues
From time to time we hear from a stitcher who purchased one of our patterns and receive a picture of the stitched work. Just by chance, it happens to be one just mentioned above. It's always fascinating to find how a stitcher adapts a design and makes it truly unique.
This time Nathalie G., a fan of Couleur Tourterelle's, sent us a photo of the oldest pattern in our collection - an early 18th century Dutch sampler - that she converted into a blue monochrome. As you can judge for yourself, this is a brilliant reinterpretation as the darker blue emphasizes the outline of this wonderful ship design.
Merci Nathalie!
 | ED 1721 | Reproduction Sampler by Couleur Tourterelle (stitched by
Nathalie G. left,
original right) |
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>> see all Reproduction Samplers by Couleur Tourterelle
Phenix crown
A portrait of a young woman lost in her thoughts. The focus of this design is on the extraordinary head-dress. At first glance it seems that a large butterfly, wings colorful and richly adorned, has just landed onto her head. But the bugs antennas are blooming into flowers, and there are plenty of floral ornaments and beads dangling from this mysterious crown. Whimsical as ever, a new Dream portrait to cross stitch in Barbara Ana's extraordinary series.
More Dream Portraits by Barbara Ana
>> see all patterns in the Dreaming Girls series designed by Barbara Ana
Did you stitch Barbara Ana's latest Christmas SAL?
It is now available as a regular pattern but we are looking for pictures of the stitched model. If you have participated in the SAL, have strictly used the supplies listed, and can provide good quality photographs, please send us your pictures. The first 10 stitchers to send pictures will get a $10 voucher to spend on any patterns of your choice available on Creative Poppy's website. If your pictures are selected for our newsletter, you will get a $50 voucher. Please use our contact form to send us your photo. Thank you!
>> see all Christmas patterns by Barbara Ana Designs
Coming up soon: Creative Poppy's Christmas special
We stitchers know that anticipation is key for our seasonal projects, especially for Christmas stitching, when we think of all the joys ahead as we enjoy every stitch. It's no secret that cross stitching takes time and there is nothing worse than having to rush to finish a project in time.
That is the reason why Creative Poppy is planning its Christmas issue well ahead. Look out for our up-coming Christmas Newsletter!
>> see all patterns for Christmas and the Holiday Season
A linenmaid's alphabet by a linenmaid's daughter
In early 19th century France, well-off families - and even lesser well-off ones, used to outsource the care of their linen: the laundry chore of course, but also the care of the finer linen involving washing, starching, ironing (including the fine folds of bonnets), and the occasional mending. Hence the trade of "lingères", or linenmaids.
In order not to confuse items, and return them to their rightful owners after cleaning, most pieces of linen used to be marked in red letters, using the "linenmaid's alphabet" passed over generations. Letters were quite small as they were crossed stitched - over 2 threads - on densely woven fabric used for clothes, sheets or towels. Quite a challenge compared with the fabrics we stitch on today, even the finer linens.
So it must have been quite a challenge too, for this 8-year-old daughter of a linenmaid, probably just freshly having learned her letters and to read and write, to complete this sampler, with text and borders error-free!
A reproduction sampler brought to you by Couleur Tourterelle.
>> 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 became aligned at 7 stitches high.
>> see all patterns featuring the Linenmaid's alphabet
Information section:
>> a little history of cross stitch
Winds of Provence
In wind-beaten Provence, in the South of France, the compass rose has long been a popular way to represent the various winds affecting the region from different direction. A young stitcher, in her newly secular state school, and whose father owned a windmill, would pick this unique motif for her sampler. A few years later, Van Gogh would follow her footsteps, painting the beautiful and austere landscapes of the "Pays de Crau".
This reproduction sampler tells quite a story, a story told with great talent by Meriem Chauvet, the passionate collector behind Couleur Tourterelle.
>> see all Reproduction Samplers by Couleur Tourterelle
An original Sajou design, a vintage stitched work and a modern reproduction sampler
We love it when a design moves through generations of stitchers. Designer Meriem Chauvet of Couleur Tourterelle came across an antique stitched work and loved it so much, she decided to name it after her cat, which bears some resemblance with the one she found stitched. After some research she found the original design was from maison Sajou (pictured right), and published in the mid 19th century. It is probable that the original work, maybe executed in the late 19th or early 20th century, was a copy of a another stitched one as there are many fine variations in thread color when compared with the original. The reproduction sampler is after the antique stitched design.
>> see all Reproduction Samplers by Couleur Tourterelle
More vintage patterns with motifs picked from catalogues
By the mid 19th century, catalogues with motifs became popular with stitchers in France. Here are some interesting examples, identified by Meriem Chauvet of Couleur Tourterelle when researching vintage samplers, where some individual motifs could be directly identified from original pattern sheets.
>> see all Reproduction Samplers by Couleur Tourterelle
Canned surprise
Innocently open a can of preserved sardines and oh, surprise, someone is hiding in here. Barbara Ana loves to stitch the unexpected, in an all so colorful and humorous way. We love it. Chase the gloom away and you too can have fun stitching these sunny colors!
More mermaid patterns by Barbara Ana
>> see all patterns with Mermaids (all designers)
More patterns with Fish (all designers)
>> see all patterns with Fish (all designers)
Creative Needlework
Who wouldn't fall for these 2 cats, busy sewing, and stitching. Admire their work, a giant quilt that includes more than 50 mini patterns, including eggs and bacon, a glass of red wine and a banana... proving both Barbara Ana's humor and immense talent for cross-stitch design!
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Crafty Cats | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs |
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More Barbara Ana patterns with Cats
>> see all Barbara Ana patterns with Cats
More Creative Needlework
>> see all patterns related to Needlework (all designers)
An early 20th century Spanish Reproduction Sampler
Beautifully signed over two lines "Lo hizo Josefa Gras y Garcia, Año 1901", here is a typical Spanish school sampler that little girls would complete, under the attentive eye of their needlework teacher. Nonetheless, minor errors, such as the one in the border, would not be spotted, and this is what makes their charm.
>> see all Reproduction Samplers by Couleur Tourterelle
More Spanish Reproduction Samplers
>> see all Reproduction Samplers
A sneak preview of Lesley Teare's 2025 SAL
The ongoing Lesley Teare 2025 Stitchalong comes in 10 parts. Two parts have been released as of February and the March part is just round the corner. The tree is beginning to fill with life as this sneak preview attests. It's still time to join the fun and watch the tree grow, with each new part full of surprises and detail.
Miniature carpet
Here is Barbara Ana's interpretation of a Persian rug, popular with well-to-do castle-dwelling families since the Middle Ages. We love the warm soft colors reminiscent of the natural woollen dyes used for those carpets, as well as the very personal reinterpretation of the primitive figures and motifs. A fantastic addition to Barbara Ana's primitive series.
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Medieval Rug | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs |
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More primitive patterns by Barbara Ana
>> see all primitive patterns by Barbara Ana Designs
Blackwork Birds, with color
Here comes a new design in Lesley Teare's signature style of mixing Blackwork lace-like effects, and areas of full cross stitch. The effect is incredibly ornamental as this combination of four birds attests. If you haven't tried Blackwork before, why not give it a try?
More Blackwork patterns, designed by Lesley Teare
>> see all Blackwork patterns by Lesley Teare
Spring Wildflower motifs
Take a stroll through the English countryside with Lesley Teare and spot the spring flowers blooming: bluebells, pansies, violets, lily of the valley, primroses and even the wild strawberries and blackberries whose flowers are blooming and ripening into fruit. The easy full stitches and separate cross stitch motifs mean the pattern is very versatile and adaptable to a wealth of cross stitch projects.
>> see more Floral patterns by Lesley Teare
More cross stitch patterns with Wildflowers
>> see all patterns with Wildflowers (all designers)
Coming up soon: stitching for Easter
Easter is on April 20th this year, a bit later than usual, meaning still plenty of time left for stitching some cute patterns and adding a cheerful spring touch to your home. Check out all the latest ideas and patterns published by Creative Poppy.
>> see all cross stitch patterns for Easter
A remarkable Reproduction Sampler of a Dutch 18th century work
This exceptional sampler featuring a prominent ship motif, is a reproduction of an original sampler that dates back to 1721, over 300 years ago. The original sampler is part of the personal collection of Meriem Chauvet of Couleur Tourterelle. You can now restore this sampler to its former glory thanks to her excellent recharting work.
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ED 1721 | | Reproduction Sampler by Couleur Tourterelle |
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>> see all Reproduction Samplers by Couleur Tourterelle
More patterns with 17th and 18th century ships
>> see all patterns with Ships and Sailboats (all designers)
A tale of two twin samplers
You may know that Meriem Chauvet, the designer behind the Couleur Tourterelle series, is a passionate collector of antique samplers. Imagine her surprise when she realised, after acquiring the sampler below, that a twin sampler existed. It immediately joined her collection too. Read the stories of two little girls, living literally next to each other, and stitching side by side two samplers completely similar in structure, yet with different picks of motifs.
You can pick your preferred one, or why not stitch both and reunite the two little girls...
>> see all Reproduction Samplers by Couleur Tourterelle
More Reproduction Samplers with Lying Deer
More Reproduction Samplers with Birds
>> see all Reproduction Samplers with Birds (all designers)
A semi-transparent border frame
In this very interesting piece, designer Faby Reilly shows a "frame within a frame", where the central part is featured in the actual colors, and the outer parts appear as if they were hidden behind a semi transparent layer. This double effects puts the focus on the central part - a frendly conversation between a snowman and a red robin near a park bench - with the outer elements of the picture, evergreen bush and tree branches, fading away. The blue and silver frame, worked in rice stitch, acts as a border between the two parts.
>> see more Winter and Christmas patterns by Faby Reilly Designs
More Snowy Winter Landscapes
>> see all Winter patterns (all designers)
Barbara Ana's New World Sampler, now available as a whole chart
If you haven't yet stitched this exceptional sampler by Barbara Ana, here's a unique opportunity to catch up. The sampler is now available as a single chart, both excellent value and practical.
Follow Barbara Ana as she enters her "New World" travelling overseas, reaching the city, crossing mysterious forests, settling down in a farm, and confronting ghosts and witches. You can of course pick your very own order. The beauty of this design is the way it is structured in colorful bands, each telling their own story.
More exceptional samplers by Barbara Ana
>> see all Samplers by Barbara Ana Designs
Flamboyant Heart
Passionate Love as expressed by Barbara Ana in stitches, with a beating heart, chiselled diamond, and a mix of flames turning into blooms. Ever so creative, ever so feminine, ever so colorful, ever so fun to stitch using nuanced floss... vintage Barbara Ana.
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Wild Heart | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs |
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More patterns expressing Love, by Barbara Ana
>> see all patterns related to Love, designed by Barbara Ana Designs
Did you know Creative Poppy also offers chart packs?
Creative Poppy patterns are available as downloadable pattern files. However, if you would like to receive professionally printed charts, we can also deliver your charts directly to your mail box.
This is ideal if you don't want to bother with downloading and printing your files, or if you can't obtain best quality print-outs at home. Also it's nice to have a beautiful chart you can archive.
What you get:
- Professionally printed color charts on beautiful extra smooth paper. Each chart is packaged individually in a sleeve.
- Chart packs are shipped in a strong flat box so they reach you in perfect state.
>> find out about our Shipping by Mail service
By the way, you still get your downloadable chart. So you can source your supplies while you wait for the postman, you can print out working copies that can be used for highlighting while stitching.
That's not all! More news continued on next page...
>> more Creative Poppy News (continued...)
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