Latest News:
Cross stitch designs by Barbara Ana Designs
All the latest news for Barbara Ana, as published in Creative Poppy's newsletter.
>> see all cross stitch patterns by Barbara Ana Designs
Slowly, oh so slowly, Christmas is coming
Trust Barbara Ana to come up with the most unexpected and whimsical ideas. Who hasn't waited excitedly for Christmas to arrive? Barbara's vision is that of Santa riding ... a snail. A whole town, roofs covered with snow, is enjoying the ride, as well as a couple of Santa's little helpers, sitting under a tree.
More Christmas patterns by Barbara Ana
>> see all Christmas patterns by Barbara Ana Designs
Late Harvest
It is the time to harvest the very last fruit and nuts. Birds are searching for the remaining berries too, such as this small one, with delicate feathers and stitched in ever so soft and natural colors. A cross stitch chart designed by Barbara Ana.
>> see more Bird patterns by Barbara Ana Designs
Sadie Woods - one year later
New from Barbara Ana, a sampler "by" Sadie Woods, and dated 1901, one year later than the original "Sadie Woods" would have been stitched. Compared to Sadie's "first work" (see below), it is more sophisticated and beautifully laid out, showing how the child would gradually be turning into a young girl, yet it retains the same spontaneity and charm.
The sampler is cross stitched on the same rustic fabric, with similar color schemes as the original work. Together they form a beautiful pair.
More Barbara Ana Designs: Young girl samplers
These are not reproduction samplers, but rather the designer expressing herself, in the manner of an author writing a novel in the first person, and incarnating a character of her imagination.
>> see more Sampler patterns by Barbara Ana Designs
Christmas Reindeer
Shy creatures of the forest, reindeer are such a beautiful theme in cross stitch. Here are two Christmas patterns with reindeer, brought to you by Barbara Ana, including this unique portrait of a reindeer, with deep blue eyes and a message of Joy.
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Deer Joy | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs |
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>> see all Christmas patterns by Barbara Ana Designs
New releases for Halloween
Halloween is the one time of the year when stitchers can quit being serious and have proper fun stitching anything they fancy. Enjoy with two new patterns by Barbara Ana in her signature style!
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Witch Cat? | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs |
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Barbara Ana Mystery chart
ALL THREE PARTS NOW AVAILABLE!
See full pattern below, with all three parts stitched together. The final pattern blends all three rolling landscapes into a single design framed with plants bearing fruit and growing in two pots on the side..
>> see all Halloween patterns by Barbara Ana
>> see all the latest news for Barbara Ana
Barbara Ana Mystery chart - Part Two
Part Two of Black Cat Hollow is now available. The yellow-eyed cat appears for the first time and the witch starts to cast her spell: "double double toil and trouble...".
Cramped lodgings
Not only does it house a witch and a number of animals, it also serves as a magic potion factory, complete with a lab room, library of magic formulas and a furnace room, all the equipment for delivering magic spells on a sizable scale. Another fun Halloween pattern by Barbara Ana Designs.
More Halloween fun with Barbara Ana
New Mystery Chart by Barbara Ana
Do you like surprises? Do you like Barbara Ana Designs? Hang on, we've go something exciting coming up!
Here is a Halloween themed mystery chart, that comes in 3 parts. It is called Black Cat Hollow, though no cat can be seen yet, only a couple of little witches busying themselves with the harvest ... we can't say anymore for now, it's a surprise ...
As seen in the photo below, two other parts will complete the stitched piece.
>> see more Halloween patterns by Barbara Ana Designs
A tribute to Frida Kahlo
More often than once, Barbara Ana has a little surprise in store for us, such as this brand new release, a portrait and tribute to the Mexican artist and painter Frida Kahlo.
We love the baroque and esoteric feel, the stunning eyes inspired by the artist's autoportraits, and the words "Viva la Vida" perfect for a woman who boldly embraced life and love.
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Viva la Vida | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs |
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>> see more patterns by Barbara Ana Designs
>> see all the latest news for Barbara Ana Designs
A question from a stitcher: why Portuguese?
Karine's question about Barbara Ana's Portuguese Bird Sampler:
Hello, is this sampler inspired by vintage embroidery motifs, or is it an actual reproduction of an antique Portuguese sampler?
Creative Poppy:
This is an interesting question. So we asked the designer.
The embroidery is an original creation, as are all Barbara Ana's samplers, with the exception of this single reproduction sampler.
For the Portuguese Bird Sampler, the designer was inspired by a trip to Lisbon and the discovery of the Arraiolos embroidered carpets named after the city where they are made.
She was struck by a bird motif that she saw on an old carpet and that generated the idea for ​​this sampler.
The Bird theme is a motif that very much inspires Barbara Ana:
>> see all the patterns with birds designed by Barbara Ana
Sublime colors
An extraordinary new sampler from Barbara Ana: mixing smoked blues, golden hazel and green fern - and even a touch of light pink - the appeal of this sampler lies in particular in the richness and balance of colors, proof of the immense talent and expertise of the designer.
>> see more Sampler patterns by Barbara Ana Designs
Mother and Child
Barbara Ana's latest cross stitch design oozes with tenderness. It features a little girl rabbit, dressed exactly like her mother, quietly observing as her Mom potters in the garden. It's stitched in beautiful rustic Moire woolen yarn.
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Mom & Me | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana designs |
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>> see more Spring patterns by Barbara Ana designs
Cross stitching for Easter
With Barbara Ana
>> see all Easter & Spring patterns by Barbara Ana Designs
A Hungry Wolf
Here's a new Sampler by Barbara Ana, which reads like a story. Each of the many characters in this scene, be it farmer, wild animal, farm animal, is closely observing someone. How will the story finish and will the skinny wolf eat his fill today?
>> see more sampler patterns by Barbara Ana Designs
>> see all cross stitch patterns with farms (all designers)
More Animals by Barbara Ana
Animals play a prominent part in Barbara Ana's work. Here are a few examples of animals in her recent cross stitch works.
Looking after Needles and Pins
A stylish needle and pin keeper with a vintage touch. Newly released by Barbara Ana, the pattern uses a subtle palette of DMC Colors, perfect for the season.
>> see more Autumn patterns by Barbara Ana Designs
>> see all the latest news for Barbara Ana Designs
Which House is the Witch's House?
Latest from Barbara Ana, fun stitching for Halloween, packfull of amusing detail. Ideal for making a quick little gift for a friend.
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Witch House? | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs |
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>> see more Halloween patterns by Barbara Ana Designs
Childhood on the Farm
This Sampler tells the story of Twisted Oak Farm, as seen through the eyes of 9 year-old Sadie Woods. We love the rustic feel, the slightly derelict barns, the intriguing symbols and trees of life and the little girls holding hands.
>> see all patterns with Farms & Barns (all designers)
Customization
We received a query from a stitcher who wanted to customize this sampler for a wedding anniversary. Not only did Barbara Ana supply dates, but a whole set of alphabets so you can now customize any text, dates and initials and record lives of your loved ones in cross stitches. Think weddings, anniversaries or even a tribute to some forebears of yours.
The set of letters and numerals is included with the chart. If you have already bought the chart, contact us and we will email it to you.
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Love Never Fails
New set of letters and numerals | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs |
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Fun Ride, new by Barbara Ana
Girls just wanna have fun. And why not?
Brand new release by Barbara Ana, taking us on a new journey, away from it all. Guess who offered a ride?
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Rooster Ride | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs |
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Sisterhood, celebrated in stitches
Picture those little girls as you stitch, two sisters, close in age, maybe twins, sitting side by side with their work on their lap. They pick their yarns from the same sewing box. Each one is inspired by what the other is stitching, yet determined to do her own thing. Ideas flow, more motifs are cross stitched....
When completed, the two sisters' samplers are assembled into a single one, a lovely idea by Barbara Ana.
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Sisters | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs |
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More Sampler patterns by Barbara Ana Designs
>> see all sampler patterns by Barbara Ana Designs
A vision of the World, stitch by stitch
New by Barbara Ana, an exceptional Sampler!
Framed within the King James' Bible quote at the top of this Sampler is a vision of paradise, with celestial angels and shining planets and stars. Down below are the animals, and a profusion of plants and fruit. Adam and Eve stand under the Apple tree.
Barbara Ana offers her vision of an abundant world and the fateful moment Eve hands Adam the forbidden fruit.
All Creatures Great & Small
If you like The fall (see above), you might also like another of Barbara Ana's wonderful large-size samplers:
All Creatures Great & Small which also revolves around a quote of the Bible.
Another Bird flies in
New from Barbara Ana, an extraordinary bird in the designer's unique style. It fits a small roundish ditty bag and comes in a superb palette of warm terra cotta and turquoise blue against a chocolate brown background.
Birds of every feather Birds do indeed occupy a huge place in Barbara Ana's needlework. They are very often the central character, sometimes dramatically oversize. From tiny hummingbirds on a scissor fob to the most extraordinary birds of paradise, there is a wealth of cross stitch projects waiting for you: >> see all cross stitch patterns with Birds by Barbara Ana Designs | | The Raven | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs |
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Now available: the whole series of A New World, by Barbara Ana
Over the seas is the fifth and final part of this colorful sampler by Barbara Ana. It reads in 5 parts, like a story, each stitched on a different color linen band, then assembled. An exceptional cross stitch piece.
Here are all 5 episodes of The New World:
Strawberry season with Barbara Ana
New by Barbara Ana! It's time to harvest those strawberries. The fruit are all lined up neatly in a perfect pyramid, Quaker style, in contrast with the giant overhanging strawberry plants framing the picture.
More Quaker patterns by Barbara Ana
>> see all Quaker and Primitive patterns by Barbara Ana Designs
Welcome Spring!
Here's a cute idea for adding a little color to your life. Shared with us by Lydia, many thanks! It's a little phone case and it's sure to bring everyone a smile each time you take it out!
When stitching this kind of project take advantage of our handy fabric calculator. Each pattern page has a specific link that lets you calculate the size of the stitched area depending on the fabric use. No need to enter the number of stitches, it's all worked out automatically for you.
>> Welcome Spring by Barbara Ana Designs
Brand new releases by Barbara Ana Designs
We're delighted to announce that Barbara Ana has just released her two new patterns with superb and sophiticated color schemes.
More Easter Fun with Barbara Ana
December quiz: and the winners are...
Congratulations to Susan H. who found the right answer to our quiz question:
"How many birds are there in Barbara Ana's 'All Creatures Great and small' Sampler"?
If you count the weathercock, there are indeed 23 birds in the sampler, including blackbirds, owls, hens and chicks, and even a stork. Veronique B. came a close second. All winners received their Creative Poppy vouchers to spend on our website.
Picture this!
All Creatures Great and Small
New from Barbara Ana Designs!
When designer Barbara Ana set out to stitch a sampler illustrating these lovely verses, little did she know how far this would take her! There are more than one hundred different animals and various items in this extraordinary piece.
This sampler is certainly large in terms of size, but an easy, pleasant stitch, one item at a time. A bit addictive even. You'll find you want to finish one motif and get the next started straight away. The reward will definitely be worth the challenge!
Watch a video of this exceptional sampler
How better to view this sampler than "travelling inside" the stitched piece. Take a close look and zoom in to discover amazing detail of Barbara Ana's All Creatures Great and Small.
Click on the image to view the video on You Tube:
This is Creative Poppy's very first video release. Let us know if you like this format and we'll bring you some more!
All comments truly appreciated.
Come little bird, settle on my hand
Also new from Barbara Ana Designs, a charming new pattern that is stitched in a single color of floss. The fabric has been stained so as to give it a vintage feel. You can also make this design a unique piece by using you own favorite color, or overdyed thread. Or even "colour in" all the different parts of the design.
Tender Heart
If you like samplers, take a look at Polly Kirby. Designed by Barbara Ana in the manner of an antique, it devotes a large part to the carefully chosen words. We love the beautiful faded colors mixing turquoise and brown.
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Polly Kirby | | Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs |
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More Barbara Ana Samplers
All have Barbara Ana samplers have something out of the ordinary. Take a close look. What makes them so special? Maybe it's the choice of colors, maybe the quirky characters or the carefully chosen quotes. It's worth checking out for yourself. Click on the images for a closer view. >> see all cross stitch Samplers by Barbara Ana Designs | |  |
Here comes a messenger
New for Christmas by Barbara Ana Designs. This messenger has a little surprise for us!
Christmas Joy on a green background
Susan R. kindly sent us a picture of her latest project, a beautiful version of Barbara Ana's Chrismas Joy on green linen.
In the original piece stitched by Barbara Ana on Vintage Country Mocha from Zweigart, the white motifs blend softly in the background and the red motifs stand out by contrast.
In Susan's piece, the motif is stitched on green linen which emphasizes the white motifs in the background and the design turns out overall quite different. Below are the two versions side by side for you to compare. Aren't they both lovely? Congratulations Susan for stitching such a beautiful piece!
If you too have stitched an interesting variation on one of Barbara Ana's designs, do send us your pictures so we can share them with everyone. Many thanks!
More Christmas patterns by Barbara Ana
>> see all Christmas patterns by Barbara Ana Designs
Barbara Ana Designs: >> news continued
Samantha Purdy Textile
Tempting Tangles Designs
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Midnight (Tis the very witching...) 
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