Counted Cross Stitch, Part 4

Finished my little counted cross stitch monogram project. I think it's very cute and just need to find the perfect frame for it.

And I started on another cross stitch project. This time the whole alphabet – woohoo! Here is a screenshot:

Love making these in PhotoShop...so simple.

I was thinking maybe red on white but ended up using my ecru aida stash with some navy and a lighter blue.

Sashiko

I wasn't planning on posting today but I checked out my Bloglines and noticed that The Purl Bee has a tutorial on Sashiko! It's like they're reading my mind! And I love The Purl Bee's very clearly written tutorials -- and they have a ton. Now I guess I'll have to give Sashiko a real go.

And I'd also like to thank Peg at Ivy Arts for saying such nice things about my little Using PhotoShop to Aid in Quilting post. Her quilt is coming out great. I love the bright colors she is using...I keep going back to her blog just to look at this particular block.

Counted Cross Stitch, Part 3

I started my cross stitch "C" monogram and I'm loving it. I'm thinking of placing it in a round frame if I can find one I like. Maybe something like this:Hey, we're Irish. What can I say?


More embroidery goodness:
- Feeling Stitchy has a nice French Knot tutorial.
- Incywincy has some damn cute French knot sheep.

And some books on my wish list:

From left to right:
The Ultimate Sashiko Sourcebook by Susan Briscoe
The Cross Stitcher's Bible by Jane Greenoff
Small Scale Embroidery: In Cross Stitch and Other Techniques by Brenda Keyes
Elegance: Exquisite Doily Patterns Charted for Cross-Stitch by Annette Bradshaw and Gwyn Franson
Traditional Samplers by Brenda Keyes

I'll see how long this embroidery interest lasts before I invest in a new library though!

Counted Cross Stitch, Part 2

I did it! After lamenting that I had yet another project idea, I searched online for some patterns to make a simple monogram and boarder. And then I used the grid in PhotoShop as my base and created a cross stitch pattern of a "C" monogram.


I found my very old stash of aida cloth and some floss so I'm all set to start this very small, very simple cross stitch project.

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The monogram is the Traditional Alphabet Sampler PDF free from DMC.
The corner flowers came from this pattern.
And I designed the other boarder myself.
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Counted Cross Stitch

It must be true that most 'crafters' have a very long wish list of projects and techniques they would like to do or try. My problem is my list is sooooooo long and I feel like I have very, very little to show for it. Especially in comparison to the creative output I see on blogs and Flicker. I need to stop dreaming and get doing!

My latest mini-obsession -but-haven't -done-anything -about-it is with counted cross stitch. I loved working on the cross stitch kits when I was a kid and then again about 10 years ago I attempted a Father Christmas kit...far too cumbersome! That miss-counted cross stitch project is now in a shoe box in the attic.

I've been seeing some very elegant and simple patterns that I'd like to try (ones without cuss words). Maybe a sampler. Maybe even some Sashiko. Maybe some monograms with boarders, matted and framed for Christmas gifts next year...hum...I'll add that to the craft list.

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The image above is from www.subversivecrossstitch.com.
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