patgeary

Secret Garden by Blackbird Designs

July 2, 2015 By patgeary

Secret Garden Necessity Box and Strawberry which is #20 in the Loose Feathers series is one of the charts (including fabric and floss) which I recently purchased from another stitcher. I don’t stitch on linen so I switched the fabric out for 16ct white Aida. I did use the included floss (Weeks Dye Works Turkish Red). These two pieces would be beautiful using any of the bright colored over dyed threads. It was a fairly quick stitch as I started June 21 and put the last stitches in this morning July 2nd.

For right now, it will go in the drawer of finished stitching but still to be finished until I decide what to do with it. On to the next item in my stitching rotation.

November 2019 I have had three of the Sudberry Key Racks for many years and decided this would fit perfectly. So i finished the red one and then decided to stitch a second one.

Secret Garden framed in the Sudberry Key Rack

Secret Garden stitched with Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe Ocean floss

Free Cross Stitch Charts

June 15, 2015 By patgeary

Occasionally the gals on the 123 Message Board point other stitchers to free cross stitch charts that are offered for our stitching pleasure. Here are some of the sites that offer legal free charts.

Better Cross Stitch

Better Cross Stitch – Cross stitch tips, articles and links. Free cross stitch patterns. One of the designs I particularly liked was one called Chrysanthemum and is pictured below:

Fabric: 14 count
Stitches: 300 x 230
Size: 21 3/8 x 16 3/8 in
Colors: 59 DMC colors

The charts are in pdf format and are available to print in either black and white or color. Personally, I prefer black and white as they are easier on my eyes. Take the time to explore that many different subjects that are offered.

EMS Cross Stitch Design

Ellen Maurer-Stroh is another designer who offers some free charts that I love. Her Project 2010 – Flower of the Month pictured below is a particular favorite.

You will need to register before you can download the free charts. Again, you can print them in either black and white or color. These are available in three different formats – pdf, PAT for PC Stitch and zipped for machine.

Brooks Books Publishing

Brook Nolen of Brooks Books Publishing offer a series called Advent Animals. The series consists of 25 little animals that can be stitched individually as ornaments or as a calendar. Use your imagination. As of today, 15 have been released. You can download any or all of them. You can see the first six pictured below.

Jardin Prive

Jardin Prive is a French designer who offers some beautiful designs for us to stitch. One of my favorites is offered in five parts as a Stitch A Long La Pensée Positive which is pictured below.

There are 5 separate charts available in several languages including English available for download as pdf’s.

Awake the Dawning Day

May 22, 2015 By patgeary

Awake the Dawning Day by Blackbird Designs has been kitted up with floss for some time while I tried to decide what fabric to use. Someone in the Fans of Blackbird Designs Facebook group suggested Picture This Plus Chime which I ordered in 28ct Lugana.

I am using a combination of the recommended threads with some DMC.

Design Size: 84w x 186h
Sampler Size: on 28ct 5 7/8 x13 1/4

Recommended Threads:

WDW Raspberry
WDW Pebble
WDW Mulberry
WDW Scuppernong
WDW Williamsburg Blue
WDW Red Pear
WDW Purple Haze
WDW Gold I am using DMC 729
WDW Moss

Started stitching May 13, 2015

Awake the Dawning Day by Blackbird Designs Progress: 5.30.2015

Progress June 13, 2015

Awake the Dawning Day by Blackbird Designs

Just put the final stitches in Awake the Dawning Day. Finished stitching June 20, 2015.

Awake the Dawning Day Finished

Finished and Framed.

Awake the Dawning Day by Blackbird Designs

For Those Recorded Here

May 15, 2015 By patgeary

Elizabeth Jane is chart #12 in the Anniversaries of the Heart series by Blackbird Designs and comes with a bonus pattern called “For Those Recorded Here.”

For Those Recorded Here by Blackbird Designs

Recently Louise Mae Glennon posted a picture of her finish where she had changed the colors of floss from the suggested pinks to shades of purple. I loved it and decided I would like to stitch it using the same colors.

Finished Piece with shades of Purple

Carrie’s Creations Threads used to stitch the piece

Carrie’s Creations threads used to stitch the house

Louise stitched hers on 32ct linen and the finished design measures approximately 5” x 9”. I will be using 28ct Monaco – my “go to” fabric. Just ordered the floss to stitch this! More to come once I receive the chart and floss.

The first three listed are the purples used for the flowers and borders (ie; purple, ultraviolet and aubergine) the colors bullfrog, and Olives were used for the leaves, chain links at top and vines.

The colors Toasted Marshmallow and Moose Drool were used for the flower icon in the upper left of design (tan color).

For the vase Carries Creation overdyed floss Dried Sage for the main color, for the top of the vase DMC #169, and for the checkered pattern in the vase Carries Creation overdyed Soot and DMC #543.

For the house Carries Creation overdyed Pina Colada for the main color, and Carries Creation overdyed Antique Gold for the roof and window panes. For the door steps and door DMC #169.
DMC #169 for the fence next to house.

For the patches of grass DMC #’s 3790, 832, and 3051.
For the birds Carries Creations overdyed Soot color.
For the anchor Carries Creations Green and Carries Creations winter wheat for the vine over it.

Moonlit Garden

April 6, 2015 By patgeary

When I first saw a picture of Moonlit Garden by Blackbird Designs posted as a stitched piece, I fell in love with the warm Autumn colors which are my favorites. I soon found it it was one of the much sought after out of print designs by Barb Adams and Alma Allen, the two women who are Blackbird Designs. I posted on the 123Stitch Message Board and looked on eBay but the price was always way to high. Once I joined the Fans of Blackbird Designs Facebook group, another stitcher offered to loan me the chart to stitch. I was ecstatic. It recently arrived in the mail along with Tulip Manor which I have already finished stitching. I ordered the floss and some fabric and now am ready to start.

Design size: 118w x134h
Recommended Fabric: 28ct or 30ct Broomstick Brown by R & R Reproductions

Floss Weeks Dye Works:

Straw 1121
Sweet Potato 2238
Havana 1230
Tiger’s Eye 1225
Chestnut 1269
Cognac 2242
Palomino 1232
Amber 1224

I chose to use the recommended floss but ordered a piece of 14ct "Sand Castle" Jobelan Aida 17” x 18” which allows 4” on each side.

Progress April 10, 2015

Moonlit Garden by Blackbird Designs.

Progress April 17, 2015

Moonlit Garden – Progress 4-17-2015

Finished April 30, 2015

Moonlit Garden by Blackbird Designs

Finished and Framed

Moonlit Garden by Blackbird Designs

Qsnap Cover a.k.a. Grime Guard Covers

March 27, 2015 By patgeary

I just this past year started using Qsnap frames to keep my fabric taut when stitching.

Q-Snap frames provide an alternative to traditional hoops and frames. Composed of PVC type tubes and corners, fabric can be draped over it and held in place by a "C"-shaped clamp on each side. ~ Is the Q-Snap Frame Better for Counted Cross Stitch?

I have various sizes of Qsnaps (both the name brand and those available from Michael’s Craft stores) that I use for the different sizes of fabric. You can also buy extensions to create even more sizes. You can try Making your own PVC lapstand by following these instructions.

Once you have placed your fabric within the Qsnap frame you can begin stitching BUT make sure you hands are clean to avoid getting stains on your fabric. Grime Gard Qsnap Covers can be used to keep your stitching clean and free of oils and other soiling. You can also tuck in the extra fabric to keep it out of your way while stitching with Q-snap frames. I have ordered the covers in various sizes to fit the frame configurations I use.

However, you may choose to make your own by following the tutorial written by Abbie’s Sewing & Stuff – Qsnap Cover a.k.a. Grime Guard Covers.

Tulip Manor by Blackbird Designs

March 19, 2015 By patgeary

Tulip Manor is another beautiful chart by the ladies from Blackbird Designs that is unfortunately out of print. So many of there charts are and go for such a high price on eBay that unless you are rich, you have no hope of winning the bid on them. Thankfully, there are stitchers who are willing to loan their original charts out so others have a chance to stitch them. I was luck enough to find another stitcher who was willing to loan Tulip Manor to me.

Fabric

The recommended fabric is 28ct Goldfinch from R & R Reproductions. I chose to use my favorite fabric to stitch on 28ct antique white Monaco.

Floss – Gentle Arts Sampler Thread and Weeks Dye Works

WDW Brick
WDW Peach
WDW Rum Raisin
GAST Flax
GAST Cornhusk
WDW Hibiscus
WDW Caper
WDW Bright Leaf
WDW Schneckley

NOTE: No DMC conversion is included

Progress March 24, 2015

Tulip Garden by Blackbird Designs

Finished March 28, 2015

Tulip Manor by Blackbird Designs

Now to mail it off to Jill Rensel for framing.

The beautiful finished piece by Jill and Amber.

Tulip Manor framed by Jill and Amber of Rensel Studios.

Photo to Cross Stitch

February 28, 2015 By patgeary

Quite often in the various cross stitch forums, the question comes up on how to convert a photo to cross stitch. The one that is recommended most often – and is free – is PIC 2 PAT

In three simple steps you will transform a picture into a beautiful cross stitch chart. The chart can be downloaded to your computer where you can print and store it. If you want to print the pattern again at a later date, there is no need to go to the website again, because the design is stored on locally on your computer.

So let’s get started.

Step 1: Select the photo you want to use. Pic 2 Pat can process almost all image formats. The maximum file size is 4 MB. By pressing the Browse button, you can browse through your pictures (on your computer) to find the correct file. For this example, I am going to use a color photo of my husband taken on his 100th birthday.

Click the Next button and your image will be loaded to the server.

Step 2: Pic 2 Pat can generate cross stitch patterns from a few inches to several feet. Select your preferences for the brand of the floss you want to use (DMC, Anchor, Madeira, or Venus), the stitch count, and the desired size.

I chose DMC, 16 stitches per inch, and 5.7 by 8 inches. Click the next button.

Step 3: After pressing the Next button, Pic 2 Pat will show you a number of cross stitch patterns. You can select the pattern which best matches your wishes. The pictures are shown with the most colors used first down to the least number of colors used. In the case of the above image, I was offered 20 some pictures to choose from. The first one used 79 different colors, the last one used only 6 colors. I selected the one that used 79 colors.

You will be given the opportunity to save the chart to your computer. The chart will include a color picture, the actual chart, and the color list of floss you will need.

The color picture converted to cross stitch

The actual chart for stitching

Color Key for stitching.

All that is left is to select your fabric, gather your threads and begin stitching. Check out PIC 2 PAT and give it a try.

Seeds of Freedom by Silver Creek Samplers

February 23, 2015 By patgeary

Many of you know that my husband has been very involved with two Civil War Organizations. First, he was the Executive Director of Virginia’s Civil War Centennial Celebration and after that job ended, he went on to be the first Director of the New Market Battlefield State Historical Park.

When I first saw the chart, Seeds of Freedom by Silver Creek Samplers, I knew I wanted to stitch it for him. The recommended fabric was 32 ct. Golden Harvest Lugana from Silkweavers. I tried to order it but it was delayed for such a long period of time, I finally cancelled the order. I chose instead 16ct Chocolate Milk Aida from Hand Dyed Fabrics by Stephanie.

I am using the recommended floss which is a mixture of Weeks Dye Works and Gentle Arts Sampler Threads.

WDW Crimson #3860 (2 skeins)
WDW Citronella #2210
WDW Seaweed #2159
WDW Graphite #1154
WDW Pebble #1151
WDW Michael’s Navy #1309
WDW Grape Vine #1273
WDW Chestnut #1269
WDW Cocoa #1233
GAST Honeydew
GAST Onyx
GAST Grasshopper
GAST Chives
GAST Banker’s Grey (2 skeins)
GAST Wheat Fields
GAST Portabella
GAST Baked Clay

The Stitch count is 94 x 242.

Progress March 11, 2015

Seeds of Freedom by Blackbird Designs

Not even half way finished and already ran out of WDW Crimson so need to order more. I will make note of any that you need more than one of as I go along.

I had to move the QSnaps this morning so decided it was a good time to take a pix of my progress. The empty space needs Crimson to stitch so that will have to wait.

Seeds of Freedom by Silver Creek Samplers

Finished Stitching April 13, 2015

Seeds of Freedom by Silver Creek Samplers

And here it is framed.

Seeds of Freedom framed.

And to All a Good Night

February 15, 2015 By patgeary

And to All a Goodnight (Loose Feathers #11) is another beautiful design by Barb Adams and Alma Allen, the two ladies who are Blackbird Designs. It is another chart that is Out or Print and very difficult to find at a reasonable price. Another stitcher on the 123Stitch Message Board loaned it to me.

Stitch Count: 61w x 184
Recommended Fabric: 28ct or 30ct Dark Cappuccino by R & R Reproductions. I chose to use 16ct Lambswool Aida instead.

Recommended Floss:

GAST Sarsaparilla
GAST Cherry Bark
GAST Dried Thyme
GAST Brandy
WDW Oak
WDW Angel Hair
GAST Chamomile
GAST Raspberry Parfait
WDW Pelican Grey – I substituted DMC 645
WDW Carrot

Started Stitching: February 14 2015

Progress February 19, 2015

And To All A Goodnight by Blackbird Designs

Progress February 22, 2015

And to all a Goodnight by Blackbird Designs

I’m getting really tired of the color raspberry parfait and the bricks on the house BUT that part is finished. Still need to fill in between the bricks but almost there.

Finished stitching February 26, 2015

And To All A Goodnight by Blackbird Designs

Framed –