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6:39 PM | Labels: Cross Stitch

Web 2.0, including social networking sites, online forums and message boards, allow more open communication online than ever available. Friendships are formed and information is shared. Stitchers have the opportunity to learn from more advanced crafters in cross stitch patterns forums, and it gives you the opportunity to share your knowledge with others.

There are a variety of different cross stitch forums available to people online. A few cross stitch magazines host an online forum where members can share patterns, ask technique questions, and offer links to the best pattern websites.

The only downfall to the forums is that spending time reading and answering the different threads takes away from the time that you would be spending stitching.

Common categories on cross stitch patterns forums include: a trading section, an area to show-off your work, an area to ask questions, and an area to post links to patterns. Often people visiting cross stitching forums are seeking help to locate a hard-to-find pattern, and the experienced cross stitchers can point them in the right direction.

Like-minded people visit forums when they would like to discuss cross stitch dilemmas. It is unlikely you’ll find people to talk about cross stitching with when you’re at the company picnic or at a business dinner party. When you’re on a cross stitch patterns forum, however, you’ll be able to talk and discuss your favorite hobby and no one will think you’re strange!

Scheduling a certain time of day, or day of the week, to visit a forum is one way to have time for stitching while enjoying the camaraderie of the forum. Another way to limit your forum time is to limit the responses you make or the questions you ask. If you’re not careful, you may find you’re trying to find a pattern for someone else when you should be stitching on your own project.

Once you have browsed the cross stitch patterns forums and chosen one that interests you, don’t be afraid to jump right in on a conversation. The first post on a new message board can sometimes be intimidating, but you will soon discover that you fit right in with your fellow cross stitchers. It is the common interest that builds the relationships.

6:38 PM | Labels: Cross Stitch

A gift for a dance instructor. A fun project for your child who has a love of dance. A way to decorate a child’s room. With a ballet cross stitch motif, you’ll find a great way to combine a love for cross stitching with a love for ballet dancing.

Many different designs and themes exist when it comes to ballet cross stitch. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced cross stitcher, you can find patterns and graphs online that perfectly suit your tastes and skill level.

Whether it is holiday gift-giving time or a birthday or just because, creating a cross stitch piece for a ballet dance teacher is an excellent way to show you are thankful for her investment in your child’s life. Ballet cross stitch is a unique gift idea that the teacher will cherish for years to come.

There is a wide variety of ideas for creating a gift for a dance teacher. There are sampler ideas combining quotes, dates of a recital or other written information. Dancer ideas include ballet shoes or different ballerina poses.

Allow your child to choose just the right cross stitch pattern for the teacher’s gift, even if there’s no occasion for a gift. With your guidance, you can help your child learn to love cross stitching as much as she loves dancing. Taking the time to cross stitch together will strengthen your relationship as well as give you an opportunity to teach something that’s meaningful to you.

For the child who wants a ballet themed room, cross stitching artwork for the room can add that special touch. Cross stitch an acrostic using the word “Ballet” or cross stitch ballerinas in various poses. The choices are endless and the child will be thrilled with the unique look for his or her room.

Combining hobbies with ballet cross stitch motifs are a great way to get your child involved in two different activities and teach them to display an appreciation for dance. The items can then be used as extra special dcor or great gifts.

6:38 PM | Labels: Cross Stitch

A gift for a dance instructor. A fun project for your child who has a love of dance. A way to decorate a child’s room. With a ballet cross stitch motif, you’ll find a great way to combine a love for cross stitching with a love for ballet dancing.

Ballet cross stitch patterns offer a wide variety of themes and designs for beginner, intermediate and advanced crafters. Many patterns and graphs can be found online or purchased that match tastes and skill levels.

It is always hard to find a unique gift for a ballet teacher, but creating something special for a holiday, recital, birthday or for no reason at all is a great way to show appreciation to the work they’ve done for your child. Your ballet cross stitch is something the teacher will keep and cherish.

There is a wide variety of ideas for creating a gift for a dance teacher. There are sampler ideas combining quotes, dates of a recital or other written information. Dancer ideas include ballet shoes or different ballerina poses.

Cross stitch projects are a great way to get your child involved in crafts. They can create gifts for their favorite ballet teacher or simply create something for themselves. Doing crafts together is a great way to teach your child a new skill and bond at the same time.

Ballet themed dcor is a great way to use your cross stitching talent to create a special room for your son or daughter. You can cross stitch on large pieces of fabric or cross stitch smaller pieces that can be framed. Use alphabet patterns for words like “ballet” or “dance” or do dancers in different poses. The room design will be one of a kind.

Combining hobbies with ballet cross stitch motifs are a great way to get your child involved in two different activities and teach them to display an appreciation for dance. The items can then be used as extra special dcor or great gifts.

6:37 PM | Labels: Cross Stitch

Can’t wait to get started stitching a cross stitch project? Well, before you find yourself in over your head, take some time to learn the basics. If you are a cross stitch beginner, don’t start out by taking on a project that’s too complicated for you. Pick a pattern that’s suitable for your skill level. Start out with something easy, and then work your way up to the more complicated patterns.

You need to be aware as someone starting out as a cross stitch beginner you need to master the basic elements of the craft first. Thankfully, websites exist that can help you learn how to cross stitch correctly so that you can create beautiful keepsakes. One such website is:

www(dot)yarntree(dot)com/007begin(dot)htm What a fun site this is. There’s a cross stitch chart on this site that’s free and comes with the directions you need to stitch the pattern. Moreover, the site lists what items you need to buy if you’re new to cross stitch. As you explore, you’ll discover information on lots of cross stitch topics. You can learn about such topics as fabric choices and how you make your first stitches. Even more advanced stitchers can find something of interest here.

www(dot)caron-net(dot)com/patguide(dot)html Even if you are no longer a cross stitch beginner, you’ll find this second site helpful. The site contains a wealth of cross stitch information. You can find tips about specific stitches, suggestions when it comes to fabric choices, and ideas on the best way to use various flosses. Moreover, every few weeks more information is added, so this is a site you’ll want to visit on a regular basis.

So, my lovely converts to the art of cross stitch, now you know what you are doing you need something to do and that means finding some basic but pretty little patterns. There are thousands of patterns everywhere you look on the internet however many are not suitable for your first time out—trust me! So where do you go for some great beginners patterns?

Well I suggest www(dot)cross-stitch-academy(dot)com/beginners/beginners(dot)html as your first stop. Here you can find eight great little patterns that include the chart, a picture of the finished design (which is always helpful) and an easy to understand floss chart. Each of the eight designs are explained step by step and color by color until the last stitches are made which is an absolutely fantastic way to show a beginner.

What’s nice about this site is that you can find all sorts of patterns, including a pretty border, some holiday patterns, and lovely flowers. Even children who are just learning to stitch will be able to follow these patterns. If you’re no longer a beginning stitcher, you’ll find patterns for you on the site as well. These patterns, like the ones for beginners, include easy-to-follow instructions.

If you’re interested in finding other patterns for a cross stitch beginner, go to www(dot)dltk-kids(dot)com/type/crossstitch(dot)htm and explore your choices. Although the site is set up for children, it’s loaded with great patterns for beginners. If you wander around the site, you’re bound to find something you like.

If you’re an animal lover, you’ll find patterns for a chicken, a cat, a dog, a frog, a ladybug, and even a cute turtle. This site also has delightful holiday patterns and pretty patterns for the seasons. Each pattern can be printed and comes with directions and an explanation of the floss required.

Each cross stitch beginner should be encouraged and congratulated for taking the first step in the long journey to becoming a master stitcher. Be warned though—once you start, you just can’t seem to stop!

6:36 PM | Labels: Cross Stitch

Don’t you just love sending a special cross stitch gift to a friend? A card you’ve stitched is a great way to mark special occasions and holidays. Your friends are probably thrilled when they receive your cards and admire them for quite some time. Sadly, though, eventually the cards end up tucked away inside cabinets and drawers. Instead of a card, you may want to create a personalised bookmark the next time a special person in your life celebrates an occasion.

Think about the possibilities. Not only can a cross stitch bookmark carry a personalized message just like a card can, but it also will be used time and again. Moreover, your friends will think of you each time they settle down with a good book. What better way to be remembered?

Like any other stitching project, you’ll want to consider a few suggestions before you begin creating your gifts.

Firstly, your chosen design should have a great appeal for the recipient. What is the favorite color of this person? A favorite flower? A hobby? You can make the bookmark with these things in mind. Do remember that this will be a quick project, however. A cross stitch bookmark is small, and therefore, you will not be able to incorporate every aspect of the person’s likes and dislikes into this design. If your friend has lots of interests, you may consider what he or she most enjoys reading about.

Want a way to nudge children to read? How about presenting them with their own custom bookmark featuring a beloved character?

A bookmark kit may be the best way for you to get started. A kit contains everything you’ll need. Inside the kit you’ll find instructions, thread in the amount and colors you’ll need, and cross stitch material. Keep the instructions so you can use them the next time you create a cross stitch bookmark. When choosing a kit, look for a pattern that matches the interests of the person your gift is for.

As a general rule, a bookmark is tall and narrow. It should slip easily between the pages of a book. Don’t use floss that is thick or fuzzy, since this could make it difficult to close the book. When you’re determining the exact dimensions for your bookmark, give some thought to the reading choices of your friend. If your friend reads hardcovers, create a longer bookmark than if he or she prefers paperbacks. Generally, you’ll want the finished bookmark to be no longer than nine inches but no shorter than six inches (15 to 22cm). Regarding the width, many stitchers prefer to keep the bookmark around two and a half inches (6.5cm).

When you’re ready to start, measure and cut the aida or evenweave material. Since you don’t want the fabric to fray, cover the edges with a pretty piece of ribbon or edge binding. One cute technique some stitchers use is to create a fringed edge on the bookmark. You do this by cutting a piece of fabric larger than the intended bookmark and then carefully fraying around each side. You’ll want the frayed edges to be the same length. To prevent the fraying from continuing once you’re done creating the fringe, use an anti-fray glue or spray.

As for the design, you can either pick a small design from a magazine or book, or if you are feeling adventurous, you can try drawing your own design. To do this, you will need a page of graph paper, with every square corresponding to a potential stitch. Make sure that you leave a small gap between the edge of your design and the edge of the fabric.

Stitch the bookmark as neatly as you are able to, and when you have finished, stitch a piece of ribbon to hide the back of the work. Make sure that there are no lumps or bumps of thread on the back of your work, as this will show as a bulge through the ribbon. You will also want the ribbon to stick evenly to the bookmark.

You can add extra appeal to your bookmark by doing things such as making the bottom edge a triangle. A tassel, perhaps even with a few beads, dangling off this triangle-shaped end will be very attractive.

Do not forget to iron the finished bookmark carefully, between two towels, so that it does not become overheated.

Once you have experimented with making one bookmark, you will be surprised how easy the next ones will be—and how quickly you will complete these projects.

Any friend or family member is bound to love the cross stitch bookmark you make for them. Plus, unlike a card, your personalized bookmark will be treasured and used often, perhaps for many years to come.

6:36 PM | Labels: Cross Stitch

Cross stitch embroidery is a popular hobby. Today’s designers produce counted cross stitch patterns on such a bewildering array of subjects and themes that it can be tricky finding the right one for your next project. Even if you narrow it down, to let’s say “flowers”, there are still hundreds, if not thousands, to choose from.

Let’s say you wish to embroider a floral tablecloth. There is yet another choice to make before you can start stitching. Are you looking for counted cross stitch or a cloth with a pre-printed pattern stamped onto it?

Personally I only tackled one stamped cross stitch project before I wanted something more challenging. My tablecloth had blue crosses printed on the fabric and a guide that showed me which color to use for each cross. Other printed cross stitch projects are worked on Aida and have some background areas printed in full color leaving other sections to be stitched.

Counted cross stitch patterns are worked from a chart, where each symbol represents a different colored thread. They are stitched on evenweave fabric ensuring that each stitch will be the same size as its neighbours and aligned perfectly. Large counted designs can include intricate details that require careful counting to avoid mistakes.

Another creative benefit to counted cross stitch patterns is that you can create patterns that look exactly the way you want them to. You can personalize projects this way. Simply by changing some of the colors, or taking items from individual patterns and putting them together, you can make a whole new pattern. This is useful when making gifts or trying to match the dcor of the room the piece will be displayed in. Modifying patterns is also useful in many other situations.

Finding just the right cross stitch pattern can also be frustrating; however it doesn’t have to be. Take the opportunity to stop by your local craft store or discount store. Begin by looking to see what kits they have available.

If you don’t find what you like, check out what’s available on the internet. You may be able to find just what you’re looking for. Start by searching for a favorite artist such as Claude Monet or Vince Van Gogh; or, if you prefer modern artists like Thomas Kinkade. Cross stitch patterns are available by these artists and many more.

I hope that I have shown you ways to narrow the choice from the myriad counted cross stitch patterns available. Finding the right one for you should be as enjoyable as the actual stitching not a source of frustration. Of course, if all else fails, you could always try designing your own!

6:35 PM | Labels: Cross Stitch

Almost everyone loves roses. This pretty flower comes in a variety of colors and adds beauty to any garden. When it comes to flowers, the rose is Queen. Because there are so many types of roses, choosing a favorite can be a challenge. If you or someone close to you loves roses, you should consider stitching a cross stitch rose pattern. This pattern can truly capture the wonder of this popular flower.

It has even been said that the rose provides a metaphor for life itself. Traditionally, they have thorny stems that rise to fragrant blossoms, indicating that if you struggle with problems you will eventually discover peace, harmony and beauty.

You’ll be able to find the perfect cross stitch rose pattern with a little exploration. The patterns available include everything from standard rose bouquets to modern rose patterns by artists such as Rennie Mackintosh. You’ll even find Art Deco rose designs. The choices may seen overwhelming at first, but consider the likes and dislikes of the recipient. Also, don’t overlook the symbolic meaning of the various types of roses.

Aphrodite and Venus were two Greek goddesses of love. Roses were used to identify these lovely ladies. Another tradition involving roses comes from Italy. To tell others that a confidential meeting was taking places, roses were put on the room’s door. This tradition produced the term ‘sub rosa’ because the meeting was taking place ‘under the rose,’ which in turn meant a secret was being kept.

Christians also felt roses had symbolic meaning. Roses have five petals, and those petals represented Christ’s five wounds. In addition, red roses were said to be symbolic of the blood that flowed from martyrs for Christianity.

The rose is a symbol of many cultures too. It is the national flower of England and the USA. The red rose is considered to be symbolic of socialism and social democracy. They are also used in heraldry and coats of arms. In England, The War of the Roses took place between the House of Lancaster, whose heraldic badge contained a red rose, and the House of York, who was represented by a white rose.

Flowers are thought to have meanings, and roses are no exception.

* Red roses depict love for most people. A red rosebud symbolizes something beautiful and pure. Moreover, if the red rose is devoid of thorns, it represents love discovered at first sight.

* A yellow rose means platonic love, friendship and joy. It can also symbolise new beginnings. If the yellow rose has red tips, this could indicate falling in love. Beware of yellow roses in German speaking countries. Here, they mean infidelity and jealousy.

* Pink roses are suitable when you appreciate the actions of another. If the pink is dark, then the rose symbolizes being grateful to another person. At the other end of the spectrum, light or pale pink roses convey being sympathetic toward the other person.

* Peach and orange roses can be given to woo someone. They’re symbolic of sensuality, desire, passion, and fascination.

* A white rose symbolises purity and innocence, especially in white rosebud form. Typically, a bride will choose white roses; this may be interpreted as a new start in life. A white rose can also indicate reverence, humility and friendship.

Finding the perfect cross stitch rose pattern sometimes is a little difficult. You may find a design you like, but the color of the roses may be all wrong. The solution to this dilemma is easy. Simply change the color of the roses.

Here are some tips to help you:

* If you substitute some colored threads from a kit, do use the same brand of threads to that which you are discarding. There are subtle but important differences between different brands and types of thread.

* The shading of the roses will vary. You’ll want to buy several shades of the same color. By having subtle shading, your roses will appear much more realistic.

* Craft shops can be a huge help when you’re deciding what threads you’ll need. You’ll be able to test the threads by putting them next to each other. This way, you can guarantee that the finished flowers will look great. As you decide which colors to use, don’t forget about the other colors in your cross stitch rose pattern. You’ll want to consider the material and any other stitching that will appear in the pattern.

If you consider the information above, you will be assured of choosing a great project—and much appreciated gift for that special someone.

6:26 PM | Labels: Cross Stitch

The Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling has been a force to reckon with in the literary field ever since “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” debuted in 1997. There hasn’t been very much in the way of crafts related to the series, although a few book and movie fans have created some of their own Harry Potter cross stitch kits.

On cross stitch forums across the internet, you’re likely to find people asking about Harry Potter cross stitch kits. They may even ask if anyone has created cross stitch patterns of their own, just to meet this desire for anything having to do with the popular book and movie series. Since there is such an outcry by Harry Potter cross stitch enthusiasts for patterns and kits, will there be a cross stitch kit manufacturer to step up to the plate and make them?

One person loved the series enough to create her own charts to be used for knitting and crocheting afghans. These patterns while not specifically made for cross stitch, could probably still be used to stitch a wonderful finished piece. By doing a general search on the Internet, I’m sure you would be able to find these graphs and patterns and maybe even join a group or two to share your love of Harry Potter craft projects, as well as just your interest in the series in general.

There are actually quite a few Harry Potter groups in the Internet crafting world. You must register for these groups before you can read or post anything. However, the plus sides to joining are that it’s free, and it’s a great way to maybe discover new patterns that you didn’t know existed. People on these groups are usually really friendly, and it’s a remarkable way to connect people from everywhere in the world by bringing them together to discuss their common interest. It’s amazing to see how many people share the same love for Harry Potter.

Within the Yahoo Harry Potter Crafts group, you will find a link to “The Leaky Cauldron,” a Harry Potter-themed web site. Forum members have posted craft patterns for plastic canvas that can be adapted to cross stitch. In addition, there are patterns for knit and crochet on this forum. However, although the designs are creative, the patterns might not satisfy many avid cross stitchers.

Cross Stitch Direct, a cross stitch company based out of Bromsgrove, UK, has had access to a Harry Potter cross stitch booklet produced by Mango Practique (written by Frdrique Deviller). This booklet has over 60 counted cross stitch patterns, but it is not a cross stitch kit. It is quite possible the book is no longer in print and on many forums they are regarded as being rare.

Most people would prefer an actual kit to work from as everything they need would be included. At this point, there have not been any authorized kits available. Several people have created Harry Potter cross stitch kits and have sold them on eBay. So, this might be the only option you have if you seek an actual Harry Potter cross stitch kit.