About.com Cross-Stitch

Free Thanksgiving Pattern Collection

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:00:33 +0000

What are your plans for Thanksgiving? (That is, if you are celebrating.) My husband is off work this year, and I am planning a simple meal. I am following a new "lifestyle plan" (sounds better than diet), so I will be having turkey, but not quite all the trimmings. My husband is looking forward to our next holiday meal, when I promised to break my plan for the day!

Here's a last minute pattern set for "Turkey Day" or "Tofurkey Day" if you prefer. The Thanksgiving Pattern Collection has several elements. First, there are Pumpkin Corner motifs. They will be great for bread cloths, napkins, or other decorations. Then there is a Pumpkin Border - use it to chart sayings with the Thankful Alphabet included in the set. Finally, I have charted a saying from Psalm 100:4 as an example of how the border may be used.

If you won't have time to stitch these before your holiday celebration this year, there's always next year! Make several of the sayings to give as gifts or stitch the borders alone to make candle mats for friends. As always, if you stitch any of these designs, submit a photo of them for the About.com Cross Stitch Photo Album.

_{Stay up-to-date with when free patterns and articles are added to About.com Cross Stitch. Subscribe to the About.com Cross Stitch Newsletter today.}

Free Thanksgiving Pattern Collection originally appeared on About.com Cross-Stitch on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 06:00:33.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Crafty Bloggers This Week

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:48:26 +0000

All sorts of fun crafty activities going on in the crafty blogosphere this week:

The Crochet Dude
Drew kicks off the holiday season with a crochet pattern event.
About Family Crafts
Do you play with clay? If so, please take a moment and share your favorite stories, projects, recipes, techniques, and more.
The Impatient Crafter
In this week's teen crafts blog for iLoveToCreate Madge makes a stunning mixed media necklace. You might just want to sport this one yourself.
Aileen's Musings
Aileen is offering Vintage freebie images for you to download and use in your art. Get started on those digi holiday cards using some of them.
The Artful Crafter
Check out Eileen's latest craft finds: lots of free stuff and free advice - well that's usually free, isn't it?
Cathie Filian
Cathie has lots of Thanksgiving recipes, crafts and family activities posted. Plus tips for a smooth Thanksgiving!
Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
Sweater Surgery attacks t-shirts and cuts them up into some cute gathered tops with the help of Generation-T Beyond Fashion.
Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi has finished a second Garden Quilt and is offering her tutorial!
Craftside
Over at Craftside you can enter to win a Mixed-Media Doll by Linda O'Brien, Co-author of Who's Your Dada?, download a free intricate leaf paper cutting pattern, get a fun how-to on making a paper cupcake and a pretty pair of fall leaf earrings.
Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style
Linda shares one of the first quilts she designed and tells the first of many stories about lessons learned.
Crafty Princess Diaries
Mix up altered books, glitter, and teenagers, shake well, and voila! You have a fun day of art combined with writing.

Crafty Bloggers This Week originally appeared on About.com Cross-Stitch on Saturday, November 21st, 2009 at 20:48:26.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Don't Forget the Saturday Stitchathon!

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:00:26 +0000

Don't forget that November 21, 2009 is our first Stitchathon in the About.com Cross Stitch Forum. Some stitchers have big plans for tomorrow - I know a few are set up to have a Lord of the Rings Marathon at the same time. Even if you can't stitch all day, drop in for a bit.

Don't miss the excitement! But, if you can't stitch with us on Nov. 21, remember that we are having Tuesday Night Stitchalongs too. So many stitchers are making so much progress on former UFOs that is it amazing!

Find out more about both of these opportunities as you Come Stitch With Us!

Don't Forget the Saturday Stitchathon! originally appeared on About.com Cross-Stitch on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 16:00:26.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Make It Merry Week Three

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:00:16 +0000

Welcome to another edition of Make it Merry, where talented crafters share their holiday how-to's.

Advent Candy Tree
Everyone loves counting down to the holidays...add candy to the mix and you've got a fun Advent calendar from Sherri Osborn for the whole family to enjoy.

Pumpkin Cross Stitch Pattern
Use a variegated floss to make a swirling pumpkin that would look great near the Thanksgiving table. Connie G. Barwick (hey, that's me!) has the free pattern.

Knit Wreath Ornament
Scrap knitting makes for fun quick projects that are perfect for any skill level. Sarah E. White has the instructions for this cute wreath.

Miniature Glitter Houses
Snowy villages look great upon every mantle and tabletop. Lesley Shepherd has a free printable so you can make your own tiny houses.

Paper Bead Star Ornament
If you're looking for something a little different to do with your paper beads then take a look at this paper bead star. This project is simple to adapt in a wide variety of ways.

Rustic Pillar Candles
'Tis the season for running out to buy candles. David Fisher will show you how to make these festive pillar candles with the perfect finish.

Pear Diamonds Painted Card
This card has an intricate finish, but it is so easy to make. Tina Jones shows us how to create this colorful card from start to finish.

Christmas Apron Pattern
Just because you've got to bake cookies for the whole family doesn't mean you can't look fabulous! Phyllis Dobbs has created this adorable holiday apron, and she's got the free pattern just for you.

Flower Petal Ornament Cover
Sometimes those plain ornaments just need a little dressing up. Tammy Powley will show you how to use seed beads to create this unique ornament drapery.

Paint a Christmas Tree
Instead of paying a premium for a colored tree, Barbara Crews will show us how to paint your tree red to match the latest holiday trends.

Want to Join Make it Merry to show off your holiday crafts? We will showcase your crafts and recipes of all holiday traditions. Learn more.

Make It Merry Week Three originally appeared on About.com Cross-Stitch on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 06:00:16.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Carrol Nielsen's Christmas Cross Stitch Designs

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:00:16 +0000

Carrol Nielsen of Carrol Nielsen's Christmas Designs says that, "It seems like I have had a needle and thread in hand since a very young age and I often joke that my family wouldn't recognize me without it." Carrol hails from the "Land Down Under" and it has a definite influence on her stitching as you can see here!

Photo � Carrol Nielsen's Christmas Designs

Carrol's designs are dominated by Koalas. Koalas for Christmas, baby samplers, and they just keep popping up everywhere. Carrol says, "When I was a kid I just couldn't draw a koala. My grandmother was in love with koalas and I have her in several photos having a koala cuddle on her visits to Australia...." Learn more about Carrol Nielsen's Christmas Cross Stitch Designs.

Carrol Nielsen's Christmas Cross Stitch Designs originally appeared on About.com Cross-Stitch on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 06:00:16.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Photo of the Week - Father Sun Project

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:00:07 +0000

Not only is this project gorgeous, it only took X_Woman a month to stitch it! She says, "Hey, what can I say? I love cross stitch!" Read more.

The design is by Joan Elliot, from her book Bewitching Cross Stitch.

Photo © X_woman

Cross Stitch Photo Albums
Submit a Photo

I never seem to keep my posts completely wordless, but here are more blogs posts featuring photos on Wordless Wednesday at About.com.

_{Follow About.com Cross Stitch on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.}

Photo of the Week - Father Sun Project originally appeared on About.com Cross-Stitch on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 06:00:07.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Etsy Coolness

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:00:18 +0000

I have been spending some time browsing on Etsy this week and wanted to share some of the cool things I found. These are all finished items - if you are running short on time and still want to give hand-made gifts, Etsy and other sites like it may solve your time-crunch issues.

Leather Zip Pouch From CruzDesigns, this cute little pouch will make a great coin purse. If I hadn't already exceeded my Etsy budget for the month, I would buy it for myself!
Belle of the Barbeque Hostess Apron From lesjardinsdevie, this awesome apron includes a cross-stitched border. Lovely and practical gift! I can just see my mom wearing it.
Robot Family Baby Announcement Sampler From misofunky, this birth announcement is so cute that I want to buy one and I don't have a baby of my own. It is great for nerds who propagate the species!

Have you found a great deal on Etsy, Artfire or other handmade focused website? Let us know about it using the comments section below.

Etsy Coolness originally appeared on About.com Cross-Stitch on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 06:00:18.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Which Supply is Your Weakness?

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:40:04 +0000

I am a complete floss addict. If you could see my craft room, you would know that there is no debating that statement. I have storage boxes full of various brands and types of flossses. I love trying out new-to-me brands and types.

I am also a bit of a fabric addict too. If I see fabric on clearance or find it on a "deal" I will order it in multiple quantities.

Which supply is your weakness? Are you a fiber addict, a fabric fancier, a needle nut, or what? Vote in the poll and let us know and use the comments section to share your stories about your supply weaknesses.

Which Supply is Your Weakness? originally appeared on About.com Cross-Stitch on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 09:40:04.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

What a Cute Little Lamb

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:00:46 +0000

When I was a child, my favorite toy was a little lamb that played "Jesus Loves Me" when it was wound up. I loved that lamb to death - I mean it literally fell apart. I had the classic speech difficulty of saying W sounds for L sounds. So I was always talking about my "Wittwe Wamb" My mom would practice with me - Lollipop over and over again. I would say Lollipop perfectly but continued to say "Wittwe Wamb" I think she didn't understand that "Wittwe Wamb" was his name!

When I saw Lesley Shepherd's miniature lamb needlework pattern, it took me back to my childhood. You may work the Miniature Lamb needlework pattern in cross stitches and fill it in with French knots to make it look woolly as shown here or just work the pattern entirely in cross stitches. If you want a gray or brown lamb alter the colors as you like.

More Free Needlework Patterns:

What a Cute Little Lamb originally appeared on About.com Cross-Stitch on Sunday, November 15th, 2009 at 06:00:46.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Crafty Bloggers to the Rescue

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:25:07 +0000

Are you looking for great projects and interesting articles about crafting. The Crafty Bloggers are here to save the day. Here is what some of my favorite crafty bloggers have been up to this week:

Mixed Media Artist Would you ever do an art show where you knew you wouldn't sell anything?
The Impatient Crafter
Madge makes a festive Patchwork Paper decoupaged letter for your teen's bedroom door in this week's post for iLoveToCreate.
Cathie Filian
Cathie shows you how to make a kids felt book. The book are perfect for airplane trips, car rides and rainy days. They make great gifts!
Craftside
Over on the Craftside blog there are how-to ideas for casting and making a silver metal clay wing necklace and a recycled wool sweater Christmas needle book. There's an Mail Art Call Out to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, tips for making a vintage rosary style necklace and a little Jimi Hendrix thrown in.
Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy reviews a new book full of unique and earth-friendly ways to wrap your gifts this holiday season using scarves.
About.com Family Crafts
Come play along with this Make-It-Over craft challenge! What can you make out of candy? This is a great way to use up any left over Halloween candy.
Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style
How did you get introduced to your hobby? Linda shares the story on how she learned to quilt and where those skills have gotten her.
Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
How to make a Sweater Surgery Light up Christmas tree inspired by The Lampshade Lady's Guide to Lighting Up Your Life
Aileen's Musings
Aileen's on a mission to win a trip to NYC and to see the Martha Stewart show! Check out her under $20.00 Christmas project on Michael's craft site and rate it to help her win!
The Artful Crafter
Eileen shares directions for some lovely polymer clay Thanksgiving napkin rings. You have a choice of one embellished with a cute clay turkey or a more formal looking ring stamped with a fall motif.
Vickie Howell - Craft.Rock.Love
Make cool, graphic wall art using Ed Roth's Stencil Decor kit and a little imagination!

Share your own favorite crafty blogs using the comments section below.

Crafty Bloggers to the Rescue originally appeared on About.com Cross-Stitch on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 07:25:07.

Permalink | Comment | Email this