Stitching Resolutions - New Year's Resolutions for Stitchers
Monday December 31, 2007
Graphic © Connie G. Thomas
Do you make New Year's Resolutions? Why not make some stitching resolutions? Last year I had two stitching goals. I wanted to make more ... Read More
Review - A Passion for Punchneedle
Sunday December 30, 2007
Cross Stitch Pattern - Two Symbols in a Square
Saturday December 29, 2007
One question frequently asked by new stitchers is, "What does it mean when I see two symbols in a square on a Cross Stitch pattern with a black line between ... Read More
Free Y is for Yo-Yo and Z is for Zig-Zag Cross Stitch Pattern
Friday December 28, 2007
Photo © Connie G. Thomas
I finally finished my alphabet sampler - just in time for my nephew's birthday next month. The last pattern in the Alphabet Sampler Collection represents ... Read More
Enter as Strangers, Leave as Friends Sampler
Thursday December 27, 2007
Graphic © Connie G. Thomas
When I created the Cross Stitch Squares Collection, I started with four simple square patterns. Then I decided that the four squares, when ... Read More
Happy Kwanzaa
Wednesday December 26, 2007
Happy Kwanzaa to everyone who is celebrating today. Kwanzaa is a celebration of family, community and culture. It incorporates African traditions and symbols in a seven-day celebration which begins ... Read More
Holiday Ideas - Day Twenty-Five - Create a Personalized Christmas Ornament
Tuesday December 25, 2007
One year I stitched up a bunch of ornaments that were very special. The little pattern was a beagle with a red ribbon who just happened to look ... Read More
Holiday Ideas - Day Twenty-Four - Make a Table Runner or Bell Pull
Monday December 24, 2007
One great Christmas decorating idea that involves Cross Stitch is a bell pull or table runner. Down Under Stitcher submitted a great example in her Tropical Bell Pull photo. ... Read More
Holiday Ideas - Day Twenty-Three - Cross Stitch On Crochet
Sunday December 23, 2007
If you enjoy Crochet as well as Cross Stitch, then Sandi Marshall, About.com Guide to Crochet, has some great ideas for creating ornaments. If you are new to Crochet, ... Read More
Holiday Ideas - Day Twenty-Two - Add Paint to Back Stitch Ornaments
Saturday December 22, 2007
One of the recent trends in Cross Stitch that I like is using stamping and painting to embellish cross stitch and back stitch motifs. Leisure Arts has several leaflets ... Read More
X is for Xylophone
Friday December 21, 2007
Photo © Connie G. Thomas
One of my favorite toys when I was a child was the xylophone. I am pretty sure we did not have one at my house. ... Read More
Holiday Ideas - Day Twenty One - Wrap a Candle
Friday December 21, 2007
Candles are an important part of the holiday season in many homes. My grandfather lights up the neighborhood with electric candles in all the windows. Now they have ... Read More
Holiday Ideas - Day Twenty - Add Sparkle with Specialty Flosses
Thursday December 20, 2007
If you enjoy stitching ornaments, be sure to explore adding metallic and other specialty flosses to your work. These flosses just seem to be made for use with Christmas ... Read More
Cross Stitch Photo Album
Thursday December 20, 2007
I just love getting new photo submissions for the About.com Cross Stitch Photo Album. This week Judy Janis sent in two photos of her Santa Bunny project. Santa ... Read More
Holiday Ideas - Day Nineteen - Make a Mini Pillow Ornament
Wednesday December 19, 2007
Cross Stitch Christmas ornaments are fun to make and give, but sometimes framing them can get a bit pricey. Another option for displaying Cross Stitch as an ornament is ... Read More
Holiday Ideas - Day Eighteen - Make Coasters and Placemats
Tuesday December 18, 2007
I like using placemats and coasters to protect my table from spills and coffee rings. Right now I am working on some coasters for a Christmas gift and hope ... Read More
Holiday Ideas - Day Seventeen - Make Beaded Ornaments
Monday December 17, 2007
Substitute seed beads for some or all of your cross stitches in a design to created a textured ornament. Use beads as ornaments on a small Christmas tree design. ... Read More
Holiday Ideas - Day Sixteen - Band a Bar of Soap
Sunday December 16, 2007
Make some decorative soaps for your home by stitching holiday motifs on a band of Aida fabric, then wrapping the fabric around pretty bars of soap. These would also ... Read More
Holiday Ideas - Day Fifteen - Cross Stitch Candy Dish
Saturday December 15, 2007
Candy and Christmas seem to just go together - at least to me. If you need to make several gifts for friends, why not create simple Cross Stitch candy ... Read More
Back Stitch Tile Eighteen
Saturday December 15, 2007
Graphic © Connie G. Thomas
The Back Stitch Motif Eighteen pattern is the most recent addition to the free Back Stitch Motifs Collection. If you have never tried a back-stitch ... Read More
Holiday Ideas - Day Fourteen - Decorate a Wreath
Friday December 14, 2007
Cross Stitch Ornaments aren't just for the tree. Add your favorites to a wreath and hang in on the door to the kitchen pantry or on your front door ... Read More
W is for Welcome
Friday December 14, 2007
Photo © Connie G. Thomas
Maybe it is just a Southern thing (in case you don't know, I live in Northwest Georgia), but a house is just not complete without a ... Read More
Holiday Ideas - Day Thirteen - Transform a CD with Cross Stitch
Thursday December 13, 2007
To make a sparkly Christmas ornament or gift tag, use a damaged or unwanted CD as a background for a Cross Stitch design. Transform a CD with Cross Stitch ... Read More
Holiday Ideas - Day Twelve - Stitch a Cross Stitch Bracelet
Wednesday December 12, 2007
Handmade jewelry is very popular now. Why not whip up a Cross Stitch Bracelet or two for the fashionistas on your Christmas list? Match an outfit, personalize the ... Read More
Review - Cross Stitch Christmas by Claire Crompton
Tuesday December 11, 2007
Photo Courtesy PriceGrabber
There are some designers who have a very distinctive style. Claire Crompton is one of them. She uses vibrant colors and interesting back stitch accents in ... Read More
Holiday Ideas - Day Eleven - Candle Tin Magnet Topper
Tuesday December 11, 2007
Create a magnetic topper for a candle in a tin. To do this, stitch a design on plastic canvas or Aida that is small enough to fit on the ... Read More
Holiday Ideas - Day Ten - Make a Christmas Pin
Monday December 10, 2007
I don't usually like holiday sweatshirts or other clothing. For one thing, I am way too hot natured to wear sweatshirts. And, I don't want to walk around ... Read More
What is Your Holiday Stitching Status?
Monday December 10, 2007
Holiday Ideas - Day Nine - Transform a Tote
Sunday December 9, 2007
One of my treasured Christmas-themed possessions is a tote bag on which a friend painted a Christmasy scene. Now, I can't paint, but I can stitch! So, to ... Read More
Craft Storage Shelving Plus
Sunday December 9, 2007
Photo © Debbie Colgrove, About.com Guide to Sewing
About.com Guide to Sewing Debbie Colgrove has been remodeling her sewing room. I am so jealous. She is creating a wonderful ... Read More
Holiday Ideas - Day Eight - Advent Ornaments
Saturday December 8, 2007
In the rush and bustle of the holidays, it is easy to lose sight of the true meaning of the season. One way to combat this is to make ... Read More
V is for Vinegar
Friday December 7, 2007
Photo © Connie G. Thomas
Vinegar is a wonderful substance that is great for cooking and cleaning. I especially like vinegar on my french fries. It's much more healthy ... Read More
Holiday Ideas - Day Seven - Make a Cross Stitch Gift Tag
Friday December 7, 2007
One way you can personalize gifts with Cross Stitch is to make gift tags. Use simple wrapping paper and allow the gift tag to be the star. Ideas ... Read More
Latest Additions to Stitchery Photo Album
Thursday December 6, 2007
The latest additions to the About.com Stitchery Photo Album are near and dear to my heart because they were stitched from my designs. Judy Janis submitted a photo of ... Read More
Holiday Ideas - Day Six - Make a Holiday Wall Hanging
Thursday December 6, 2007
One alternative to putting a design in a wood frame is to make a quilted wall-hanging. Judy Janis submitted a great example of this in her Quilted Summer Sampler ... Read More
Holiday Ideas - Day Five - Make Your Own Christmas Cards
Wednesday December 5, 2007
I always look forward to getting card during the holiday season. I am always amazed at the variety of designs. This year, why not make some of your ... Read More
French Knot Video Demonstration
Wednesday December 5, 2007
Lori posted a link to this French Knot Demonstration in the Forum and I thought I would share it with everyone. Of course, if you still despise the French ... Read More
Holiday Ideas - Day Four - Fingertip Towels
Tuesday December 4, 2007
I know so many people who display special towels in the guest bathroom and the kitchen for the holidays. Everyone understands that you don't actually use these towels. ... Read More
Daylight Table Top Lamp - Review
Tuesday December 4, 2007
Photo courtesy PriceGrabber
The Daylight Ultimate Table Top Lamp is a great lighting solution for stitchers who need an excellent lighting source. The particular one I was able to review ... Read More
Poll - Which Supply Is Your Weakness?
Monday December 3, 2007
Holiday Ideas - Day Three - Bookmark Gift Idea
Monday December 3, 2007
I love to receive books as gifts. I like to read almost as much as I like to Cross Stitch. I also like to give books as gifts ... Read More
Holiday Ideas - Day Two - Framed Ornaments
Sunday December 2, 2007
Marty is one of the most prolific contributors to both the About.com Cross Stitch Photo Album and our collection of Stitcher's Submitted Tips. One of my favorite submissions is ... Read More
Holiday Ideas - Day One - Frame a Special Holiday Design
Saturday December 1, 2007
With twenty-five days left until Christmas, it is time to get serious about your holiday stitching! For the next twenty-five days, I will be sharing an idea or tip ... Read More