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TEMPTING TANGLES Cross stitch designs by Deborah A. Dick

All the latest news about TEMPTING TANGLES, as published in Creative Poppy's newsletter.

Tempting Samplers

We just love the creative and quaint style of the designs by Deborah A. Dick of Tempting Tangles. Her work is very expressive, with lovely muted and warm colors, and has an almost antique feel to it.

The patterns, mostly cross stitch, are full of intricate needlework details and occasional specialty stitches that make her work interesting to stitch all along. Here a view of some details of her lovely Samplers. Click on the image for a full view and more details.

Panoply of Posies	Posies Two	Good morning	Peppermint Pig
Giovanni's Alphabet	Panoply of Peacocks	Panoply of Pods & Puffs	Needleworkers Abecedarius

>> see all Sampler cross stitch patterns by Tempting Tangles

Scarlet Letters (detail), cross stitch pattern in the Color series by Tempting Tangles The amazing evocative power of words

Simply looking at one's stash of red floss, or searching through a color card for the perfect tone of red, us stitchers appreciate the incredibly rich world of color, one of the things that irresistibly draws us to stitching. Human beings have often been at loss to describe colors and most often simply revert to an image, "blue as a clear blue sky". Many color names are thus very poetic.

In the following designs, Tempting Tangles collects words that are wonderfully evocative of each of her favorite shades. They read like a poem and are beautifully laid out in cross stitches, embellished with delicate Quaker style motifs.

Purple-licious	Broderie Bleue	Little Brown Jug
Scarlet Letters	Verdant variations	Ebony & Ivory

>> See all patterns in the Color series by Tempting Tangles

Classic Coffee Break, a cross stitch pattern designed by Tempting Tangles

Not from the corner coffee machine...

Some things in life deserve special attention. Whether you are a coffee or tea lover, the right pot, the right cup and the perfect blend or brew makes the whole difference.

Designer Deborah A. Dick from Tempting Tangles takes us on a wonderful journey, exploring uncommon teas, and rare exotic coffees, together with some absolutely charming tea pots and coffee pots. These are very decorative cross stitch pieces to stitch and, since they work in pairs and series, you can combine them for very attractive wall displays.

Put the kettle on... we'll all have tea

Charming miniature patterns that vary with the seasons. Include quaint little details like tea strainers as well as some occasional specialty stitches that add fun to the stitching..

Or shall I rather make you some coffee?

Ice coffee delights, warm spicy blends, heavenly aromas, ... a coffee for each season.

>> see al Tea & Coffee cross stitch patterns by Tempting Tangles

Needlework fun: it's all in the detail

If there is one specificity that sums up the art of Tempting Tangles designs, it's certainly the attention given to detailed stitching. While most patterns are mostly cross stitch, the designer is constantly focusing on how to best render her subject in stitches. Here are 5 close up examples of patterns where little stitching details are inserted that take the stitching to a new level.

If you are not familiar with the stitches described below, not to worry: the designer takes you by the hand, introducing you to all these lovely stitches as you work through your piece.

Texture Designer Deborah A. Dick loves to vary the threads used, according to her subject. Take this little beaded-eyes dragon fly, hovering among the cross-stitch flowers. In contrast with the silk floss, its body and wings are stitched in a glowing emerald green with metallic tones, in a combination of backstitch and cross stitch, and embellished with two copper and ginger petite seed beads. >> Good Morning designed by Tempting Tangles
Curves Any cross stitcher will know that one of the difficulties of cross stitch is to render beautiful curves. This is true for plants, but also for any round shapes, such as this delicate coffee pot, with a top that curves and finishes into a round tip. The designer used a couple of split stitches to delicately finish the cross stitch into a fine curve. The split stitch is a variation of the stem stitch, that creates a neat continuous line. >> Razzleberry Roast designed by Tempting Tangles
Dimensional effects This pretty spring pot is adorned with branches of delicate cherry blossoms. Notice how they stand out in front of the cross stitch background. To achieve this effect, the designer worked the fragile petals in a lazy daisy stitch, a quick and easy stitch with maximum effect. The branches are worked in stem stitch, a stitch that is both fine and dimensional, perfect for stems, hence its name. To reinforce the contrast with the words stitched in the background, notice how the designer outlines the cross stitching, making them solid and sturdy in comparison with the blossoming flowers. As a final touch, a couple of golden seed beads are worked into the hearts of the flowers. >> Summer Buzz designed by Tempting Tangles
Density Check out this little flower that punctuates Giovanni's Alphabet. In contrast with the neighbouring cross stitch, it has a smooth lustrous finish. This is achieved with the use of satin stitch - another aptly named stitch - that fills the petals. It is also neatly outlined with stem stitch. The designer naturally guides you, how to start, how to give a direction to your stitches. Her designs are always "chock-full" of tips. Satin Stitch is one of the designers beloved stitch, you'll find it in many of her works, in particular in borders and frames. It is beautiful when worked in an overdyed thread, highlighting the subtle variations of color of the floss. >> Giovannis Alphabet designed by Tempting Tangles
Depth Creation is one of Tempting Tangles most ambitious undertakings. An extraordinary achievement, it depicts the amazing Biblical story of the formation of the world, the creation of heavens, light emerging, seas forming. Among the swirling clouds, in a myriad cross stitches of smoky blues and grey, light emerges. The focus point of this lighter area of pale yellow and white is a very special stitch, a large Rhodes diamond that has been specially adapted and elongated. Look closely... this is god's eye! >> Creation designed by Tempting Tangles These are only just a few examples of the remarkable attention the designer gives to detail. There are many, many more for you to discover. Each of Tempting Tangles designs is always an interesting voyage into the wonderful possibilities of needlework.

Designs by Tempting Tangles illustrating episodes from the Bible Powerful story telling

The Bible is full of wonderful episodes, including the compelling story of the Creation of the World. In the following designs Tempting Tangles picks carefully selected quotes from Genesis, Jonah and other scripture, to tell and illustrate an episode in stitches.