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Cross stitch & needlework patterns (continued)
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New: Welcoming Meriem Chauvet for Couleur Tourterelle
We are very happy to announce that we are introducing a whole new range of Reproduction Samplers from Couleur Tourterelle, mostly 19th century Samplers from France and Europe. The original samplers are from Meriem Chauvet's private collection and are quite remarkable.
An expert stitcher, Meriem Chauvet has painstakingly reproduced each sampler both in stitching and as detailed charts. Each chart tells a unique story as you will see when you browse this outstanding collection.
>> see all Reproduction Sampler patterns by Couleur Tourterelle
>> see all the news for Couleur Tourterelle
The Anthea Flower calendar now halfway through the year
The flower of the month is the cornflower, exquisitely depicted in intricate detail and colors, with bead highlights. Also by Faby Reilly.
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New home
A happy couple are moving into their new home. A cross stitch chart brough to you by Lesley Teare.
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An interesting mix of ornamental styles
This second design in the Serendipity series offers a completely unexpected mix of design styles. Take the 3 stencil-like chrysanthemum motif or the Korean wood-screen motif featured right. Each motif could be stitched for its own sake, such as the gorgeous 'wind and cloud' motif, Art deco style....
A cross stitch design by Gracewood Stitches.
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Creative Poppy Designers in the news
Searching for a cross stitch pattern you've seen featured in a needlework magazine?
Click on the picture to access to the corresponding design.
Lesley Teare Designs - Toile de Jouy (Pink)
As featured in the best Buys section of The World of Cross stitching magazine issue 309 on sale June/July 2021
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Riverdrift House - Flamingoes
As featured in the chart review section of The World of Cross stitching magazine issue 309 on sale June/July 2021
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>> see all patterns featured in cross stitch and needlework magazines
Inseparable friends
Designer Perrette Samouiloff lovingly captures a toddler's activity together with his best friend. This motif is ideal for customizing cross stitch baby projects such as bibs, a pyjama case or the top of a bed cover. Colors can easily be substituted to match your needs.
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>> see more Baby and Toddler patterns by Perrette Samouiloff
More Teddy bear patterns
 Sweet dreams Perrette Samouiloff |  My best friend Monique Bonnin |  Teddy Bear Alphabet Maria Diaz |  Teddy Bears Picnic Lesley Teare Designs |
>> see all patterns with Teddy bears (all designers)
Ornamental symmetry
This sophisticated design features a pair of peacocks and ornamental flower and leaf motifs. There is a beautiful mix of colors including bronze, and various contrasting tones of green, turquoise and blue. The cross stitch chart is designed by Lesley Teare.
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>> see more Bird patterns by Lesley Teare Designs
More Peacock patterns
 Peacock Finery (detail) Lesley Teare Designs |  Baby at the Zoo (detail) Perrette Samouiloff |  Paisley peacock Shannon Christine Design |  Peacock Biscornu Faby Reilly Designs |
>> see all cross stitch patterns with peacocks (all designers)
Like a botanical print
We love the vintage touch in this floral cross stitch sampler arranged a bit haphazardly in the manner of a botanical print, as if the designer had walked around her garden and stopped to observe the flowers in no particular order. A cross stitch chart by Lesley Teare Designs.
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>> see all Flower patterns by Lesley Teare Designs
Rain Curtain
Next time it rains, don't lock yourself indoors: grab your boots and an extra large raincoat and enjoy the rain shower. It won't last for long anyway, soon the sun will be shining again.
Designer Samantha Purdy captures the little joys of life, such as taking a walk with a friend, in cute cross stitch scenes.
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More rainy days stitching by Samantha Purdy
 Spring Rain |  Rainy Day Cleaning |  Il pleut |  Reading in Bed |
More rainy days stitching, all designers
 7 Little Pigs Maria Diaz |  Here comes the rain! Perrette Samouiloff |  Blackwork Sunbonnet Sue Lesley Teare Designs |  Brollies & Wellies Faby Reilly |
>> see all patterns related to rainy weather (all designers)
Creative Poppy Designers in the news
Searching for a cross stitch pattern you've seen featured in a needlework magazine?
Click on the picture to access to the corresponding design.
Perrette Samouiloff - The Stitchers - In good company
Perrette Samouiloff - All Tangled up!
As featured in The World of Cross stitching magazine issue 308 on sale May/June 2021
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>> see all patterns featured in cross stitch and needlework magazines
Discovering the world
Mother hen pecks without taking her eyes off her little ones, no less than seven intrepid little chicks exploring the yard and flowers beds. This monochrome chart is the smaller version of the Mother Hens and Chicks design by Perrette Samouiloff.
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>> see all patterns with hens and chicks (all designers)
More Mother and Baby charts
 Mum and me Chouett'alors |  Mom & Me (detail) Barbara Ana Designs |  Mother and baby animals (detail) Perrette Samouiloff |  Mother and baby animals, Winter (detail) Perrette Samouiloff |
Dreaming Frida now revealed
Initially offered as mystery chart, Barbara Ana's new tribute to Mexican artist Frida Kahlo is now available as a regular chart and features a message of optimism entangled in the long hair.
Not only a beautiful portrait, the pattern is full of symbolism: life and death, flowers, love, passion as well as many references to the country of Mexico, a land of contrasts with arid but flowery deserts and snow-capped volcanoes under a tropical sun.
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More Frida by Barbara Ana
 Frieda & Diego |  Viva la Vida |  The Wounded Deer |
>> see all patterns by Barbara Ana paying tribute to Frida Kahlo
Cherry Blossoms
Cherry trees are in bloom in Faby Reilly's needlework garden, with a pretty branch mixing buds and blooming flowers. The eyelet stitch mother-of-pearl sequins represent the flying petals. Pure embroidered poetry
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More cherry blossom patterns
 Welcome Spring (detail) K's Studio |  The old cherry Tree (detail) K's studio |  Cherry blossom motifs (detail) Perrette Samouiloff |  Kokeshi Biscornu III (detail) Barbara Ana designs |
>> see all patterns with Tree blossoms
Long live the Happy Couple!
We were contacted some time ago by a stitcher, Pascale T. who was stitching Perrette Samouiloff's Singing Bird Rose heart for her son's wedding and wanted to adapt the design to create a matching wedding ring cushion. We helped her with the chart and she kindly sent us back a photo of the stitched piece. It features the initials of the bride and groom, will be mounted into a hoop and a pink ribbon will hold the wedding rings. A great idea! If you too want to stitch the pair, contact us and we will provide you with the small chart in addition to your order.
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>> see all Wedding patterns by Perrette Samouiloff
>> see all the latest Wedding pattern news (all designers)
Creative Poppy Designers in the news
Searching for a cross stitch pattern you've seen featured in a needlework magazine?
Click on the picture to access to the corresponding design.
Tapestry Barn - Fruity Lunch Bag
As featured in The Best Buys section World of Cross stitching magazine issue 307 on sale April/May 2021
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GERA! Kyoko Maruoka - Happy Wedding Welcome
As featured in Chart review section of The World of Cross stitching magazine issue 307 on sale April/May 2021
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>> see all the patterns featured in cross stitch and needlework magazines
The Dreaming Girl now revealed
If you didn't get a chance to join the Barbara Ana's SAL, you can now stitch Barbara Ana's Dreaming Girl as a regular pattern. Doesn't she look gorgeous with thoughts and dreams following the seasons and mingling with her beautiful mane of red hair.
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Hand dyed fabrics
You can have a lot of fun creating your very own backgrounds for your works. After we showed some examples of hand dyed fabrics in a previous Creative Poppy newsletter, Carol F. kindly shared some pictures of her own works. She loves bright colors and uses regular fabric dyes on 32 ct antique white linen. We thought we would share these pictures as a source of inspiration for all.
The fabric used in the first two examples was dyed using a single color and creating an uneven effect. Carole loves experimenting and is very creative. She describes herself as a "fly by the seat of my pants crafty person" Here is what Carole says about how she does it:
For dyeing fabric like the two tree charts I mix up my dye and then squish the scrunched up linen in a jar, poke it around with the wooden end of a paint brush, let it sit for a while... then take it out of the jar, wring it out, rinse it out and then let it drip dry. When it is dry I iron it with a hot steam iron on both sides on a stack of paper towels so as not to stain my ironing board but I usually get little if any bleeding at this point.
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| Autumn Tree Original picture as stitched on 32ct vintage linen from Zweigart | As stitched by Carol on hand dyed fabric | Detail |
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| Autumn Sampler Original picture as stitched on 32ct Country Mocha linen from Zweigart | As stitched by Carol on hand dyed fabric | Detail |
As for the Autumn Keeper piece I painted that one with a couple of colors of Rit dye. I mixed up a separate jar for each color and just splotched them on ( I know not very technical ... sorry) I use both sponge paint brushes and artist paint brushes ... bigger areas are easier to cover with a sponge brush... start with the lighter color.. and again my linen is dry when I start... when I'm done painting I just let it drip dry... I don't rinse those pieces... and then I iron it with a steam iron when it is dry. I haven't had any issues with the dye coming off on my threads or my hands.
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| Autumn Keeper Original picture as stitched on Doubloon linen from Picture This Plus | As stitched by Carol on hand dyed fabric using 3 colors of Rit dye (Apple Green, Lemon Yellow and Tangerine) | Detail |
One more tip by Carol:
I start with the color light because I can always make it darker and I test the dye on the corner of my linen. The longer you leave it the darker it gets but I'm never going for a dark linen.
Thank you so much Carol for generously sharing your experience and pictures. You can visit Carol's blog and instagram account for more.
Next time we will be discussing natural dyes. If you have any experience to share, and pictures of designs you have stitched, please do share them with us. Thank you!
Lovebirds
This sampler pattern by Riverdrift House features a peacock and a peahen, with a large country house in the background. It is filled with lots of lovely motifs and a medallion to personalize the work. Will make a charming wedding, anniversary or house-warming gift.
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More Homes by Riverdrift House
 Big House 2 |  Paradise Found (detail) |  Spring Cottage(detail) |  Jane Austen Sampler |
>> see all Samplers by Riverdrift House
Rose Wreath
Here is the second in Faby Reilly's collection of seasonal wreaths, which you can stitch and display in your home throughout the year. Each chart will introduce you to some specialty stitches, in this case the lazy daisy stitch and the woven spider web stitch, guided by Faby Reilly's excellent tutorials.
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More Roses by Faby Reilly
 Wild Rose Scissor Case & Fob |  Wild Rose Needlebook |  Sweet roses humbug |  Sweet roses Biscornu |
>> see all Rose patterns by Faby Reilly
More cross stitch Roses
 A Rose for You Agnès Delage-Calvet |  Delightful Pink Roses Lesley Teare Designs |  Vintage Roses Tapestry Barn |  Rose hearts Scissor case Marie-Anne Réthoret-Mélin |
>> see all patterns with Roses (all designers)
Serendipity: a new collection by Gracewood stitches
Embarking on a new series of designs, Kathy Bungard is exploring new creative routes, starting with an idea, letting her mind wander and creating, almost by lucky accident, a completely new design. Serendipity #1 will be followed by many more. We look forward to discovering the outcome of Kathy's creative mindset.
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More Ribbon and Band-like patterns by Gracewood Stitches
 Heart Note Alley |  Moonlit Garden |  Lydia, seller of purple |  One May night |
>> see all Ribbon & Band patterns by Gracewood Stitches
New stitched pictures of the Toile de Jouy design by Lesley Teare
This extraordinary piece worked in cross stitch and backstitch is designed by Lesley Teare in the manner of vintage 18th century textiles, an amazing technical feat in our eyes. We have just received the fully stitched piece and wanted to show some close up images showing the quality of the rendering of the colors and stitches on the fabric. A highly decorative piece that will take you some time to stitch, but will sure be worth the effort.
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Heart warming cups of tea
Tapestry Barn's designer is always coming up with fun ideas for using cross stitch in real life.
The purpose of this particular project was to cheer up some loved ones. She designed the cups with each person in mind, finished her stitched pieces as greeting cards and popped inside some lovely tea and herb tea-bags.
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>> see more patterns by Tapestry Barn
More teapots & teacups
 Take Time (detail) Gail Bussi |  Tea cups and Roses (detail) Gail Bussi |  Tea time (detail) The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery |  Teapot collection (detail) Maria Diaz |
>> see all patterns with Tea cups and teapots (all designers)
Violets are the flower of the month
The delicate purple flowers, beribboned in Gold and a sprinkling of purple, grace this month's Anthea calendar designed by Faby Reilly. This time, guided by the designer's excellent tutorials, you will be introduced to the colonial knot, a good alternative to the French knot.
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More Violet designs by Faby Reilly
 Violet humbug |  Violet Needlebook |  Violet Biscornu |  Violet Scissor Case |
>> see all Violet patterns by Faby Reilly
Lesley Teare 2021 Stitch-along - Update
The April cup of Lesley Teare's 2021 SAL has now been released. If you haven't yet subscribed, you can still join the fun!
The Stitch-along comes as a subscription in twelve monthly sections, each with an exquisitely detailed porcelain cup, and plenty of birds, butterflies and bees. We love its classic elegance and delicate colors.
The April cup is blue with a band of pale yellow and a pansy motif. Two bees and a butterfly have come to visit. The next chart will be available as of June 1st.
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A tribute to Gustav Klimt
In continuity with her latest work, the Dreaming Girl, Barbara Ana has just released a new cross stitch design, paying tribute to the Viennese artist. While using only warm yellow tones and a satin floss highlight, she achieves wonderful effects evocative of the golden palette of the painter.
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>> see more patterns by Barbara Ana Designs
Blue Chinese riverscapes with pavilion and pagoda
Here is an exquisite set of two matching patterns mixing Blackwork and cross stitch and designed by Lesley Teare in the manner of the miniature landscapes gracing antique Chinese porcelain. Notice the amazing detail such as the fishermen on the bridge or the lone tradesman plying the river.
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>> see more patterns related to China (all designers)
Art Nouveau Flowers by Lesley Teare
New! Four floral cross stitch patterns in the Art Nouveau style where the flower's shapes are emphasized and turned into an ornamental and perfectly symmetrical motif. Unique and very decorative.
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>> see all ornamental flower designs (all designers)
Entangled
Here are two fun patterns brought to you by Perrette Samouiloff. The first features a stitcher all tangled up .... you surely know that feeling. The second is about friendship between stitchers sharing a project. We love the way the monochrome motif turns into a mosaic of colors when the stitchers start working together.
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More stitchers' favorites
 Patience Tempting Tangles |  My favorite Apron Barbara Ana |  Tam's Creations TriStitchual |  Roses Embroidery Gera! by Kyoko Maruoka |
>> see all patterns related to Stitching and Needlework (all designers)
Baby chicks
The sun is out and the baby chicks are setting off to explore. This cross stitch pattern is designed within a delicate wreath of spring flowers and strawberries. A design by Perrette Samouiloff.
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>> see more Farm and countryside patterns by Perrette Samouiloff
More Hens and Poultry
 Mum and me Chouett'alors |  Hen in the House Samanthapurdyneedlecraft |  Cock-A-Doodle-Do! Monique Bonnin |  Cock-a-doodle-doo Barbara Ana Designs |
>> see all cross stitch patterns with Hens and farmyard animals
More countryside patterns
 Good milk Chouett'alors |  Barbara Ana Designs Plentiful Meadows |  On the farm (detail) Perrette Samouiloff |  A day in the Countryside (detail) Lilli Violette |
>> see all cross stitch patterns related to the countryside
Prickly stitches
This little hedgehog, emerging from a pile of leaves behind a log, looks so real and lively, it almost looks as if you might hurt your fingers stitching this prickly friend. A cross stitch chart by Faby Reilly.
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>> see all patterns with hedgehogs (all designers)
Two Owls with full moon
Here is a set of two Owl patterns, with the birds featured against a moonlit sky. The full moon is beautifully decorated with a golden thread lace-like motif. A cross stitch design by Lesley Teare.
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>> see all cross stitch patterns with Owls (all designers)
Spring Daffodils
This cheerful bunch of daffodils fits into the lower left-hand corner of a square, but can be expanded to fit any text of your choice using the alphabet provided (Thank you, Happy Easter, Welcome Spring, ...). Or you might want to stitch the whole series of designs with one chart for each month. A cross stitch chart designed by Faby Reilly.
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>> see all patterns with daffodils (all designers)
Gracewood Stitches year-round calendar of designs
Anf here are more daffodills. With newly released April - Spring has Sprung, the series of 12 designs - each one inspired by a month of the year - is now complete!
Influenced by her rugged and natural mountain surroundings, and passionate about vintage textile designs, Kathy Bungard brings a very personal touch to cross stitch design.
>> see all cross stitch charts in Gracewood's stitches Calendar of Designs
Creative Poppy Designers in the news
Searching for a cross stitch pattern you've seen featured in a needlework magazine?
Click on the picture to access to the corresponding design.
Lesley Teare Designs - 2021 Tea Cup SAL
As featured in The World of Cross stitching magazine issue 305 on sale February - March 2021
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>> see all the patterns featured in cross stitch and needlework magazines
Under the lemon tree
A new Barbara Ana design, with a mysterious feel. It features a cat, with enigmatic eyes, holding onto a lemon tree. Unexpected, inventive, with creative mixes of color, this is vintage Barbara Ana.
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More cats by Barbara Ana
 Live, Love, Meow! |  Alley Quartet (detail) |  Cattitude (detail) |  Witch Cat? (detail) |
>> see all cross stitch patterns with cats by Barbara Ana
More cats in cross stitch
 Practically Perfect (detail) Tempting Tangles |  Pair of cats (detail) Chouett'alors |  Two elegant cats (detail) Iveta Hlavinova |
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>> see all cross stitch patterns with cats (all designers)
The art of dressmaking
Here is the third tribute by designer Perrette Samouiloff to olden needlework trades, here the Seamstress. Times when dresses were handsewn, when you could select your own choice of fabrics and trimmings and be sure the dress was a perfect fit. The pattern includes the tools of the trade, pins, needles, scissors, bobbins of thread, sewing machine and plenty of pretty fabric patterns.
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More in this series by Perrette Samouiloff
 The Milliner |  The Milliner (detail) |  The Lacemaker |  The Lacemaker (detail) |
>> see more patterns by Perrette Samouiloff related to Fashion and Costumes
Happy Easter Tea cosy
Bring sunny spring colors to the breakfast table with this cheerful sampler than can be turned into a tea-cosy project. A cross stitch pattern brought to you by Riverdrift house, which specializes in easy and straightforward cross stitch patterns that are very pleasant and quick to stitch.
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More Spring patterns by Riverdrift House
 Spring Flowers Sampler |  Miniature Spring Sampler | Spring Cottage Sampler |
Happy Easter in Stitches
Easter is on April the 4th this year. Still plenty of time to get some cute Easter projects underway.
 Hoppy Easter Barbara Ana Designs |  Easter Wreath Tiny Modernist |  Springtime Easter Delight Tempting Tangles |  Art Nouveau Spring Alphabet Maria Diaz |
>> see all the recent cross stitch news for Easter
>> see all cross stitch patterns for Easter
Lesley Teare 2021 Stitch-along - Update
The new Lesley Teare's 2021 SAL is now available and the January and February cups have been released.
The Stitch-along comes as a subscription in twelve monthly sections, each with an exquisitely detailed porcelain cup, and plenty of birds, butterflies and bees. We love its classic elegance and delicate colors.
The February cup is yellow, filled with white petal flowers with golden hearts, and little bees buzzing around. Fancy a cup of honey and ginger anyone? The next chart will be available as of March 1st.
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