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Cross stitch & needlework patterns (continued)
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The simple joys of the natural world
You don't need much to lure a bit of nature into your life. A bird-house for the kids to observe the feathered creatures, a few pots of narcissius for the kitten to take cover and explore the outdoor world, a sheltered area for growing some vegetable seedlings.
Designer Samantha Purdy captures the simple joys of life in cross stitch, in a series of very personal contemporary-style patterns. These new spring outdoor patterns are her latest addition to a wonderful collection of snapshots of life's happy moments.
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More Watering cans (and a hose) by Samantha Purdy Needlecrafts
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More Watering cans - all designers
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>> see all Gardening patterns (all designers)
In the run up to the Olympics
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>> see all patterns by Perrette Samouiloff
More patterns for dance lovers
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>> see all Dance patterns (all designers)
In the manner of William Morris
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More Birds patterns by Lesley Teare
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>> see all patterns with Birds designed by Lesley Teare
Spring birth
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>> see all Spring patterns by Perrette Samouiloff
A new seasonal series of samplers by Lesley Teare
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More samplers by Lesley Teare
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>> see all Samplers by Lesley Teare
More Spring Homes
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>> see all patterns with Houses (all designers)
Barbara Ana's irresistible urge to stitch
Here's a new piece by Barbara Ana straight out of her imaginative mind. Why did she create it? Well she just felt the urge... Oversize mushroom, exotic flowers and fruit flow out of a doll shaped vase. And looking inside you will discover a lilliputian landscape with tiny houses clutching every hill. Perfectly balanced, full of rich colors and entertaining detail, a real treat to cross stitch.
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>> see all patterns created by Barbara Ana
Easter cross stitching: bells are ringing!
We love it when we hear from stitchers who send us a photo of their recent projects. Here's what Nathalie recently sent us, one of the 4 Easter motifs designed by Perrette Samouiloff. She decided not to mount the Bell motif as a card, but fit it into a small frame. Quite cute isn't it? Thanks so much for sharing Nathalie!
Easter bells, one of the 4 Easter Card Motifs, by Perrette Samouiloff
Not one, but two twin samplers. Who were they for?
Searching for unique antique cross stitch samplers, Meriem Chauvet struck luck when she came upon this pair of rare twin works, dating back to 1823. A collector of antique samplers (who creates the Couleur Tourterelle Reproduction Samplers) this is the first time she was confronted with two samplers of almost identical layout and signature. Only the inscription differs, one offering her heart (coeur), the other a bouquet.
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>> see all Reproduction Samplers by Couleur Tourterelle
Two in one
A pattern brought to you by Lesley Teare designs.
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More patterns suitable for beginners
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>> see all patterns for Beginners (all designers)
I love Paris in the Springtime
Ask a Parisian about their childhood memories, and they will recall the many hours spent playing in the Paris parks, and for Perrette Samouiloff, the Jardin du Luxembourg specifically. This design focuses on the many areas of the parc, the quiet chairs near the rose kiosk, the basins where the model boats are sailed, and the areas where children run their dog and ride their scooters and bicycles.
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More patterns featuring Paris
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>> see all patterns related to life in France (all designers)
From early childhood on, preparing for marriage
Even as late as the earlly 20th century, young French girls would practice cross stitching initials and numbers, using the "'linenmaid's alphabet". These were used for marking linen, a practice usually done just before marriage, as the bride-to-be prepared her set of household linen, the “trousseau”. Interestingly it includes a "croix de par Dieu", a little cross preceding the letters of the alphabet, a tradition that goes back centuries earlier, to remind children to make a sign of the cross before reciting the alphabet.
A cross stitch reproduction sampler by Couleur Tourterelle.
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>> see all Reproduction Samplers by Couleur Tourterelle
A Window into the Mind
Open the door to fantasy and follow Barbara Ana along the surprising paths dictated by her creative mind, always overflowing with ideas. Her latest Dreaming Girl pattern , is a masterpiece of color, with light shining through the night. The flow of the girl's dark hair - as if blown by the wind - structures the whole design, wrapping together all the diverse elements.
A cross stitch pattern, part of the Dreaming Girl series by Barbara Ana Designs.
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More Dreaming Girls' by Barbara Ana
 Dreaming Frida |  Dreaming of Klimt |  Garden of Dreams |  Dreaming Girl |
>> see all patterns in the Dreaming Girls series designed by Barbara Ana
Blackwork gains color
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More Blackwork patterns by Lesley Teare
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>> see all Blackwork patterns by Lesley Teare
Creative stitching for children
This merry go-round cross stitch pattern by Perrette Samouiloff, can be turned into a multitude of creative decorative ideas for the nursery. Instead of simply framing, you can turn it into a pyjama bag or a cushion cover. It is also an ideal design for making a child's lampshade, as the cylinder shape will give the illusion it goes all the way round. You can also mount the work on a round box.
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More creative ideas for Children
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>> see all creative ideas for a child's bedroom
Stitched by a seven-year old for her grandmother
In catholic France in those days, a person was feted, not on their birthday but on the day celebrating the saint they were named after. In 1851, a seven-year-old girl, struggles with letters but all the same delivers a charming piece of needlework dedicated to her beloved "bonne maman". A cross stitch reproduction Sampler brought to you by Couleur Tourterelle.
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>> see all Reproduction Samplers by Couleur Tourterelle
Spring is round the corner
Oh what joy to watch seedlings plants grow in their pots and to see the first ladybugs and butterflies appear in the vegetable patch.
Simple life, simple joys, such as watching plants grow, depicted in cross stitch by Samantha Purdy.
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More Plant patterns by Samantha Purdy Needlecrafts
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>> see all Spring patterns by Samantha Purdy Needlecrafts
Capturing the moment
Hanging upside down, tilting forward, swinging their head backwards, these birds remain steadily balanced. It takes a designer a huge amount of talent and skill to capture these birds in cross stitch, as a photographer would do in the wild. Designer Perrette Samouiloff does so with seemingly little effort, adding her special touch, a mastery of color that emphasizes the contrast between the natural colors of the birds and the soft smokey blues used for the children's clothes.
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More Spring patterns by Perrette Samouiloff
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>> see all Spring patterns by Perrette Samouiloff
Bunnies play hide and seek
At first glance this Easter sampler features Father and Mother Rabbit surrounded by their two kids. But then you missed the other members of the family. Can you spot the other bunnies hiding behind an Easter egg? A cross stitch pattern brought to you by Kateryna - Stitchy princess.
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More Rabbits patterns by Kateryna - Stitchy Princess
 Rabbits, carrots, eggs |  Rabbits Sampler |  Miss Rabbit |  Rabbits' House |
>> see all patterns with Rabbits (all designers)
More Creative Poppy News continued on next page...
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