Latest News: Cross stitch & needlework patterns (continued)
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Win a pattern contest: did you guess right? In last December's newsletter we featured a mystery pattern for you to guess. We were amazed how many of you accurately and almost immediately identified the pattern as Barbara Ana's "It's snowing somewhere". Congratulations to all of you who guessed this right! Lydia G. was the very first stitcher to contact us with the right answer. She has received  her free pattern and wrote back to us saying she was "delighted because Barbara Ana is her favorite designer". No wonder she was so quick! Congratulations Lydia! We wish everyone could win. In our next newsletter we'll feature a new contest and we hope you will be lucky next time. Thank you to all of you who took the time to stop by and try out your luck. We hope that you enjoyed it! >> see more of Barbara Ana's patterns __________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
| More new patterns for Christmas! Here are the latest patterns to arrive this week: Helga Mandl sends us confirmation that - indeed - Santa is on his way! Agnès Delage-Calvet shows us how to prepare a pretty Xmas table with a set of menu and candles (but you could stitch these patterns on virtually any Christmas item including a baby bib for your youngest guest!). Finally Faby Reilly brings us yet another great idea for customizing your tree: this time it's a tree skirt that's coordinated with her very popular Xmas ornaments.   Christmas delivery - Cross stitch chart by Helga Mandl   Xmas decor set - 3 patterns by Agnès Delage-Calvet   Christmas tree skirt - Faby Reilly design >> see all cross stitch patterns for Christmas ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
Let it snow! Yet another fun pattern by Helga Mandl. Stitch it in a few hours time!Just add snow - cross stitch pattern by Helga Mandl >> see more great patterns with snow ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
| Beauty is in simplicity With this "Xmas kitten ABC" designer Perrette Samouiloff makes a brilliant demonstration that "less is more". Using only 4 colors, silhouettes of children and kitten, and a delicate touch of holly, she conveys the authentic joy of waiting and preparing for Christmas.   Xmas kitten ABC - design by Perrette Samouiloff ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Take a peep inside Santa's workshop! Perrette Samouiloff has also been really busy observing Santa preparing for Christmas! Kids will be fascinated to watch you stitch and see all those marvellous toys appear as if by magic, on your fabric. And you will surely enjoy stitching all the details of this incredible piece. There are 3 versions of this theme.   Santa is really busy - Cross stitch pattern by Perrette Samouiloff (large pattern).   Santa is really busy - Cross stitch pattern by Perrette Samouiloff (smaller version)   Santa's workshop - cross stitch pattern by Perrette Samouiloff >> see all of Perrette Samouiloff's Christmas patterns ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Make a "pattern request" If you're looking for a specific theme and you cannot find it on Creative Poppy's website, don't hesitate to contact us to make a pattern request. This also works for phrases, poems and quotes. If you're lucky and your suggestion is selected by one of our designers, you will get that pattern for free! Joëlle M. (from the South of France) suggested the "Santa's workshop" theme and is the lucky winner of the pattern shown above. Congratulations Joëlle! Please note that your suggestion should be specific enough and that some designers may potentially already be working on some themes. You might have to wait for a few months (Joëlle waited for a year) but we keep track of all requests and will get back to you if the pattern is created. We look forward to hearing of all your great ideas! To write to us use our contact form and specify: pattern request ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
New patterns for Xmas by Barbara Ana  Deer friend - cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana DesignsA cute and fun pattern to stitch for your best friend. This will make great Xmas cards too! Vintage Barbara Ana, we love them all! __________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
More Barbara Ana's Xmas and Winter patterns.jpg) .jpg) Santa Paws - cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs  Meowy Xmas - cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs.jpg)  It's me... Rudolf! Cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs  Warm Winter Welcome - cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs.jpg) it's snowing somewhere - cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs>> see all Winter and Christmas patterns by Barbara Ana Designs ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
| A new designer joins Creative Poppy: welcome Faby Reilly La Fée Rie!  Some of you have already come across her work and her beautiful tutorials. Faby Reilly, also known as "La Fée Rie" has just joined our team of designers and is offering her charts, starting with her latest collection of Xmas ornaments. Many more designs will be added soon!Faby Reilly creates exquisite stitched pieces, with great attention to detail. You'll love her work! >> visit Faby Reilly's new store! _____________________________________________________________________________________ |
| Large choice of new patterns for Xmas New Christmas patterns are arriving everyday on the website. Here's a selection of what's been coming in: .jpg) Santa's advent calendar by Agnès Delage-Calvet  Xmas truce by Chouett'alors  Sparkling Xmas by Feefeedille  Xmas biscornu series by Tam's Creations  Christmas family By Tom & Lily >> see all Christmas patterns _____________________________________________________________________________________ |
Tips & Tricks: check out our advice for using metallics What's in common with many of the most beautiful patterns for the festive season? Gold, silver and precious highlights.Whether you're a beginner or you've found those threads a little tricky, go read our 3 golden rules for using metallics and you'll never look back! >> learn more about stitching with metallic embroidery floss _____________________________________________________________________________________ |
Great gifts for stitchers It's the time of year... and your stitcher friends deserve a little treat! We have a lovely selection of patterns that are especially designed for stitchers and their stitcher friends. >> see all patterns for stitchers Here are also two of the latest ones brought to you by Helga Mandl.  Life is a stitch - pattern designed by Helga Mandl  Bearing gifts - pattern designed by Helga Mandl >> see more patterns celebrating friendship by Helga Mandl _____________________________________________________________________________________ |
| Beautiful patterns to celebrate Thanksgiving Barbara Ana has just designed some fun and colorful patterns. What a beautiful way for cross stitchers to give thanks! .jpg)  Be thankful - pattern by Barbara Ana Designs   Thanksgiving biscornu pattern by Barbara Ana Designs >> see more Thanksgiving patterns Two more of her latest patterns:   Ice scream - pattern by Barbara Ana Designs  Lucas, the love elf - pattern by Barbara Ana Designs >> see all of Barbara Ana's Cross stitch patterns ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
Brand new patterns for fall by Perrette Samouiloff
Designer Perrette Samouiloff has four fabulous patterns to celebrate the season.
"Up in the apple tree
What did you see?"
What did you see?"
A new addition to Perrette Samouiloff's Happy Childhood collection, this pattern is also available in a smaller version. The chart includes many picturesque scenes of children and birds and other wild animals. Add your own personal touch: You could use your own choice of overdyed or multicolor threads for stitching the leaves.
Happy childhood, autumn - cross stitch pattern by Perrette Samouiloff (large pattern)
Here comes the rain! This design is available as a pattern without text or with the following rhyme:
" Rain, rain go away
Come gain another day!"
" Rain, rain go away
Come gain another day!"
Here comes the rain and Rain, rain, go away- cross stitch patterns by Perrette Samouiloff
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A beautiful ABC pattern entirely stitched in a palette of soft multicolor threads.
Child and fox ABC - cross stitch pattern by Perrette Samouiloff
>> see more patterns by Perrette Samouiloff
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A Japanese poem to cross stitch
A beautiful source of inspiration for Monique Bonnin, this piece of Japanese poetry or haïku, depicts a gracious white chrysanthemum.Autumn Haiku: petals of chrysanthemum - by Monique Bonnin
>> see more flower patterns by designer Monique Bonnin
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New patterns in fabulous fall foilage colors!
Overdyed threads and multicolor floss are great for autumn patterns, displaying the variations in color that you can see in nature. Discover the gorgeous new patterns 4 of our designers created with these threads. (works of Perrette Samouiloff, Tom et Lily, Tam's Creations & Helga Mandl) >> see all seasonal patterns using multicolor threads
Autumn squirrel , Tam's creations
Many stitchers wonder what technique they should use when stitching with overdyed and multicolor floss. Should you always stitch one cross at a time. Are there any alternative techniques? With this point in mind we asked our designers how they like to use the threads. It turns out they had many tips to share!
>> tips and tricks for stitching with overdyed and multicolor threads
Tom & Lily - Autumn fruit (detail)
You might also be interested in more:
>> autumn patterns
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Barbara Ana's latest designs now available!
We have just added four new Barbara Ana designs to our website.
If you are looking for some spooky and fun patterns for Halloween, here's something to keep you stitching!
Barbara Ana Designs - Stitch or die! pattern
Barbara Ana Designs - Boo to ewe! pattern>> see all Halloween patterns by Barbara Ana Designs
There's also 2 cute, colorful and fun biscornus that have been added to Barbara Ana's collection. One features a little piggy rolling about in the mud. The other one is "Santa Paws", reappearing as a biscornu. Remember him?
Holy Mud biscornu - Barbara Ana Designs
Barbara Ana Designs - Santa Paws biscornu pattern
>> see all biscornus patterns by Barbara Ana Designs
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Three new patterns by Helga Mandl
A spooky welcome sign, a swirling witch or a sweet garden scene... discover the latest seasonal patterns by Helga Mandl!
"Enter if you dare" Halloween cross stitch pattern by Helga Mandl
"So long kitty" Halloween cross stitch pattern by Helga Mandl
"Pumpkin Jack" Halloween cross stitch pattern by Helga Mandl
>> see more Halloween patterns by Helga Mandl
>> see all Halloween patterns
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Halloween: great new cross stitch patterns!
The cats are out having fun. Such a cute little family! A pattern by Agnès Delage-Calvet.
Agnès Delage-Calvet - We're a spooky family, counted cross stitch pattern
Olivia, the fairy-witch, Barbara Ana's latest pattern!
Barbara Ana - Olivia the fairy witch, counted cross stitch pattern
(alternative text: Abracadabra)
The owl is circling in the night. What is this funny witch up too? A pattern by Chouett'alors.
Chouett'alors - The witches' cauldron, counted cross stitch pattern
Watch the little fairy turn into a witch at night!
(Some glow-in-the-dark magic floss involved). Design Feefeedille.
Féeféedille - Once upon a time... counted cross stitch pattern
>> see more Halloween cross stitch patterns
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32 new halloween mini motifs by Helga Mandl!
No less than 32 new patterns to choose from: these little patterns are very quick to stitch and make ideal little gifts for family and friends and for recreating a Halloween decor in the house. You can either by the whole book at a special price or by chartpacks individually.
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Helga Mandl - Halloween Ornies, counted cross stitch patterns
>> see more Halloween patterns by Helga Mandl
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Stitch for Halloween with threads that glow in the dark!
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We have just added to our website some information about threads that can bring a lot of excitement to your projects. And they're perfect for Halloween too!>> learn more about Glow-in-the-dark floss
>> learn more about fluorescent floss
>> see patterns designed with fluorescents and glow-in-the-dark floss
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What's this? A "hallowscornu"!
You can trust designer Barbara Ana to have fun! She has just come up with a "Hallowscornu"....
We'll tell you what it is: a pack of fun to stitch, packed with whimsical detail, a fabulous choice of thread and fabric colors, and embellished with beads!
Hallowscornu - biscornu pattern for Halloween by Barbara Ana
>> see more Halloween patterns by Barbara Ana
| Attention Barbara Ana Collectors! We now have Barbara Ana's complete collection of patterns for sale, over 60 patterns in total, including all of her previously designed patterns and specials - everything's here!   Black sheep Biscornu - pattern designed by Barbara Ana  Sweet Summer - pattern designed by Barbara Ana  Halloween ornaments - pattern designed by Barbara Ana  Bootscornu - pattern designed by Barbara Ana  Going Batty - pattern designed by Barbara Ana  Christmas Ornaments - pattern designed by Barbara Ana  More Christmas Ornaments - pattern designed by Barbara Ana  Joy to the world - pattern designed by Barbara Ana  Christmas bicornu - pattern designed by Barbara Ana  Peace on Earth - pattern designed by Barbara Ana>> see all patterns by Barbara Ana ____________________________________________________________________________________ |
| Helga Mandl: largest choice ever! With 8 new designs just having been added, we now have the integral collection of Helga Mandl's charts - over 120 patterns, all available for instant download. Helga has so much creative energy that it's communicative. She has a great sense of color, a wide imagination and when she's designing she's always thinking about interesting threads, fabrics and accessories she'll be using so each pattern is always a new surprise. Check out her latest charts:   Touching your shoes - designed by Helga Mandl   Garden angel - designed by Helga Mandl   Enjoy (Yummy chocolate cookies!) - designed by Helga Mandl   Scissors sampler - designed by Helga Mandl Don't miss all her other patterns, all conveniently sorted by themes >> see all of Helga Mandls patterns __________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
| Barbara Ana: inimitable style You can recognize a great cross stitch designer when you can immediately identify the author of a pattern by looking at their work. Barbara Ana, while having just recently started designing professionally, is definitely one of the great upcoming designers bringing new talent and creativity to cross stitch. On top of her inimitable style and vibrant colors, she has something that is very hard to define, but that a stitcher will immediately be aware of when stitching her designs: the art of making every part of the cross stitching interesting to stitch. The "fun" element of stitching does not follow any specific rules. It's for a designer to "feel" and for a stitcher to experience. Try one of her patterns and you'll see for yourself!   Be Hippie "Don't worry be ... Hippie! "- design by Barbara Ana   Valentine's Biscornu "You got me!" - design by Barbara Ana Designs >> see more of Barbara Ana's cross stitch patterns __________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
Finishing techniques: a recipe book In our last newsletter we asked those of you who had great creative ideas to share them with all of us. We were delighted to receive some very original ideas for finishing a stitched piece and hope to get some more soon. Don't forget to send us your photos! Maria created a personalized recipe book for her sister: learn the story and discover the great ideas she had, using 3 different charts. >> Finishing ideas: Maria's recipe book Thank you so much Maria! For the occasion, Barbara Ana created a special design at Maria's request: the "male version" of Kiss the cook. We're sure plenty of stitchers will be delighted to stitch him too!   Male version... ... and Female versionBarbara Ana Kiss the cook >> Barbara Ana Kiss the cook (male version) __________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
Finishing techniques We occasionally receive from you some great photos of your finished pieces, and we are amazed at how creative you can be at finding ideas for displaying your stitching. Whether you frame your projects, turn them into cushions, bags, pouches, or what have you, there seems to be no end to your creativity. This led to the idea that we could open a gallery of photos on Creative Poppy's website and feature some of your best ideas for finishing projects so that you could share them with others. If you have stitched one of our patterns and would like it displayed on our website, please send us a photo using our contact form and select "Finished pieces: I'd like to share my photo". If you wish, you can add a small comment about the project (how you got the idea, what's its for, tips etc.). We look forward to receiving some great ideas and sharing them with you all! For all pictures selected for our "finishing techniques" section we will give you one free pattern by the same designer. ______________________________________________________________________________________ |
| Welcome Sylvie Teytaud, the latest designer to join Creative Poppy's website!  You'll love Sylvie Teytaud's fresh and very feminine approach to cross stitch design. Sylvie can not only stitch, she can draw and paint and it certainly shows in her patterns.Sylvie is already well known in Europe for her pattern books, especially her fairies so it seemed only natural to introduce these patterns first. More of course will follow soon. Our favorite fairy is featured to your left. She watches over our beautiful planet (and the planet certainly needs her!). Help her spread the message "Look after your planet". Sylvie Teytaud - Look after your planet. More fairy patterns by Sylvie Teytaud:        There's also a beautiful baby pattern, with three fairy godmothers watching over a new baby:Fairy godmothers- baby ABC - designed by Sylvie Teytaud Don't miss Sylvie Teytaud's Xmas charts which are already online too!     >> see all patterns by Sylvie Teytaud ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
| Biggie Biscornu! You MUST see it! Tamara (Tam's Creations) has come up with a really great project. A pattern for a giant biscornu that functions as a cushion. It's incredible!   Biggie Biscornu cushion pattern designed by Tam's Creations Think this might takes ages to stitch? You guessed wrong! To achieve this large scale while limiting the number of stitches, Tam used the "Extra large" 6ct Aida that gets you stitching in the fast lane! >> learn about all the possibilities of stitching on "XXL Aida" (including projects, tips, suggestions for embellishments with ribbons and openwork) >> see more biscornus by Tams Creations >> see all biscornu patterns ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
Biscornus:
Step-by-step instructions (compare two mounting techniques)
The most current technique for mounting a biscornu is to stitch two pieces of fabric, outline the border in cross stitch or backstitch and whipstitch the two pieces together to mount the biscornu. Barbara Ana, (who designs some of the most popular biscornus patterns) had already made some excellent instructions with step by step photos available to all on our website. Mounting a biscornu with two squares of needlework fabric (step-by-step instructions by Barbara Ana Designs)
Together with her lastest biscornus patterns , Tam's Creation is suggesting an alternative method for mounting a biscornu using color coordinated fabric for the back. This can look real pretty if you choose a fabric that matches the color of your threads. You can also add trimmings and other embellishments.
Mounting a biscornu using a piece of color coordinated fabric for the back instead of regular needlework fabric (instructions by Tam's Creations)
Thanks to both designers, you can download free step-by-step instructions for mounting the biscornus, in either technique.
Free downloads:
>> Step by step instructions for making a biscornu (whip stitch method)- Barbara Ana
>> Step by step instructions for making a biscornu with color coordinated fabric - Tam's Creations
You might also want to check-out our beautiful collection of biscornus:
>> see all biscornus patterns
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Reproduction samplers by Muriel Brunet
Have you ever seen Muriel Brunet's remarkable private collection of antique samplers? Over the years, she has collected the most beautiful stitched pieces. Every one of them has it's own personality and specificities. You can sense if the stitcher was very young or more experienced. You can feel when the stitcher was very creative, letting her imagination guide her. You can see which of these stitchers was the most precise in her use of her precious silk thread. Every one of these stitched pieces is like reading a book and learning more about the stitcher.With immense patience, spending hours over each of them, Muriel Brunet has transcribed these pieces into modern charts, with very thorough explanations, also providing her own modern stitched interpretation of the work.
Four new Reproduction Samplers have just been added to the collection, each with a special personality and style:
This sampler dates back to 1876. The stitcher was very precise in her choice and use of her precious silk threads, varying the number of strands and the quality of the threads to create dimensional effects.The two birds add a lot of charm to the composition. Shown here is the modern rendering (to view the original, click on the image to see the product detail).
Josephine 1876 - reproduction sampler - Muriel Brunet Collection
Somewhat faded, the original sampler was stitched on canvas. The colors have the same old-fashioned appeal in the new piece, though it is stitched on white linen. Countryside sampler dated 1872 - reproduction sampler - Muriel Brunet Collection
Probably the work of a very yound girl, this sampler is charming in it's simplicity. The red thread of the original sampler has faded over the years and the canvas is a little stained but you can easily imagine this young stitcher struggling a little with her letters at first but finally proudly dating and signing her piece with ornemental initials. 1897 - Germany.Small German sampler 1897 - reproduction sampler - Muriel Brunet Collection
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An alphabet sampler that doubles as a stitch sampler, this piece is a rare blue (most samplers were traditionnaly stitched in red). One of its special features is a series of stitches of increasing complexity, including darning stitches, one of them with an interesting chevron motif. R. Werner 1907 - Germany - Reproduction sampler - Muriel brunet collection
>> see all the reproduction samplers of Muriel Brunet's collection
>> learn more about antique samplers
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