Sourcing Zweigart 32 ct Belfast  linen in color Granite (7025) 

for the Winged Dreams design by Barbara Ana

Used for:

Winged Dreams cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana designs

Fabric:

32 ct. Belfast linen in color Granite (7025) from Zweigart 

Zweigart reference: 3609-7025

7609 = fabric type 32ct Belfast linen

7025 = color

 

Fabric type and color:

 

The color is a brown, milk coffee color close to DMC floss color 3787.

 

Fabric type: 100% linen 

Belfast linen is a light, slightly starched linen, with a clearly defined weave making it perfect for cross stitch. Usually stitched over two, and therefore equivalent in size to Aida 16ct.

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Cross stitch & needlework patterns  (continued)

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Replanting The Tulip

The sun is out and the children are busy with an all important task: replanting the potted tulip somewhere in the garden where the bulb can settle down in the ground, gather strength and sprout again after a long winter's rest. Where shall we put it? Among the irises and the primroses? Teeming with life, this cross stitch pattern is brought to you by Perrette Samouiloff.

The Tulip Counted cross stitch pattern by Perrette Samouiloff

>> see more Spring patterns by Perrette Samouiloff

>> see all patterns with tulips (all designers)

Enjoying the outdoors with Samantha Purdy

Sweet little patterns celebrating the simple pleasures of life: enjoying breakfast on the balcony, growing seedlings and enjoying coffee with a friend. We love the "two pictures in one" effect of the later, with a lilliputian scene and oversize spring flowers, as if expressing the joy of being outdoor after a long winter (our designer is from Canada!).

>> see all the News related to Gardening and cross stitch

>> see all patterns related to Gardens and gardening (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.

Tiny Modernist - Spring Garden design
As reviewed in The World of Cross stitching magazine issue 320 on sale April/May 2022

Spring Garden design Counted cross stitch pattern by Tiny Modernist

>> see all patterns featured in cross stitch and needlework magazines

Symmetry & Asymmetry

How do you achieve balance in a sampler?  Here is a wonderful example - an amazing late 19th century French sampler, that has newly joined Meriem Chauvet's private collection - where most of the sampler is laid out symmetrically, motifs mirroring each other, yet the large asymmetrical flower in the basin provides life and movement. The elements of this sampler are all lovely for themselves, the elaborate alphabets, the carnation border, the delicate birds, but it is the whole, as it was no doubt carefully put together, that provides this stunning visual impact.

This Reproduction Sampler is brought to you by Meriem Chauvet of Couleur Tourterelle.

	Jeanne Bernard Reproduction Sampler by Couleur Tourterelle

>> see all Reproduction Samplers by Couleur Tourterelle

Birds gathered amongst blooms

These birds are pictured in such natural positions, they look as if they are about to suddenly turn their head around and fly away. Perrette Samouiloff, a great observer of birds as well as an expert cross stitch designer, depicts actual bird species, though she admits some artistic licence when dealing with feather colors to achieve overall harmony. This is the largest of the designer's patterns featuring birds.

	Spring Birds Counted cross stitch pattern by Perrette Samouillof

>> see all patterns featuring small birds (all designers)

More blossom patterns

Cherry blossom motifs (detail) Perrette Samouiloff

Anthea-May Blossoms Faby Reilly Designs

Bluebird Biscornu Tiny Modernist

The old cherry Tree (detail) K's studio

>> see all patterns with Tree blossoms

Pottering in the Garden (and having a nice chat with one's neighbor)

The simple joys of life, such as watering the plants and chatting with the nice lady next door, captured in cross stitch by Samantha Purdy. The young designer has been designing these spare, contemporary style patterns for the last couple of years, gradually building a wonderful collection of snapshots of life's happy moments.

Neighborhood chat Counted cross stitch pattern by Samantha Purdy Needlecraft

>> see all Spring patterns by Samantha Purdy Needlecraft

More Watering cans (and hose) by Samantha Purdy

Night Garden

Plant Shelf

Watering before bed

Vegetable garden

More Watering cans (all designers)
 

Spring Garden Tiny Modernist

A story told in stitches: A day in the garden Agnès Delage-Calvet

Summer Garden Riverdrift House

Garden days Lesley Teare Designs

>> see all patterns with Plants and Gardens (all designers)

Spring is in the air

How better to convey the feeling of spring than with this lovely pale yellow contrasting against the darker natural background. This pattern is part of a series of four, one for each season. Watch out for the next releases. A cross stitch design by Lesley Teare.

Seasonal Sampler Spring Counted cross stitch pattern by Lesley Teare designs

More patterns with Houses

Yellow House Sampler Riverdrift House

Georgian Houses Lesley Teare Designs

The House with the Mezzanine Gera! by Kyoko Maruoka

I like this place Barbara Ana

>> see all patterns with Houses (all designers)

I'm a little teapot...

...so pretty in yellow with tiny roses motifs that Lesley has chosen to use me as a vase.

March Flowers Counted cross stitch pattern by Lesley Teare Designs

More Teapots by Lesley Teare

Decorative Teapots Counted cross stitch pattern by Lesley Teare Designs

Small Spring and Easter Motifs by Lesley Teare

These designs by Lesley Teare are all between 20 and 55 stitches wide or high and will measure between 2 and 4 inches wide/high on 14ct. Ideal for all small projects: Easter ornaments, greeting cards, gift tags, fridge magnets, table decoration and garlands.

30 Spring flower motifs	Easter Egg Cards	Easter Basket Motifs	Blackwork Easter designs
30 Blackwork & Color mini motifs	Blackwork Spring Cards	Floral Hearts	Bird House Tweets

>> see all Easter patterns (all designers)

Barbara Ana - Stitch along with Barbara Ana

For those who missed Barbara Ana's latest SAL "Will you stitch along with me?", here is the story of how the pattern was unveiled, as Barbara Ana stitched the design day by day.

	Day 1: out in the garden on a sunny day   A patch of flowers appears against the bright blue background fabric.
Day 2: sitting on the couch   Golden leaves to the left, a dark geometric motif to the right.
	Day 3: puzzled   Is this a mane of hair? Is this a tail?
Day 4: the cat appears   This is definitely a cat!
	Day 5: stitching at night   Strange horns grow out of the flower crowned head, a desolate house, surrounded by cacti, and some more keys.
Day 6: Done!   A couple of finishing touches, the floral blouse, in a patchwork of colorful textiles and embroidery.

Can you guess her name? Some stitchers did! She's called Frida Kathlo and is now available as a full pattern:

Frida Kathlo

Counted cross stitch pattern by

Barbara Ana Designs

If you took part in the SAL, did you enjoy stitching this Barbara Ana mystery chart? Would you like some more? 

Your comments and feedback are most welcome.

Lesley Teare 2022 SAL -  Bird houses

The Lesley Teare 2022 Stitch-along is now ongoing. You can join at any time. It comes as a subscription in twelve monthly sections, from Jan to Dec 2022 and shows 12 different bird houses full of surprises and interesting detail. 

The February bird house turns out to be a flower pot with a pair of lovebirds perched upon a heart. Right is a picture of a version sent to us stitched on blue/purple hand-dyed 32ct linen. What will the third bird house look like? Send us a picture of yours!

Lesley Teare 2022 SAL - Subscription Counted cross stitch pattern released in 12 monthly parts

The January bird house is a little teapot with a Scottish design featuring a piper and thistles.

Cups teaming with life

These twelve cups* are teeming with life: flowers and fruit, birds, bees and butterflies. In a fun mirror effect the cups themselves are decorated with matching themes. A cross stitch chart designed by Lesley Teare.

* originally the 2021 Lesley Teare SAL

Tea Cup Sampler Counted cross stitch pattern by Lesley Teare Designs

Tea cups, Mugs & Bowls in cross stitch

Teatime Sampler (detail) Lesley Teare Designs	8 Teacup motifs(detail) Tapestry Barn	Love my Kitchen Lilli Violette	Teatime Birds Lesley Teare Designs
Tea Time Gail Bussy - Rosebud Lane	Tea Time The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery	Ready for breakfast (bowl) Sylvie Teytaud	Drink coffee (Stitch faster) Barbara Ana Designs

>> see all Teacups, Mugs & Bowls (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.

GERA! - Woman 1
As featured in The World of Cross stitching magazine issue 319 on sale March/April 2022

Woman 1 Counted cross stitch pattern by GERA!

Barbara Ana Designs - Stitch Along with me - Mystery chart subscription
As featured in the Best Buys section of The World of Cross stitching magazine issue 319 on sale March/April 2022

Stitch Along with me - Mystery chart subscription Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs

>> see all patterns featured in cross stitch and needlework magazines

Barbara Ana - Total Surprise mystery chart

There are no clues whatsoever for Barbara Ana's latest Mystery chart, but you can trust the designer to take you on a very imaginative and creative trip. And this time you will stitch together with Barbara Ana who will share images of her stitching as the work progresses. 

The list of supplies is now available so that you can source your supplies ahead of time. You can subscribe to the SAL from now on. The first chart will be available for download as of February 1st. Have fun!

Stitch along with me - Mystery chart SAL Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs

Travelling through time

Meriem Chauvet, the designer of Couleur Tourterelle collects old samplers, looking for the smallest detail that tells its story, analyzing the slightest traces of fibers on the wrong side - those that have resisted light and hungry moths - bringing colors back to life, identifying every single cross stitch, even when it is shifted by a single thread of fabric.

Thanks to her painstaking efforts, samplers regain the splendor of their youth, such as this trio of works of French origin and dating from mid 19th century onwards. Stitchers have always loved color and when colorful woollen yarns became available, they certainly knew how to make good use of them!

	Anaïs Hermitte 1856 Reproduction Sampler by Couleur Tourterelle
	Marie Cantais 1877 Reproduction Sampler by Couleur Tourterelle
	J st A Reproduction Sampler by Couleur Tourterelle

>> see all Reproduction Samplers by Couleur Tourterelle

Fun with Colors

No doubt the art class is their favourite, they have so much fun. Perrette Samouiloff's latest children's release is playful and colorful as ever.

The Art Class Counted cross stitch pattern by Perrette Samouiloff

More children having fun 

The Ballet dance lesson

Pony Club

The little orchestra

Up and Down the slope (the skiers)

>> see more patterns for Children by Perrette Samouiloff

Say it in stitches

Valentine Balloons Counted cross stitch pattern by Faby Reilly Designs

>> see more patterns expressing Love, by Faby Reilly Designs

More patterns for Valentine's day

Stitch a token of your love. Here are a couple of cute ideas, big or small. Check out the whole section of Valentine patterns below.

Love Humbug Faby Reilly Designs

Volo d'Amore Alessandra Adelaide Needlework

Love Biscornu Barbara Ana Designs

Valentine Chouett'alors

>> see all patterns for Valentine's Day

Lesley Teare's Oriental Crane - revisited in crochet

We love it when stitchers come up with creative ideas for using a design to suit their own projects. We just received this message from Delia H who was struck by Lesley' Teare Oriental crane design and decided 
to use as a guide to crochet a panel in her own choice of colors.

"It came out so beautiful, and my 19-year old daughter (who this is for) absolutely LOVES it."

Congratulations Delia, and thanks so much for sharing this lovely creative idea.

Oriental Crane Counted cross stitch pattern by Lesley Teare Designs

More Japan inspired patterns

10 traditional Japanese motifs K's Studio	Japanese Characters Gera! by Kyoko Maruoka	The Cherry Blossom Festival The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery	Japanese Snowscape Maria Diaz
Cherry Blossom Biscornu Tiny Modernist	Cherry Blossom Cushion Faby Reilly Designs	Old Cherry Tree K's Studio	Kokeshi Biscornu III Barbara Ana Designs
Cherry Blossom motifs Perrette Samouiloff	Sushi Bento box Tiny Modernist	petals of Chrysanthemum - Haiku Monique Bonnin	5 Kokeshi dolls GERA! by Kyoko Maruoka

>> see all cross stitch patterns related to Japan

Coming up soon: Easter

Easter is on April 17th this year. Still plenty of time for stitching some cute patterns and adding a cheerful spring touch to your home. Check out all Creative Poppy's latest ideas and patterns for Easter cross stitching.

Hoppy Easter (detail) Barbara Ana Designs	Easter Wreath Tiny Modernist	Chicks in a Spring Garden (detail) Perrette Samouiloff	Spring Biscornu Barbara Ana Designs
Greeting of Spring (detail) Iveta Hlavinova	Teddy Cards for Happy Occasions (Easter card) Lesley Teare Designs	Bluebirds Heart Iveta Hlavinova	Easter tree Alessandra Adelaide Needleworks
Art Nouveau Alphabet Maria Diaz Designs	Little Easter bunnies (detail one ornament) Agnès Delage-Calvet	Happy Easter (detail) Alessandra Adelaide Needleworks	Christ is risen Gracewood Stitches

>> see all cross stitch patterns for Easter 

A rare cathedral and a wonderful story by Couleur Tourterelle

Meriem Chauvet, Couleur Tourterelle's designer always amazes us with the discoveries she makes, just by observing a sampler - closely it must be said because she spots the smallest capricious cross stitch - and digging through archives . One of her recent finds is a cathedral stitched in 1841 by Florentine Picard. She learns there isn't one but two twin samplers and goes on to tell us the story of two little French country girls living in neighboring villages, stitching two almost identical samplers a few months apart. What a wonderful story a sampler can tell!

The 2nd sampler presented here, that of Maria S, is not stitched by Maria Sadella as would appear, but by a 11-year-old girl, with an anonymous surname. The two samplers, stitched 13 years apart, have interesting points in common.

	Florentine Picard 1841 Reproduction Sampler by Couleur Tourterelle
	Maria S 1854 Reproduction Sampler by Couleur Tourterelle

>> see all Reproduction Samplers by Couleur Tourterelle

While we wait for Spring

Mellow yellows and mauves contrast with the icy spikes of the blackwork crystals. While winter bites, mother nature is slowly but surely piercing through the snow and timid flowers sprout. A Blackwork and cross stitch design by Lesley Teare.

Winter Blackwork Design Counted cross stitch pattern by Lesley Teare Designs

>> see more Blackwork patterns by Lesley Teare Designs

More Creative Poppy News continued on next page...        
 

>> see more news (continued)

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Latest News:

All the latest news about Kateryna - Stitchy Princess, as published in Creative Poppy's newsletter.
>> see all cross stitch patterns by Kateryna - Stitchy Princess

Ukrainian Girls

Kateryna's world is inspired by fairy tales, old folk legends and the beautiful Ukrainian countryside, farmland and forests. Depicted here in cross stitch are portraits of "Ukrainian girls", long hair woven into the traditional braid on the side and wearing regional folk dresses. The Sunflower, emblem of the country is also a recurring theme in the designer's repertoire.

	Fairy tale motifs (Spring Ukrainian Girl) Counted cross stitch pattern by Kateryna, Stitchy Princess
	Miss Sunflower (Large pattern) Counted cross stitch pattern by Kateryna, Stitchy Princess
	Miss Sunflower (Small) Counted cross stitch pattern by Kateryna, Stitchy Princess

Bees a-buzzing

There are beehives everywhere in the Ukrainian countryside and honey is carefully harvested in every village. This pattern plays tribute to the bees' hard work and their precious nectar.

The World of Bees Counted cross stitch pattern by Kateryna, Stitchy Princess

Stary night

The night sky comes alive with playful moons, planets and stars, tiny letters of the alphabet filling the voids. The pattern comes in two versions, one with a regular alphabet, an an extra pattern with the Ukrainian alphabet should you wish to stitch Kateryna's original version.

Night Alphabet Sampler (+Ukrainian ABC) Counted cross stitch pattern by Kateryna, Stitchy Princess

Life in the forest

A keen observer of nature, Kateryna loves to depict woodland animals. Stroll with her through the forest, keep your eyes peeled and you will meet many new friends.

Forest Owls

Rabbits' House

Snails & Leaves

Look closer still and you might spot the tiny fairies, like the tiny one sitting on a swing held mid-air by a pair of butterflies, or the Acorn Fairy, protector of all woodland animals.

Flower fairy

Woodland Fairies

Acorn fairy

Through Meadows and Marshlands

The mice have found a wonderful playground. Poisonous but so pretty, these colorful mushroom are another recurring theme in Kateryna's work. Together with small animals of the woods, they pop up in many of her designs.

Mushroom Meadow Counted cross stitch pattern by Kateryna, Stitchy Princess

Kataryna's aquatic world is also rich with fantastic detail and color. Herons fish, swans and ducks glide by among an amazing array of marshland plants and flowers.

Magical Swamp Counted cross stitch pattern by Kateryna, Stitchy Princess

And deeper into the woods, you now enter the magical forest

The forest comes alive, trees that seem to be moving their arms, animals behaving strangely, and something moving in the mysterious green pond. Isn't that a mermaid's tail?

The Magical Forest Counted cross stitch pattern by Kateryna, Stitchy Princess

Did you notice the strange hut in the background, standing on chicken legs? The forest is home to Baba Yaga. Hear Kateryna tell about her own words:

"Baba Yaga (the Bony Legged Witch) is one of the most famous characters of Slavic folk tales. Sometimes she is shown as ugly and evil but in other tales she is often quite helpful and kind, helping the hero solve their problem. My own Baba Yaga is rather cute, with flowing white hair, a kind smile and not at all scary. She loves cooking her famous mushroom stew."

More Baba Yaga

Baba Yaga, the Woodland Witch

Baba Yaga, the Woodland Witch

Baba Yaga's Hut

Baba Yaga's Hut

More cross stitch patterns by Kateryna

Stitchy Princess

Kateryna - Stitchy Princess cross stitch patterns. Now, available as instant downloadable patterns, on Creative Poppy's website.

All patterns are designed to be easy to stitch, with only full stitches and some limited backstitch for detail.

The designer is careful to create with user-friendly charts with carefully selected symbols.

Every stitcher will find their optimum choice of chart as the patterns come with both Color and B&W charts, as well as a special one-page overview for digital viewing.

There are more works by Kateryna - Stitchy Princess coming up soon on Creative Poppy's website. Check out this news section or sign up for Creative Poppy's newsletter.

>> see all cross stitch patterns designed by Kateryna - Stitchy Princess

>> Back to Latest pattern news (all designers)

Barbara Ana Mystery chart (SAL)

Bonkers!

CROSS STITCH PATTERN DESIGNED BY Barbara Ana DESIGNS

Click on the links below to download your files:

The pattern comes in 2 parts released at the following dates:

Supplies		Download Key and Supplies (now available)
Part 1		Download Part 1 (available Sept 15th)
Part 2		Download Part 2 (available Oct 1st)

Access to SAL files will be closed as of Dec 31 2022. Please make sure you have downloaded all parts by then, Thank you.

Latest News: 
Cross stitch & needlework patterns  (continued)

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Jewel-like needlework ornaments

Faby Reilly has a special talent for transforming a small piece of fabric into the most exquisite of jewels, shining with a thousand reflections. Each side of this cube is embellished with a pattern inspired by ice and snow crystals, mixing silver threads, seed beads and sequins on a cross stitch base. A wonderful hand-stitched ornament to display in your home for the festive season.

Let it Snow Cube Counted cross stitch pattern by Faby Reilly

Matching ornaments - Let it Snow collection

Let it snow Biscornu

Let it snow Biscornu (detail)

Let it Snow - Star Ornament

Let it Snow - Star Ornament (detail)

Matching ornaments - Frosty collection

>> see all patterns in the Frosty series by Faby Reilly Designs

>> see all Festive Season ornaments by Faby Reilly

Barbara Ana's Christmas SAL's now available as regular charts

We have now closed all sales of the Barbara Ana Christmas SALs, however by popular demand, the designs are now available as regular patterns.

If you have already subscribed to the SAL, please make sure you download all your files by Jan 31st on the subscriptions download page

Christmas Cake Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs

Santa's Trips Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs

>> see all Christmas patterns by Barbara Ana Designs

More Christmas Cakes

Busy Baking cakes Sylvie Teytaud

Christmas baking Iveta Hlavinova

Christmas Gift tags (Christmas Baking - series 3) Faby Reilly

Christmas Ornaments (series1) Barbara Ana Designs

>> see all patterns related to Christmas cakes and Baking

Festive Season Bell pull

Bell pulls are a handy way of displaying cross stitch. Have you ever thought of making your own? For this new Christmas design by Perrette Samouiloff we simply used a thin round stick, beads with matching holes, and a bit of red cord. Bell pulls are practical too as they will always find a way into your home, they will even fit in between two doors.

Christmas Bell pull Counted cross stitch pattern by Perrette Samouiloff

>> see all Christmas patterns by Perrette Samouiloff

More Banner patterns for Christmas

Nordic Christmas banner Perrette Samouiloff

Reindeer Christmas banner Agnès Delage-Calvet

Alessandra Adelaide Needleworks Christmas Tale

Home for Christmas Shannon Christine Designs

>> see all Christmas banners and greetings

Christmas Ornaments by Tapestry Barn

Folk Art inspiration for the first, vintage blown glass balls for the second, here are two fun charts to cross stitch with Christmas decorations. Hang them hang on the tree, or to admire as a whole, whichever you fancy.

Tapestry Barn's designer is always full of useful tips and clever ideas: the latter design includes two specific colors that can be replaced with Gold and Silver metallics if you want to add more glitz to your stitching.

	Festive Folk Art Ornaments Counted cross stitch pattern by Tapestry Barn
	Bright Baubles Retro Ornaments Counted cross stitch pattern by Tapestry Barn

More Christmas Decs with Tapestry Barn

Fun Christmas cross stitching with a colorful and modern touch. Get started now!

Merry Bright Christmas Tree

Christmas decorations

Hot chocolate

Christmas birds

>> see all Christmas cross stitch charts by Tapestry Barn

New Christmas designs by Lesley Teare

Exciting and colorful new patterns just released for Christmas.

As well as three nativity designs

Also by Lesley Teare, we've recently listed some more Christmas nativity patterns, including this brand new and quite unique church window design. How about stitching your very own nativity scene this year?

Christmas Nativity Windows

Three Wise Men - Blackwork

Unto us a Child is Born

>> See all Christmas patterns by Lesley Teare Designs

More Christmas nativity in cross stitch

Christmas Nativity Riverdrift House

Bethlehem Tapestry Barn

Nativity Humbug Faby Reilly

Three Kings Perrette Samouiloff

>> see all Christmas nativity patterns (all designers)

Vintage Postcard Greetings - in cross stitch

This vintage postcard, which was originally designed and cross stitched by Monique Bonnin with a French text, is now available in an English version: "Best wishes". The retro holly motif is further embellished with red sequin berries. 

Holly Greeting card Counted cross stitch pattern by Monique Bonnin

>> see all vintage postcard patterns by Monique Bonnin

>> see all greeting cards (all designers)

Christmas in Paradise

Faby Reilly takes us to exotic lands for this festive season, with tiny blue-feathered birds nesting among flowering birds of paradise. As always with Faby Reilly, beauty is in the exquisite detail of her intricate needlework designs combining cross stitch and many interesting embellishments of beads and threads. Hours of pleasurable stitching await!

O Tannebaum in Gold Counted cross stitch pattern by Faby Reilly Designs

>> see more Christmas patterns by Faby Reilly Designs

More Tannenbaum by Faby Reilly

O Tannenbaum in Pink

O Tannenbaum in Pink

O Tannenbaum in Blue

O Tannenbaum in Blue

>> see more Christmas patterns by Faby Reilly Designs

New fun and creative Christmas patterns by Chouett'alors

A fluffy Santa hat stitched with white mohair wool, tiny cross stitch ornaments hanging on a laundry line with mini clothes pegs, Chouett'alors' designer is full of creative ideas - and well though out stitching details -  guaranteeing lots of fun for your Christmas stitching as well as splendid end results.

	Christmas laundry line - Advent calendar Counted cross stitch pattern by Chouett'alors
	Four Christmas Owls Counted cross stitch pattern by Chouett'alors
	Christmas Matryoshkas Counted cross stitch pattern by Chouett'alors
	Christmas Owls Duo Counted cross stitch pattern by Chouett'alors

>> see all Christmas patterns by Chouett'alors

More advent calendars to cross stitch

Santa's baking Advent calendar

Christmas Owls Tree Chouett'alors

Santa's advent calendar Agnès Delage-Calvet

12 Days of Christmas Tiny Modernist

>> see all Advent calendar's and Christmas projects

God Jul to you

Start the countdown to Christmas by cross stitching these charming scandinavian mini motifs inspired by the local handicrafts. We love the palette deliberately reduced to (almost) 3 colors which contributes to the pattern's appeal and contemporary touch characteristic of Tapestry Barn designs.

Scandinavian Christmas Sampler Counted cross stitch pattern by Tapestry Barn

>> see all Christmas patterns by Tapestry Barn

More Nordic Christmas patterns

Scandinavian Christmas Agnès Delage-Calvet

Nordic Christmas banner Perrette Samouiloff

Happy Christmas Sampler Riverdrift House

Santa & Mrs Claus Folkies Riverdrift House

Cocooning

Quick to stitch and easy to make, a hottie cover, the perfect gift for a loved one to warm up on a chilly winter night. A fun and creative idea brought to you by Tapestry Barn.

Cold Outside (Hottie cover) Counted cross stitch pattern by Tapestry Barn

>> see more Christmas patterns by Tapestry Barn

Keeping warm on chilly days

More designs and more reasons to enjoy the chill of winter (all the while keeping toasty warm and stitching snuggly seated in a comfortable armchair).

First Snow Samanthapurdytextile	Nose warmer Tempting Tangles	Warm Winter Welcome Barbara Ana designs	Northern Nights Gracewood Stitches
It is snowing somewhere Barbara Ana Designs	Mini Winter Sampler Riverdrift House	Teddy and rabbit in Winter Perrette Samouiloff	Holly Girl Lesley Teare Designs

>> see all Winter patterns

Caramel Christmas

We love the honeyed tones of the cross stitch against the aqua background of this latest new design by Barbara Ana, full of poetic fantasy as always. Santa is perched on a giant bird and is about to take off.

Santa's Flight Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs

Santa's other means of transport

He moves about without leaving the slightest carbon footprint. Maybe we should all follow his example...

Christmas is coming

Through the Woods

Christmas Hare

Santa, Dove, and Key

>> see more Christmas patterns by Barbara Ana Designs

Deep in the forest

Cute little motifs with a contemporary touch including a log cabin, trees and woodland animals.  This little sampler comes in pretty Christmassy colors. Made in no time, it is a real treat to cross stitch. A design by Tiny Modernist.

Woodland Sampler Counted cross stitch pattern by Tiny Modernist

>> see all Christmas patterns by Tiny Modernist

More Deer

Agnès Delage-Calvet Reindeer Christmas banner

White Christmas Muriel Berceville

Deer Joy Barbara Ana Designs

Lesley Teare Designs Snow Deer

>> see all Deer and Reindeer

Christmas is round the corner

We like the decorative, yet sober and discreet touch of this red monochrome pattern. Perfect for giving one's home decor a winter touch and hint of Christmas to come . A design by Perrette Samouiloff.

Red Lace & Holly Christmas Counted cross stitch pattern by Perrette Samouiloff

More Red for Christmas with Perrette Samouiloff

Red Christmas Sampler

Christmas Welcome

8 Red Card-size Christmas ornaments

Xmas kitten ABC

>> see all Christmas patterns by Perrette Samouiloff

A checkered red ribbon motif   Here is a new joyful series of small patterns designed by Shannon Christine. They each feature a different motif and a pretty white greeting on the snowy background, and are embellished with a cheerful red checkered ribbon. The pattern featured right makes a lovely Christmas banner, while the smaller ones below will make delightful Miniatures, Greeting cards or Tree ornaments. Pictured right: Home for Christmas Counted cross stitch pattern by Shannon Christine Designs

Cold Outside Shannon Christine Designs

Jingle bells Shannon Christine Designs

Let it Snow Shannon Christine Designs

Here comes Santa Claus Shannon Christine Designs

More popular Christmas designs by Shannon Christine

Victorian Christmas lady

Christmas Branch

Christmas Ornament Snow Globe

Mrs Clause's Merry Outfits

>> see all Christmas patterns by Shannon Christine Designs

Winter birds and Norfolk turkeys

If you're looking for an easy-to stitch Christmas sampler, do check out Riverdrift House designs. Worked in cross stitch only, with blocks of solid colors, they are fast to stitch yet so merry and colorful! We love the royal Christmas at Sandringham with the brightly lit castle and black Norfolk turkeys roaming in the park.

	Merry Christmas Birds Counted cross stitch pattern by Riverdrift House
	Sandringham Christmas Counted cross stitch pattern by Riverdrift House
	Christmas Turkeys Counted cross stitch pattern by Riverdrift House

>> see all Christmas patterns by Riverdrift House

Christmas with a French touch

White and deep red on a natural-color background is a popular style among French designers. It adds a touch of serenity and classic elegance to the festive season. We are happy to be offering a series of new patterns by designer Couleur d'étoile, with more to follow soon. 

	All along Christmas time Counted cross stitch pattern by Couleur d'étoile
	Magical night Counted cross stitch pattern by Couleur d'étoile
	All Along Winter time Counted cross stitch pattern by Couleur d'étoile
	Merry Christmas Counted cross stitch pattern by Couleur d'étoile

>> see all patterns by Couleur d'étoile

Celebrate! Gracewood's design for the month of December

In her cute "calendar series", here is the designer's pattern for the last month of the year, cross stiched in joyful red in celebration of the festive season.

Here at Creative Poppy we think the motif is not only of timeless beauty, but lends itself to a multitude of projects (from napkins to table cloth) and a variety of colors ways (think wedding present when stitched in white on raw linen). Click on the image for ideas!

December - Celebrate! Counted cross stitch pattern by Gracewood Stitches

>> see all vintage textile patterns by Gracewood Stitches

Christmas in your Home with Tapestry Barn

We love Tapestry Barn's young and cheerful style, as well as their fun creative ideas. Patterns are also easy to stitch and full of useful tips. Here are two projects that will bring a joyful Christmas touch into your home.

	Birds and Berries Winter Cushion Counted cross stitch pattern by Tapestry Barn
	Christmas Mittens decorations Counted cross stitch pattern by Tapestry Barn

>> see all patterns by Tapestry Barn

>> see all patterns with Christmas ornaments (all designers)

Star of Bethlehem

Also by Tapestry Barn, here is an outstanding Christmas nativity scene, with wonderful detail and colors, sure to become a staple of the festive season in your home. It is designed as a wall hanging scroll, extra handy for rolling up and protecting until the next Christmas season.

Bethlehem (Christmas nativity) Counted cross stitch pattern by Tapestry Barn

>> see all patterns with Christmas nativity scenes (all designers)

Exquisitely wrapped

Ever seen such a pile of dazzlingly wrapped gifts?

If you like intricate cross stitch detail, you'll just love this Christmas design, lavishly embellished with seed beads and golden metallics. We have also provided extra zoom-in charts so you won't miss a single detail. A pattern by Shannon Christine, a designer with superb talent for intricate and detailed needlework.

Note: Creative Poppy supports sustainable gift wrapping and creative use of recycled or reusable materials. You don't have to miss all the glitter and fun though: instead of throw-away paper and ornaments, why not make your own reusable Christmas bags that can serve again year after year? 

Santa's Sleigh Counted cross stitch pattern by Shannon Christine Designs

>> see more Christmas patterns by Shannon Christine Designs

More Creative Poppy News continued on next page...        >> see more news (continued)
>> back to most recent news
 

Sourcing Zweigart Lugana - Murano Basalt Splash (7419)  evenweave

Used for:

Dancer
cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana designs

Miss Mandrake

cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana designs

Fabric:

32 ct. Basalt Splash (7419)  Lugana - Murano from Zweigart 

Zweigart reference: 3984-7419

3984 = fabric type 32ct Murano

7419 = color

Note: Murano is Zweigart's 32ct version of 28ct Lugana. In the US it is sometimes only known under the name Lugana

>> back to most recent news

The Dreaming Girl grows Wings

Initially introduced in steps as an SAL, this design is now available as a whole pattern. Part of the amazing Dreaming girl series, she has grown colorful wings and turned into a butterfly. In between her delicate antenna is a tiny hat carrying her sunshades.

Winged Dreams Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs

And yet another butterfly...

This time our dreaming girl is in Asia, her motionless figure contrasting with her vivid dream.

Butterfly Dreams Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs

>> see all Dreaming Girl patterns by Barbara Ana Designs

More patterns with Butterflies

Blackwork Butterflies Lesley Teare Designs

Butterfly motifs (on Bath Towel) Marie-Anne Rethoret-Melin

Butterfly Alphabet Maria Diaz Designs

Butterfly Biscornu Tiny Modernist

>> see all patterns with Butterflies

Travels with a donkey

This turn of the century French sampler, part of Meriem Chauvet's private collection, features a very attractive alphabet with ornate letters and a donkey motif, actually from an existing Sajou chart published decades earlier. Of particular interest is the use of double running stitch outlining some motifs in a contrasting color, in order to provide extra emphasis. A cross stitch reproduction sampler from Couleur Tourterelle.

Jeanne Podebon 1906 Reproduction Sampler by Couleur Tourterelle

>> see all Reproduction Samplers by Couleur Tourterelle

More patterns with Donkeys

Sepia Baby Animal alphabet Marie Diaz Designs

Toile de Jouy Lesley Teare Designs

Baby Lou Perrette Samouiloff

Bremen Town Musicians GERA! Kyoko Maruoka

Fiery Night

An amazing tribute by Barbara Ana to impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh and his world-known Starry night. The designer manages to recreate in cross stitch the movement, colors and vision of the tormented artist, blending in her own images, brightly lit homes and a dreaming girl with hair raising like flames.

Dreaming of Van Gogh Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs

>> see all Dreaming Girl patterns by Barbara Ana Designs

Dreaming of Klimt - revisited as the Queen of Sheba

We love it when a stitcher is inspired by a pattern, and turns it into a unique work. Here is a wonderful idea shared by Nona J. who was inspired by one of Barbara Ana's designs:

"I tried a couple of variations with Klimt.  I stitched on a 7 ct. aida so she would look kind of like a tapestry.  As I worked, I wanted to give her an identity, so she became the queen of Sheba.  It is very imperfect and looks coarse from the 7 ct., but I like the way it reflects Klimpt's own contrasting quirks....using precious, fine gold, yet painting in unpredictable blocks of color.  I also used a shiny rayon thread for jewel tones and after watching a documentary on Klimt, painting over gold leaf, I infused quite a bit of metallic gold thread.  Just thought you'd enjoy a glimpse.  It's not perfect, but I love her.  Happy creating, Nona J."

	Nona's work (left and below)     Original design (right) Dreaming of Klimt Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs

We find that the Queen of Sheba theme fits perfectly with Barbara Ana's work and tribute to Klimt.

Thank you so much Nona for sharing such a wonderful idea!

Introducing New Designer

Kateryna, for Stitchy Princess

We are both proud and moved to be presenting the work of Ukrainian designer Kateryna, designing under the Stitchy Princess brand.

Kateryna, lives in Ukraine, and contacted us at the beginning of the war, when her country had just been invaded. She was on the front line and we were more than happy to help. In spite of erratic internet connections, we worked hard together to get her designs up and going on our website, and here we are! We just pray that Kateryna and her loved ones stay safe. We find her incredibly brave to keep designing and working in the terrible circumstances she is going through.

We are however also very proud to be presenting Kateryna's work for its own sake, as we are with all other designers Creative Poppy publishes. Indeed, on top of her fertile imagination and creativity, we find Katheryna has achieved what every true designer aims for, developping a cross stitch style of her own.

Now it's for you stitchers to judge for yourselves.

>> see all patterns by Kateryna, Stitchy Princess

>> see all the news for Kateryna, Stitchy Princess

In the manner of a vintage postcard

As if it were an antique black and white photograph, this pattern shows the arrival in Chamonix of the first tourists, who came to admire the French Alps and Mont Blanc and discover its awesome glacier. The Gentlemen and Ladies' clothes were not really adapted - women in heels and long dresses - but the local mountaineers equipped them with ropes and guided them on the glacier.

The cross stitch pattern depicts the mountain landscape and the group with clearly distinguishable silhouettes. A cross stitch chart designed by Monique Bonnin.

Greetings from Mont Blanc Glacier - Vintage Postcard Counted cross stitch pattern by Monique Bonnin

More vintage Postcards and Greeting cards by Monique Bonnin

Holly Greeting card

Incoming Storm Postcard

Best Wishes

Gathered for you

>> see more vintage postcard patterns by Monique Bonnin

A mirror between two worlds

The world is upside down in this very creative and colorful cross stitch design by Barbara Ana. The Little Mermaid languishes in her underwater kingdom, fish swimming in the waters above her head. The other world that attracts the little mermaid so much is pictured through a magnificent solar motif, which appears sealed and inaccessible to her.

Little Red Fish Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs

Under the Sea by Barbara Ana

Over the Seas

Flowers from the Sea

Over the Seas

A Pearl from the Sea

More patterns with Mermaids

Fantasy Mermaid Lesley Teare Designs

The Little Mermaid GERA! Kyoko Maruoka

Seafarer's Globe Maria Diaz Designs

Ahoy! Riverdrift House

>> see all patterns with Mermaids (all designers)

Two new reproduction Samplers

Over 150 years ago, two young girls, one living in rural France, the other in Flanders, complete their sampler.

Marie Joséphine, no doubt the youngest of the two, carefully reproduces the letters her elders have taught her. By contrast, Catherine Elisabeth is already 16 years old. The central motif of her work is the biblical scene of Adam & Eve. Most interesting however is the bird cage on the right, a symbol of marriage (see detail on pattern page). Other motifs include a cradle and more domestic items. No doubt the young stitcher already had marriage in mind.

Both patterns are from Meriem Chauvet's private collection of antique samplers and the Couleur Tourterelle reproduction charts are exact replicas of the originals.

	Marie Joséphine Brayard 1856 Reproduction Sampler by Couleur Tourterelle
	Catherine Elisabeth Masson 1826 Reproduction Sampler by Couleur Tourterelle

More Reproduction Samplers by Couleur Tourterelle

Hortense de Frocourt1887

Gilberte Maleinge 1924

Mme Tougas 1904

Manoela Estadella

>> see all Reproduction Samplers by Couleur Tourterelle

Girl's Beach Fashion, then and now

Perrette Samouiloff pictures little girls of yore (top part in navy), all pretty and dressed up for a trip to the seaside, striding along the beach with spade and bucket, holding on to their straw hats in the wind. Nowadays too (lower part in lighter blue) little girls still enjoy dressing up for the beach, still holding on to their hats in the wind. 

Sailor Blue Counted cross stitch pattern by Perrette Samouiloff

Fashion through the ages with Perrette Samouiloff

Life at the court I - 17th century

Life at the court II - 18th

1900's Bathing Costumes (detail)

Paris Rive Gauche (detail)

>> see all Fashion and Period costumes by Perrette Samouiloff

More Seaside patterns by Perrette Samouiloff

Perrette Samouiloff excels at depicting seaside scenes, you can see she really enjoys observing seal ife and people having fun near the sea.

Happy Childhood, Seaside

Gone fishing

Seaside motif sampler

Seaside Wreath

>> see all Seaside patterns by Perrette Samouiloff

Graceful Dragonflies

This cross stitch alphabet by Lesley Teare comes in wonderful aqua green and blue colors, not only of the dragonflies themselves, but also echoed in the changing colors of each letter. 

Dragonfly Alphabet Counted cross stitch pattern by Lesley Teare designs

More patterns with Dragonflies

Dragonfly pillow Tiny Modernist

Flower & Dragonfly Blackwork Lesley Teare Designs

Waterlily & Dragonfly Lesley Teare Designs

Beetles, Bugs and Butterflies Tapestry Barn

>> see all patterns with Bugs and Butterflies (all designers)

More designs for Bathroom towels

The dragonfly alphabet is perfect for stitching sets of customized bathroom towels, each person with their own initials. These projects make perfect gifts too.

Many other patterns can be stitched on "Ready-to-stitch" terry towels that come with a specially woven Aida band where you can cross stitch initials and/or motifs of your choice. Here is a selection of patterns especially designed for bathroom towels. 

Butterflies design for Hand towel Marie-Anne Réthoret-Mélin

Wandering Ducks Design for Hand towel designer

High Seas band Faby Reilly Designs

The parakeets design for Bathroom towel Perrette Samouiloff

>> see all cross stitch patterns for Bathroom towels

>> see our tips and size-guide for Ready-to-stitch Bathroom towels

Give hardanger a try?

Warning: this stitch can quickly become addictive!

Part of Faby Reilly's Masterclass series; the designer takes you by the hand, starting on familiar ground with a cross stitch and backstitch background, blending in a cute Hardanger heart. Along the way, guided by excellent tutorials, you will learn how to master kloster blocks, cutwork and woven bars. 

What we love about Faby Reilly's patterns and guides is that, in addition to excellent close-up step-by-step photos, they are full of excellent tips and dos and don'ts so you cannot go wrong.

Love You Dad - Hardanger basics Masterclass Counted cross stitch pattern by Faby Reilly Designs

A couple of stitches from from Faby Reilly's Masterclasses

Kloster blocks

Rhode's Butterfly

Woven Picot stitch

Spiderweb stitch

Other stitches include Whipped backstitch, Colonial knots, Stumpwork and more.

>> see all Specialty Stitch Masterclasses by Faby Reilly Designs

Interstellar trip

Embark on a voyage with Barbara Ana and explore the confines of the universe, traveling through stardust, gaseous clouds and swirling planets, into the mysterious world of meditation and dream. A small cross stitch pattern yet an amazing design.

Cosmic Dreams Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana

Crowned as a Queen

Designed by Barbara Ana and initially available as an SAL*, the Floral Dreams pattern is now revealed and available as a regular pattern.

*Existing SAL subscribers can still access their download page but we will not be taking new SAL subscriptions.

This is the portrait of a beautiful Mesoamerican deep in her dreams, head bedecked with flowers reminiscent of the wonderful feather headgear of her precolumbian ancestors, and neck and body covered with gold jewelry.

Floral Dreams Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs

>> see all Dreaming Girl patterns by Barbara Ana Designs

Monique Bonnin's vintage cross stitch postcards

We are delighted to be adding 5 new patterns to Monique Bonnin's wonderful collection of old-style greeting cards. Each one comes with quite a unique theme and layout, inspired by old postcards found at the flee market. They are filled with retro fonts, romantic frames and so glamourous with their metallic highlights and beadwork. Perfect to cross stitch for Birthdays and Special events. 

	Gathered for You - Vintage Postcard / Greeting Card Counted cross stitch pattern by Monique Bonnin
	Old garden Roses (Best Wishes) Counted cross stitch pattern by Monique Bonnin
	Sweet Violets (With Love) Counted cross stitch pattern by Monique Bonnin
	Daisy Heart (With Love / Happy Mother's Day) Counted cross stitch pattern by Monique Bonnin
	With all my Heart (With Love) Counted cross stitch pattern by Monique Bonnin

Date of dispatch

Don't forget to postmark your card!

As a fun final touch, all postcards with "post stamps" can be personalized with a full date. So you can customize with the date of the Birthday or special event the card is used for and it will remain a family heirloom.

Stitch the French version

All these vintage postcard patterns were originally designed in French, and the stamps are all genuine copies of old French stamps with several generations of the lady "Marianne" stamp represented. If you'd like to stitch the original French version, simply drop us a note when you have placed your order and we'll be happy to send you the files. View French versions below:

Cueillies pour vous

Bonne Fête

Bonne Fête

Bonne Fête/Bonne fête Maman

Bonne Fête

>> see all vintage postcard patterns by Monique Bonnin

New patterns for Father's Day

Father's day is just round the corner (June 19th in many countries). In Lesley Teare's iconic series of Teddy cards, here come four lovely cross stitch patterns each featuring Dad and Child and a special message for Father's Day:

Father's Day Teddy card 1

Father's Day Teddy card 2

Father's Day Teddy card 3

Father's Day Teddy card 4

So many reasons to celebrate!

30th, 40th, 50th Birthday? Retirement? Father's Day? Moving House? This joyous "Bird day" card by Lesley Teare is so versatile, you can use it for virtually any occasion. The cross stitch chart includes letters in lower and upper case and there are two sizes of numbers so you can put extra emphasis on the Birthday for instance.

Happy Bird Day (+ Birthday ABC) Counted cross stitch pattern by Lesley Teare Designs

New Summer patterns by Lesley Teare

All patterns are part of a series with one for each season which you can display in your home and rotate throughout the year. Here are Lesley Teare's most recent releases for Summer.

Summer now almost here!

Apologies to our friends in the Southern hemisphere if we get a little excited. In our part of the world it's now only a couple of weeks till its officially and finally Summer!

A day at the Seaside Agnès Delage-Calvet	July - Bees & Poppies Gracewood Stitches	Holiday Suitcase (detail) Maria Diaz	Sunny Colors Needlework set Marie-Anne Réthoret-Mélin
Summer Mini Sampler Riverdrift House	Summer flower Alessandra Adelaide Needlework	Summer Biscornu Barbara Ana Designs	Ahoy! Riverdrift House

>> see all the latest cross stitch news for Summer (all designers)

>> see all Summer patterns (all designers)

A new Dreaming Girl for summer

For Barbara Ana's Dreaming Girl fans, here's some wonderful news: we have a brand new Dreaming Girl for Summer. We love the creative layout with the sea raising from her mind in a swirl, as if everything was upside down. 

Sailing Dreams Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana designs

>> see all Barbara Ana Dreaming Girl portraits

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

Hear the Jazz music in full swing

Jazz comes alives in cross stitch thanks to this amazing design by Perrette Samouiloff featuring five musicians and their instruments, in exquisite detail. We love the way the musicians' postures have been captured, as well as the vintage 1920's feel.

Jazz Band Counted cross stitch pattern by Perrette Samouiloff

More patterns related to music by Perrette Samouiloff

The Little Orchestra (large)

The little orchestra (Small)

The Carol Singers

Carnival

More patterns related to music (all designers)

Birds & Words - Music Riverdrift house

Bremen Town Musicians GERA! Kyoko Maruoka

Funny Music Alessandra Adelaide Needleworks - AAN

Winnie's music Tam's Creations

>> see all the News related to Music and cross stitch

>> see all patterns related to Music (all designers)

Two new reproduction samplers by Couleur Tourterelle

From Meriem Chauvet's private collection here are two antique works reproduced in perfectly identical cross stitch charts. The antique samplers are still in their original frame. The first one stitched in woollen threads - bright wool colors having just been introduced thanks to innovations in dyes, and both are stitched on canvas, also an innovation of the time making it easier to stitch than linen, an ancestor of sorts of Aida fabric.

	Zélie Lecoeuvre 1873 Reproduction sampler pattern by Couleur Tourterelle
	B. Marsallat 1905 Reproduction Sampler by Couleur Tourterelle

Tracing back the origins of the motifs

What makes both these designs particularly interesting is that Meriem Chauvet has been able to trace back the origins of some of the motifs used by the stitchers.

In the case of Zélie, the stitcher picked four of her motifs from the 1852 issue of a women's fashion magazine of the time, "Le magasin des familles". The magazine was in black and white but included some extra sheets, one of them a color cross stitch chart, quite innovative too for the times. No doubt each issue of the magazine was preciously preserved in each household as this sampler was only stitched 20 years later.

In the case of B. Marsallat, two of the motifs, the running dog and the beehive were picked in separate Sajou catalogues. Those charts were monochrome.

Zélie Lecoeuvre 1873

Motif picked in the August 1852 issue of women's fashion magazine “Le Magasin des Familles”

B. Marsallat 1905

Motifs picked in two different issues of Sajou catalogues

>> see all Reproduction Samplers by Couleur Tourterelle

A beautiful perspective effect

This stunning perspective effect with a garland of shamrock disappearing into the distance is achieved by a clever combination of cross stitch and Stumpwork. Indeed designer Faby Reilly only works the closer leaves in cross stitch, working the further ones in Stumpwork, combining satin stitch and felt for a padded effect. The chart includes an excellent tutorial. An expert level design suitable for an experienced cross stitcher looking for a bit of challenge.

Shamrock Swirl Counted cross stitch pattern by Faby Reilly Designs

More Specialty stitch tutorials by Faby Reilly

Each of these designs focuses on a particular specialty stitch. Learn the tricks with Faby Reilly's excellent step by step guides. Once you have mastered these stitches, you will be able to add your own effects and enhance your stitching in many other projects.

Rhodes Butterfly

Long & Short Stitch

Woven picot Stitch

Whipped backstitch

>> see all patterns mixing cross stitch and other specialty stitches (all designers)

Architecture and Styles

Designed by Lesley Teare, here are two new samplers paying tribute to different architectural styles.

The first one to late 18th century England when Georgian architectural changed the face of town and country. Four stately homes are pictured in the all-season sampler.

The second sampler is a tribute to the Shaker style of living and features the characteristic dwellings of Shaker communities established in North America.

	Georgian Garden sampler Counted cross stitch pattern by Lesley Teare Designs
	Shaker style sampler Counted cross stitch pattern by Lesley Teare Designs

>> see more patterns by Lesley Teare Designs

>> see all patterns featuring Houses and Gardens (all designers)

Did you know Creative Poppy also offers chart packs?

Creative Poppy patterns are available as downloadable pattern files. However, if you would like to receive professionally printed charts, we can also deliver your charts directly to your mail box.

This is ideal if you don't want to bother with downloading and printing your files, or if you can't obtain best quality print-outs at home. Also it's nice to have a beautiful chart you can archive.

What you get:

- Professionally printed color charts on beautiful extra smooth paper. Each chart is packaged individually in a sleeve.

- Chart packs are shipped in a strong flat box so they reach you in perfect state.

>> find out about our Shipping by Mail service

By the way, you still get your downloadable chart. So you can source your supplies while you wait for the postman, you can print out working copies that can be used for highlighting while stitching. 

More Creative Poppy News continued on next page...        >> see more news (continued)
>> back to most recent news
 

While cross stitch has been practiced for decorative purposes by virtually all civilizations around the world, it has had a very special role in France over many centuries.

Indeed, cross stitch, or "point de marque" as it was named, was used by linen maids, or the lady of the house herself, for identifying every item of household linen, a tradition that goes back centuries.

Right: initials on a towel, still in use in the 1890's , on a tea towel (private collection), and matching letters from Didierot's 18th century encyclopedia.

Cross stitch as described by the encyclopedists, in the Age of Enlightenment

In the middle of the 18th century, historians and scientists set about listing human knowledge. In France, remarkably, we find a first description of cross stitch and its use, under the name "point de marque",  in a book devoted to the Art of the linen maid, published in 1771 by François-Alexandre-Pierre de Garsault .

The book, part of a series describing many crafts of the time (Descriptions des Arts et Métiers)  was commissionned by The Royal Academy of Science in Paris. 

The author explains why cross stitch letters and numbers, marking of household linen, was necessary. Indeed at a time when laundry was an excrutiating chore, only carried out a few times a year, or handed out to washer ladies, households often possessed a dozen of each item, sheet, towel, shirt... Each item would bear the initials of its owner and a number for identification  so they would be dispatched to their rightful owner when clean. 

Marking the letters and numbers would be done by "stitching directly on the fabric, over two threads, using a single type of stitch "le point croisé" and the single rule for achieving regular stitches was to count the fabric threads".

The author, a man with no previous knowledge of needlework, describes with remarkable precision: "as the canvas is made up of threads that cross squarely, for each stitch we must count two threads in one direction and as many in the other, that is to say two threads from right to left and two threads & two from top to bottom"

As shown in the diagram:

“Supposing the knot below at a, we go from a to d; then passing from below d to b, we go above b to c, etc..."

On the last illustrative plate of the book, drawn by the author, is the complete series of cross stitch letters and numbers as commonly used by linenmaids.

Remarkably, this part of the plate would be reproduced in the exact same format in Diderot and d'Alembert major work, their Encyclopaedia.

The Linen maid's alphabet published in the plates of Diderot and d'Alembert's Encyclopaedia

The Encyclopaedia or Dictionary of Sciences, Arts and Crafts was published in France from 1751 to 1780 under the direction of Denis Diderot and Jean Le Rond d'Alembert.

The Arts of Dressing section, features illustrative plates of related crafts and trades such as button maker, embroiderer, hatter, seamstress, embosser of fabrics, lacemaker, fan maker, linenmaid, fashion merchant, wigmaker, barber, feather dresser and tailor.

The plates devoted to the linenmaid show similar diagrams to the work of Mr. de Garsault,and end with the exact same chart providing templates for stitching Letters and Numbers on household linen.

This chart is known as the linen maid's alphabet.

Whereas the template for stitching Letters and Numbers had been transmited by knowledgeable women to daughters and apprentices, using fabric and thread, through centuries, the letters were now publicly and universally acknowledged. 

You will notice that the letters do not align, with height varying from 7 to 9 stitches high.  In particular letters "C", "E" and "S" have little flourishes making them taller than other characters. This was not a problem since letters were only stitched in pairs for initials, and the main goal was that they would be clearly identifiable.

The alphabet would continue to be used for identifying linen, practically unchanged, until the beginning of the 20th century in France. It would however gain other uses, firts as an introduction to needlework and practicing stitching letters, as well as used as ornamentation for more sophisticated samplers.

>> download a reproduction of the linen maid's alphabet chart

Sources:

l'Art de la lingère - François-Alexandre-Pierre de Garsault - 1771 BNF- Gallica

Encyclopédie ou Dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers / Arts de l'habillement/ La lingère - Denis Diderot et Jean Le Rond d'Alembert - 1751-1780 BNF - Gallica

Fabric type and color:

Printed needlework fabric, with a hand dyed look.

Antique damask floral pattern.

Colorfast and consistent in color.

Silver (opalescent) treatments optional

As far as we are aware, the fabric is only available in the US

NORTH AMERICA

Fabric Flair 

https://fabricflair.com/vintage-ephemera-damask-cross-stitch-fabric/

>> back to most recent news

Emerald City

Here is Kateryna's tribute to the Wizard of Oz, featuring the Emerald city in the distance, Dorothy, with tidy bows in her braids and her three companions.

The Wizard of Oz Counted cross stitch pattern by Kateryna - Stitchy Princess

>> see more patterns by Kateryna - Stitchy Princess

Wonderland

Another tribute this time to Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. We love her surprised look as she plummets down the rabbit hole, following the frantic White Rabbit. The pattern is stuffed with fun references to Alice's adventures.

Alice in Wonderland Counted cross stitch pattern by Kateryna - Stitchy Princess

>> see all patterns by Kateryna - Stitchy Princess

We're all Mad Here

SAL subscribers will have recognized her. Here is Barbara Ana's female version of Alice in Wonderland's Mad Hatter. Drinking tea and wearing an oversize green hat, with price tag still attached. Any resemblance stops here though and the rest is left to the designer's imagination.

The Bonkers SAL has now ended. If you are an existing subscriber, you can still download your patterns from your download page. Else please purchase the regular pattern 

She Mad Hatter Dreams Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs

>> see more Dreaming Girl patterns by Barbara Ana Designs

More Alice in Wonderland portraits

Alice In wonderland Portraits	Alice In wonderland Portraits	Alice Meets the Caterpillar
Alice In Wonderland Miniatures	Alice In Wonderland Miniatures	Alice In Wonderland Miniatures

>> see all patterns with Stories and Fairy tales (all designers)

Netherland

Talking of children's story characters, we received from Nona J. this wonderful picture of Barbara Ana's original Dreaming girl reappearing as Peter Pan's Wendy Darling. We love it when stitchers reinterpret and reappropriate a design. Nona switched background colors,  which gives the piece a very different look, and accompanied her piece with a quote from Peter Pan: "Second Star to the Right, then Straight on till Morning". 
The alphabet that she chose to be "Pan-worthy" is from a Better Homes and Gardens hardcover book of "Alphabets and Borders", page 151, "Elegant Swerve Alphabet".

Dreaming Girl by Barbara Ana Designs Original right, Left reinterpreted by Nona J.

This is not Nona's first reinterpretation of a Barbara Ana Design. She also turned Dreaming of Klimt into the Queen of Sheba (check her out in Barbara Ana's news section below)

>> see all the latest news for Barbara Ana Designs

Portrait of a lady

Lady squirrel seems to be posing for a painting, actually a cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana. We love the contrast between the aqua blue of the dress and the natural colors. The light variations in color of the dress are achieved through the use of a nuanced thread from the DMC Color Variations range. 

Autumn Squirrel Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs

More Autumn patterns by Barbara Ana

Autumn Keeper

Woodland Dreams

Forest Queen

Sweeping the Garden

>> see all Autumn patterns by Barbara Ana Designs

More patterns with Squirrels

Round tin cans (1) GERA! Kyoko Maruoka

Card cases w. Flower motifs (2) GERA! Kyoko Maruoka

Autumn Squirrel Tam's Creations

Winter visitors Perrette Samouiloff

>> see  all patterns with Squirrels (all designers)

A vegetable patch in full splendor

What a sight! The yellow flowers growing from the end of the leafy vines have gradually grown into the most amazing pumpkins, gourds, squash, kabotcha and more variations of them all, some round, some elongated, some yellow, some green and some orange.

Cucurbit Harvest Counted cross stitch pattern by Perrette Samouiloff

More vegetable patterns by Perrette Samouiloff

Spring vegetable patch

Garden fresh delights

Autumn vegetable patch

Harvest mini motifs

>> see all patterns with vegetables (all designers)

Stormy weather

The wind blows and children are battling the rain and gusts. We love the flowering wild grass turned to seeds, forming a delicate background, as the sole element of landscape of this atmospheric design. A cross stitch pattern by Perrette Samouiloff.  

Fall rainstorm Counted cross stitch pattern by Perrette Samouiloff

>> see more Autumn patterns by Perrette Samouiloff

Meet Baba Yaga

Ukrainian designer  Kateryna (Stitchy Princess) is ever fascinated by her homeland's legends and specifically the character of Baba Yaga, a witch sometimes evil, sometimes kind, who lives in the magic forest. This pattern portraits her riding her broom, in the company of her cat. Two owls look on, unperturbed.

Baba Yaga's Home in the forest Counted cross stitch pattern by Kateryna - Stitchy Princess

More portraits of Baba Yaga

The Woodland Witch

The Hut on Chicken Legs

The Magical Forest

The Flying Witch

>> see all Baba Yaga patterns by Kateryna - Stitchy Princess

Woodlands, riverside and seashore

A keen observer of wildlife, Lesley Teare brings to us four delightful samplers depicting different natural settings. You will appreciate cross stitching all the fun detail, as well as the beautiful warm tones set against the natural background.

Woodland sampler Counted cross stitch pattern by Lesley Teare Designs

Country Garden Sampler

Riverside Sampler

Seaside Sampler

Fall Splendor

We love this Quilt style sampler celebrating each new season, another creative idea by Lesley Teare. This is the third in the series and features lovely warm autumn colors, mature fruit, honey bees and little squirrels harvesting acorns. The Winter pattern will follow shortly so you can complete the whole series.

Seasonal Sampler Autumn Counted cross stitch pattern by Lesley Teare Designs

Year-Round Blackwork

With the Autumn Blackwork design, Lesley Teare's seasonal Blackwork series is now complete. This cute patterns can be rotated on display in your home, to mark every season.

Blackwork Autumn Design Counted cross stitch pattern by Lesley Teare Designs

Blackwork Winter pattern

Blackwork Spring pattern

Blackwork Summer pattern

>> see all Blackwork patterns by Lesley Teare

>> see all Year round and Seasonal patterns (all designers)

New Tales of Baba Yaga - by Kateryna, Stitchy princess

Present throughout East European folklore, and particularly in her native Ukraine, Baba Yaga is one of Kateryna's favorite characters, depicted in numerous designs. An elderly witch, ugly and bony legged, enigmatic and unpredictable, alternatively really evil, or maternal, kind and helpful to the trouble hero.

The Magical Forest

The Woodland Witch

Baba Yaga's Hut

Kind Baba Yaga

Baba Yaga, the flying Witch

Baba Yaga's Hut

Baba Yaga is never spotted without her cat. Even in the dark you'll always spot its yellow eyes.

Mushroom Meadow	The Woodland Witch	The Samovar

Oh, she is a busy lady. Here she is preparing collecting mushroom to prepare her mysterious broth. Or serving tea from her Samovar.

Witch's bathroom(detail)	Witch's bathroom (detail)	Relax (Baba Yaga takes a Bath)

But what she likes best is to unwind and relax in a bathroom fit for a ... witch! Even witches deserve a rest, don't they?

>> see all patterns featuring Baba Yaga

Vintage greeting cards

Two retro style greeting cards by Monique Bonnin a cross stitch designer who loves to "recreate" postcards and greeting cards with a vintage feel. Inventive and full of fun detail, you'll enjoy completing every stitch of these precious images. Collect them all!

	Merry Christmas with Kitten - Vintage greeting card Counted cross stitch pattern by Monique Bonnin
	Luminous Greetings - Vintage postcard Counted cross stitch pattern by Monique Bonnin

More vintage Greeting Cards by Monique Bonnin

Holly Greeting Card	Happy New year! Greeting Card	Best Wishes Greeting Card
Nostalgia Greeting card	Merry Christmas Greeting Card	Best Wishes Greeting Card

>> see all Vintage Postcards and Greeting cards by Monique Bonnin

Christmas in the Woods with Kateryna

Winter Woodlands is a sampler packed with wonderful detail to stitch for Christmas. Our favorite is the white bear hibernating under a mantle of snow. A cross stitch pattern designed by Kateryna - Stitchy Princess

Christmas Fairy tales

The Nutcracker (A Christmas tale) (detail)

The Nutcracker (A Christmas tale) (detail)

Snowman and Snowgirl (detail)

Snowman and Snowgirl (detail)

>> see all Christmas patterns by Kateryna - Stitchy Princess

Lights in the night

Whimsical, vintage Barbara Ana.

Lights shine in the night. Come close and discover the most extraordinary creature, a stylish deer, clad in a 1970's vintage jacket, face white in the moonlight and wearing a head dress, with luminous lanterns and silver droplets hanging from her antlers in a halo of light.

Deer Dreams Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs

More patterns with Christmas Lanterns and Lights

Christmas Lantern Ornament Tams Creations

Gift Tags (2) Faby Reilly Designs

Santa, The Dove and the Key Barbara Ana Designs

Victorian Christmas Maria Diaz Designs

>> see all patterns with Christmas Lights (all designers)

Christmas timekeeper

This pattern by Perrette Samouiloff, with a cuckoo clock keeping track of the hours, reminds us that Christmas time is fast approaching and it's time for us stitchers to start working on our projects.

We love the dainty angels, the mischievous boys swinging on the clock's weights and the carol singing children accompanied by a flute and violins. But above all, we love the tiny cuckoo bursting the door open above the clock to strike the hours. Rejoice! the countdown to Christmas has started.

Christmas Cuckoo clock Counted cross stitch pattern by Perrette Samouiloff

More patterns with Clocks

Black Forest Folkies Riverdrift House

Sant has Come (2) GERA! Kyoko Maruoka

Christmas Castle Galliana

Cinderella Shannon Christine

More Christmas Music

Aniel, the Angel pendant Faby Reilly Designs

The Carol Singers Perrette Samouiloff

Twilight Choir Samantha Purdy Needlecrafts

Holly Jolly Fairies Shannon Christine Designs

>> see all patterns related to Music

The largest gift

This little boy is overjoyed. Guess whom the largest beribboned gift box was for?

The Christmas Present Counted cross stitch pattern by Perrette Samouiloff

>> see all Christmas patterns by Perrette Samouiloff

More Christmas Gifts

Santa's Sleigh (detail) Shannon Christine Designs

Christmas Bell Pull (detail) Perrette Samouiloff

Lucas, The Love Elf (detail) Barbara Ana Designs

Dear Santa (detail) Lilli Violette

Mitten Ornaments in scandinavian blue

Fun little woolly mittens to hang on the tree. So cute! 

The cross stitch chart by Tapestry Barn comes with full instructions for finishing each piece. You can even add some sweets inside.

Polar Mittens Counted cross stitch pattern by Tapestry Barn

More Christmas patterns by Tapestry Barn

Birds and berries Winter Cushion

Scandinavian Christmas Sampler

Christmas Mitten Ornaments

Merry Bright Christmas Tree

>> see all Christmas patterns by Tapestry Barn

Woodland Animals in Winter

Winter Forest (detail)

Winter Forest (detail)

Forest Foxes in Winter (detail)

The Fox family in Winter (detail)

An important gathering in the Forest

All these young ladies are wearing their very best gowns and seem headed for an major event, maybe the Forest Christmas Ball? These romantic designs can be stitched as a series to be displayed in your home during the whole holiday season.

Miss Rabbit Kateryna - Stitchy Princess

Miss Deer Kateryna - Stitchy Princess

Miss Sheep Kateryna - Stitchy Princess

Miss Fox Kateryna - Stitchy Princess

>> see all Winter patterns by Kateryna - Stitchy Princess

New Greeting Cards by Lesley Teare

The wreaths will fit nicely within a 3 inch hoop. Teddy however is so busy discovering the presents under the Christmas tree that he bursts out of his frame.

Christmas Wreath Cards

Christmas Wreath Cards (detail)

Small Teddy Cards

Small Teddy Cards (detail)

>> see all Greeting card and mini motif patterns (all designers)

The Twelve Days of Christmas in cross stitch

Twelve days of Christmas Lesley Teare Designs

Twelve days of Christmas Lesley Teare Designs

Twelve days of Christmas Tiny Modernist

Twelve days of Christmas The Frosty Pumpkin Stitchery

Nativity in cross stitch

From Greeting cards to large nativity samplers, the choice is yours. Discover three new nativity designs by Lesley Teare.

Small Nativity Cards

Nativity (set of 4 scenes)

ABC Nativity Sampler

Unto us a Child is born

More Nativity patterns

Bethlehem Tapestry Barn

Christmas Nativity Riverdrift House

Christmas Nativity Frame Faby Reilly Designs

Three Kings Perrette Samouiloff

>> see all Christmas Nativity patterns (all designers)

Stained Glass windows

These cards have been designed on the manner of stained glass church windows where colored glass panes are assembled with lead, letting through the light from outside.

Similarly the cross stitch version is fully filled with various areas of solid colors and black backstitch lines

Stained Glass Christmas Cards Counted cross stitch pattern by Lesley Teare Designs

>> see all Christmas patterns by Lesley Teare 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.

Monique Bonnin - Vintage Greeting cards

Barbara Ana Designs - Thanksgiving Biscornu
As featured in The World of Cross stitching magazine issue 325 on sale Oct / Nov 2022

	Merry Christmas with Kittens - Vintage Greeting card Counted cross stitch pattern by Monique Bonnin
	Luminous Greetings - Vintage greeting card Counted cross stitch pattern by Monique Bonnin
	Thanksgiving Biscornu Counted cross stitch pattern by Barbara Ana Designs

>> see all patterns featured in cross stitch and needlework magazines

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