Ethereal Illumination Ornament in Just CrossStitch

Thought I would share with you my ornament that is in the July/August 2013 issue of Just CrossStitch magazine. This is the first Ethereal Illumination ornament you will see, a second design will be included in the 2013 Just CrossStitch special edition ornament issue. And if two are not enough for your tree, I will be releasing another 7 accompanying designs in a chart in September. (About the same time the ornament issue hits the newsstands.) All of the ornaments were inspired by stained glass windows in churches or cathedrals. They are stitched with Weeks Dye Works floss in Purple Rain, Curry and Garnet on 28 ct. opalescent white Lugana from Zweigart.



A close up view, somehow the sparkles in the fabric just don't come out in the photos, you can see a little bit of sparkle here. The hanger was created using Mill Hill beads. Another sparkly touch.



Here you can see a close up of the edge finishing. I used a "biscornu" finishing technique, lacing ladderstitch through the perimeter backstitch on each side of fabric. I love this finishing, it is easy and looks really nice.

I will share more photos, once I have the other ornaments in hand. My daughter liked the designs so well she offered to stitch the models for me. I don't get to see them until she visits in August!

Happy Stitching!
Beth

Soil and Sand restitch

Hi friends!

I recently decided that Soil and Sand needed a new look to get stitchers interested in the design. I designed this chart when I was researching weaving patterns to create my Nine Shaft Sampler design several years ago. I love the movement of this pattern. I originally stitched it in black floss on 9 count Heatherfield, I also stitched up a little needlecase at the time. I revisited my needlecase and decided to stitch it up with a bit more color. This version is stitched with Chameleon Thread's Stormy Seas space-dyed floss on Weeks Dye Works Straw linen.

This is the fourth time that I have stitched this design and each time it stitches up so quickly.

The interior features a piece of blanketstitched felt for storing your needles.

I hope the new model will inspire you to look for the chart.

Holy, Holy, Holy in Just Cross Stitch Ornament issue

The special issue of the magazine was released in the beginning part of September, so I hope you have picked up your copy. I will be getting mine this weekend and can't wait to see it, as this is the first time I have been featured in the magazine. I hope Holy, Holy, Holy becomes a special ornament on your tree this year.

All my Best,

Beth

Great Stitching News!

I am so excited, I just learned the ornament I submitted to Just Cross Stitch will be included in their 2011 Ornament issue. As a stitcher this has always been one of my favorite publications. If you have never picked up an Ornament issue, it is filled with wonderful ornaments designed by all of the industry favorites along with personal Holiday stories and recipes submitted by those same designers. I have always been able to find a chart for the perfect ornament that I need for a special gift. It will be such an honor to be included in this publication. I will definitely keep you up to date and let you know the publication date and a little preview of my ornament.

Keep Stitching!!

Beth

Christmas Ornament using Lace Trellis chart

I sent a shipment of Lace Trellis off to Hoffman last Friday, so hopefully it will be ready for distribution this Friday. Please visit your local needlework shop and request it. If you don't have a shop, let me know and I will help you find one.

As promised here is another alternative application for Lace Trellis, as a Christmas ornament. The ornament is a cube, created from six squares of perforated paper. After cross stitching the Lace Trellis motif, I decided it needed a little sparkle to catch the light while hanging on the tree. I added a few Mill Hill beads to this effect. I then used a herringbone stitch to attach the sides together. The top and bottom are the tricky sides, my solution was to use two needles, one on each end of the thread and then create the stitch in a back and forth manner. The result is a neat little three-dimensional ornament that works up pretty quickly.

Happy Wednesday!!

Beth