Bloom: A Collection of Lotus Charts

A Family Blooms: Design Plan for a Family Tree

These limited-edition patterns will only be available on my Etsy shop for one year.

The purchase price of each pattern supports Hershey Montessori School‘s Annual Fundraising Event.

OCT 2023 Shhh…the Stitcher is IN

I’ve left my job as librarian to have more time at home to take care of my family and to complete more projects. New patterns and more coming soon.

MAY 2022 Greener Pastures Sampler Updated

I corrected a mistake on this sampler. The new pattern is here.

APRIL 2022

My Violet Protest square was sent to Rep. Bob Good (R) of Virginia, USA.

FEB 2021

Still taking a break to take care of my one-year-old and deal with my own health issues! I have a sampler pattern made for last year–will post soon. Stay well. xxx

JULY 2020

I’m taking a break from pattern-making while I take care of Baby. If you need to email me at jamie@thecountofmanystitches.com, I will respond as soon as I am able!

APR 2020

Following the Ohio Stay At Home Order and still on maternity leave. You would think I have lots of stitching done! But Baby likes to be held. WIPs will wait.

FEB 2020 Baby is here and there is no time for stitching!

Sept 2019 ANNOUNCEMENT!!! I am pleased to share that I am expecting my first baby, due in February 2020. Celebrate with me by stitching Mickey & Minnie — a perfect pattern for baby announcements, wedding samplers, or any happy occasion. Get the pattern here.

May 2019 I’ll be at the Willowick Public Library teaching cross stitch to beginners on Thursday, June 6, 2019 with a special pattern designed just for beginners.

Share your love of stitching with the free pattern.

150-225

300s

400s

500s

600s

700-747

754-

800s

900-948

950-

3000s-3700s

3800s

Each color is kept in a baggie labeled with its number. I keep a basket next to the boxes to hold skeins that need to be filed.

Halloween Bottle Labels — a craft store knock-off

The craft stores are full of Halloween tricks and treats and I am always tempted to buy more than I should. Recently I saw a cute glass bottle ornament with a POISON label and black lace at the craft store for $4.99 and decided I would make my own with a cheaper bottle and materials I had at home.

I used lettering from Leisure Arts Alphabets Galore. The label says:

WITCHCRAFTER’S

POISON

HAND-BREWED

x  x  x   x  x  x

I think it would be fun to make several of these in different shapes and sizes with different labels. Border and motifs are below if you want to stitch your own. I also made my own alphabets and drew up two more labels. You can purchase them all in one here.

Make your own:

1) Dig up some small pieces of aida, black ribbon or lace, and black embroidery floss from your stash.

2) Small glass jars and bottles can be purchased at many dollar stores and craft stores. You might even have one or two in the kitchen! Clean an old spice jar or jelly jar and give it a new purpose.

3) Measure the circumference of the jar with your aida, marking where you will stitch with light pencil lines. You can see my pencil marks in the picture on the left, above.

4) Choose spooky words for your label. Use different fonts and sizes, stitching in one or two strands of black floss. Here are some ideas beyond spell ingredients:

contents                                                     descriptors

CRYPT KEEPER’S POLISH                     WITCHCRAFTER’S

BAT BEGONE                                             HAND-BREWED

CORPSE REVIVER                                    FOR ETERNAL USE ONLY

MIASMA                                                      BOOTANICAL

JINX JAM                                                    BONEYARD

SKELETON-IC                                            USE WITH COFFIN

5) Add decorative stitches or simple motifs. I’ve drawn some below that you can use. You may want to use graph paper and fine point pens to plan your label. I like Tombow MONO drawing pens for this type of work.

https://www.amazon.com/Tombow-66403-Drawing-Detailed-Drawings/dp/B0779SZHXX

6) Trim aida with pinking shears or cut to fit bottle. Attach aida to bottle — I use Elmer’s Craft Bond. Add ribbon, lace, charms, or buttons. Make a collection of bottles for yourself or make one for a friend and fill with candy.

HALLOWEEN BOTTLE LABELS AND MOTIFS PATTERN

TO PRINT PATTERN: Save as image or open in new tab. You can do either by right clicking on the picture above.

Happy Haunting!

This eraser takes care of problem art. It’s also handy for me in my own work.

This finish will work for many small cross stitch patterns. The easiest way to create a cross stitched envelope is to find a paper envelope that is about the size of your piece’s finished size.

Unseal the paper envelope (you may need steam) and lay flat. Trace the entire paper envelope onto the back of your stitched piece, centering the stitched design on the “front” of the envelope.

Cut the fabric to the envelope shape using fabric scissors.

Fold the fabric into an envelope shape. Stiffer aida works well here. Press the folded envelope with an iron.

Find a coordinating fabric to use as the liner. I used Heat n Bond Ultrahold to adhere the lining fabric to the aida fabric.

Fold and secure envelope flaps in place with Heat n Bond or crafting glue.

Allow entire piece to cool/dry.

Sachet, Wall hangings, and Embellished Frame

I want to try more finishing formats than simply framing piece after piece. Here are the results of some recent finishing techniques. I mostly used materials I already had in my stash.

The first is a little sachet, perfect for the lavender designs by Sam Grover which came from an old issue of Quick & Easy Cross Stitch magazine. I used 28 count Country French Spring Meadow Green linen which I bought years ago from Just Stitching.  I am trying to make my way through my stash of fabric and patterns!

I had not made a sachet before and I used directions from Crafts by Amanda using some patterned fabric for the back, also from my stash. The sachet is filled with dried lavender and now sits on my bookshelf, leaning against my Jane Austens. It is a good reminder that one saved pattern has moved to the “ALREADY STITCHED” file.

Here is a design called Mice, Brambles, and Berries which came from a book and I don’t remember the title. It was stitched years ago but I have only got to finishing it now! I used dark iridescent seed beads instead of French knots for the berries and I love the effect.  I wanted a simple wall hanging — the design is ideal for a long finish, almost like a bell pull. The top and bottom edges were folded over and sewn in place. The sides were cut with pinking shears and stitched then “fringed” by pulling out some of the aida threads.

After the simple mice hanging, I wanted something more for this Irish blessing design by Needles-n-Hoops. My husband’s grandmother started the lettering and when she couldn’t finish, gave it to me. I finished it recently and decided to make it up as a banner style wall hanging. The sides are uneven but there is batting inside to give it some heft and I like the red, ceramic flower button I added.

I knew this cross stitch had to be framed and I found just the frame for it at a thrift store. Turned on its side, the frame’s two inch square openings below the main 8 x 10 opening add to the piece, creating additional spaces for more curiosities. A lucky find was a package of metal jewelry (3 pcs) and large half bead ringed in metal (both on clearance at JoAnn Fabrics) to use as hinges and handle. The entire piece looks like a little antique cabinet and is my new favorite finish. Purchase the pattern and stitch your own Cabinet of Curiosities at my Etsy shop.

What is your favorite way to finish your needlework?

Retro Xmas Tree

Currently available in the Just Cross Stitch 2019 Christmas Ornaments Special Issue Magazine.

Recommended Reading: Merry Memories

Spring Queening

This pattern was originally available at The Crafty Ewe during the 2019 Collective Stitch. It is now available in my Etsy shop.

Coordinating patterns for Winter and Autumn which were past Collective Stitch themes will be released in future.

Sign up for my Newsletter to stay updated.

If you would like to take the survey, find it here.

My local sewing group held a “white elephant” gift exchange a few weeks before Christmas. The spending limit was $10 and the gift could be handmade or not.

I was shopping at Staples and saw Scotch Expressions ruled masking tape which I had not seen before. I grabbed it thinking I could do something fun with it for the gift exchange.

In the clearance Section of Staples I found a bright, yellow folder, and a plastic yellow ruler. Perfect! I’ll go with a yellow, measuring theme. I picked up highlighters (always valuable) and yellow bias tape and a yellow hole scaler at the craft store.

I embellished the folder with flower buttons from my stash and printed out articles from quilting magazines on Measuring and Designing Quilts. And I found this cute and very functional pdf from Crafting Fingers.

The print outs all went into the folder. Everything together made an unexpected and fun, crafty gift.

Here is a new hoop and Italian scissors purchased from Silent Stitches and a fresh pack of needles from Bolt & Spool. All came in handy for the classes I took.

EGA offers different registration packages. I attended the opening banquet and two classes. I loved being where the talk and focus was all on needlework. Registrants received a totebag, guidebook, nametag, and pin at check-in.

One Day Class: An Elegant Brooch by Kaye B. Judt

The first class was a great introduction to goldwork which I found challenging but enjoyable. I was so glad to learn hands-on how to use different gold threads and materials. I have not finished the brooch yet and would like to practice the techniques before completing the project.

Two Day Class: 17th Century Style Pincushion by Patricia Goaley

In this class I learned techniques to make silk shading less intimidating. I even learned a few stitches and tricks I never knew or could not grasp on my own. I have not finished the pincushion yet! But the class has motivated me to do more thread painting and will help me finish the Japanese embroidery I started a few years ago.

Having an instructor present and immediately trying techniques was wonderful. I will definitely attend an EGA seminar again, not just for the classes but for the experience of meeting other needleworkers and taking time out of everyday life to focus on stitching. The shopping experience was especially fun: a boutique open each day and a Merchandise Night with vendors from all over.

I took care to purchase items that I know I will use sooner than later such as specific fabric for patterns I already have and an embellishment pack for a Mirabila pattern I have been meaning to stitch for years. I only bought one pattern and one kit as I have tons of patterns and kits just waiting to be stitched. I want to make a good dent in my stash this winter!

I’m glad I did not stay for the full time. The three day schedule was just enough to experience the social, educational, and shopping experience and allow me time to process and enjoy everything.

xxxxx

My favorite books on Goodreads.