Egging You On...

Are you getting into that springtime Eastery mood yet?
I think springy stitching projects are the best mood-lifters after a long grey winter,
and I'm always in the mood to work on something with soft spring colors,
 like this LONG SPRING PANEL:

  
But around Easter it's really fun to stitch up some eggs, like these 4.5" x 5.25"
 EASTER EGG ORNAMENTS:

And if you REALLY like Easter eggs, how about this large BARGELLO EGG:

Go visit my website and take your pick....
 then get to work stitching some Eastery surprises for your friends and family!
Happy Friday!

Spring is Busting Out All Over

Are you seeing signs of Spring in your neck of the woods? 

 Here in northern California everything is bursting with tender green leaves

And gardens are filled with lots of bright colors...

It's the right time of year to start a springy new project, that's for sure!

If your daffodils aren't blooming just yet, you can always stitch up a bouquet,

 with my classic DAFFODIL COLLAGE pattern:

 Or are you a tulip person?

Here's my softly pastel PINK TULIP COLLAGE:

If you crave something a little brighter, how about the SPRINGTIME RIBBONS piece, 

which features lots of fun flowers, bunnies, chicks and eggs:

Or brighter still, here's a vibrant HAPPY EASTER/HAPPY SPRING! project that's perfect for hanging in your entryway or making into a happy pillow (you can find the pattern under my American Quilt Collection):

Can you guess that Spring is my favorite season?? Anyway, over the years I have created many wonderful springtime projects that are sure to lift your spirits and get you into a happy stitching mood.  If you're craving a dose of sunshine, please visit my website to see these and other springtime designs!

An Elegant Egg

I've always been fascinated by Faberge eggs, with their incredible craftsmanship, elaborate detail and luscious colors. And I've always wanted to try creating them with stitches (since the chances of ever owning a REAL one are totally non-existent!) 

So here's one I've stitched for this season, called IMPERIAL EGG I:

I wanted to try replicating the enamel patterns used by Faberge on his eggs, but instead of using precious jewels, I would use my needle and thread with easy stitch patterns (this egg has a simple bargello pattern), and subtle variegated silk threads (for the egg and ecru ribbon border).  Add a elegantly pale background pattern and some discrete vintage gold sparkle, and you have a very fun project to stitch up for the Spring season.

I've worked this egg on 24 ct Congress Cloth, and the finished size of the whole design is 6.5" wide by 8" tall.... Not too small - not too large -- just right!  I chose to create a mauvey-pink egg (with Waterlilies 249 - "Geranium"), but it can certainly be worked in any favorite color. To change the colors, you just need to pick out 2 skeins of a Waterlilies silk thread, a matching solid-color silk, and a matching metallic ribbon thread.

If you want to try creating your own Faberge egg, please visit my website to see more of information on this new IMPERIAL EGG I.