Counted Jewels

Just a few weeks ago I got the idea to create a new set of holiday ornaments for this season.  This time, instead of using traditional quilt blocks for inspiration, I focused on pure geometric designs, using very basic kinds of stitches and this is what I came up with:

I'm calling this set of four designs "JEWEL ORNAMENTS", since each one has a topaz Swarovski crystal in the center, plus a handful of other gold beads for extra glitz and holiday glamor!  (Trust me, these photos don't do justice to the vibrant color and  sparkle of these pieces...and the Swarovski crystal is a deep rich gold that - try as I might - simply won't show up on the scanned photo.)

Since my other two HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS patterns used the traditional red and green colorways, I really wanted to stitch other colors, so I chose a slightly different mix of fuchsia (or cranberry, if you prefer) with a touch of lime green.  Here's what one of the ornaments looks like up close:

And here's the traditional red and green version stitched up as well, which is equally sparkly and festive:

Because they are all stitched "on point" they measure 6" x 6" at the widest point.  Also included in the pattern is a set of four different borders that you can stitch around the diamond shapes, to turn them into 6" x 6" squares.  Which would make terrific projects for box or pillow inserts. 

I enjoyed stitching all of these models because they were so fast and fun to work up. (Ahem, great TV projects, don't you know....)  Really nothing too difficult here, and seeing all the colors and metallics come alive on such a small canvas makes for a very pleasurable stitching experience!

The pattern lists the threads for both colorways (fuchsia & lime or red & green) and as always, you can certainly mix & match your own colors and use these ornaments as decorations for other seasons besides Christmas...

If you're itching to start a fast and fun holiday project to get you in the mood for the holidays, please check out my new JEWEL ORNAMENTS on my website at Laura J. Perin Designs.

Mini Mystery Monday: November, pt.2

I hope you have all your stitching from part 1 done, because now we can add a bit of color in the next segment.....

Here's the graph to follow this week:

and here's the up-close look at how to make the little floral motifs:

As the graph shows, I've used a rusty orange pearl cotton to create these little floral elements, then added a cross stitch on top, using a metallic gold braid.  It's a simple but fun way to make little flowers that are good for filling in small areas.

You can see that things are starting to look interesting now, aren't they?  We've got the beginnings of a "patchwork" effect going, so next time we'll fill in the other patchwork borders.  See you then!

Mini Mystery Monday for November, pt. 1

It's time for another mystery piece, and this time it's sort of a mini sampler that celebrates the season....

Grab a handful of threads in fall colors:
   - a variegated Watercolours that has your favorite fall colors
 (you'll only need 4 or 5 of the 3-ply strands; I used a bit of Watercolours  285, "Sherwood Forest")
   - a dark color #5 pearl cotton for the borders
 (try medium-to-dark greens or browns; I used green DMC 3345)
   - a bright color #5 pearl cotton that reminds you of fall leaves (I used rusty orange DMC 920)
   - two #5 pearl cottons that are a nutty brown - one light and one dark
(just a strand or two of each is all you'll need, and not until the final lesson, so there's no hurry on that one!)
   - a Kreinik #8 Braid in your favorite gold (I used 002HL)
   - a piece of 8" x 8" 18 ct. canvas in sandstone or tan or eggshell is fine, too.

Here's the first graph for you to start your stitching:

From the center of your canvas, start stitching the Large Cross variations, using 1 ply of your variegated Watercolours.  Work outwards until you reach the narrow border lines, then stitch those with 1 strand of your border color #5 pearl cotton.  

Work the remainder of the Large Cross sections, and then start on your wide outer borders.   You can go back and add the gold squares in all the border intersections, using 1 strand of your Kreinik #8 Braid.

Here's an up-close graph of those Large Cross variations (I don't know what else to call them!):

These are rather odd stitches, in that the large cross goes over 5 x 5 threads, then you add pairs of straight stitches on top.  What I like about this composite stitch is how "bumpy" it is.  It creates an interesting texture when you fill a larger area, and they remind me of little raised "buttons" on the canvas.  Go ahead and stitch a few, and see what you think....

Next Monday we'll add some more color and texture and little by little, this design will start to POP!
(Trust me, this is a really fun one to stitch up and there will be several interesting options for you to play with down the road...and when you get further along, you'll be saying, "oh yeah, this is definitely a Novembery piece...")    See ya next time!!

Friday Flowers: Pinks & Greens & Golds

As the flowers fade in my garden, I've been struck by some of the arrangement of the leaves - the plain green ones, I mean.  So this posting has some flowers today, but also some leaves....

 

 

 

 

 This summer I planted a few coleus plants in my patio pots, and I chose ones with bright chartreuse and maroon leaves. I mixed them with gold zinnias and bright pink petunias and I just loved watching the color combinations unfold...

 

 

 

 Hope your weekend is filled with all the colors of autumn.... and of course, HAPPY FRIDAY!

Mini Mystery Monday: October Finish

It's time to wrap up this autumn ornament, so let's get going...

Here's the final graph to follow for your last stitches:
 

All you need to do is fill in your empty spaces with the two motifs shown above; one is a modified Rhodes shape and the other is a Leaf motif.  Here is the Rhodes shape up close for you to stitch within the variegated diamond boxes (use 1 strand of your gold metallic thread):

All that remains to do is stitch the Leaf motifs.  And here's how you stitch them, using 1 strand of whatever thread you want to use for bright autumn leaves (can be solid color OR variegated):

And TA DA.... here's how my piece ended up:

I finished my leaves with larger 3mm round, gold beads (visit your local craft store and see if you can find these larger, round gold beads).  And along the outer border rows, I alternated rust french knots (wrapped twice on the needle) with regular gold seed beads.

Of course, you can use any combination of beads that you'd like to jazz up your piece.  And hey, you can even attach a leaf-shaped bead or button in the center diamond, if you have something that would fit that space... perhaps an acorn or small pumpkin button would be fun. . . . wouldn't that look great?


Another idea I had after I finished this design was doing it in red, green and gold holiday colors, and when you get to the leaf shapes, add another "petal" on the lower side, so the "leaf" becomes a "flower" and if you add a cluster of gold beads you'll have red poinsettias... or later, next spring, this design could be stitched in pale pastel colors, working some bright flowers instead of leaves....

Another way to change the look of this design is to change the background canvas.  Try working it on the canvas with metallic sparkles woven in it!  Or use the darker tan canvas with other fall colors, to create a more dramatic variation.  There are lots of possibilities with this design, so I hope you have fun working with it.

Enjoy watching the colors change on your autumn leaves, and I'll see you next time with another quick Mini Mystery!

Harvest Moon House

 
Woo Hoo! I got my HARVEST MOON HOUSE finished in time to offer it in October!

 And yes, it's got the required pumpkins, black crows, owl, chrysanthemums, full moon, curling chimney smoke, and of course, the mysterious black cat sitting on the left porch:

Here's the right side of the porch:

I know it looks overwhelming to stitch, but really, you start with the front door (an easy geometric) and then count outwards from there (over to the porch pillars, then over to the shutters, up to the roof eaves, then add the roof peak) and before you know it you have the foundation of the house underway.  After that, you can easily place all the other objects in this piece, and enjoy creating your house bit by bit.

I've chosen a bunch of ThreadworX Overdyed Floss for this design, along with a handful of Splendor silks (although I also give DMC floss colors).

I like this house because I can display it throughout the whole autumn season, until it's time to switch out the fall stuff with the Christmas decorations!

So if you're interested to building your own Harvest Moon House, please visit my website and see more information about it there.

Just A Reminder...

I just wanted to mention that this is the last week to register for my next cyber class, HARVEST TIME.

The class will start at the beginning of November, and will be short and sweet with only three lessons!
And the stitches are all easy ones (really), but they are used or combined in different ways... (I bet you'll be surprised to see how that plump cluster of grapes is stitched!)

I've gathered a handful of different fibers for this project, so you get to play with a variety of threads, which always adds to a stitcher's enjoyment...

All in all, this is a fun piece to stitch, and makes a great "in-betweener" if you need something different to do between larger projects.