News from stitching sites

Whilst I was doing research for my Stitching Cards unicorn design I came across some interesting information about the way it has evolved over the centuries. The unicorn is a mythical beast whose origins can be traced back to early pagan times. Drawings of the unicorn appear on many coats of arms created in Medieval Europe … Read more

Six new Animal lovers patterns have been added to the pattern collection on the Stitching Cards web site. They feature the following cute birds and animals: lovebirds, dolphins, flamingos, hares, hedgehogs and turtles. They make great anniversary or Valentine cards. They can also be used for congratulations, thank you and other messages. The patterns are … Read more

Following on from my Where to buy beads post I thought it would be useful to do the same thing for card blanks suitable for prick and stitch card making. In order to display the stitching at its best the card material used should not be too flimsy; it should be strong without being excessively … Read more

Originally the Form-A-Lines prick and stitch patterns were available as printed booklets. When they went out of print they were made available as downloads in PDF format. The classic patterns can be purchased from the Form-A-Lines online store. These beautiful Form-A-Lines patterns were originally designed to be sold in a kit with one colour of … Read more

There is still time to make a card to celebrate the New Year. This would be particularly useful if you receive an unexpected Christmas card at the last minute. The Happy New Year pattern is available for purchase from the Stitching Cards web site. The design features the words Happy New Year together with the … Read more

A couple of readers have left messages on my “Beading needles” post asking where they can purchase the beads needed for the beautiful beaded embroidery cards. Not all bead shops sell the tiny seed beads suitable for card embroidery. It is a case of seeking out the stores that do. The beaded patterns on my … Read more

String art picture making has much in common with prick and stitch card making. It uses nails hammered into a backing board and coloured wool or string to create the design. If you would like to try your hand at string art there is a free candle pattern available from the String Art Fun web … Read more

Following a request from a customer I have designed a Hanukkah pattern. It is available for purchase from the Stitching cards web site. The card features a menorah with lighted candles and the words Happy Hanukkah. Also known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday. It starts on the 25th day … Read more

A set of six new Christmas bead patterns are available for purchase from the Stitching Cards web site. The prick and stitch patterns feature bead snowflakes, a bead angel, bead bells and holly, a bead candle and holly, bead holly and a bow and a bead Christmas tree. I designed these patterns in response to … Read more

Some time ago I added an awareness ribbon to the free sample cards on my Stitching Cards web site at the request of one of my customers. When I was designing the pattern I researched the background to these ribbons and found the history fascinating. As far back as Shakespeare The wearing of a coloured … Read more