Paisleys, Paisleys, Paisleys

Yay!! I return to work in February and am looking forward to it. I've never been off work so long before, except when I was being a mom.

Meanwhile, I have found great inspiration in paisleys produced in the 1960s and earlier. I've been spending some time converting these great fabrics to 14" and 16" pillow cover patterns and have listed them on both my Etsy and eCrater shops.

I'm also doing some more web design but healing slows down progress . I have received some wonderful feedback on the pillow designs. Some who have purchased them are going to add beading and make evening bags. 

 Even though I call these pillow cover tops, they can really be used for any inspiration you may have. I'd love to hear what you plan to do with yours and hope you will share some photos with me.

Etsy Shops I Adore -- More of My Favorites

There are so many unique and imaginative artisans showing their creations on Etsy. Today I include three more of my favorites, each offering varied selections. I hope you visit each and find something you just can't resist!

Bear Creek Creations (bearcreekcreations) offers customized shirts. Each has a different quilt block design. They are beautiful and meticulously made. The quilt pieces are set into the inside of the shirt and then the front is cut away to reveal the pattern -- almost like cut work! The result is a shirt with dimension. Prices start at $24 -- very reasonable for a one-of-a-kind custom shirt!

Hiphazard is a new shop (since 1/09) to Etsy and also sells shirts but none are a shirt you're going to find in a local store. I will warn you if you are easily offended, it is probably best to pass, but if you have a wonderfully twisted, irreverent sense of humor, you will find shirts with art that will make you chuckle and may find you have to click that purchase button! The cost is $15.60 for each shirt. I hope check out this new find!

Sekhments Treasures offers handcrafted jewelry. As well, they will do custom work taking your vintage and old pieces and make something new and unique just for you. My favorite section is the "10 and Under Free Ship" section. The offerings include earrings, both pierced and clip style, necklaces, all are as the section title implies -- $10 or less and no cost to ship!

I am working on a new series of cross-stitch patterns for my shop as we speak -- the same elegant Chinese Symbols and Kanji but with a twist as well. More on this later.

Happy Thursday everyone! Tomorrow I get to see my new grandbaby on the ultrasound! My son and daughter-in-law have invited the new grandparents to join them at this appointment. We may find out whether we will have a boy or girl but the really exciting news is that the tests to check for genetic problems and birth defects have all come back and I am going to be the grandmother of a healthy baby! What a blessing!!

Easy Like Sunday Morning :)

...a song which reminds me to take a moment to breathe and enjoy the quiet moments life offers so early in the morning.

Happy Sunday! In one week we celebrate a formal Mother's Day. At the moment, I have no plans. Don't think, "poor thing" for a minute! Every day is Mother's Day for me. I'm blessed to not only have a son who loves me and is devoted to my well being but several step-children, nephews and others not related by blood or marriage who care for me and show it in an individual way. It is a blessing to have so many children of mine "conceived and birthed by another mother" consider me a friend and confidante.

It is because of these many relationships that I got the idea to design cross-stitch patterns using Chinese symbols/Kanji as the subject. I looked around at all the these young adults I know, as well as observing others while taking walks on Ruston Way and the mall. I noticed a lot of tattoos with symbols that only to the wearer had meaning. After seeing so many, I thought what a wonderful way to bring an "old school" craft to a new generation in a way that would interest as well as bring enjoyment to them and resurrect a fun and easy type of needlework.

So far, many of my cross-stitch patterns have been purchased by young adults but what I also find terrific is that their mothers, dads, grandmothers and others who love them are finding my patterns and purchasing them to make handcrafted items for their own children and grandchildren.

It took about 4 months of intensive work to figure out how to convert English words to these symbols and to then make simple but elegant patterns from them. During this time there was a lot of stop, start, back up, move forward -- at times exhilarating and others frustrating. Then, it took about the same amount of time to figure out how to deliver a quality pattern in an affordable manner and deliver it without fuss or wait.

This has been and continues to be a wonderful journey for me. I am learning each day something new or how to work a different way!

Next Sunday, I will share links to some of the tools I use -- many you may already have installed on your computer. Until then, more site and book suggestions or free patterns will be coming your way each day.

I hope your weekend is going well and that you are loved!

It's Not Your MaMa's Cross-Stitch ...

I was browsing for some cross-stitch books with a different and newer view and found three absolute gems for those who would like to learn cross-stitch or start a new project yet are looking for a subject that is fun or irreverent or more up to date than most patterns available.

Subversive Cross Stitch is a collection of patterns from Julie Jackson. I just love her shop, subversivejewels, on Etsy! There she offers jewelry and accessories made from her designs, as well as other items. Then there is her website where you can purchase kits or patterns.

Stitch Graffiti ... from Heather Holland-Daly is another book full of new and different cross-stitch ideas. Lots of ideas for getting started, the supplies one needs and updated, different themes on more traditional ideas.

Not Your Mama's Stitching: The Cool and Creative Way to Stitch It To 'Em from Kate Shoup Welsh not only covers cross-stitch but also new ideas for embroidery, needle punch, crewel and needlepoint. With chapter titles like, "Back Stitch to the Future," "Wear Me Out: Stitching You Can Wear," and "Present Tents: Nifty Needlecraft Gifts", how can this read not be absolutely a joy as well as informative?

Soooo, if you're ready for something new to inspire you to put needle and thread to your canvas of choice, one of these great reads and reference books might just be the thing to rev your create juices!

Then there are my Chinese Symbol/Kanji cross-stitch designs available in my Etsy shop which are new, unique, very reasonably priced and can be sent to you free of shipping charges by email. If you don't find exactly what you're looking for in my inventory, I can custom create a symbol or two or three, etc., based on your favorite word(s)! Convo me and let's talk.

My First Custom Cross-Stitch Pattern ...

I just received and completed my first custom order for a cross-stitch pattern through Alchemy. What a fun project! Shameless promotion it may be but I wanted to share a picture of the completed project with you because I'm pleased with how it turned out and how much my customer liked it. Here is her feedback:

"Thank you so much for the custom order! I love the pattern. She was very quick at making it, and she asked lots of questions to make sure I got exactly what I wanted. Very professional seller, will buy from again!"

Convo me at my shop if you have a project you've wanted to do but can't find the exact pattern you have in mind. Together we can create a pattern that you will enjoy working to completion.

DPeaGreenDesigns -- My Cross-Stitch Patterns

The majority of patterns in my Etsy Shop are cross-stitch designs of Chinese symbols/Kanji words with and without borders like these pictured here:

These Chinese symbols are the basis for many of modern-day Japanese Kanji. We see them as tattoos, used in sumi and watercolor paintings, and more and more are being used in various medium as modern day art.

As simple as the designs of each, there does seem to be a mystery about each that is exciting to explore. What drew me to these to use in cross-stitch is just that -- the simplicity and the mystery.

Very popular as body art for those who are younger than me, the boomer, I was thinking how so many of our creative arts are being adopted by the younger, up and coming generation. Some were taught like I was -- at my grandmother's and mother's knees from about age 5 (to keep me distracted and out of their hair!) -- but so many young women and men (remember Rosey Grier and his needlepoint? Google him, if not...) have developed an interest in crafting and want to teach themselves.

Since I share an interest in these wonderful symbols and their meanings, as well as have cross-stitched for years, I thought what a wonderful way to bring something elegant but easy for a beginner and yet interesting enough for the experienced cross-stitch aficionado to market. It took me awhile to develop a quality pattern and include "how to" instructions that will help any beginner, yet also be a refresher for a stitcher coming back to the art after a hiatus. I believe I've accomplished this with the added benefit of being able to instantly deliver a pattern by email in "pdf" format small enough be received without fuss.