Free Friday #6 Counted Cross Stitch Chart

It’s a beautiful morning in Northwest Ohio.  Warm, sunny, windy.  Birds are singing, squirrels are playing.  Ray and I enjoyed a great cup of coffee on the patio while conversing and enjoying this new day.

Today’s free counted cross stitch chart is a simple rose.  This design can be adapted to any color family.  It could be used as a single rose to adorn a summer jacket or bolero.  A large wall hanging could be created using several different colors of roses.  Once again, the sky’s the limit for its use.

 

DMC Floss colors used for this design.

Flower:  600 Cranberry very dark, 602 Cranberry medium, 604 Cranberry light, 605 Cranberry very light

Leaves:  699 Christmas green, 701 Christmas green light

If you’re interested in cakes hop over to the Food Friday Blog Hop and take a look at what’s offered.  When Ray and I owned MaggiRaes, a coffee and bakery shoppe, I became a certified cake decorator and we included that in the business.  I no longer decorate cakes professionally except for family and very close friends.  Enjoy these shots of of some of my cakes.

Keep on stitching!

Marie

http://countedcross-stitchcafe.net

Swedish Embroidery – A Counted Cross Stitch Cousin

If you can thread a needle you can create beautiful pieces of geometric embroidery called Swedish Weaving, which is a very close cousing to counted cross stitch embroidery.  The stitches are created on top of the fabric by drawing the floss through the raised nubs. Huck toweling is the cloth most often used to create the design but Aida can also be used.  I find it easiest to stitch these patterns without a hoop or frame.  From afghans to towels, pillows, aprons, place mats and tablecloths the results are stunning.

Here’s an example of how it’s stitched.  

I’ll be putting a pattern for one of these projects up for Free Friday this week.  Give it a try.  I’ll know you’ll get hooked, just like I am.

Keep on stitchin’  !

Marie @  www.countedcross-stitchcafe.net

Counted Cross Stitch Hints

It’s going to be a very busy Memorial Weekend for us.  A special church service to say thanks to our vets, planting containers, time with friends, and going to Comerica Park in Detroit to watch my Tigers play baseball.  Yep!  It’s gonna be a great weekend.  

Thank you to all the veterans who served in any branch of the United States Military.  Without you there would be no this.  We are so blessed in this country and because of you freedom still rings.

Here are a few hints to make your counted cross stitch projects easier.

Wash and iron your cloth before and after making the project.  It will smooth out any wrinkles and make it easier to work.  Some stitchers also wash the flosses.  I prefer DMC flosses because their dyes are very permanent and don’t run when washed.  Silk flosses are a different story so check with the manufacturer to see what they recommend.

I’ve always had a hard time making French Knots and then I came up with this idea.  Use small beads in the color you’re using for that part of the project.  It’s much easier, they never come unknotted, and they add more dimension to the piece.

Always use blunt ended, tapestry needles for your stitching.  The number of the needle is related to the size of the barrel and the eye.  They come in many sizes but the most common are from 20 to 28.  Size 20 is a larger barrel and eye.  Size 28 is a smaller barrel and eye.  Select a needle that fits the count of the fabric you are using.  I use 24 and 26 most often because they fit Aida 14-18 count fabric best.

Keep on stitching!

Marie

@   www.countedcross-stitchcafe.net

Frame Wall Bulletin Board

Each of us has people we pray for on a daily basis.  For me it’s my closest friends, sisters (and brother), husband and a choice few other women of God.  Since I wanted to have a way to visually remember these special people I decided to add a frame to my frame wall.  My wall is above my office/desk and has notes and information like a bulletin board.  I use wet erase fluorescent markers on the glass called Bright Sticks by the Sanford Company.  They can be purchased at your local office supply store.

This is a very simple crafting project and one that can be used to find a place for those empty picture frames that seem to collect (at least in my house).

First, find the frame that you want to use and take it apart.  Clean the glass thoroughly then use it to measure the black backing.  As you can see sometimes I use scrap-booking papers to add interest.

Now put it all back together and there you have it.  A functional and usable bulletin board at very little cost.  Don’t you love it when we can save money!

Although I’ve not written anything about counted cross stitch today I do hope you’ll take the time to visit The Counted Cross Stitch Cafe’  Grab a cup of coffee or tea, browse around and enjoy your visit.

Keep on stitching!

Marie

Free Friday #5 Counted Cross Stitch Chart

I’ve really been working hard on the Cathedral Window Charts and can hardly wait to stitch up the samples and share them with you.  I think I may have solved the ‘lighting’ challenge by using DMC Light Effects floss.  I’ve also been creating a series of patterns called Awesome Animals.  I have nearly finished stitching the eagle.  It’s a bit more difficult than other pieces I’ve put on this page.  I know you’ll enjoy making it.

The chart below is the last in a series of three that were designed to add to one another until the finished project appeared.  This pattern is very simple and would be a great way to teach counted cross stitch to a new stitcher.  Keep in mind the colors are up to you so have fun choosing.

I would love to have you visit me at The Counted Cross Stitch Cafe’!  Grab a great cup of coffee and come on in and browse.

Keep on stitching!

Marie

A Garden of Containers

It’s quite chilly in Northwest Ohio this morning.  I so want it to warm up so I can get my gardens planted.  Hopefully, this afternoon will be warmer and I can get busy.

In keeping with the “C” theme at the Counted Craft Cafe‘, my Container garden is today’s topic.  It all started when my day lily collection was not blooming well and I realized the plants were being shaded out by the oak tree.  When we started the garden, 25 years ago, the tree was not a threat.  However life goes on, trees grow, and I needed to come up with a different, sunnier spot.  I decided to pot the lilies in containers that were large enough to allow for growth and create a Garden of Containers.  Once all the pots are in the new area they will be surrounded with mulch and should look really awesome.

I’ve just finished the first of the Cathedral Window Counted Cross Stitch Charts.  I’m looking forward to stitching these up and sharing them with you.

Keep on stitching!

Marie

Tiny Quilt Block Counted Cross Stitch

It really wasn’t my intent to put a free counted cross stitch chart on the blog today but…  I happened to notice that I still had the eggs on the ‘table tree’ from Easter.  They looked so right that I really hadn’t paid any attention.  So-o-o-o-o I decided to make 2 or 3 very small counted cross stitch quilt blocks, put them in watch fob cases, and hang them on the tree.

For this one you will need an empty watch fob case (I found mine at JoAnn in the scrapbook supplies.), a small piece of 18ct Aida cloth, 3 colors of DMC floss (2 strands for stitching) and of course a needle or two.

Draw a circle around the detachable back of the watch fob.  This will be the area that can be stitched in.

Create your pattern and begin stitching.

When finished cut around the marked circle.  Trim to fit inside the back of the watch fob.

Snap it into place, and there you are, a really beautiful piece of displayable work.

Keep on stitching!

Marie @  www.countedcross-stitchcafe.net

Brownie Remake

Like just about everyone I know chocolate ranks very high if not highest on my favorites list. I came across a Brownie-in-a-cup recipe and decided to try a redo so I could eat it. It was awesome, amazing and everything I wanted it to be.

I’ve shared before that I don’t eat wheat (because of allergies) or refined sugars. That makes desserts, and especially cookies, difficult to indulge in. So when I’m able to make a recipe work for me I want to share it with everyone that will listen. Next time you need a break from the latest counted cross stitch or crochet project give it a try. Add a really good cup of coffee. It’s worth it!

BROWNIE-IN-A-CUP

1/4 cup sugar (1/8 cup honey)     1/4 cup flour (rice flour)     2 Tbls  dry cocoa               2 Tbls canola oil       3 Tbls water    (ingredients in brackets are for healthier eating)

Mix all ingredients in porcelain coffee cup until shiny/smooth.  Put in microwave for 1 minute 40 seconds.  Take out and enjoy!!!!

Keep on stitching!

Marie

Free Friday Counted Cross Stitch Chart # 4

I can hardly believe it!  It’s actually warm and the flowers are blooming.  As usual, in NorthWest Ohio, we went from winter snow to spring flowers, mowing the lawn and summer temperatures in just a few days.  Lovin’ it!!!

As I promised, here is Part 2 of the Spring Flowers Collage Counted Cross Stitch Chart.  I think it will look really nice as the ends of a long table runner.  The flowers could be used individually for napkins or even adapted to plastic canvas for coasters.  The charts are at the end of this post.  Again, let me remind you that any color combination goes.  They could even be stitched quite nicely in black, gray and white.  (If one of you decides to do that I’d love to see the pictures.)

I’m still working on the Stained Glass Window charts.  The colors have proven to be a bit challenging.  I want them to reflect the shades that would happen with sun pouring through them …. any ideas?

Keep on stitching!

Marie