Fall stitching Acorns

Isn't it strange, how is your taste change over the years and how your surroundings influence it? Over the years of selling on Etsy my taste is constantly changing. I am originally a city girl who likes skyscrapers and clean lines of modern architecture and now I became a fan of simple nature forms and shapes. My Fall favorites are acorns, pumpkins, leaves and owls.

I stitched this neeldlework holder case last year and I am only now showing it. 

 

The scissors got lost unfortunately so I guess it was their last photo session :) I am sad about it since I brought them from Ukraine long time ago and they  reminded me of that trip.

What do you like about Fall? What are your favorites? Please share!

Free cross stitch pattern Spring heart with flower and butterfly

With our warm weather I am in a spring mood right now. We are not just getting gorgeous blossoms in our garden but also a lot of birds are appearing. Love their morning songs right outside our window!

I was looking for a quick to stitch spring cross stitch project and I found this Spring Heart pattern from Maria Chaplygina (LaMariacha shop on Etsy). This was a free pattern that she was so kind to share it with me. So with her permission I am sharing it on my blog.

I just got it and I have not stitched it yet but I am going to. If you stitch it I would love to see your finished project, so please share!

 

Happy spring, everyone. It's almost here!

Free cross stitch ornament PEACE

I just made this little holiday cross stitch ornament and wanted to share it with you. I finished it as a door knob hanger but I am sure you might find more ideas of how to use it.

It will take you just one winter evening to make it, so get comfortable and enjoy your stitching!

Here is the free chart:

The Rose Sampling by Little House Needlework

My recent cross stitch is finished, the "Rose sampling" by Little House Needlework. It was easy to stitch and I had a great time doing it. I did not frame it yet but I am looking forward to doing this.

I am a big fan of LHN designs. They give me that cozy feeling of home in a rustic cottage. When framed, they looks great on the wall.

 So I am always waiting for the new ones to come out.

Be true to yourself

This is my first finish for 2012, Be True by Plum Street Samplers.

The winter evenings are dark and chilly right now and I feel really cozy all wrapped up by a fireplace, stitching. 

 This little sampler took just a couple of evenings to stitch and it was quite enjoyable.

I love the rustic look of it and I am now thinking of how to finish it. A pillow, an ornament or a framed piece? It will look great any way I finish it!

Snowflake to cross stitch, free design

The holidays are in the air and it's time to think of decorating our homes. I stitched this very simple snowflake design for my tree and thought I would share it with you.

I finished it as an ornament but you can put it on a post card or use it for the elegant accent winter linen pillow. As the ornament it will looks lovely on a door knob or a Christmas tree.

I used evenveawe fabric in my design, some DMC colored cotton threads and golden metallic thread, Swarovski Crystals, a tassel and some ribbon. Feel free to decorate your work as your wish!

If you are needing some of the materials I will sell some of mine - please let me know!

Happy Holidays!

Sweet lavender cross stitch pattern

At this time of year I am always missing the feel of being among the endless lavender field. Just like it was during our summers on the Pacific Northwest coast of WA state.

I made this design some time ago and finally gave it a printable look.

The idea for it is based on my original watercolor.

So if you'd like to use this design for your lavender sachets or small ornaments please take a look at my listing at the AGardencottage on Etsy.

Good gifts for your Mom

Have you thought of gift for your Mother yet? Mother’s day is almost here!

We are grateful to our moms for love, care and the sweetness which they give us during our whole lives. So there is no doubt they deserve the most elegant and thoughtful gifts and actually not just for a holiday but every day!

While I was looking for a gift for my mother on Etsy I came across with this lovely little shop BelleCoccinelle. There is so many little treasures here!

Each item in the shop is carefully embroidered by Lana, the shop owner or done on her Singer, her old time sewing machine.

I love her framed embroideries and I thought it might be especially nice as a Mother's Day gift.

You can hang them on a wall or right next to your needlework box. It looks great anywhere and it will remind her of you!

Please take a look at her work, I am sure you will find something here for your Mom, too!

Easter Egg free cross stitch pattern

This chart will work perfect for your Easter tri-fold card.


You still have time to stitch and send your card by April 24th!


You might choose to stitch it in different colors to compliment your card, please feel free to do so.


I would be happy to see how your design will turn out!

 Please send me a photo of your finished card through the conversation at my Etsy shop (AGardenCottage) and I will publish it on my blog!

Two Blue Houses

My stitching is done, finally:

I had a lot of pleasure doing it. This wonderful design Two Blue Houses by Little House Needleworks is so pretty and will suit my Holidays decor perfectly this year!

Linen and DMC threads were used to create it and I am sure happy with how it turned out!

All I have to do now is find the perfect frame ...

Mr Rabbit, summer mornings and a cross stitch

When I am going into the garden on early mornings I often see this little visitor. He is often around the grass area or under the lemon tree. He is coming early enough to not get wet from sprinklers or before the dogs go out. He is just sitting quietly in a corner, enjoying his non-fat organic breakfast :) I am trying not to bother him - but he has plenty places to hide if he wants to.

I love this peaceful moments and I was so happy to find this cross stitch design from Little House Needleworks - I think it reflects my feelings! The design called Morning Berries and I loved to stitch it. It is now displayed in our living room, right next to a basket of flowers from the garden. I can have my own little piece of summer any time of year by just looking at it!

Thank you, Diane, for such a wonderful design!

Back to cross stitch

I am finally back in my creative mood again. It's just too many bad things happened last winter - we lost our dog, companion of 14 years baby boy shit zhu, some friends were diagnosed with cancer and are battling it still. Not much space for creativity, hah? But we are all together and this is all what matters :)

I stitched some Angel ornaments for my friends last year - don't you love them? I should really make one for myself, this design is from Wildflower Stitchery & more and it is just too cute! Just a little lovely reminder that Angels are among us

Currently I am working on a series of my new cross stitch designs for the lavender sachets - hope you will like them! I will show it to you as soon as it will be done! Too many ideas and just so little time...

I have a passion for these little things. The sweet scent of lavender reminds me of purple summer fields in Washington State where we lived for a couple of years. I made some sketches of these at the farms and I am trying to recreate them now in my designs. Love purple :)