Summer Is Here!

It’s that time of year everyone! For July and August I’ll be lucky enough to be heading north to Vermont to live and work. I am looking forward to those peaceful days and wonderfully cool nights!

With the hopes of finally being able to get high speed internet up the dirt road this summer, I’ll be posting all the news and new projects that will be coming up in the magazines and elsewhere in the next couple of months.

For all of you that love the US Cross Stitcher magazine you’ll find my Mrs. Claus stocking on the front cover. I am so pleased that this is my sixth cover stocking for Karen Smith and the folks at Cross Stitcher.

 

     design ©Joan A. Elliott    

photo ©Amos Craft Publications

There will be a lot more Christmas coming up in the next few months as it seems this was a continuing theme I worked on for all of  May and June. I’ll keep you posted with more pictures as soon as I get the go ahead to release them.

For now… on to summer! In the latest issue, #140, of The World of Cross Stitching, I’ve done a sweet summertime alphabet that will look great made up into  projects such as nameplates, cake bands, towel borders and such, or try them on  a bright journal cover or tote to take along on vacation. The theme is a delicious summer treat of ’strawberries and cream’.

   design © Joan A. Elliott    

photo © Origin Publishing, Ltd

 

Now that I’ve mentioned totes, in the same August issue of the Cross Stitcher where you’ll find my Mrs. Claus, the back cover has an ad from Charles Craft showing three designs I did especially for their wonderful Bright Ideas Shoulder Bags. These are the perfect carry anything bags. All three designs, Cool Flamingo, Summer Bouquet and Buzzing Bees, are fast to stitch and the charts come free with the purchase of  a bag. You can link directly to Charles Craft  by going to my Supplies & Resources page.

 

Designs © Joan A. Elliott     photo © Charles Craft, Inc.    

Bright Ideas is a trademark of Charles Craft, Inc.

This summer should be chock full of work, gardening and guests. I’m looking forward to it and hope you all find special ways to enjoy the days ahead. As I mentioned in my newsletter, I am interested in knowing your thoughts for new design themes. What would you like to see in the future? I’ll look forward to hearing!

To all of my readers in the flood stricken states of the Midwest, I know  these past few weeks have tested you beyond limits, please know that you are in my thoughts. I hope that life returns to some semblance of normalcy for you soon.

In love and friendship- Joan

 

 

New from Charles Craft

 Charles Craft  has just come out with two new fun baby products that feature my designs. First are ‘Celebri-Tees’. Along with the baby tee and waste canvas you’ll get three sweet designs and an alphabet chart in each pack. Also look for their new ‘Sweetheart Bloomers’, an adorable set of  baby bloomers that fit ages 6-12 months. Please go to my Supplies and Resources page for the link to Charles Craft. 

 

 

Spring Update

Hi Everyone! 

 I am pleased to tell you that all the stitched models, manuscript, illustrations, and photo props for the newest book are now safely in the hands of the publisher in the UK. As soon as I get the OK from them I will be able to let you know what  to expect  from this one, including the title. Publication is set for the end of this year. So for now it’s on to new ideas.

There are some new designs out in the magazines too. For UK’s Cross Stitch Collection (Issue 157) I’ve granted them  exclusive permission to print the chart for my ‘Sea Goddess’ from A Woman’s World in Cross Stitch.

The cover of issue 200 of the UK’s Cross Stitcher features my new Geisha design,’Oriental Elegance’. I’ve stitched this on a pretty pink Aida to add  a beautiful  springtime  feel to the design.

I loved working on this Puppet Theater design for Cross Stitch Gold (Issue 57). It’s bright cheerful colors bring back wonderful childhood memories!

…and for everyone that loves their own special kitty, I have an easy to stitch wall hanging  in  The World of Cross Stitching (Issue 137)

In the July issue of Cross-Stitch & Needlework magazine you’ll find a bright and happy teen angel tote (courtesy of Charles Craft) and accessories, perfect for your special princess.

 

Finally, David & Charles will release a new collaborative Christmas book in early June. The title is  Cross Stitcher’s Countdown to Christmas and I have contributed three chapters including an heirloom Advent Calendar, a Santa Post Bag, and some  sweet little Stocking Ornaments. You can find it  at amazon.com, fwbookstore.com and davidandcharles.co.uk

More things are in the works, so keep in touch  for more news soon.

With fondest wishes-

Joan

In the Magazines This Month

 Look for some new designs this month in both the US and the UK Cross Stitcher magazines. Above you see my latest Easter Egg Bag. This one is done as a door hanger. Tuck some pretty Spring posies inside and hang it on you front door to create a lovely welcome for family and friends.    

   
In Cross Stitcher from the UK , I’ve designed a classic piece that is reminiscent of the Arts & Crafts movement in a  technique called Assisi. I love this design (it’s at lower left on the cover) and it would look lovely made up into a  nice pillow top.         

 Also, they have come out with a new booklet to honor the Tutankhamun Exhibit in London. My design is worked on DMC’s Parchment  Aida to give it a nice antique  look and there are several quick to stitch spin-off projects included. Go to my Supplies & Resources page to get the links for these  new designs.

A Woman’s World in Cross Stitch- Sea Goddess

 Thanks to Vanessa for finding an error on the Sea Goddess chart in my book, A Woman’s World in Cross Stitch. Please note that what is listed in the color key as DMC 310 (black) should be DMC 311 (dark blue). There is no black in this design! You’ll find this color in the bodice of her dress (pages 96/97), in the little blue fish below her cape, and at the lower part of her ‘tail’ (both on page 98). If you know of anyone working on this chart, please spread the word. Thanks!

Back Home at my Studio

Hello everyone! I am happy to tell you that everything went well at the Craft & Hobby Show in California. I made wonderful new connections for work and it was great to see and spend time with all my fellow designers. 
      On returning, it’s been busy here following up on the leads from the show. My husband and I also went up to snowy Vermont for President’s week, me with work in tow as usual! We did find time for a few incredible snowshoe walks through the woods. Nature is truly beautiful in any season!        

My Newest Book

 

I’m happy to announce my latest title for David and Charles, Ltd. A Woman’s World in Cross Stitch has 30 original designs that capture all aspects of a woman’s life from the demands of work to the happiness of family and the importance of friends. You’ll love the beautifully detailed designs with both whimsical and classic appeal from a bevy of bodacious bovines to the sweet flowers of a Victorian Lady’s Garden. A mystical Woodland and Sea Goddess round out the collection with a magical touch. Projects range in size from small cards and keepsakes to large framed pictures. Full color charts and easy instructions make it easy for stitchers of all levels to celebrate the joys of womanhood.

Cross Stitch & Needlework Magazine

By now many of you have e-mailed me about my feature in the March Issue of Cross Stitch & Needlework magazine. I am glad to have had such a wonderful response and so much interest in the designs  pictured there. It looks like the ‘Cool Cat’ tote design is a hit! If you are interested in this pattern click the link to Charles Craft at the right. The pattern comes free with the purchase of the large tote bag. Thanks to all!

Indian Maiden from Native American Cross Stitch

   

Please note the printing error on the Indian Maiden Chart in my book Native American Cross Stitch. You’ll see that the center row of the pattern was not printed.The publisher is sending out corrected carts to all who request them. Please contact Zoe Sharp at zoe.sharp@davidandcharles.co.uk Stitchers who have written to Zoe have been answered quickly and received their chart without delay.

Angel of Cross Stitch

             

I receive a number of emails from stitchers searching for both the Angel of Cross Stitch chart that was featured in The Cross Stitcher (US) magazine way back in 1999, and the leaflet Counted Cross Stitch Angels (6 different designs) from the same year. Both are available as leaflets from Amos Advantage. Please go to my Supplies and Resources Page for the link. Once you are at the Amos site, click on Craft Products and then on Cross Stitch Sale Items.