The clocks have been turned back here in the States and when it starts getting dark at 5PM you know that winter is not far behind. It’s been an absolutely gorgeous Autumn and now that Earl has retired we were fortunate to be able to spend most of October in Vermont to enjoy the beauty of the season. I was busy working away in my studio up there and have lots of new designs coming early next year, not to mention those out now in the current issues of the magazines.
To start, I have three designs to stitch for the whimsical side of Christmas. In the UK’s Cross Stitch Gold Issue 70 you’ll see my Christmas Angel Sampler with a bevy of little angels busy with their holiday chores.
Angel Sampler © Joan A. Elliott
In the current issue 157 of The World of Cross Stitching you’ll see my cheerful Santa’s Helpers all dressed up and ready to lend a hand with the decorating.
Santa's Little Helpers © Joan A. Elliott
Issue 177 of Cross Stitch Collection has my four Folk Angel cards. Stitch these up for a personal greeting or combine all four into one designs and make up a lovely holiday cushion to enjoy on a cozy winter’s night or wooden tray insert for serving up some Christmas cheer.
Folk Art Angels © Joan A. Elliott
I know many of you have seen the preview of the winter fairy in this month’s issue of Cross Stitch Collection. She’s been stitched on Polstitches beautiful Midnight Mist 28 count Jobelan and is resplendent with sparkling Kreinik metallics and glistening Mill Hill beads. I’ve posted a supply list (See my Floss & Thread List page at right) for those who want to have everything ready for when she comes out in Issue 178 of Cross Stitch Collection.
Please note that I now have both the Spring and Summer Fairy chart packs ready for shipping. Just email me at jelliottdesign@earthlink.net if you would like to order. You can also order through Polstitches where Spring Fairy is currently available and Summer Fairy has just been shipped across the pond and will be in the shop soon. Thanks to all of you that have already ordered charts. They are on their way to you.
Winter Fairy © Joan A. Elliott
I spent a week away at Ruth B. McDowell’s ‘Designing from Nature Workshop’ in Massachusetts last month. What a joy the class was. I, along with 13 wonderfully creative women were privileged to experience Ruth’s artistry and incredible expertise and to have her guide us through our creative endeavors. Check out Ruth’s website to see some of her amazing work.
I chose to design a quilt using a favorite photo from my garden. Here’s a picture of me talking about my WIP to the class as Ruth looks on. My goal is to have this quilt finished and ready to exhibit at the town art show next summer… fingers crossed!
Spider Quilt © Joan A. Elliott
Speaking of quilts… I’ve started working on a new line of applique quilt designs that will be sold on Woods and Quilts, an online quilt club. Right now you’ll see my ‘I Love Winter’ quilt there on the home page. I’m excited about this new venture and will be sending in more new designs in the coming weeks. Quilt patterns on the site are available for easy download to club members. There are many wonderful designs available from other designers too, so have a look. I will be selling paper patterns of my designs to those who cannot download the patterns. If you are interested in purchasing the paper patterns, please email me for pricing. What a perfect job they’ve done with my snowman!
I Love Winter ©Joan A. Elliott Photo © Woods and Quilts
Lots of news on the book front too. My new book Cross Stitch Greetings is off being printed. I do have the cover photo to show you for now. Publication is set for early next year. Inside you’ll find 70 designs for greetings cards of all sorts with suggestions for making up into different projects. Many of these would make lovely smalls such as framed miniatures, needle cases, pin cushions, sachets, pot lids and such.
Cross Stitch Greetings © Joan A. Elliott
I’ve also just received the cover photo of my upcoming machine embroidery book, Asian-Inspired Machine Embroidery, from Krause. It’s very exciting to see it finally taking shape and it was a pleasure to return to designing with one of my favorite themes. Here’s a preview with publication due in Spring 2010. Inside you will find more than 35 Asian motifs to machine embroider. The book’s 24 projects will show you how to use designs to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. There are embellished cards, a kanji symbol banner, silk scarf, napkins and table runner, garden tote bag and visor, journal cover, a cozy afghan and more. All designs are included on the CD-ROM that accompanies the book, with each design presented in 6 machine formats as well as in black and white PDFs so hand-embroiderers can also use the designs to create the same lovely projects.
Asian Inspired Machine Embroidery © Joan A. Elliott
I’ll be taking a break from book writing this coming year to concentrate on new charts for the magazines, chart packs, leaflets and kits and hope to have time to continue with other ventures as well. For those who were hoping for another fantasy themed book this year, be sure to write to David & Charles to tell them what you would like to see in the future! You can email them at contact@rubooks.co.uk or postmaster@davidandcharles.co.uk
In the meantime, with all the great response to my seasonal fairies, I will be designing new chart packs and leaflets of fairy designs in the months to come. If you have a favorite fairy or fantasy subject (I think I need to do another dragon!) that you would like to see designed, send me your thoughts on the subject. I’d love to hear from you!
