Now out in the UK’s The World of Cross Stitching, my complete library of charming Victorian Christmas motifs. There are so many uses for these little designs. Have a look at the projects that Hannah and the team have put together  in Issue 158. Add them to pre-finished table linens, gift bags, candle wrappers, cards, ornaments, party favors, or make up a sampler of your own by choosing your favorite from the bunch and repeating one of the pretty borders all the way round. There are 37 designs  in all (3 extra are pictured here) to add a festive touch to all your holiday celebrations.

Victorian Library ©Joan A. Elliott

Victorian Library © Joan A. Elliott

Victorian Library ©Joan A. Elliott

I  have just received the styled photo of the Winter Fairy from Cross Stitch Collection (issue 178) and just had to share it with you. Isn’t it wonderful! I love the way they have captured the peaceful spirit and shimmering, crystal beauty of the winter season. Kudos and thank you to Trish and the entire team!

Photo © Cross Stitch Collection Design © Joan A. Elliott

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!

Father Christmas ©Joan A. Elliott Coming soon to Cross Stitch Collection Issue 177

Now that the magazine preview is out  I’m just dropping in to give you a look at my  new Father Christmas design for Cross Stitch Collection upcoming in issue 177.

It won’t be long before I can preview the Winter Fairy. I am anxious for all of you to see her. In the meantime I also want you to see this year’s annual Christmas stocking I designed for the US Cross Stitcher magazine. The issue is still available on their website.

North Pole Stocking © Joan A. Elliott

My Noel Banner is out now in Cross Stitch Gold Issue 69. Hang this enduring greeting either vertically or horizontally and wish all a Joyeaux Noel.

Noel Banner © Joan A. Elliott

More to come soon!

Hello! I hope that  the last days of summer brought bright sunny days for everyone. It was glorious here in New York and we took full advantage with visits to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Prospect Park. In the cross stitch world all attention will now turn to Christmas so we all have time enough to make up a few cards or ornaments, and maybe even a stocking for  a special loved one.

Before we get to that I want to show you a brand new Geisha I’ve done for Design Works Crafts. You’ll find this kit in the new Stitchery catalog coming out this fall.

Blue Geisha © Joan A. Elliott

There will be new holiday designs coming  out in all the magazines and catalogs. I am delighted that The Stitchery has chosen my Twelve Days of Christmas for their holiday catalog cover. Many thanks to Design Works Crafts for making up  the kit so beautifully. There are many wonderful designs from all your favorite designers inside too!

Twelve Days of Christmas © Joan A. Elliott Photo courtesy of The Stitchery

Now on the news stands in the UK (and soon to arrive here in the States) is issue 156 of World of Cross Stitching where you’ll find my  cheerful Christmas Welcome Banner for  mounting your favorite photo. Hang it  near the doorway to  welcome all your guests during the holiday season.

Christmas Welcome Banner ©Joan A. Elliott

In Issues 218 and 219 of the UK Cross Stitcher you’ll see my North Pole Alphabet. Wouldn’t it be fun to make up gift tags  or personalized cards with these happy little characters? Quick and easy to stitch they would be perfect for  a set of personalized Christmas Stockings using pre-finished stockings like those offered by Charles Craft.

North Pole Alphabet © Joan A. Elliott

I’m happy to be working with the team at Cross Stitch Card Shop too. In their Issue 68 are a set of six Nativity Cards that will bring the true spirit of Christmas to the season. Joined together in a long row these designs would also make a beautiful banner to hang over  an entryway  at Christmas time.

Nativity Cards ©Joan A. Elliott

I wanted to show you a sample of my new Halloween and Christmas fabrics coming to JoAnn stores this Autumn. The pumpkins and trick or treat dogs and cats would make for some cheerful treat bags for your favorite little goblins. Make up the  Christmas fabrics into cozy quilts, fun placemats and table accessories, sweet stockings for the mantle, or even a useful little apron for when you are baking all your Christmas goodies. Any way you use them, I hope they will add a touch of holiday joy to your home.

Pumpkins and Trick or Treat © Joan A. Elliott

Santas & Merry Christmas Patch © Joan A. Elliott

Snowmen © Joan A. Elliott

Hi Everyone-

Life is still a whirlwind  both at home and in the studio but I wanted to make a quick post of an upcoming design in Issue 176 of Cross Stitch Collection. Summer will soon be ending and I know all the magazines will now begin showing the latest Christmas designs. Many of you may be seeing  previews of my Victorian Lady in Cross Stitch Collection issue 175 and the team there have just sent me  the lovely styled photo to post (Thank you, Bob!) She is stitched on a softly colored 28 count antique violet Lugana from Zweigart. You’ll need a piece that is 22 x 20 inches.  I’ll be listing a floss list for you later on.

More news to come soon. Oh yes, to all of you that have ordered charts of the Spring Fairy and my Renaissance Ladies, many thanks for your patience. Shipping begins next week. I will also have my Summer Fairy chart for sale in a few weeks time and will let you know as soon as she is ready.

Victorian Christmas Lady ©Joan A. Elliott Photo is © courtesy of Cross Stitch Collection

The supply list for the Autumn Fairy is up on my Project Floss and Thread page at right. Enjoy!

Please forgive my error, but I meant to write that it was Spring Fairy that is now available. Summer will be ready come September. Too much going on at once here on the home front I guess!

If you would like to purchase her, please email me with your request at  jelliottdesign@earthlink.net  I will be shipping in a couple of weeks. You can have either a Black & White symbol chart or a Color Block & Symbol Chart, the choice is yours so please let me know which you prefer. You will receive your chart, a floss usage list, color key and a picture of the finished project. I will email you with details. Thanks to all for being so patient!

Hello to everyone!

I’ve just been given the go ahead to preview my Autumn Fairy for Cross Stitch Collection, so her she is. Didn’t they do an incredible job of styling the photo? I will be posting a supply list later this week for those of you that want to gather things ahead of time. To start though, I can tell you she is stitched on Polstitches Nature’s Grace 28 count hand dyed Jobelan evenweave. It is a gorgeous fabric reminiscent of soft morning light in a misty autumn forest. Thread details will be posted shortly.

Autumn Fairy Cross Stitch Collection #174 © Joan A. Elliott Photo courtesy of © Cross Stitch Collection

Now I’d like to introduce you to another Fairy coming out in World of Cross Stitching. Here she is, a gentle fairy mother and her darling little cherub. This design was done for making up as a birth sampler but if you prefer to use it  as a picture, try filling in the area where the names appear with some of the pretty little posies at her feet.

Fairy Mother & child form World of Cross Stitching #153 © Joan A. Elliott

 Also, In Issue 152 of World of Cross Stitching, you may have already seen my  Fairy Tale Alphabet. I did this design with little ones in mind. Use the letters to make up pretty name plates, door hangers, a  sweet personalized pillow or whatever strikes your fancy. It might be fun to try your hand at using 14 count waste canvas to  stitch a name on a sweatshirt or book bag too!

Fair Tale Alphabet World of Cross Stitching #152 © Joan A. Elliott