Fairies and Flowers Galore

 

Chrysanthemum Fairy © Joan A. Elliott photo courtesy of Cross Stitch Collection

Now in preview in the latest issue of Cross Stitch Collection…The Chrysanthemum Fairy.  This is the fifth in the series of six Flower Fairies. She’s stitched on Polstitches beautiful summer breeze 28 count Jobelan and is done in a palette of golds and earthy violets with  gorgeous Kreinik threads and Mill Hill beads throughout the design. Look for her in issue 197.

 

 

Little Summer Fairy © Joan A. Elliott photo courtesy of Cross Stitch Crazy

Also coming next month in issue 152 of Cross Stitch Crazy… another fairy, fresh as a breath of Spring. This lithe young sprite perches prettily on a colorful mushroom surrounded by  pretty pink foxgloves and attended by colorful butterflies. Lots of pretty beads and sparkling metallics make her shimmer with a special magical touch.

Rose Fairy Preview

 

Rose Fairy © Joan A. Elliott Photo courtesy of Cross Stitch Collection

My Rose Fairy is now in preview in the current issue (195) of Cross Stitch Collection. I chose to use the delicate flowers of the wild rose for this design. Varieties of these softly blushing blossoms grow freely by the sea as well as in the hills to the north here in the Eastern US. As always, she has lots of Mill Hill beads and sparkling Kreinik metallics to add a magical touch. She is stitched on Polstitches 28HPI ‘Fairy Dreams’ Jobelan, which I think suits her just perfectly! Look for the chart next month in issue 196. I’ll be posting the supply list tomorrow.

Poppy Fairy

Poppy Fairy © Joan A.Elliott Photo Courtesy of Cross Stitch Collection

Here is the third  design in the Flower Fairy Series for Cross Stitch Collection, the Poppy Fairy. You’ll find her in preview in the current issue 194 and the chart will be ready for you in Issue 195 in March. When we bought our first home in Vermont it was winter time and little did I know that come spring the lawn would burst into bloom with rows and rows of the most incredible red poppies. Every year I made sure to time our visits so that I wouldn’t miss the spectacular display. When we left that spot for another, I took several of the poppies with me and they now thrive in my perennial bed along the stream. Poppies are the flower of remembrance so I’ve pictured this fairy in a thoughtful, gentle pose surrounded by the brilliant velvet petals of one of my favorite flowers. She is stitched on Polstitches wonderful ‘summer breeze’ Jobelan and has lots of lovely Kreinik threads and Mill Hill beads to add to the magic.

I’ve put the supply list up on the Floss & Embellishments page, at right, so you can start to gather things early. Enjoy!

The Iris Fairy

Iris Fairy © Joan A. Elliott

Just a quick preview of the next in the line up of Flower Fairies. This is  a stitched simulation from my files. I’ll post a true photo and further details soon!

A Magical Winter’s Ride

 

Frost Cherub © Joan A. Elliott

Oh my it’s cold outside! It was 0º when I woke this morning here in Vermont. The sky portends some snow on the way, streams are frozen and the chickadees are busy gobbling up all the seeds they can from the feeder. I still think there is a particular beauty to the winter landscape when we discover things that were previously hidden behind the lush greens of summer and flaming colors of autumn. As a celebration of this time of year and  for the new year  soon to come I’ve  designed a joyful cherub on his frosty ride through the winter sky, just out in issue 172 of The World of Cross Stitching. Stitch this design on Polstitches ‘daybreak’ hand dyed 28HPI Jobelan to add a special dreamy touch to your finished work. There are lots of sparkling threads and beads for wintry accents too. He rides on  a magical white deer resplendent with magnificent silver antlers and twinkling stars all around.

Air Goddess Preview

Air Goddess on 'Sky High' from Polstitches ©Joan A. Elliott

Here is a preview of my Air Goddess coming in Issue #191 of Cross Stitch Collection, on sale November 24th. This picture is a stitched simulation directly from my design file. The finished model in the magazine was stitched on 28HPI Zweigart Cashel linen, vintage sky blue, ref 3281/5139. I think she would also look fabulous on one of Polstitches hand dyed Jobelans. Here you see her on ‘Sky High’. I’ll post the official magazine photo as soon as it comes in.

Winter is soon to come…

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!

Autumn & Spring Fairy News: Post Correction

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!

March News from the Studio

 

Hi Everyone!

Sorry I’ve been so absent lately. Work has been beyond hectic, thank goodness, and family matters have been a priority this past month so there wasn’t much time for posting. I have a moment and wanted to let you know about a couple of design updates. Firstly, thank you all so much for the wonderful response to the Spring Fairy in Cross Stitch Collection! How lovely to hear from so many of you. This is such a fulfilling part of my work and it means the world to me. I’ve just completed the Autumn Fairy design, although she is still under wraps I’m afraid. Look for her to be published towards the end of summer. I see that my Summer Fairy is now on the preview pages of the current issue of Collection so it’s time for me to post her picture here. 

Before we get to that though, I want you to see my Golden Buddha design,  now in issue 169 of Cross Stitch Collection on sale in the UK. I hope I’ve captured the  peace and  serenity that this revered figure represents to millions of people around the world. The background motifs are stitched in half cross stitch and the Buddha figure is highlighted with glistening golden beads and delicate Kreinik metallic threads and the design is worked on Polstitches 28 count hand dyed ‘Shades of Narcissus’ Jobelan.

Golden Buddha ©Joan A. Elliott

Now to the Summer Fairy…  close your eyes and picture gentle waves on the  azure sea and  the feeling of the warm summer sand beneath your feet. These lovely images filled my thoughts when I created the Summer Fairy for Issue 170 of Collection. The magazine will be on the stands in the UK come April 14th.  This gentle spirit is stitched on Polstitches fabulous hand dyed 28 count Jobelan fabric . I have her pictured  here on ‘Neptune” and in the magazine you will see her stitched on ‘Heavens Above’. She is resplendent with shimmering beads and Kreinik metallic threads suggesting  tiny bits of sunshine glinting on the shore. I hope you will all add her to your own collection of magical cross stitch.

Summer fairy © Joan A. Elliott

As always, all of us outside the UK have to wait a bit for the UK magazines to hit the stands but I hope you think it will be worth the wait. I’ll be adding to this post over the weekend. I have some new rubber stamps coming out if a few days that I want to show you, more upcoming designs in cross stitch, and some news about ordering individual charts. So until then, I wish the very best to everyone!

Spring Fairy and More

Spring Fairy from Cross Stitch Collection ©Joan A. Elliott

A quick post to let you all know that I have a new fairy design coming out in the next issue of the UK’s fabulous magazine, Cross Stitch Collection (Issue 167 on sale in the UK January 16th and a bit later in the US). The Spring Fairy is the first in a series of four that you will see  this year. The design measures 12 x 16 inches and is stitched on a gorgeous hand-dyed fabric called Fairy Footprints from Polstitches. Please have a look at their website for a full display of some of the most delicious fabrics you’ll ever find! www.polstitchesdesigns.co.uk

The picture above is  a fabric printout from my files so you do not get the full hand-dyed effect which sets off the design beautifully. I’ll post the ‘real thing’ once the magazine arrives.

The commission to do this fairy series was a great opportunity for me to continue with the fantasy theme from my book  Bewitching Cross Stitch. I also have two smaller fantasy commissions coming up so I will keep you posted about when to look for them. Thank you all for the enthusiastic response to the new book!

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Photo courtesy of Charles Craft, Inc. 'I Love You To the Moon' is © Joan A. Elliott

My ‘I Love You To The Moon’ design  is now appearing in new ads from Charles Craft. You can purchase this chart directly from Charles Craft. Please visit their site for contact information: www.charlescraft.com

Blackwork Birds

In the current issue of Cross Stitcher from the UK (#209) you’ll find my Blackwork Birds  design. For a richly elegant look, try working this one using  a dark background with lighter thread. 

Blackwork Birds copyright Joan A. Elliott

Blackwork Birds © Joan A. Elliott