Fairy Godmother

Fairy Godmother © Joan A. Elliott
Photo © WOCS, Immediate Media, Co.

Here is my new Fairy Godmother from  The World of Cross Stitching Issue 204. What fun it was to design this pretty figure. She has lots of sparkling metallic threads that give her a magical air and she is ready to grant your every wish come true. Wouldn’t it be lovely to have a Fairy Godmother just like this one to  to watch over us? Details for the supplies and size are up on the Floss and Embellishments page. Enjoy!

Welcome Spring Fairy

Spring Fairy © Joan A. Elliott
photo from Cross Stitch Crazy ©Immediate Media, Ltd.

With buds on the daffodils and the first crocuses blooming in our city gardens, Spring has finally sprung! Just in time to bring in this wonderful season of renewal, my little  Spring Fairy is out in the current issue, # 176,  of Cross Stitch Crazy now on sale in the UK and it is also available for instant download on your iPads worldwide! Isn’t it lovely to start thinking of the cheerful colors and fragrances of springtime after a long winter. This little fairy has gathered armfuls of brilliantly colored tulips to welcome in the  season and bring a little sunshine to your stitching.

Victorian Lady- The Dance Card

Victorian Lady
© Joan A. Elliott
Photo © Future Publishing, Ltd.

The  second in the series of historical figures is now out in the latest  issue of Cross Stitch Collection, Issue 221.  Stitched on Polstitches beautiful ‘delicate roses’ 28 count Jobelan, this charming figure stands poised for the next dance at the ball, her list of suitors carefully written down on her dance card. The colors were chosen from the  amazing high fashion palettes of Victorian times. Her dress of elegant satins and lace are resplendent with shimmering Kreinik threads along the edges and Mill Hill pearls and sparkling beads, from her hair ornaments and beaded purse down to the delicate hem of her dress. You can almost hear the rustling of her skirts as she steps out to the dance floor. This is one of my favorite time periods and it was a delight to visit it once again as we travel together through time on our fashion journey.

Medieval Lady

Medieval Lady
© Joan A. Elliott
Photo © Cross Stitch Collection

Here she is the first in a series of four historic ladies starting in the next issue, # 219, of Cross Stitch Collection. In rich royal colors and embellished with Mill Hill pearl seed beads and golden Kreinik  threads we catch a glimpse of this lovely Medieval Lady as she strolls through the castle garden holding a fresh cut white rose. I’ve chosen  28 count ‘avalon’ Jobelan from Polstitches to set a mood of beauty shrouded in the mist of times long ago.

Updated Chartpacks Page

At long last I have updated the Order Chartpacks page. I will continue to add more designs as they become available. If there is something that you are looking for but do not see here, just ask. Keep in mind that I always have a 6 month wait after publication before I can release any designs that appear in the magazines.

8 New Chartpacks

Designs © Joan A. Elliott
Top Row Photos © Cross Stitch Collection, Future Publishing Ltd
Center Row Photos ©Cross Stitch Gold, Immediate Media, Ltd

These 8 new chartpacks  will be ready for shipping this week. Along with the first three designs from my Garden Fairies series and the first two from my Fairy Tale series, I am excited to be introducing three designs that were previously only available as kits from Design Works Crafts (for availability of complete kits please contact Design Works). Spirit Dancer and Cowboy Boots go back to one of my favorite themes, the Southwest, and my Sewing Room pictures all the bits and bobs (and little friends) that any stitcher could want.

Snow Drop Fairy

 

Snow Drop Fairy
© Joan A. Elliott
Photo © Cross Stitch Collection

Now out in the current issue # 217, the last of my Garden Fairy Series for Cross Stitch Collection, the Snow Drop Fairy. I love the way  Polstitches hand dyed ‘aphrodite’ 28 count Jobelan sets this design off so perfectly. She is shimmering with pretty Mill Hill beads and Kreinik metallic threads that sparkle like winter’s moonlight on freshly fallen snow. I had such fun working on this series and I  I hope you have enjoyed them too. I have had many requests for other garden fairies from all of you and I hope to bring out some new additions to this series in all new chart packs, so stay tuned.

Coming Soon: 2013 Diary

Fantasy Diary © Joan A. Elliott cover design© Immediate Media

Now in preview and coming next month, my new 2013 Fantasy Diary designed exclusively for the World of Cross Stitching. And the best news…it’s free to subscribers with issue 198 and the gift includes a set of lovely card blanks too! I’ve had lots of inquiries from all of you to see if this will be included in international issues and on the news stands. I’ve written to Ruth at WOCS and here are the details she sent along.

From Ruth : overseas copies… 
The diary will definitely be on all subscriber copies, as all our gifts
are; general newsstand sales are dependant on where in the world stitchers
are as to whether they receive it. Sadly due to circumstances beyond our
control we are not able to supply the diary to all territories, however in
copies which do not include it, a couple of these designs will be supplied
as a separate chart.
The magazine with diary and card blanks free gifts (issue 198) will be
available for anyone in the world to purchase via our back issues
department – after the issue is off sale here (beginning of Jan2013).See:

http://secure3.subscribeonline.co.uk/origin/products.sol?mag=WOCS

So a bit about the diary- There are twelve illustrations in all and a matching chart for each. The designs are about 4 1/2 inches square, perfect for stitching up little cards, small hangings, pin cushions, or whatever suits your fancy. I’m particularly fond of the designs for September and October which you will find inside. This was a wonderful project to dive into and  I send out a special thank you to Ruth for the commission. I think the charts will be just right to work on as lovely way to take a break from larger projects throughout the year.

My New Book! Cross Stitch Treasures for Children

Cross Stitch Treasures for Children © Joan A. Elliott photo ©Annie’s Publishing

Just out this month, my latest book for Annie’s Publishing, Cross Stitch Treasures for Children. Returning to one of my favorite themes was a true joy. Inside you will find lots of goodies to stitch up for the dear little ones that bring such happiness into your lives. Mother Goose and friends, cuddly teddies, a fairy princess and a magical dragon are all waiting for you. You’ll also find  an assortment of useful tiny motifs to mix and match as you please, and delightful name plates to hang on the wall. To see pictures of all that’s inside go to Annie’s website by clicking here.

And… If you love the Nursery Rhyme Parade, you may also like my Nursery Rhyme Sampler which is now out as a kit from Design Works Crafts and available online at The Stitchery. Click here for for a preview. Wouldn’t it be sweet to make up the Nursery Rhyme Parade as a cushion and stitch up the personalized sampler to match?

Ready for Christmas!

Joan Elliott’s Christmas Collection © Joan A. Elliott

Time to get your holiday stitching in full swing and for a quick and easy start here is  a new booklet filled with my designs for  lots of fun little projects to help make the season merry and bright. It was  lovely to work on this project with Sarah and the team at Cross Stitch Crazy. They’ve even included some charming papers at back to complete your projects. The booklet is free with issue 169, now on sale. Enjoy!