Nutcracker Bookmarks

On Monday, I released my Red, Blue, and Green Nutcracker Cross-Stitch Patterns Combo Pack, as well as my Red and Green Nutcracker Cross-stitch Patterns.

I designed the Blue Nutcracker Cross-stitch Pattern after two years dancing as a party scene parent in the Shenandoah Ballet's annual Nutcracker performance. During the second year, I cross-stitched during the times when I wasn't on stage. A couple of girls enjoyed watching me, and one suggested I design a nutcracker. I liked the idea, so I designed the Blue Nutcracker and based it on the costume worn by the Nutcracker in the Shenandoah Ballet's production.

I didn't release the Blue Nutcracker Cross-stitch Pattern until the next Nutcracker season. That Christmas I gave a framed Blue Nutcracker Cross-stitch to the director, who is also my instructor for Adult Ballet.

I knew I wanted to do Red and Green Nutcracker Patterns as well since I love red and green nutcrackers. For the Red Nutcracker, I used the Nutcracker ornament I own for inspiration.

For the Green Nutcracker, I got inspiration from some Nutcrackers my friend Cinzia made. I combined elements from both her Nutcrackers into my design.

I stitched the Red and Green Nutcrackers using Gold Kreinik Thread. I like the softer feel of the Kreinik over the DMC, making it perfect to use on bookmarks. I had not been introduced to Kreinik thread yet when I stitched the Blue Nutcracker.

Which Nutcracker is your favorite?

Blackwork American Flag

On the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend, inspiration struck and I immediately started designing this pattern. Monday, I started stitching it. I only learned of blackwork within the last year, but I have become fascinated with it since then. This is my first blackwork pattern, but I can assure you it will not be my last. I already have other blackwork ideas in mind.

I enjoyed stitching this project. I worried that the white wouldn't stand out well enough, but I think it turned out well.

For this project, I chose to frame it myself since I don't have the funds to have all my pieces professionally framed. I used this tutorial as my guide. Here is what I did:

1. Pick Frame and Mat - I didn't have the piece with me, but I used a picture on my phone to guide me. I had measured the finish piece and knew the smallest viewing area would need to be 4x6", so I chose a 5x7" frame and a 4x6" mat.

2. Wash - I always wash my pieces after they are finished.

3. Iron - after it dried.

4. Cut Foam Core Board to Size - it needs to be a bit smaller than the framed area so it will fit in the frame once the fabric is on it.

5. Center the Piece on the Foam Core Board - I put one pin in the center of each side to help it stay in place after I centered it. I did have to readjust a couple times.

6. Pin the Fabric to the Foam Core Board - I used pins I saved from dress shirts we've bought for my husband.

7. Put the Mat and the Mounted Fabric in the Frame - mine was a tight fit.

8. Close the back of the Frame - it's finished!

The pattern for this Blackwork American Flag is now available on Etsy.

White Rose Bookmark

When I decided to do a yellow rose bookmark pattern, I knew I had to do a white rose bookmark pattern as well. I have loved white roses ever since I graduated from high school. After graduation, they gave each graduating girl a white rose.

I designed the white rose at the same time as the yellow rose, but didn't start stitching it until after I finished the yellow rose.

Like the red rose, it took me three tries to get this design to a point where I was completely happy with it. And I tried out a lot of different ideas in my design program as well.

My white rose bookmark pattern is now available on Etsy. And, it includes the patterns for all three designs.

You can also buy all of my rose patterns as a combo pack. When you buy the combo pack, you save $3.

Which rose is your favorite?

Yellow Rose Bookmark

As I worked on my Enchanted Red Rose Bookmark, a friend suggested I do a yellow rose bookmark pattern as well. At first I rejected the idea, but by the end of the day, the idea had taken root and I started designing this bookmark. I am so glad for that suggestion because I love this bookmark. 

I used these photos as reference while picking colors.

Designing and stitching this bookmark brought back memories of the yellow rose bush next to the driveway of one of my childhood homes. I loved that yellow rose bush. As I stitched, I also thought about what yellow roses represent. According to flowershopping.com, "The yellow rose represents filial love, the love of friendship. Yellow roses represent the love between siblings and very close friends. The yellow rose is not as sensual and romantic as other roses; instead its sunshine radiance speaks toward the joy resulting in shared experiences and the promise of further adventures. Yellow roses send a clear message of respect and are make great gifts for childhood friends and respected coworkers alike. Yellow roses illuminate the air around them and bring joy and optimism to anywhere they are placed."

I modified my Enchanted Red Rose pattern
to create the design for this bookmark.

Despite being based on my Enchanted Red Rose pattern, not everything was sunshine and roses (pun intended) during the process. A friend counselled me not to do the backstitching in black, as had been my first thought. I took me four tries to get the color right for the stem and leaves, causing a frustrating evening of stitching and then unstitching. At least I got the colors right for the rose and border backstiching on the first tries.

The the four colors I tried.

In the end, it all worked out. The pattern and example bookmark and done and looking great. And the pattern is now available on Etsy.

Free Choose Your Own Colors Flowers Bookmark Cross-stitch Pattern

It all started with a leftover scrap of aida cloth from my Bunny Sitting on Easter Eggs Bookmark. I knew the scrap would make a good bookmark. Choosing a pretty pink color, I started by stitching diagonal lines. 

After I did that, I designed the flowers. My husband suggested I use my stash of leftover threads for the project, so I pulled them out. 

I used greens and brighter colors on the flowers. For the background, I used pastel colors. I stitched the pastel colors diagonally, in a patchwork sort of manner.

As I stitched, I realized that I had stitched the pink diagonals as if it were a vertical pattern and the rest as if it were a horizontal pattern. The fact that they don't have the top stitch facing the same direction irks me, but I decided for this project to let it go. It would be a nightmare with any other project though.

I like how this bookmark turned out. You can download this free pattern here: https://kebstudiocreations.gumroad.com/l/AEVja

Bunny Sitting on Easter Eggs

It all started with a sketch, a very rough sketch, a sketch done on my phone while in a moving vehicle, a sketch of a bunny sitting on a stack of Easter eggs.

A rough sketch.

Next came designing and picking out colors. I started with the bunny and went through a number of variations. My attempts at creating a bookmark with the bunny sitting on top large Easter eggs wasn't working out. My husband suggested the idea of having the bunny sit on a basket of Easter eggs, and that worked out wonderfully.

A plethora of options.

Yes, there is something different about each of those bunny designs.

I began stitching the pattern on 14-count light blue aida, while also working on getting other patterns released. When I had almost finished stitching this pattern, my husband remarked that it was kind of a large bookmark. That got me wondering how big it would be if stitched on 18-count cloth. So, I stitched it again, this time on 18-count fiddler's light aida. I do prefer the size of the 18-count bookmark.

A few days after I finished stitching these, I visited my sister's family. I had their rabbits in mind when I made the bunny white. When I showed the bunny cross-stitch to my older nephew (age 4 and a half), he hugged it and wanted to keep it. I had been thinking to give the blue one to their family since I had stitched the design twice, but this confirmed it. My nephew wanted me to leave it with them right then, but I tried to explain to him that I needed to take it home and make it into a bookmark and take pictures of it. I will take the completed bookmark to them the next time I visit.

Some of their cute rabbits.

When it came time to photograph these bookmarks, I bought a few props (Peeps, stuffed bunny, cloth carrots, dyeable cardboard eggs), as well as used some things I already had (basket, books, backdrops). The pattern for this Easter bookmark is now available on Etsy. 

Enchanted Red Rose Bookmark

For months I have been excited for the live action version of Beauty and the Beast. I also bought the cartoon version in the fall, and have watched it a few times since then. So, it is not surprising that an idea for an enchanted red rose cross-stitch bookmark pattern came to me.

I decided to try something new for this bookmark; I used metallic thread for the backstitching. In the first version I stitched, the colors were too close, and the backstitching did not provide enough definition for the pattern.

I next tried blending the floss of the rose, stem, leaves, and background with metallic threads and backstitched with black. This made the colors of the rose, stem, and leaves too dark and the background too light for my tastes.

The third time was the charm. I used a light green metallic to outline the stem and leaves and silver to outline the rose. Finally a design I felt looked satisfactory.

When showing the bookmarks to people, each had their own preference of which they liked best. So, in the pattern, I am making all three color schemes available. You can purchase the pattern on Etsy.

Stay tuned for more rose bookmarks...

One Year of Cross-Stitch Patterns

This week last year, I released my first ever cross-stitch patterns, my Owl Sitting on Books series. Since then, I have released seven more patterns, and I have two more patterns that are almost ready for release.

These are the patterns I have released in the last year:
Owl Sitting on Books
Spring Owl Sitting on Books
Graduation Owl Sitting on Books
Autumn Owl Sitting on Books
Christmas Owl Sitting on Books
Owl Sitting on Books Combo Pack
Christmas Alphabet and Holly Icons
Christmas Tree Alphabet
Merry Christmas Books and Holly Christmas Ornament
Books and Holly Christmas Ornament
Blue Nutcracker
Old Book Spines
St. Patrick's Day Bookmark

I have enjoyed creating these patterns and look forward to creating more.

St. Patrick's Day Bookmark

St. Patrick's Day is one of my favorite holidays. Something about a day dedicated to a color mixed with the symbols of rainbows, pots of gold, shamrocks, and leprechauns somehow speaks to me. So, when the idea for this bookmark popped into my mind, I knew I had to make it.

The idea first came to me while at aquacise. When I got home, I sketched down the idea.

My initial sketch

Over the next few days, I worked on designing the pattern. I went through a lot of variations, but finally settled on one, taking my husband's advice about which one he liked best.

A lot of variations

I decided to stitch this design on some Charles Craft gold dusted aida cloth I bought years ago but had never used. I chose to use Kreinik Japan gold thread for the border and the gold coins because I loved its yellow gold color. This thread is not as soft as the regular Kreinik gold, and it is harder to stitch with, but still easier to stitch with than the DMC metallic thread.

The picture doesn't fully capture the beauty of the cloth.

As I thought more about the rainbow background, I decided to modify the design a bit to take the best of two of my designs. Rather than have the rainbow going all one direction, I had the rainbow radiating out of the pot of gold.

I could sit and look this bookmark for hours.

I enjoyed designing and stitching this project. It is my new favorite of my cross-stitch designs. This pattern is now available on Etsy.

Old Book Spines Cross-Stitch

One day, about a year and and a half ago, as I contemplated the cover of my journal, which featured a picture of old books, I came up with the idea to make a cross-stitch of old book spines. Soon after I designed this pattern. I set the pattern aside for awhile as I focused on stitching and releasing other patterns.

The journal that was my inspiration.

A couple of months ago, I revived this pattern. After choosing the exact colors I wanted to use, I started stitching on 14-count antique white aida cloth. I originally had the brown book first in line, but wanting to start with something easier, I began stitching the green book. Then I worked my way through the blue and brown books.

As I worked on this project, I struggled with the DMC metallic thread. After posting about my struggles on social media, Sirithre suggested I try Kreinik metallic thread. I ordered some and tried it out on the bookmark versions I made of the green and blue book spines (stitched on 18-count fiddler's light aida). I used #4 very fine braid for the cross-stitching and blending filament for the backstitching. I really like the Kreinik thread. In general, it is much softer than the DMC metallic thread and easier to work with. I like the softer feel for bookmarks.

My husband pointed out they match these books.

In doing some research on metallic thread, I also learned about Thread Heaven. I bought some and tried it out. It definitely helps with the metallic thread. It even makes the Kreinik thread easier to stitch with; however, since the Kreinik thread stitches so well, I'll probably only use it on my DMC metallic thread.

With this project, I not only used Kreinik and Thread Heaven for the first time, but I also, for the first time, had a piece professionally framed. I went to a framing store in the next town over first. I enjoyed the experience, but the price was far beyond what I could consider paying. A few days later, I went to a Michael's store an hour away. The price they gave me would be a stretch, but it was a manageable price. So, I did it. I am very happy with how it turned out.

Today I am releasing this cross-stitch pattern on Etsy. I hope you enjoy this pattern!