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!

Choose Your Own Colors Heart Bookmark Free Cross-stitch Pattern

What do you do with leftover pieces of Aida cloth? I try to find a way to use them. Recently, I had a piece of leftover antique white Aida cloth. I pulled out my scrap threads and started stitching, making the pattern up as I went. 

Since Valentine's Day is just around the corner, I stitched ten hearts, five facing each way, using different scrap colors. Stitching with scrap thread is always an adventure. At first I planned to stitch all the hearts facing one direction. But on the first heart I started to stitch, I misjudged how much floss I would need and ran out of the color, leaving me with a triangle. So, I modified my idea. Also, I ended up stitching one heart using two similar but different colors. I didn't even realize it until after I had photographed my progress. I guess that's what I get for working on it right before bed. 

As I stitched, I found I really liked how the design turned out. Rather than using scrap threads for the entire piece, I chose some colors to finish it up with. I decided to make a pattern from what I had stitched and offer it as a free download. I don't know what colors I used for the triangles, hearts, and red stitches on the border, so you get to pick what colors you want to use. In the pattern, I list the colors I used for the background and the rest of the border, so you can use those if you want. Or you can pick your own colors for those as well. 

I hope you enjoy this free chart, and I would love to see your finished results!

Download the pattern here: https://kebstudiocreations.gumroad.com/l/gaTZC

Goal for 2017

Recently, I read an article about setting goals. This got me thinking about what I want to accomplish this year with my Etsy store. Last year, I released ten cross-stitch patterns. This year, my goal is to release at least twelve cross-stitch patterns. I would love to release more, but at this point, this goal feels like one that will keep me on task without overwhelming me. I already have a number of projects in the works. Here is a little about them.

1. Choose Your Own Colors Heart Bookmark: I am currently working on stitching this one. I plan to release it the beginning of February. It will be a free pattern that I will release on this blog.
2. Old Book Spines: I have stitched the wall hanging version of this, and it is currently being framed. I am also stitching two of the book spines as bookmarks. I am working on stitching them right now. I hope to release this pattern sometime in February.
3. Snow Alphabet: This is the next project I plan to start stitching. I am not sure when I will release it.
4. Nutcracker and Clara Ornament: I need to stitch my revised pattern. I will probably release this as part of my Christmas in July Event.
5. Green Nutcracker: Need to stitch. I will probably release this as part of my Christmas in July Event.
6. Red Nutcracker: Need to stitch. I will probably release this as part of my Christmas in July Event.
7. Candy Candy Alphabet: This is already stitched. I need to assemble them into ornaments. I will probably release this as part of my Christmas in July Event.
8. Christmas Star Alphabet: I've been experimenting some to finalize how I want this pattern to look. Once I am satisfied, it will be ready for stitching. I'm not sure when I will release this pattern.
9. Double-sided Ornaments: I started designing these but need to do a lot more design work. I probably won't release this until sometime this fall.

I have other ideas in mind, but this gives me plenty to work on right now. Writing out this list, I realized that a lot of them are Christmas patterns. I definitely want to work on adding in some more non-Christmas designs. 

What's in a Name? Name Origins and Logo

If you have a business, you probably have some story about how you decided on your name and logo. This is my story.

When I was a kid, one of my aunts sent me and each of my siblings a card on our birthdays. She made the card with a computer program, and I liked how she designed the back of the card, kind of like the back of a commercial greeting card.

The back of one of the cards my aunt sent me.

Inspired by this, whenever I made a card, I did a "logo" on the back. For my logo, I put my initials with a cloud around them and then put "cards" or "creations" after it it.

When I was in college, I made a digital version of my logo to use in a book I made for my Computer and Print Publishing class.

When I decided to start an Etsy store a few years ago, I wanted to stay with the same theme of name and logo. I had gotten married, so I planned to use my new initials of KEB. I googled KEB Creations, but found that the name was already in use. I played around with some different ideas. After much thought, I decided to go with the name of KEB Studio Creations. I created a logo. My brother even burned it into the jewelry display board he made for me. I knew that I would eventually update my logo, but I was content with what I had for the time.

After awhile, I began developing a new logo. After working on some ideas I didn't like, I finally came up with an idea I liked.

Logo idea sketch

I used Adobe Illustrator to develop and refine the idea. And now I have a logo I love. The round logo is my main version. But I have horizontal versions for where they work better.

I hope you enjoyed hearing about how I developed my name and logo. And I would love to hear your stories.