Embroidery – Through My Eyes

From A Sketch To Cross Stitch Art

While I enjoy all kinds of arts and crafts I think my bigger joy is in design. When you can take a concept to a finished product it is always rewarding. It’s that long road from a simple idea and the steps that follow that make it intriguiging.

I create art in a lot of ways one of which is linked to needle crafts. I have designed quilts, dolls, and cross stitch patterns. Through the patterns I not only get to make the product itself but also get to share that time and effort with someone who wants to create that same piece of art.

My cross stitch designs begin with a sketch…

A simple rough drawing colored just enough that my cross stitch program will recognize it. Once it is scanned into the program I change or add colors in the pattern itself to enhance it. In order to make it client friendly I have to merge a finished photograph and the pattern to a PDF file that is easily transferable. Now I have a marketable product. Here’s what the pattern looks like now:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/4365265102/pattern-cross-stitch-girl-knitting

A lot of time project are by trial and error but I can also convert a favorite photo into a cross stitch project by simply importing a jpeg file into my cross stitch software. In seconds the conversion is complete and a favorite picture becomes another form of art. Here’s a sample:

The original photo…

to the graphed pattern.

Interested in expanding the art you already create? Begin with a photograph or a painting and the rest is just a process. Now you are taking what you already know and have created and making it digitally accessible.

Have fun with it.

PS all photos and images are under copyright by me.

Crafting On The Cheap

You should never use the excuse “I can’t afford it” when it comes to crafting and here’s why. I do a number of crafts but one I spend a lot of time on is cross stitch embroidery. Over the last four years since our economy has been in the sewer I have been more resourceful in where I buy supplies.

Welcome to the world of thrifting. I shop Flea markets, yard sales, and most often auctions. The last place you would buy crafting supplies, right? You would be surprised. Over the last four years, I probably have spent less than $50 a year on supplies. I have bought multiple boxes of yarn, large boxes of cross stitch patterns, mixed craft supplies, and more. It is too the point that most of the auctioneers will point those items out to me prior to the sale. Here is just a sample from my latest purchase.

Sitting in what we affectionately call a “goodie box” underneath a table was this large binder full of thread and in the box was an array of cross stitch fabric, Scissors and more. I spent a whopping $5 for the box and the binder. The binder looked to be in poor condition so I really was not expecting the thread to be any good. In desperation one night when I failed to find a particular thread in my thread boxes I opened up the binder and quickly found the thread I needed. The thread was on a card that was enclosed in a zip lock bag carefully pulling a strand off the card I held my breath waiting to see if it was any good. On inspection the color looked good but was it weakened with age. I threaded my need and began stitching. Amazingly the thread seemed to be in good shape most likely because of the zip lock bag. On first inspection this binder was the one piece I thought I was going to have to throw out. So glad I didn’t.

So the next time you are in need of supplies, why not venture out to your local auction. You might be surprised at what you will find.

Have a great day, and take a moment to thank God for it

Cross Stitch In America

Yes, I have been slack again in my posts and will try to come up with more interesting topics. In the meantime, I share what I know best, arts and crafts. Today, we will look at counted cross stitch.

While historians seem to be uncertain as to when this type of embroidery began, most believe it goes all the way back to early Egypt. Here in America, it has a history only back to early pioneer days when women would use this simple form of embroidery to adorn pillow cases, children’s clothing, and advanced to decorative samplers. Here is a section of a sampler I am currently working on.

This fabric is called Aida 14. That means there are 14 of those little blocks to the inch. While you see, I do have some half stitches most stitches are done in little crosses. You literally pull your thread from one corner to the opposite corner and then pull your thread up from the opposite corner and down in the opposite direction to form the cross stitch. You can see the little holes at each corner of the block to put your needle in.

While this craft was the rage in this country from the sixties through the eighties, it has seen a decline since. It is, however, extremely popular still in Europe.

If you are interested in learning how to cross stitch, you can follow videos like this one on YouTube:

You don’t have to go into debt to start this hobby. I have bought boxes of patterns and supplies at auctions and estate sales. You can also still find supplies at your local craft shop.

This is a hobby that can both decorate your home but also makes great gifts for friends and loved ones.

Start stitching today!

Have a blessed day.

Cross Stitch Designs

I don’t just do needlework/crafts, I really love to design my own. While I have designed quilts, crochet and knitting projects, my real passion is designing cross stitch patterns. More and more I am getting into the design phase as I have time and creating the actual patterns.

I actually thought about teaching classes but that might tie up too much time as I have lots of interests. Basically, I think the love of design stems from the fact I am very analytical and love to disect things. One of my biggest pet peeves is to start a pattern that I have purchased only to find the pattern was not written correctly and have to sit down and make the corrections to it so it did work. With cross stitch that doesn’t happen too often, but I have a history as a photographer so designing cross stitch designs just came naturally.

I am currently posting some of my designs on payhip.com but will also try to list some in the future on Ralvery as well. If you have not tried counted cross stitch as it is very relaxing and can create beautiful pieces of art.

https://payhip.com/b/2XztV

The above link is for this pattern:

Beach Houses (c) Sue G. Heath 2024

This is not a real large pattern so it makes for a good project for the intermediate stitcher.

Busy fingers make a happy woman. God bless you all.

Cross Stitch And Designing

The only thing I love more in crafting than actually making the craft is designing. From the first initial sketch to the final product it is a challenge but pure excitement to get a pattern “just right”.

Here is my latest creation and it is available now for download.

Here’s the link: https://payhip.com/FolkwaysCreations to my newest store.

So, get those cross stitch supplies together and get to stitching.

Have a blessed day.

Cross Stitch Mania

Guess I am old fashioned as far as needlework goes because I love cross stitch. Not so much the printed kind but the kind you work to create pictures.

I either will use a photograph or draft a drawing like this one and then upload it to a cross stitch program (I use KB-Chart which is a free program but you can convert to a profession version if you get really good at it) to convert to a cross stitch pattern. If by now you still don’t know what I am talking about here is what cross stitch is:

You use embroidery thread, preferably DMC brand, and cross stitch fabric (my preference is Aida 14 count because it is easier to see) and cross stitch needles.

Cross stitch on Aida 14 image.

If you can blow the above image up, you will see in the fabric little blocks. Each little block has a hole at each corner. To make the cross you pull your thread to start (I work left to right typically but you can do in either direction) leaving a small lenght and do not knot. Pull your thread up from the bottom and up and across to the right corner and down. Then carry your thread from the back right corner to the left top corner and up and across the top and to the bottom right corner. You have now completed your first cross. Before you begin to work the pattern you will determine your design size and allow at least an 1 inch or more on all sides depending on what you want your frame size to be. Once you have cut your fabric to your determined frame size, find the center of your fabric and then the center of you pattern which is usually parked at the top and left size with a character like a triangle.

Mark the center with a straight pin until you are ready to begin. Looking at the pattern see which character is at the center (this will determine your starting color). Now go to the key (which is the last page of your pattern that list all the different threads by character) and find the character that matches up with the center character of the pattern…across from it is the DMC floss number that you will use. There are six threads to the floss. I typically only use 2 but go by whatever your pattern calls for, separate and thread your needle.

Begin with the stitch instructions above and stitch one color at a time following your pattern.

If you need further instructions or have questions about cross stitching, feel free to email me at sgheath1@hotmail.com

Happy stitching.

Protect & Serve

While I don’t always approve of some of the actions of law enforcement, what pray tell would we do without them! They are not perfect, but then neither am I or you or anyone else. Dispite the fact that this country is already in turmoil, there would be no resolve without the police and sheriff departments of this country. Anyway, what I can’t shoot, I create. Here is my tribute to law enforcement in stitch.

With respect they try their best to protect and serve.

A Little Sunday Creating

In addition to be a photographer, I have my hands in a lot of things. Needlework is just one of them. This is cross stitch. It is an early form of embroidery dating back to the 1600s. While then done on fine linen it is now done on fabric and canvas. I particularly love to work with Aida 14. The number 14 being the number of blocks per inch. Here is my latest creation along with a few more.

While this little garden girl was done freehand, I also convert photographs for more complex projects. Here are just a few.

I scan the image into my cross stitch software to create the pattern for this pic. Merging the pic and the pattern together I create the complete pdf pattern that can be easily downloaded.

At Christmas I sketched out this crazy pic and also created a cross stitch pattern from it.

From the patterns I frame some and make pillow covers from others. If you are interested in learning how to cross stitch you can email me for instructions or you can also find videos on YouTube.

I have the first pattern and others in my Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/FolkwaysCreations?ref=shop_sugg

Hope you have enjoyed this little segment.

Creativity and Crafting

My creativity is not limited to photography. Making sonething beautiful out of very little is what drives me. You don’t have to be an experienced crafter to do these projects. Being a crafter is very rewarder. While I don’t sell a lot, I enjoy it a lot.

This is cross stitch. This piece will soon become a pillow top

Below are some of the recent patterns I have created. You can purchase these in my Etsy Shop “FolkwaysCreations”.

Hope you have a great time stitching. The biggest reason I do cross stitch and other crafts is because it is a healthy way to relieve stress. Try a new craft project today. If you are a beginner, feel free to email me if you have questions.

Email: sgheath1@hotmail.com