I found this week's site in the links section of Wyndam Needleworks, which is one of my favorite places to look at all the wonderful charts available (not to mention fabrics and fibers--and I buy things as well, of course). Linked as "Kathy Dyer's Page," the site is actually called the Counted Cross Stitch, Needlework and Stitchery Page. Here Dyer offers cross stitch tutorials in Japanese, French, and Italian, as well as English; FAQs on entering competitions and selling finished products and designs; short descriptions of various embroidery techniques; and color names and conversion charts for the top brands of floss.
If you're anywhere near as mathematically challenged as I am, you'll value Dyer's "How Much Fabric" calculator and "What Fabric Count" calculator. "How Much Fabric" provides an online calculator for Aida and one for linen/evenweave fabric (wth a separate set of calculators for metric conversion). "What Fabric Count" figures the size in both inches and centimeters for fabric counts 6/inch through 40/inch. (Trust me, it's far easier to use than to explain.)
Explore this site and take advantage of Dyer's terrific "gadgets."
About.com has a thorough cross stitch section with lots of great information--and free patterns. If you're looking for a last-minute, quick-stitch Easter project, take a look at the banded Easter egg chart by Connie G. Thomas, the About.Com Guide to Cross Stitch. You can find more Easter patterns, as well as dozens of others covering additonal holidays and themes, by looking through the linked Free Cross Stitch Patterns From A-Z Index.
Ah, spring at last! With memories of the recent blizzard, and now the pools of water from the heavy rains to slosh through, it's a relief to know that spring has officially arrived, no matter what the weather may suggest.
Since we see robins all winter here in Southwestern Ohio, I never include them as harbingers of the season. Instead, I watch for the little green shoots to poke up through the snow and mud, especially the daffodils. Doesn't look like there will be many in bloom for Easter, but they're coming! Soon!
This year the first day of spring is marked by something pretty special--the first issue of the MyCraftivity newsletter. It's free--you can sign up on the home page--and it's awesome! I just received my copy in my e-mail in box a little while ago. There are links to free projects, featured crafters from the site, leads on great crafting books you don't want to miss, an announcement about big savings in the MyCraftivity bookstore, and more.
Don't miss the next issue! Get on the mailing list for your free MyCraftivity e-newsletter by signing up on the home page. And Happy Spring!
Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, here's a site devoted entirely to Celtic cross stitch.
Celtic Cross Stitch: Pattern & Design Resources thoroughly examines this form of embroidery, which features the Celtic knot, through articles, tutorials (including videos), free patterns, and lots of links to some intriguing sites (needework and otherwise).
As you celebrate your Irish heritage this weekend, get in touch with your Celtic roots in the world of needlework through this interesting site.
I am getting really excited as tomorrow is one of my personal highlight's of the year - the Spring Country Living Show.
This wonderfully inspiring retail show takes its name form the equally inspiring UK magazine, Country Living. It takes place in the beautifully designed Business Centre in the north London borough of Islington. This show always takes place just before Easter and is an absolute confection of Spring greens, Easter chick lemons and cupcake pinks, so it's a real treat for the eyes.
Although a lifestyle rather than a craft show, this is a great place to track down potential book authors as many of the retailers are fabric artists producing highly-desirable, must-have objects of utter loveliness for every room of the house. Never have I desired a peg bag more, and I don't even have a clothes-line, only a clothes horse! So, I'm fitting the padlock to my wallet, and packing the extra large notepad into my bag to make a note of all the wonderful things I see to share with you all.
For those who can, do try to visit the show. It runs from today to the 16th March, but be warned Sunday is a short day ending at 3pm as opposed to 6pm. You can find out more from www.countrylivingfair.com.
