*FREE CHART* Christmas Promise

This is my Christmas gift to you, my dear friends and constant encouragers.

Follow this link to a downloadable PDF file.

I didn’t have time to stitch up a model of this little design so that you could see an actual photo of the completed project, but this doesn’t mean there is any less meaning behind my Christmas gift to you.

I created it with a glad heart, inspired by my favorite author, Charles Dickens, the quote from A Christmas Carol, when, at the end of his story, Scrooge declares, “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!”

A sentiment that is still relevant today, 175 years after it was first published.

The colors listed with the chart are suggestions only. I didn’t even pull them from my collection to make sure they went together well. I based them off of names and color swatches in my design software. Please use your favorite Christmas Red, Green, Gold, and Brown to finish your little project. You can finish it as a pillow or ornament, stitched over one or over two, on the finest linen or the most humble cloth… My only requirement for this design is that as you stitch it you do it with the same spirit as the changed Scrooge in Dickens’ tale, and the intention to do as he did, keeping Christmas in your heart all the year through.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have regarding this design, and also feel free to send me a picture of your finish, as well as any story you may want to share about how Christmas has changed your life. My email address is: beth@heartstringsamplery.com

Shop owners, feel free to print up as many copies of this design as you want, and distribute freely to your customers. Stitchers, please do the same, sharing this design with as many of your stitching friends as are interested. It is my free gift to you.

I am so thankful for the blessing of being able to create cross stitch designs that are met with welcoming arms. I could have never imagined ten years ago that I would still be skipping down this happy path; you have made it possible for me to have a dream for an occupation. As I created this design, it was with a full heart, because of YOU.

Happy Stitching! ♥ Beth

*NEW* Winter Snow Stocking

For years now, I’ve been seeing such darling cross-stitched stocking ornaments being offered by others in the industry. I never intended to jump on the bandwagon and create my own, but had enough requests and a few encouraging nudges from some shop owners, so I decided to take the plunge. This design was my first stocking, originally released as an exclusive for the Dyeing to Stitch Ladies’ Prim Society. And now it is officially available for everyone!

There’s a newer Christmas carol that I’m madly in love with, written by Audrey Assad. Its called, “Winter Snow” and sings about how God could have come to earth with the strength of a hurricane, but chose instead to come like a winter snow, “quiet and soft and slow”.

This ornament is intended to last through the whole winter, not just the Christmas season. I hope you enjoy it. And if you, like me, have never finished a tiny little stocking, You Can Do It! It really wasn’t as difficult as I imagined, and I think I’m hooked. I am fully on the stocking ornament bandwagon now, so look out world!

Stitch Count: 50 x 100

Model stitched with one thread over two and one thread over one
on R & R Reproductions’ 35ct. Heartstring Blend

Using thread from Weeks Dye Works: Seagull, Pelican Gray

Recommended Additional Materials:
1 fat quarter of co-ordinating cotton fabrics

Fusible interfacing or webbing of your choice

Reserve 3 feet of the Seagull floss
for braiding into the stocking loop

This design is now available in my etsy shop, and will soon be in the hands of my distributors and the shops on my auto ship list. If you prefer to bypass etsy and order directly through me, you can send me an email: beth@heartstringsamplery.com

*NEW* Someday at Christmas

The song, “Someday at Christmas” was written by Ron Miller and Bryan Wells for a young Stevie Wonder’s Christmas album in 1967 and has since been recorded many times. Released during the Vietnam War, it was one of the first Christmas songs to contain a strong social message, standing for peace, equality and compassion. 

Someday at Christmas men won't be boys
Playing with bombs like kids play with toys
One warm December our hearts will see
A world where men are free

Someday at Christmas there'll be no wars
When we have learned what Christmas is for
When we have found what life's really worth
There'll be peace on earth

...

Someday at Christmas man will not fail
Hate will be gone love will prevail
Someday a new world that we can start
With hope in every heart

Maybe not in time for you and me
But someday at Christmastime
Someday at Christmastime

Stitch Count: 175 x 143

Model stitched mostly with one thread over two
(the words are stitched over one)
on R&R Reproductions’ 35 count Classic Homespun

Classic Colorworks: Fallen Leaves, Tennessee Red Clay
The Gentle Art: Ohio Lemon Pie, Caramel Corn, Endive, Pecan Pie
Weeks Dye Works: Dirt Road, Grasshopper, Red Rocks

Conversion to DMC included with the chart.

The lovely frame is an antique.

This design is now available in my etsy shop, and will soon be in the hands of my distributors and the shops on my auto ship list. If you prefer to bypass etsy and order directly through me, you can send me an email: beth@heartstringsamplery.com

*NEW* Do You Hear What I Hear? Stocking Ornament

For years now, I’ve been seeing such darling cross-stitched stocking ornaments being offered by others in the industry. I never intended to jump on the bandwagon and create my own, but have had enough requests now and a few encouraging nudges from some shop owners, so I decided to take the plunge. From there, it was just a matter of drawing a stocking shape that would be similar enough to match other stockings that you’ve collected, but unique enough to be my own and not a copy. Figuring out the stitch area didn’t take too much trial and error, and the inspiration for the overall design came to me in an instant.

I’ve always loved the Christmas carol “Do You Hear What I Hear?” Written in 1962 by Noel Regney and Gloria Shayne Baker as a plea for peace during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Decades later, that particular crisis is over, replaced by multiple other dangerous and violent situations around the world. The message is still as valid today as it was then, “Pray for peace, people everywhere”.

This ornament is intended to last through the whole winter, not just the Christmas season. I hope you enjoy it. And if you, like me, have never finished a tiny little stocking, You Can Do It! It really wasn’t as difficult as I imagined, and I think I’m hooked. I am fully on the stocking ornament bandwagon now, so look out world!

Stitch Count: 50 x 100
Model stitched with one thread over two and one thread over one
on R & R Reproductions’ 35ct. Heartstring Blend

Using thread from The Gentle Art:
Gold Leaf, Cinnamon, Buttermilk, Piney Woods, Ruby Slipper

Conversion to DMC included.

Recommended Additional Materials:
1 fat quarter of co-ordinating cotton fabrics

Fusible interfacing or webbing of your choice

Reserve three 12” lengths of floss for creating the braided stocking loop:
1 Piney Woods
2 Ruby Slipper

This design is now available in my etsy shop, through the shops that are on my auto ship list, and will soon be in the hands of my distributors. If you prefer to bypass etsy and order directly through me, you can send me an email: beth@heartstringsamplery.com

*NEW* The Holly Bears the Crown

I know its late to be releasing a new Christmas design, but this little last-minute piece came to me and I just couldn't resist. It really was a very quick project, taking about six hours total, including the finishing.

Long a favorite Christmas song of mine, this sampler is inspired by the lyrics of “The Holly and the Ivy”. I did a little research on the carol itself, and found that it has no known author. The earliest recorded printing of the words with a melody is 1911 in “Sharp’s English Folk Carols”. A few sources claim that the lyrics originated from an old broadside printed in the early 1700’s.

There are tales from ancient British village life that there was a midwinter custom of holding singing contests between men and women. The men sang songs praising Holly for its masculine qualities, while disparaging Ivy. The women sang songs praising Ivy for its feminine qualities while disparaging Holly. The resolution between the two was under the Mistletoe. These three plants, Holly, Ivy, and Mistletoe are the most prominent green plants in British native woodlands during the winter, and for this reason, they earned the respect of early country dwellers and placed highly in their traditions.


Stitch Count: 67 x 60
Model stitched on Picture This Plus 32ct. Sand

Using flosses from Weeks Dye Works:
Havana, Grasshopper, Curry, Red Rocks

Conversion to DMC included with the chart.

Mini pompom trim "TexArkana Sage" by Dames of the Needle.

This design is now available in my etsy shop, and will be going out to my distributors and the shops on my automatic shipments list soon. If you prefer to bypass etsy and order directly through me, you can send me an email: beth@heartstringsamplery.com

Now Available!

My two newest designs, Morning Star and Forget Me Not are now available for purchase in my etsy shop! Thank you for your patience, and for taking part in the online wholesale show through your needlework shops. By all accounts, it sounds like it was a success. This industry can take all the boosts of energy it can get, and you all came through. Thank you!

*NEW* I See Trees of Green

Long a favorite Christmas song of mine, this sampler is inspired by the lyrics of “What a Wonderful World”.

Stitch Count: 150 x 107
Model stitched on Weeks Dye Works’ 40ct. Straw

Using flosses from The Gentle Art:
0350 Mulberry, 7041 Apple Cider, 7061 Caramel Corn, 7082 Piney Woods, 7097 Pecan Pie

Frame by Valley House Primitives.

I have the fingers of Kevin Tober to thank for getting this project stitched. He not only did a fabulous job in record time, but he also caught a few errors caused by my hurry to get it in the mail to him. Next time you see him out there in this wonderful world, give him a high five or hug or however you express thanks, on my behalf.

This design is now available in my etsy shop, and will be going out to my distributors and the shops on my automatic shipments list soon. If you prefer to bypass etsy and order directly through me, you can send me an email: beth@heartstringsamplery.com

And be sure to check out my other new design, It Must Have Been the Mistletoe, which was released simultaneously.

*NEW* It Must Have Been the Mistletoe

I wanted to add another band sampler to my monochrome pair “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” and “My Funny Valentine”. I decided that the next color should be dark green, and what better season for green, than Christmas? Then to find a song that fit… and the song “It Must Have Been the Mistletoe” came to mind. Although its far from my favorite holiday song, I do like the lyrics very much, and have always loved the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe.

Stitch Count: 125 x 233
Model stitched on Picture This Plus 36ct. Mello

Using 1 thread over 2 of The Gentle Art’s 7082 Piney Woods (3 skeins needed)

The frame was found at a local thrift store.

This design is now available in my etsy shop, and will be going out to my distributors and the shops on my automatic shipments list soon. If you prefer to bypass etsy and order directly through me, you can send me an email: beth@heartstringsamplery.com

And be sure to check out my other new design, I See Trees of Green, which was released simultaneously.

*NEW* Hibernation Day

The words on this sampler come from a song called, “Hibernation Day”, which is on a Christmas album by Jars of Clay. I had so much fun designing the bands to go along with the lyrics. I wanted an overall cozy, winter-y feel without being too holiday-ish. Well, it turned out pretty Christmas-y anyway, but hopefully that won’t deter you from keeping it on display all winter long.

Stitch Count: 105 x 328
Model stitched on DMC 28ct. Natural that was coffee stained before stitching.

Using flosses from The Gentle Art: 0350 Mulberry, 7025 Shaker White, 7047 Mustard Seed, 7048 Old Hickory, 7082 Piney Woods, 7097 Pecan Pie

Frame by Valley House Primitives.

This design is now available in my etsy shop, and will be going out to my distributors and the shops on my automatic shipments list soon. If you prefer to bypass etsy and order directly through me, you can send me an email: beth@heartstringsamplery.com

If your LNS owner was at the TNNA show in St. Charles this weekend, there's a chance he/she may have a copy in shop this morning. Stop in or give them a call and request it!

And be sure to check out my other new design, The Stars are Brightly Shining, which was released simultaneously.

*NEW* The Stars are Brightly Shining

Long a favorite Christmas carol of mine, this sampler is inspired by the lyrics of “O, Holy Night”.

Stitch Count: 135 x 113
Model stitched on Picture This Plus 28ct. Doubloon

Using flosses from The Gentle Art: 0350 Mulberry, 0420 Gold Leaf, 7018 Woodrose, 7048 Old Hickory, 7057 Roasted Marshmallow, 7082 Piney Woods, 7097 Pecan Pie

The lovely frame is an antique.

This design is now available in my etsy shop, and will be going out to my distributors and the shops on my automatic shipments list soon. If you prefer to bypass etsy and order directly through me, you can send me an email: beth@heartstringsamplery.com

If your LNS owner was at the TNNA show in St. Charles this weekend, there's a chance he/she may have a copy in shop this morning. Stop in or give them a call and request it!

And be sure to check out my other new design, Hibernation Day, which was released simultaneously.

Christmas in April

My life as a cross-stitch designer can sometimes feel a bit disjointed, stitching ahead of each holiday to try to time releases season-appropriately. But having been so sick during the holidays last year, it was actually a bit therapeutic to be working on one of this years' Christmas designs in the early Spring. I'm going to miss this one when I'm done stitching.

Thought you might like a little sneak peek... to be released in September.

*NEW* Christmas Band Sampler

This is one of two brand new Winter/Holiday designs being released today... now doesn't that make you happy? It makes me happy... but mostly because I already finished stitching mine, and now all I have to do is wait a few months until its time to start displaying them. But don't worry, they're both very quick designs to stitch up, each taking me just under a month to finish, so you have plenty of time! *wink*

A few years ago, I purchased a very old and worn-out band sampler all done in reds and greens. With a little research, I’ve decided that it is most likely Scottish in origin, and perhaps from the late 1700’s or early 1800’s. I’ve often thought of it as my Christmas band sampler, just because of the colors. This year, I decided to chart the antique, missing stitches and all, then used it as a springboard to create a truly festive sampler just right for holiday decorating.

I filled in the missing stitches, did a little re-arranging, added a bit here and a bit there, using other old Scottish samplers for inspiration, then finally, embedded the classic American phrase, “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year” within the classic layout.

This sampler is stitched entirely with cross stitch with the exception of the large capital V, and the words MERRY CHRISTMAS and YEAR, which are stitched with eyelet stitch.

Stitch Count: 120 x 295
Model stitched on DMC 28ct. Natural

Using flosses from The Gentle Art: 0350 Mulberry, 7019 Pomegranate, 7061 Caramel Corn, 7080 Endive,

And from Weeks Dye Works: 1240 Dirt Road, 2202 Bullfrog

This design is now available in my etsy shop, and will be going out to my distributors and the shops on my automatic shipments list soon. If you prefer to bypass etsy and order directly through me, you can send me an email: beth@heartstringsamplery.com

*NEW* Baby, Its Cold Outside

This is one of two brand new Winter/Holiday designs being released today... now doesn't that make you happy? It makes me happy... but mostly because I already finished stitching mine, and now all I have to do is wait a few months until its time to start displaying them. But don't worry, they're both very quick designs to stitch up, each taking me just under a month to finish, so you have plenty of time! *wink*

I have always liked the classic Christmas tune, “Baby, Its Cold Outside”. Its a playful tune, festive and perhaps a little bit naughty, but conjures up images of crackling fires and cozy rooms protected by stormy weather. Written by Frank Loesser in 1944, it was originally sung as a duet with his wife.

When I designed this little pattern, I was aiming for a piece that could hang on your walls not just during the holiday season, but also afterward, through the duration of the winter season. A little something winter-y to connect Christmas and Valentines Day. I do hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

The entire model is worked with cross stitches, using one thread worked over-two.

Stitch Count: 159 x 103Model stitched on Picture This Plus 36ct Ale

Using flosses from The Gentle Art: 7019 Pomegranate, 7025 Shaker White, 7033 Harvest Moon, 7060 Picnic Basket, 7082 Piney Woods

And from Weeks Dye Works: 1092 Grits

This design is now available in my etsy shop, and will be going out to my distributors and the shops on my automatic shipments list soon. If you prefer to bypass etsy and order directly through me, you can send me an email: beth@heartstringsamplery.com

Christmas in July

It feels rather strange to be finishing up Christmas designs when Summer has yet to really descend upon the hills of Oregon.

But that's what I'm up to this week. Imagine trying to dig deep enough to find holiday ornaments for a photo shoot this time of year. Lucky for me, some clever antique dealer had these two sweet oldies still out for sale in her mall space.

Shop owners will be able to purchase my 2011 Christmas sampler, titled "Sing We Then Merrily" at the TNNA show in Baltimore on August 13th. I will be making it available in my etsy shop for direct purchase soon after.

What I've Been Working On

The last few weeks I haven't been cross-stitching, but my needle has still been busy. I started this project last December, then set it aside for nearly a year.

Getting back into the spirit of the holiday, I dug it back out of my workbasket and got busy finishing this folky little hand appliqued and quilted wall hanging.

Now before you go and get all impressed, I'll have you know that I have only dabbled in applique quilting, and was able to figure this out all by myself. If I can do it, so can you!

Anyway, I had this idea last year, for a "something" to hang over my nativity set. A "something" that would depict the night sky and the star and the angels, as told in the Bible in Luke chapter 2 (the version that was read in my family every Christmas Eve as far back as I can remember).

Inspired by some circular motifs on an old fraktur certificate and an old wooden weathervane in the shape of an angel blowing a horn, my design was born.

My quilting stitches are large and primitive on purpose, because its much quicker and suits my impatient nature, and I like how they look.

I can't say that it is exactly how I would like it to be... the colors are looking too bright to my eyes, so I might tea-stain it to help marry them... but for a first attempt at designing a quilt, I would say that I did pretty darn well.

Once I get some dowel and hang it over my nativity, I'll snap some photos so you can see the set-up as I imagined it.

Lately

Our eight laying hens have been averaging 6 eggs per day.

These two have been telling each other "I love you" a lot.

Christmas story books have entered regular rotation (shown here: The Polar Express, The Mitten, and A Peanuts Christmas).

This one loves to do things like zip her jammies all by herself, yet she still wants to hold my hand when we walk.

I've been shooting into the light.

New Release... Now Christmas is Come

Never too late for a new Christmas design, right?

Introducing... Now Christmas is Come

It began with the frame, a lovely vintage oval that has been sitting in my closet for a few years. The perfect dirty cream color, and here I am, in the mood for Christmas.

Something simple, cheerful, heartfelt and festive was certainly in order. After designing the border, I did some searching online for a perfectly Victorian Christmas quote, and what did I find, but a snippet from an old English folksong, as quoted by Washington Irving in his book The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon:

Now Christmas is come,
Let us beat up the drum,
And call all our neighbors together;
And when they appear,
Let us make them such cheer,
As will keep out the wind and the weather.

Now doesn’t that invoke feelings of nostalgia and longing for wassail and a crackling fire? Oh, to have an old-fashioned drawing room and fur muffs and a sleigh ride!

Stitch Count: 180 x 114

Model stitched on Zweigart 40ct. New Castle Cream linen which was coffee stained prior to stitching.

Using flosses from The Gentle Art:
1170 Dark Chocolate, 7019 Pomegranate, 7080 Endive

As usual, this pattern is available for purchase in my etsy shop for $10 (shipping is free to the USA), but you can also order it directly through me via email (beth@heartstringsamplery.com) or you can wait until your local needlework shop has it in stock (if they don't carry my designs, ask!)

2 New Pattern Releases for November

The first, "EN 1815" is listed and available in my etsy shop right now. Distributor orders will be going out later this week.

“Wher’er I turn my ravished eyes,
New scenes of beauty round me rise.”

The quote used is one from an old sampler, which I have long admired. My original EN 1815 sampler was stitched and sold long ago, in the days before I started my pattern business, and when I did most of my stitching freehand, without the benefit of design software. In order to produce this pattern, I studied the photos of that original, and charted a new, and (I think) better version.

Someday, I would love to hang my little sampler in a lake-side mountain retreat that is all my own.

And available for a limited time (only through December 25), an exclusive pattern called, "Partrige, Pare & Turteldove".

I am not planning to list this one in my etsy shop, but it will be available directly through me. Simply send me an email or PayPal me using my beth@heartstringsamplery.com address.

$5 for an emailed PDF file of the pattern.
$7 for a mailed copy, which includes a cover with color photo, and chart in my usual format.

Missing All the Fun

For those of you, who like me, are missing all the fun of the big market show in St. Charles this weekend, here is a full photo of my new Christmas designs, being released by Norden Crafts today (click on the photo for a closer view)...

I can begin mailing patterns out on Monday, and will also create a listing in my etsy shop then. For now, if you are interested, you may place your order directly through me by simply sending an email (beth@heartstringsamplery.com).

For $15 you will receive charts for the three designs and finishing instructions for completing the little wall hanging.