Still Stitching

Biscornu-copia!

2011-02-04T12:14:00.001-05:00

Kathrin's 15 sided biscornu SAL
Basket of Biscornu
And this is just April - look around! These are really creative!
Le petit coin de debbie
This is a 15-sided Biscofleur - a blackwork pattern and enough pictures to see how it is assembled. Nice work!
90 posts of assorted little pillows
Au pays de biscornu
This is a nice one and there are pics of the original 15 panels.
And if you still crave more, here are more blogs to explore.
Scroll down this page and you will find a biscofleur being assembled with beads.
Here are several biscornu patterns from Kincavel Krosses including a 15 sided gem mentioned above.
This is a different style of 15 sided bisco with good pictures on how it goes together

Awww this is so sweet

2010-10-15T20:20:00.000-04:00

This is an October giveaway from Bearbits
Just post a comment to enter.

This little bear is so sweet with her little spool doll.
I wish I could share the picture, but blogger doesn't like that.

More Beading....

2009-06-20T18:41:00.003-04:00

I guess this is getting serious. I have a number of people asking to buy lanyards. I work in one of those buildings where you need to carry your ID and keys with you everywhere. I have made a half-dozen or so for my co-workers. Word of wear? Anyway, I have requests. I did some exploring to see what sort of price these things were fetching. Maybe I should say what sort of price people wanted these to fetch. It looks like barely break even at retail prices for the supplies. So, I ordered an EIN, applied for a VA tax ID, made a name for myself - a business name. But what would the cabs go for? I guess these are rather unique.

I've been BEADING!

2009-06-14T17:40:00.002-04:00

This started when my building ID lanyard broke. A good friend made it for me. There were beads everywhere. Beads went down my shirt and when I walked around, I was leaving a trail of little seed beads. Like Gretal. Or was it Hansel. Whatever, you get the picture.
Now I have little #15 beads all over the house. Fairy dust for old women who can't see so well, which seems to bring me back to the Hansel and Gretal story again.
Lanyards (3 of them)

Necklaces (by request)

Three Chevron stitch bracelets, 3 bezeled cabachons, one of those necklaces made so the bead thread looks invisible.
(And a partridge in a pear tree?)

I have made two of these onyx cabachons. This is #2, the other one I gave to my division manager - she's into jewels and she got the cab for free.
Not sure what is next - I have a bunch of crystals calling. Don't know what to do with them. I have a few large faceted stones to try bezels (and a couple of rivolis to practice).

Stitching - sort of

2009-05-23T22:42:00.002-04:00

Besides a parade of house guests and visitors (plus 10+ hour days at work), I actually have been doing some stitching, if beading counts. I will be posting a pick or two of more lanyards. I need to figure out how to make the wire less susceptible to breakage where it crimps - it seems to want to part on that curve around whatever is at the end. Hmmmmm......
And for my next project, I am going to try beading bezels around cabochons.
I am enjoying the change, but I don't know whether this is going to be any substitute for stitching. It sure isn't any cheaper!

April 11

2009-04-11T23:08:00.009-04:00

DH lost his mother on April 3. We have been out of town attending the funeral and spending time with family.
I have done a little beading - and some work on Gleneagle, although I don't have a picture for the stitching.
This is Easter weekend and the house is full. DS from Wisconsin now and his GF, DD and her friend. Fun!

MGM Lion

2009-03-30T10:25:00.001-04:00

This is Penny doing her best imitation of the MGM Lion.

ggGGGRROOOOWWWLLLLlllll.. snort

Good kitty

March 30

2009-03-30T10:19:00.004-04:00

This was a bitter sweet weekend. We wished a dear friend our last goodbye on his final passage on Friday. We will see you on the other side, Charlie.

DH celebrated his 57th on Sunday.

I was able to do a couple of things. This is a Just Nan piece, the 2008 Winter Tin.

And the beaded doodad is a badge leash I made for a friend since she broke hers. It was beads unleashed!

That's all for now. I am looking forward to getting the flower gardens ready for spring. The weather is finally cooperating.

Gleneagle 3-22-09

2009-03-22T19:07:00.003-04:00

I am liking the silver and red metallic thread. I am not enjoying working with it, however.

From Still Stitching

Gleneagle 3-15-09

2009-03-15T22:04:00.002-04:00

This is the "real" one on 18ct. I am still working on the 14ct one, playing with color. For reasons I don't understand, the colors on this pic look faded and kind of orange. However, they look fine in Picassa, so I'm not sure why the change. Oh well, maybe it will look better next week.
By the way, Papillion Creations new mystery was announced.

Gleneagle 3-2-09

2009-03-02T12:13:00.003-05:00

Since I have decided to do this on 18ct instead of 14ct, my 14ct is my practice piece now. As you can see, I am playing. I really need to go get bars for the new canvas.

What are those little gold walnut looking things?

2009-02-23T23:07:00.002-05:00

Little Gold Walnut Things

Two of them are etuis with thimbles really too small to be useful and with the barest essentials for maybe sewing on a button or pinning a hem up in an emergency. But they are cute. The third one is a tape measure - perhaps more practical. The etuis show up pretty regularly on ebay.

Thank you Front Range Stitches for asking.

And thank you and Deb for encouraging me on Gleneagle. I used dark red with 3 strands of copper DMC metallic for houses and it looks pretty kewl.

New project WIP

2009-02-21T14:52:00.009-05:00

What's this about?

It is Gleneagle by Jean Hilton

Yup, needlepoint, canvas, pearl #3, 5, 8 and floss that must be carefully laid.

This is the second time around,
I finished one in 1998.

I started this on 14 count which is what it was designed for. Last time, I did it on 18 count, with pearl 5, 8 and 12. I like 18 count a lot more, so I have ordered that plus 3 different colorways because, of course, you can't get #12 in colors like you can with 8.

What is new this week:
finishing a little tape measure by
I'll cross that stitch when I come to it

In how do I stitch
Johanna's needlework stitch diagrams

In finishing
Violarium heart shaped pinkeep
Tintock Tap for 15 sided biscornu
Banukarotti SAL
Stitch Creations

In Mystery
An important flower by Alessandra Adelaide Needleworks.
And a word of advice: If you see it, like it or find it useful, save it or print it. I have found two very good resources for conversions are gone - just can't keep up with updates. I wish there was a place for such orphans that maybe we could keep up to date as a community. Oh well, life goes on.

Happy Valentines Day and little pins to decorate

2009-02-14T12:48:00.005-05:00

Happy Valentines Day!
I hope you celebrate in whatever way you like most.
If you have been looking at the new releases from the Nashville wholesale show, you have probably seen a few designs from a certain designer that use cute little figural pins as accents. In my travels this week, I found an online store, The Threadbasket, that has quite a few different pin designs you could incorporate into your needlework smalls, ornaments or sewing basket. I am showing just a few, go check them out!
Fancy Pins

Photographing Needlework

2009-02-08T17:31:00.005-05:00

This was the poll winner for what you want to see next. I have the document completed, I just have to figure out how to make a link in Blogger and host the pdf somewhere. I know it can be done, just need to read how. Meanwhile, it looks to be a beautiful sunset here on the river, and I have a dinner date. More later...
Well, I have been trying for over an hour to upload a 2.5 MB file to Google docs. To no avail. I think my IPS is throttling me. I give up, it is well past my bedtime.
The fifth time is the charm, I hope. If this link doesn't work, please let me know - comment does work. Again, sorry for the delay....

Just a little thing done

2009-02-06T14:32:00.009-05:00

This is a design from Aury's blog. I used a fat quarter to finish the log-cabin style frame and back. It has iron-on quilt batt on both the front panel and the back panel. Maybe I should go ahead and quilt it.
It is just sitting on the frame to hold it up.

Here is a link to the designer Aury's blog

Pulled Thread Techniques

2009-01-29T00:41:00.006-05:00

There is a pulled thread discussion group at stitchinfingers at ning. The moderator, Lorilei Terry Halley, has a great tutorial and teaching piece. I have asked to link to it from here, however I believe you need to join ning and stitchin fingers to access the information. No big deal, no cost and a great resource. Besides Take A Stitch Tuesday is there now. Anyway, it's a great segue to this picture. This is one of four hearts that is the center of a very old Shepherds Bush piece called Winter Hearts. There are a few pulled thread techniques in it, the one I remember is upright Greek cross.
I will update the How Do I Stitch entry if I get permission.
Yeah! Pulled Thread Tutorial
Thank you Lorilei

Tools of the Trade

2009-01-16T00:05:00.007-05:00

The feel of a really good pair of scissors

Snipping through linen,

Cool in your hand,

Crisp in their movement,

Pleasant to the eyes.

"Who made this wonderful tool?" I think.

A craftsman, like me, working with silver, steel, heat.

What harsh material to become -

Scissors sublime.

Only to be lost in the depths of the couch.

What's your theme?

2009-01-15T23:03:00.005-05:00

I notice that people have favorite subjects (chickens), styles (quaker), colors and themes. Besides my sewing smalls preferences, I like the color blue and peacocks, among other things. So this is a set of smalls that happen to go with Gingher scissors and a Kelmscott needle keep. They are by Textile Heritage. I hope you enjoy.

Tantelizing!

2009-01-03T18:19:00.008-05:00

The first couple of months in the new year always bring some new designs. I'm still "lusting" after a few from a year ago (2008) but I digress.
This is from Reflets de Soie, probably available from European Cross Stitch.
Le Marquoir de Madeline

Yummy!

If you have a moment, wander over to Drawn Thread and check out Morning Glory and Moonlight Garden.

Charting Your Own Course

2009-01-02T18:28:00.012-05:00

If you like to branch out on your own, you will need some charting tools.

You may be modifying something (from the public domain of course) for a sewing small you have in mind. You may want to create a family heirloom sampler. Or you may want to convert a photograph (not copyrighted by someone else of course). Here are some resources you can use to make your own designs.

Plain Graph Paper
Graphtablet downloadable program to make your own graph paper, customized major and minor divisions and colors - free
Cyberstitchers customized PDF graph paper maker - can be used to overlay a pdf image, too.
Online graph paper generator (creates PDF) Incompetech
Sova with bold line every 10 (pdf download)
Grids and instructions for making charts from images from JPF
Cross Stitch graph paper in 9 through 14 count sizes

Online Photo Conversion
X-Stitch online tool to convert a picture to a chart (limited to 500 x 500 pixel size)
Layden with Stitches tutorials and tips for photos to cross stitch

Online Text Charting Tools
Stitchpoint has several fonts
X Stitch Info text charting tool
Convert names and captions to Celtic typestyle

Download Software
Stitch Shop Pro (free)
Another version
Stitch Shop is digitizing software, not to create from scratch.

Pixel Hobby to convert images to charts
Cross Stitch Studio (Ursaware) also for the most part digitizing software, however, you can create from scratch
Stitches - for Mac OS X, primarily scan and photo to chart software.

KG Stitch - a cross stitch design software (and picture conversion) that is free.
Cross Magic
Stitch Crafts Gold (hasn't been updated in a long time, still has a trial version)

Stitch Craft (not to be confused wit Stitch Crafts) has 3 versions for 2009, home, designer and publisher. Cross, quarter, bargello, photo to chart, various back stitches - but no specialty stitches.

Jane Greenoffs Designer Gold from The Cross Stitch Guild (UK) is good. The price is excellent and you can also get the software with a guild membership. The package contains a CD-ROM with videos showing you how to do various stitches. If you want to extend your skills to specialty stitches, this is a good bargain. I have used this software to publish charts (together with Acrobat and MS Office).

PC Stitch, new version October 2008
PC Stitch Pattern Viewer (free)

Stitch R-XP from ILSoft - Vista compatible (not free)

Pattern Maker - this is the best software for designing from scratch at an affordable hobby price in my opinion. It has specialty stitches and page layout tools also. (has trial version and a free viewer)

January 1, 2009, a good start for the new year

2009-01-01T20:52:00.007-05:00

Great Beginning
First Finish 2009

Started and finished today. This is a gift for a friend. Since I will be presenting it Monday, I am ahead of schedule, too! This is a Mill Hill kit, called something like Victorian beaded pin. Looks pretty modern to me.

10 French Things You Need to Know

2009-01-01T11:02:00.014-05:00

Many of the best mysteries, SALs, and tutorials are on French blogs (at least in my opinion). So I thought I would provide some French word translations than may help you navigate the blogs.

Words to Look For:
brode = embroider
broderie = embroidery
pointe de croix = cross stitch
clique: click
ici: here
(click here = clique ici)
(clique sur la image = click on the picture)
lien = link
telechargement = download
gratuite: free
grille = chart
pas-a-pas = step by step

Ten more things:
abecdedaire = sampler or primer
bourse = a particular kind of purse or bag that gathers at the top
biscornu = basically slang now, biscornu is an adjective that means quirky, twisted, weird.
A more complete term for the thing is “coussin (cushion) or coussinet (little cushion) biscornu.”
It's an adjective, so there is no plural.
boites = box
cartonnage = cardboard, or a generic carrier or envelope
etui = case (or kit), typically small
marquoir = marker, sampler
panier = basket
serviettes = towels
toile and tissue = fabric

Here are some more translations

Getting from A to B - conversions and math

2009-01-01T00:03:00.024-05:00

Fabric Calculator
An important note when you are calculating how much fabric: Remember what you are counting, threads per inch or stitches per inch. What do I mean? With evenweave and linen, you are often stitching over two threads. That means you need twice as much if you are counting threads which is how fabric is defined, instead of stitches which is what your chart describes.

Also remember that you need a margin on each side of your stitching, usually 3 inches for framing. Once you have determined the size of your pattern given the thread count of your fabric, add six inches to each dimension to get the three inch border. If you decide to use something different for your margin, make sure you write a note to remind yourself before you start stitching three inches down and three inches over.

Stitching The Night Away fabric calculator, you enter the particulars, it calculates the fabric size.
Project Calculator - you give the project dimensions in stitches, it determines size for various thread counts from AAN.
Cyber Stitchers online floss conversions, fabric calculator and free graph paper:
Yarntree's fabric calculator
Stitches to Inches chart (pdf to download and take with you) from yiotas-xstitch

Fabric to Fabric
Descriptions and thread counts for many brands of fabric (oslo and ariosa for example) at Nordic Needle
Fabric Descriptions, sizes, and DMC equivalents at 123 Stitch
Kathy Dyer Fabric name, description and manufacturer

Fiber Conversion
The issue with this information is more than just accuracy, which ultimately is a matter of individual judgement. Fiber manufacturers change, add and delete colors all the time. So you may be looking for a substitution for an old DMC color no longer made, or for thread no longer manufactured.

Speaking of fiber conversion, how about making perle cotton out of floss? No really! Linda Kay

Kathy Dyer has the most comprehensive list of resources, however the currency is often dependent on someone else's contribution. After all, these pages have been online for a very long time. Cameo Rose also has a lot of information. Some of the pages have not been updated in years, however. You may need to check multiple resources to find the particular conversion you are looking for.

Find Stitch has an extensive list of resources for thread conversion as well as color charts for DMC, Anchor, Madeira and JP Coates. Find Stitch

My suggestion if you are using something other than the original threads, take all of them together and place on a sheet of white paper under good light, and make sure they go with each other. Then take the whole set and spread it out on your fabric, making sure you don't have something clashing there. It's your project, so you are the person who needs to be happy with the colors.

Cameo Rose's links to all kinds of conversion tools for silk, beads, yarn, fabric, cotton including Weeks and GAST
Kathy Dyer's FAQ page with conversion charts and explanations of DMC color changes over the last decade or so. She also has Mill Hill to DMC and Anchor, the old JP Coates colors, and color descriptions for Kreinik metallics
DMC to Mill Hill at Wichelt
Designer Forum Links for fiber conversions
AAN guide to various floss organized by color family with color swatches
Fiber Images tables for DMC to Anchor, Coates, Madeira and Anchor to DMC
Fiber (and bead) conversion database for floss (cotton, silk, rayon), flower thread, needlepoint yarn

Willow Fabrics:
DMC to Anchor by number with color description
DMC Light Effects to Kreinik braid by color (with some old DMC colors too)
DMC to Soie D'Alger silk
Also see Cyber Stitches above.

I'm Not Finished...

2008-12-31T19:18:00.055-05:00

OK, I am addicted to smalls. I like finishing little things. I like the blend of linen with silk, wool, cotton. I wish I was more creative. I can make things out of paper sometimes, and then my brain cramps when I try to translate it into a fabric grid.
Thanks to the internet, and the kindness of stitchers who share their creative genius, brain cramps don’t have to result in another UFO. After writing detailed instructions on how to finish various things from biscornu and needlebooks to my own scissor keeper/fob design, I have even more appreciation for those who love the craft, and desire for others to love it as much.

Sometimes you find someone who has just plain done a better job. I believe there are some things on my page that are not duplicates of "I'll cross that stitch when I come to it" She has a lot things that I do not however. So, to the top of my list goes this comprehensive list of resources for finishing techniques

Finishing Smalls:
Banurukotti, which are 15 sided pillows
here (you are own your own as it is in Russian. However the photos are excellent)
here (translated) and
here (original)
and by Tintock Tap (in English, good pics) here

Biscornu instructions from Own Two Hands
The Finishing School biscornu class
Pretty Amazing Stuff here
Another really good biscornu tutorial from Nathalie in French, however excellent pics
Violalrium’s instructions for biscornu, heart shaped ornament and stitchers book

Biscobourse: this is just too nifty! Finishing by Frimousse, but appears in multiple places.
here (translated) and
here (original)
I am going to make one just so I have a picture to post.

ugneliukes

A very different biscornu - a biscornu biscornu (and the site is Lithuanian, so I can't help much)

Bot Tak (in Russian?) the coolest little pinecone/walnut shaped small (plus pincushion and ornaments)
Great Christmas ornaments including multi-faceted ones - plus finishing instructions at Pinwheel Ponders
If you like little stitched representations of houses, Frimousse's Melusine House may intrigue you (translated)

Isabelle’s bourse class (on Focus on Finishing)
Frimousse's bourse class in French with great pics and a unique interior idea

Scissor things
A Humbug (pdf) which is a pyramid shaped ornament or fob
Round Floss Ring Tags (or ornaments) by Anita
Square Floss Ring Tags (or ornaments) by Snippets and Stash
A quick to finish scissor pocket here
Linda's triangle scissor case

A cover for a small tape measure, I'm guessing in Japanese, but you should be able to figure out from the pictures by Tomoneko

Needles and pins
26 free tutorials from TipNut for needle books and cases
Meari’s Needlebook tutorial
Lucialoo's amazing foldout album instructions, plus a heart-shaped pinkeep and wonderful foldout heart-shaped needlecase
Another heart-shaped fold-out case by Perelles
A heart-shaped pin keep by Violarium

Collections
Triangle de Brodeuse plus box, case, pinkeep, easy fold at des filles et une aiguille in French, but you should be able to figure it out from the pictures.
Xstitchhappy has a lot of finishing ideas plus a hummingbird triangle scissor case, scissor fob, biscornu, needlecase and scissor pocket. Or the cheetah/leopard smalls set. I like the quilt cats - check it out!

Containers
Making a box from your embroidery at Pinsneedles
Julia's huswife very Victorian
Nela’s pretty stitching basket (check out her albums!) here
Or follow along with the pictures here
Frimousse's basket
Violarium stitchers tool book
A tray or shallow basket by Mamilou The next page has a floss bobbin case.
A "cartable" (like a little messenger bag) with sewing smalls by Mamilou and another by Lilirose
If you missed Chatelaine's leporello online class (or even if you took it as I did), you may enjoy this project (in French with good pictures) which is rather like a fold-up book to contain your tools and thread
Pacchette: go here and scroll down to 14 Aprile 2008 or keyword PIF. Can you see that in a cross stitch version? Cute!
Just a Thought finishing a tin

No Sew
Totally in Stitches No-sew cube
Twisted Stitcher No-sew cube also lids, tins, pins
Stacy's no glue ornament

Trim
Cassie Griffin’s yarn pompom
Tiny tassel including a diagram of the “tool” by Marie
Judy Odell's cording, tassels and tin finishing
Contemplating my needle ruched ribbon trim

Focus on Finishing
An entire blog (2 actually) devoted to finishing classes and resources
Previous blog and classes (up to September 2008)
Current blog and activities (post September 2008)
Focus on Finishing compilation of links to finishing techniques:

TaiKwonDo Chick's tutorials for pillow, ornament, lined fabric bag, nametag, bellpull

Lots of tips on techniques and practical advice from Marthabeth
A good article on hand sewing including hem stitches and seams, gathers, sewing on cord, binding and tape loops, and making button holes.

Designers Forum resource links, which include boxes, bags, biscornu, bourses, bellpulls, bookmarks, pillows, pincushions, pendabules, pouches, purses, pinkeeps, (even framing) - you get the idea.

Just pretty pictures: Niky
More pretty picture: Des filles et une aiguille

And finally, a discussion board hosted by Cameo Roze (you need to join) that has many links to resources, pictures for inspiration and even members from whome you can get ideas, help and fellowship. 2muchxs-finishing Check out her links for finishing here

How Do I Stitch...

2008-12-29T00:06:00.042-05:00

You are happily stitching along and then you run into a stitch you don't know - or you forgot about. You know French knots, colonial knots, but what is a Palestrina knot again?

This is a collection of resources for finding instructions for that elusive stitch. Or maybe you want to add some new stitches to your repertoire.

One idea is to take a nice length of linen banding and add some interesting stitches that appeal to you as you run across them. Keep a journal on what you have included and where you found the instructions for reference. This could be a very personal sampler that your family will appreciate for generations. It represents your interests, your handiwork, your development as an artist. Check out "Take a Stitch Tuesday" for inspiration on how to make simple and not so simple stitches into beautiful designs.

For practice and inspiration, try Stitch Explorer 2009 Original Take a Stitch Tuesday, TAST II, TAST Album, Last TAST album; players: A stitch a week by Summer Louise, Quieter Moments,

Stitch Dictionaries
Sharon B's In a Minute Ago (now at Pintangle) - one of the best illustrated sites - the only place I have found the oyster stitch, for example. Alphabetic
Sharon B's resource list at Pin Tangle

A great site organized by the type of stitch is Stitch-opedia alphabetic and by type of stitch
Needlecrafters’ stitch dictionary alphabetic
Another stitch dictionary including a variety of beading stitches at Pretty Impressive Stuff
Stitch with the Embroidery Guild alphabetic with diagram thumbnails, from the magazine
Johanna’s stitch diagrams by type of stitch
Classic Stitches stitch glossary alphabetic
Needlecrafter stitch glossary, alphabetic with related stitch links (very handy)
Cross stitch, needlepoint and embroidery stitch glossary at Arts and Designs, alphabetic
A few examples with good illustrations on fabric at La Fee Rie
La Boite a Broderie (Sewing Box), stitch dictionary in French, which is handy with all the French SALS and mysteries
Many stitches, projects, and techniques (including stitch of the month) at ANG
Caron’s reading stitch charts (plus tips, etc.)

Animated and video instructions
Animated stitching instructions by embroidery technique
Needle n thread video library by type of stitch
Lots of sewing and embroidery videos (and just about anything else you can think of)

Do you know the difference between buttonhole and blanket stitch?
There is a difference! Heritage Shop essay
Tailor's buttonhole
Also at Heritage Shop, Plain and Fancy Studies in Needlework

Reversible Cross Stitch
In four passes (pdf with color pics) here
In four passes over two rows here
Italian method here

Misc:
Pinhead for invisible starting, ending and isolated stitches - 3 methods
For canvas workers - basketweave
Bullion stitches - how to, how not (knot!?!) to here
Jessica stitch by Orna Willis under how to (along with bullion, French knot and finishing the edge on canvas)
Just one more stitch, just one more row (blog)  basic needlepoint including jessicas
Some more fancy stitches (e.g., cushion, norwich, sprats head) often used in Needlepoint at Xitch
Video, diagrams and directions for mastering the French Knot
A twist on cording (narf, narf), DMC instructions for various "friendship wear" - think braiding for your finishing

Embroidery styles and techniques (e.g., hardanger) that call for specialty stitches:
Links to all kinds of tutorials including basic xs, hardanger, linen, hem stitching and many links to stitch dictionaries, animated illustrations and specialty stitches at Designers Forum
A good basic sti t ch dictionar y plus info on hardanger, blackwork, whitework, pulled thread and cutwork by type of stitch
Drawn thread work in 9 lessons at Heritage
EGA Stitch to Learn embroidery projects
Teddy's Handarbeiten has a German lesson in Ukranian embroidery technique Myrescha
My feature picture is a stumpwork piece. I have not found a good tutorial for that technique yet.
A basic guide to Hardanger, including how to begin and end, plus filling stitches at My Hobby Craft

Needlecraft guides from Willow Fabrics, along with suggested fabric and fibers
Kathy Dyer's brief descriptions of techniques
Stitching the Night Away has extensive resources and articles on their website and is transitioning to their blog. This covers all kinds of crafts. The website has a lot of free patterns.

A very long list of online classes and resources including finishing and framing at EMS
If I could only give you one link, this just might be the one.
Needlepointers stitch resources for needlepoint, cross stitch, embroidery, stumpwork, tatting, smocking, punch needle, plus other resources and tools

Finished Mysteries

2008-12-28T16:52:00.023-05:00

These are completed mysteries and SALS from 2008. It was a very good year. I will be adding links to older completed projects as I get the time. You will want to catch those quickly as they can disappear at any moment. Well, these could disappear, too.

Sajou Sampler
here

German Band Sampler 2008
8 parts
here
Image of entire sampler here

Swiss Topiary, 2008
12 parts, finished December 2008
Here

Many Tears 2008
12 parts, finished December 2008
Here

Fin Amor
8 parts, finished August 2008
Here

How Does Your Garden Grow 2008 Papillon Creations
12 parts, finished December 2008
Note: sign up for the newsletter to access the archive

Rose Sampler 2008, Ellen Maurer Stroh
12 parts, finished December 2008
Here

2008 Project Sampler by Waldchamp Designs
a series of squares an octagon and a diamond shaped design
12 parts starting in January, ended December 2008
Here

Old Italian Sampler by Cer.Pi.Ca
9 parts, completed
Here

Le Jardin du Bonheur
10 parts, completed
Here

Also Au Petit Bonheur,
6 parts March - August 2008
Here

Gameboard Sampler 2008 by Maryse
9 parts, Jan - Sept
Here

Specialty Stitch SAL by Aury
6 parts (2 per) ended April 2008
Here

2009 Mysteries

2008-12-27T23:15:00.042-05:00

This is the list, updated as I find more, of the mysteries ongoing in 2009. Since this is the very end of December 2008, I expect this list will be changing a lot in the next couple of months. If you know of a mystery or SAL I have not listed, please let me know.

Many times, you must be on the original page for the download to work, which is why I give the original as well as a translation.

Newest entries on top.

Needleprint is giving away Mary Wigham (an Ackworth sampler) as a stitch along.
Start May/June 2009
SAL

Mystery 2009 by Papillion Creations
Start Mar 2009
Finish Feb 2011
24 parts
Register for newsletter

Mystery Sampler (2009) by Blueladie designs
Start Feb-Mar 2009
finish May 2009 (?)
8 parts, every 2-3 weeks
SAL

An important flower by Alessandra Adelaide Needleworks
start Feb 2009
finish November
6 parts
NOTE YOU MAY NEED TO REGISTER
main web site here
Mystery SAL

Banukarotti SAL (those 15 sided biscornus)
Started 2February 2009
Ending probably end of Feb, judging by how fast the first 8 went up.
parts - I'm guessing 15 LOL
here

German Band Sampler 2009 by Sticktreff
Starting January 2009
parts - maybe 8?
here
Image of the entire sampler here

SAL Anniversaires by Helenespat
Starting 1 February 2009
parts?
main page

Darning Sampler - Marquoir Point de Reprise - by Carrine
Starting ? The posts aren't dated for all I know this could be over.
in 9 parts (all patterns are posted as of Jan 2009)
here

Brodeuse de Jardin by Carinne Leroy
Starting 1 February 2009
in 8 parts
here

Stitch Explorer 2009 by Sharon B. at Pintangle
Starting January 2009
monthly
here

SAL M&M by Isabelle Hacourt Vautier
Starting January 2009
6 parts
here

This is more like a book in installments. Jane Zimmerman, who is a needlepoint artist and teacher, is publishing needlepoint composite and layered stitches here
Starting January 2009
9 chapters
and metallic thread embroidery here
Starting August 2008
12 chapters, 2 online as of Jan 2009

Baltimore Album by au fil de martine
Starting ?
5 parts
here

UPDATE: 2009 Sampler Mystery Dancing Cherubims by Waldchamp
Starting in January
9 parts
here
look under catalog and sign up for the newsletter

Monthly Sampler Charts by Vermillion Stitching
January through December
I am speculating they will have a new series in 2009
Here

(Another) Spanish Sampler by Reflets de Soie
Start ? through Feb 2009?
15 parts (14 released as of 1/3/09)
Translated
Original

Alla Turca by Pelin Tezer
Start January? February? 2009
9 parts
Sign up for her email list Here
Also, SAL at Stitchers Heaven yahoo group

Grande Abecedaire by Gazette94
Start December 2008 through July
8 parts
Here

Marquoir du Jardin by Lin sans l’Autre - in many parts
Start November 2008 through November 2009
many parts - maybe 1 per week
Here

House Melusine from Frimousse
The little house etui is still active as of 20 December, having started in June.
In monthly parts
Translated
Original

Sissi Sampler from Alarttex
Starting June 2008, through August 2009
In 14 monthly parts
Translated
Original

Spanish Sampler from Peripheria
Starting March for 21 months
In 10 parts, bimonthly
Sign up for the newsletter and do not delay downloading files as they are available for 2 months.
Translated
Files

Advent Calendar from Ellen Maurer-Stroh
Starting January for 10 months, last 6 parts in October so you can finish for Christmas
In 24 parts, I would think.
Here

2009 Sampler Mystery by Waldchamp
Starting in January
Here
look under catalog and sign up for the newsletter

Pinkeep Sal by Maryse
Starting January 2009
10 parts, I believe
Here:

Patchwork Sampler, Catia Crafts
Ending March 2009
12 parts
Catia

Carpet by Book of Ink Circles (BIC)
Starting April 2008 ending Feb 19 2009
19 parts
Here

ABCR Touti Frouti by TeXetKty
Started April 2008 through June
looks like 28 parts
Translated
Original

Salexander by Tempus Fugit
This one ends in January 2009
Here

MSAL by Auri
Started July 2008, ending soon in 2009
Don't know how many parts
Here

Greetings, Welcome, Happy New Year!

2008-12-27T23:06:00.002-05:00

I am happy you are taking the time to visit. I hope you find useful information here. I have been compiling various resources at other locations, the latest being mac.com. But they have truly rubbed me the wrong way so for the new year, I am moving over here.
I created my last blog/website primarily to keep track of current mystery counted stitch projects. Having the links in one place helps when you need to visit several to get the latest part.
I also compiled lists of websites and blogs with stitching instructions, finishing instructions, or anything else that I find inspiring.
My intent is not to be a comprehensive listing of all resources because there are other places that do that - much better than I could with my available time. I have linked some of these excellent sites here.
Mostly, I want to keep track of the mystery projects and stitch-alongs.