More stitching patterns

 It must be obvious by now that I love making stitch cards. I am mostly using patterns from Linzoos (the site link is in my sidebar) and Laura's Designs, but quite a few other designers as well, such as Stitching Cards.

This one below is a Linzoos design and I love the simplicity and style of the pattern.  The central image is a 3D pushout by Amy Designs from Find It Media:

I have not yet added any sentiment to the front. I quite often do that when I am ready to use the card - or, in fact, not at all, preferring to add any sentiment and/or message to the inside.  

Something I have started to do is to increase the size of the patterns from the seemingly standard  12 x 12 and 13 x 13 cms to a 6" x 6".  This makes it much easier to use the central space for an image.

The one drawback is that this will increase the postage costs, but as I am almost always just sending a card and not a gift, and this is my hobby, I think I can bear the cost.

I hope you like the card, and I am sure I will be back showing some more.

Hugs

Carol xx

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #153 - hosted by Jo

 My team card for this challenge is another stitched card.  I am really enjoying making them.  Choosing patterns from a myriad number of designers and then deciding on occasions, images and colours.

Here is my card:

The design for this card is a download from Linzoos.  I found the flower to use in the centre of the card in my book of  'bits I have saved to use later'.  Sometimes I just stitch the card and then search for something appropriate for the centre, which is what I did on this occasion.  The flower seemed perfect.  I had stamped, painted it and cut it out ages ago.  It must have been quite a while ago as I haven't stamped anything for yonks.

I am so pleased to have found all these wonderful stitching patterns. Finding something to replace my love of parchment work has been a blessing. During the day, I do the housework and other chores that I can manage, and in the evening, I sit and relax, stitching.

I have also discovered that my son Chris has a keen eye for colour and often helps me decide what threads and images will complement the patterns I have chosen.

I will catch up with you all on your blogs and look forward to seeing what you are making.

Hugs

Carol xx

STITCHING...........

 Since Christmas time I have been creating stitched cards instead of die-cutting.  After doing a few daily chores, I can sit, relax, and stitch.  I find it very therapeutic.  Keeping busy but not stressing the neuropathy.  I am very unsteady on my feet some days.

Anyway, that is enough complaining.  I have managed to make about 30 cards using stitch patterns from people like Linda from Linzoos, and Laura's Designs.  As well as on their own sites, they both sell patterns on 'Add Some Sparkle'. (on my sidebar)

Here are two very different cards made using the same pattern (Y9) from Linzoos.  I have been experimenting with new to me variegated threads.

The centre image on the 1st card comes from a digital set I purchased from Aliexpress.  I played about with the colours and contrasts to get as close in-depth as I could to the thread I had used.

The image on the second card is a Christmas digital image that I printed on the card before I pricked out the pattern. This was an experiment to see if I could manage to get it all in the right place.  99% OK I think.

Part of the fun is finding and matching the right image to use on the card to complement or complete the stitching.  It is also the hardest part.  I have been searching the crafting internet and think I have found most of what I need.  Watch this space.

Carol xx

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #152 - hosted by Meg

I hope you won't be bored with my design team card for this challenge as I did a similar exercise for this challenge as I did for our last - #151.

I took the image of this stitched card that I made back in July 2023 - see below:

Then to make my new card I used my Kaleidoscope CD to create a pattern of the image and removed the Pansies so that I could add a central sentiment and a double border, as shown.

 

I have already chosen the prospective recipient and it is now in my 'cards to go' box -  at the bottom of the stairs.  My son always checks the box when he goes out to see what needs posting.

I look forward to my visit to your blog to see your cards. I will see you then.

Carol xx

A treasured gift

 I recently admired a beautiful parchment card made by Avril Gardner, which was shown on Facebook. It is truly gorgeous, and I wish I could still make parchment cards as I used to before the dreaded Carpal Tunnel struck.

The pattern is by Judith Maslen. Pattern No: jm287

Anyway - to cut a long story short - Avril sent me her card.  What a wonderful thing to do.  I have now framed it and here it is to show you.

Isn't it beautiful?  Thank you again Avril for your generosity.

Carol

xx

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #151 - hosted by Pamela

 I had fun with this card by combining different 'disciplines' to create a card -  digital, CD and stitching.

Firstly I used my Kaleidoscope CD with one of my older (favourite) stitched cards that you have seen before.

Here it is:

I then added the sentiment into the centre of the resulting kaleidoscope and finished with a border using my new ACDSee24 graphics programme.  

The 'digital' part of the project was the original digital download of the stitch pattern.

I have been making many stitched cards recently and hope to show them to you when I have done the finishing touches.  I have had to rest more recently and I find stitching a perfect way to combine rest and crafting.

I will catch up with you all on your blogs and perhaps you may let me know if you have passed by.

Hugs

Carol

xx

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #150 - hosted by Carol (moi)

Hello everyone.  It is my turn again to host the Challenge and choose our Top 3 - so I hope there will be many entries from which to choose.

This is my own team card which I love, and I am going to find hard to part with.  I hope you like it too.

This is an Etsy-purchased download printed on Glossy photo paper.  I have added the two borders and the sentiment with my ACDSee24 graphics programme. The photo image is just over 6" square so I cut the card down from a 7x7  blank.

I am still thrilled by the quality of prints that I am getting with my new Canon printer and the new ACDSee24 graphics programme.  It is so good that I just log on to have a play and see what comes up.

I will be studying all our entries very hard and as I know you all enter such great works - it will be hard work.

Take care 

Carol

xx

CD Sunday Challenge #149 - hosted by Jocelyn

 Firstly I wish fellow teamie Jocelyn  -  our hostess for this challenge -  a very Happy Birthday today.  I don't think we have ever had a teamies birthday on the first day of a challenge before and it is a special one.

Happy 70th Birthday Jocelyn.

Here is my card for this challenge (not the one I have sent to Jocelyn):

A birthday card for my go-to box made using a stitch pattern download from Laura's Designs - no 390.

The single butterflies and the sentiment are die-cuts from Carnation Crafts and the central 3D die-cut image was purchased from Hearty Crafts from the Top Topper Shop.  The link is on my blog.

I look forward to another year of CD Sundays with all your beautiful creations to inspire us.  

In the meantime take care of yourselves and have fun crafting.

Hugs

Carol  xx

p.s.

I just want to say please be careful, everyone, if the weather turns really nasty, as has been forecast. It's another reason to stay and craft.