Craftside

Christmas cross stitch patterns from the new book The Cross Stitch Motif Bible by Jan Eaton

Holiday Goodness Giveaway - This is for all you cross stitch lovers (like myself) that always have a project going. The question that gets you in the running for a copy of The Cross Stitch Motif Bible: Over 1000 Motifs with Easy-to-Follow Color Charts is this:

What was the last cross stitch you did or one you plan to do? If you want to enter because you think you want to try cross stitch, let us know that and tell us what topic you think you might like to try.

I bet there is a motif in The Cross Stitch Motif Bible: Over 1000 Motifs with Easy-to-Follow Color Charts that will call to you!

Leave your answer by Midnight ET on December 27th, 2011 and you are in the running!

Here are a few of the Christmas patterns. I particularly love the holly border.

 More about the book:

The Cross Stitch Motif Bible: Over 1000 Motifs with Easy-to-Follow Color Charts

by

Jan Eaton

This collection of over 1,000 cross stitch motifs, each in the form of an easy-to-follow chart, is an invaluable resource for incorporating your work into cards, samplers, pictures, and tapestries.

Fully illustrated step by step instructions in basic techniques and materials will allow even the novice to start stitching right away.

A unique spiral bound format lets the book open completely flat for ease of use when following the stitch charts.

Computer Cross Stitch vs. Cross Stitch Computer

It's not quite the chicken or the egg, but it does make you go, "hmmmmm".

 

Click on the images to enlarge and really see the detail in artist Kate Pemberton's cross stitches of computer parts.

These pages are from one of my all time favorite design books:

COMMUNICATING WITH PATTERN SERIES

Squares, Checks, and Grids
By
Mark Hampshire, Keith Stephenson

A unique showcase exploring the use of pattern for visual communication across design disciplines.

Communicating with Pattern: Squares, Checks, and Grids is a celebration of the squarest, most linear patterns in every design discipline.

Squares and checks represent order, mathematics, technical precision, minimalism, and modernism. From graphs and grids, to pixels and road signs, squares and checks make up the framework, the very map of our existence. They are also embedded in the very weave of our history, from Wicca and Christian iconography to traditional checked and tartan cloths.

Squares, Checks, and Grids is a visual homage to squares and checks, an inspirational graphic collection of squares and checks from all environments, an exciting sourcebook of pattern ideas for designers across disciplines.

Rich, stimulating, and varied creative sourcebook with a wealth of material for designers
Part of the ultimate “pattern bible”: the Communicating with Pattern series

Keith Stephenson is founder and director of Absolute Zero Degrees design. His work ranges from contemporary wallpaper to book design, and he has designed and illustrated Mass-Market Classics: The Home and Bright Ideas for RotoVision.

Mark Hampshire is a freelance brand consultant, who previously worked at Identica, In Real Life, Cato Consulting and Carlton Television. Prior to his branding career he ran a successful furniture business, Hampshire and Dillon.

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As I've shared before, I get a lot of my craft ideas from graphics and design books, check out what I did here from another design in Squares, Checks, and Grids.

And now how today's title comes into play:

 

This is my latest cross stitch I am working on, "AS YE SEW, SO SHALL YE RIP".

The pattern was made on the computer using a cross stitch font. Feel free to download and stitch it up yourself!