Easy Projects
Sometimes Less is More
Try creating a classic silhouette.
Start with a "Profile" photo.
Zoom and crop portion of photo to be used in design.
Simply fill or paint the silhouette area and remove background.
The classic silhouette is just black and white but you can change it anyway that pleases you.
Transfer your image to your cross-stitch program.
Choose the size, and number of colours you wish to use.
Use Stencils to create a pattern.
Be a Family Portrait Artist
-simple designing by tracing photos.
Can be easily achieved in your computer's Paint program.(Windows)
Check out this fun application.
The best 'How to Draw' tutorials on the web.
It's time to discover how fun and funny drawing is! Drawing is a way of creating and expressing ourselves and therefore the result is always beautiful.
With our step by step online drawing lessons you will learn how to draw:
Manga, Cartoons, Animals, People, Faces, Eyes, Cars, Dragons, Pokemon and much more.
Variegated Thread
click on image for pattern
The "Peace Sign" pattern you can use over and over to try new threads, fabrics and techniques before you try something new in a work in progress.
The "Peace Sign" design is a great way to practice with Variegated threads.
Depending on the way you stitch, (1 full stitch at a time), (half stitch all the way across and half stitch all the way back), (1,2,3 strands),etc., is going to determine the effect you create. DMC has a variegated thread that is browns and oranges (0051) which is very '70's and would look great in the Peace Sign.
http://laydenwithstitches.4t.com/Peace%20Sign.pdf
Cross Stitching.com has a video explaining the use and effects of using variegated threads that is sure to inspire your creativity.
http://www.cross-stitching.com/videos.asp
Caron has exceptional examples for stitching with variegated threads.
http://www.caron-net.com/classes/classaugfiles/classaug.html
LeisureArts.com also has a great downloadable pattern to practice techniques with.
DMC has some free charts to practice with.
http://www.dmc-usa.com/majic/pageServer/140101018h/en_US/Color-Variations-Free-charts.html
Art.com has a paint pad - c'mon express yourself - it's fun
http://www.art.com/asp/artpad/default.asp
For those of you that like to paint the Donna Dewberry way there are some quick video demonstrations at YouTube