Please also visit my art and horticulture website at
PenStroke Studio - Art and Horticulture
Our Lady of Guadalupe, stippled ink on genuine sheepskin.
As war escalates around the world, please remember each day to pray for Peace.
Click below to go to Feed The Children - and learn about donating so that no child has to feel the pain of hunger.
including:
Including:
Hand Spindles
Hand Crocheted Doilies
Tea Cozies
Crochet Hooks
Simply Basic Socks © Patterns
Simply Basic © Christmas Stocking Patterns
Gossypium hirtsutum
(Upland Cotton) seedlings, next year's yarn!
Vintage Sewing Needlework and Stitchery Simply Art (c) Simple Basics Hand Spinning
Cross Stitch
Cross stitch is a very basic, well-loved, and a very practical form of needlework. It has been used for generations in teaching children the art of needlework, for decoration, and for using designs that reaffirm faith and beauty in our world. I am just starting to work in cross stitch. My history includes my mother owning a yarn and needlework shop for several years when I was younger, and being lucky enough to have a grandmother who hand-stitched beautiful embroidery and needlework. For my own part, I have mostly sewn, hand-quilted, crocheted, knit, embroidered and completed needlepoint. Recently some of my mother's items from her shop made it to me, and among them were some cross stitch pieces. And that opened the door.
Cross stitch is literally that - a stitch in the form of two crossed stitches, or an "x" as it is seen when complete. I will be adding information here regarding the stitch, the fabric used, etc., and one of the design themes I have chosen from the thousands available to use as my samples for this website is Saint Nicholas. I hope to show many examples of Saint Nick in cross stitch, as well as other designs. These will include designs of my own as well as commercial designs.
In the meantime, for a history of the real Saint, Nicholas of Myra, Turkey, this excerpt is from the website Saint Nicholas Center -
"The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships."
More information can be found on Saint Nicholas from their very informative website, including the first account of Saint Nicholas and the protection of children.
Please check back again as I build this area of the website.
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"The Season's Last Rose" original design by laeom (me) (c) 2008
DMC floss on Charles Craft 14 count Aida fabric