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Monday, March 31, 2014

Space the Final Frontier

I love space. It sounds silly, and I am not really a science nerd, but I am an adventurous soul that has a very active imagination. Not that I would go into space, no sir, I will stay right here, but I will gaze at it for hours on end. The Hubble telescope is my most favorite thing in the whole world. It has opened up the amazing depth of this universe to us little people.

Just look:

Who isn’t amazed by this type of image?

I took one of the better known Hubble shots and transformed it into a pattern that would be amazing on anyone’s walls.

Perfect for any space geek’s home. Maybe even yours.

Enjoy,

Julie and Blu

PS – We will be adding more spacey things to the patterns, so if you want to make sure you don’t miss a single space shot, then sign up for our newsletter.

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Sunday, March 30, 2014

Fractal Art

I love chaos! The more chaos I see, the happier I am. At least that is how I see my fractal art. I fell in love with this mathematical delight about 20 years ago, and since then, I have used these fractals in every conceivable manner. Every year, I sponsored the Women in Math group at a New England school by providing them with a hundred of my fractal art cards for their graduation notices. I have not done that in a couple years, but it was a lot fun.

My fractal art is seen on cards, mugs, shirts and everything that I could have it printed on. This is an example of my Hearts on Fire poster.

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I have now taken my fractal art to the needle. I am currently working on adding patterns that include this artwork for counted cross stitch. These patterns are more complex, but they make wonderful wall hangings, so they are worth working on.

This tiger lily piece is an example of how intricate and delicate these patterns can be when they are finished.

  • Fabric: 14 count Aida
  • Counted Cross Stitch
  • Stitches:  260 x 200
  • Size: 18.57 x 14.29 inches or 47.17 x 36.29 cm
  • Colors: DMC
  • Count: 34
  • Original artwork

Pretty cool, huh?

Enjoy,

Julie and Blu

PS – If you don’t want to miss a single new pattern or exciting new group of products, sign up for my email list today. It is easy and I don’t send a lot.

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Saturday, March 29, 2014

Not Your Average Sunflower

Sunflowers are such cheery flowers! They are depicted in art, music, floral arrangements, home decor and even abstract paintings. The sunflower is a bold flower that turns its head to face the sun, so flowers facing the east in the morning will be facing west in the evening. Or so the legend goes, although it has never been totally proven or disproven. You decide.

These gorgeous flowers can be huge. They make a great oil for cooking, and the seeds are a favorite snack for all. They have a lot of nutritional value as well.

Vincent van Gogh did a series of sunflowers that did not always depict them as cheerful. Here is one of his happier vases.

I have created sunflowers in fractal format titled Sunflower Sneezes, and that has now been translated into a counted cross stitch pattern.

  • Fabric: 14 count Aida
  • Counted Cross Stitch
  • Stitches:  228 x 200
  • Size: 16.29 x 14.29 inches or 41.37 x 36.29 cm
  • Colors: DMC
  • Count: 40
  • Original artwork

Enjoy,

Julie and Blu

PS - I am working diligently to get more patterns worked up and added, so if you want to stay abreast of what is going on, be sure to sign up for my newsletter.

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Friday, March 28, 2014

Freebie Friday 3-28

 

 

Fridays are supposed to be fun, and there is nothing more fun than getting something for free!

Without further ado, here is our Friday freebie.

 

 

  • Fabric: 14 count Aida
  • Counted Cross Stitch
  • Stitches: 150 x 172
  • Size: 10.71 x 12.29 inches or 27.21 x 31.21 cm
  • Colors: DMC
  • Count: 107
  • Clipart

Ready for summer fun!

Today only! The pattern will go back to the regular price on Saturday, so if you want to snag a great freebie pattern, now is the time to do it.

Enjoy,

Julie and Blu

PS – If you don’t want to miss other freebies and new items as we post them to the site, then sign up for our newsletter in order for us to keep you posted on all the things going on. There are a lot of new designs on my drawing board.

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Thursday, March 27, 2014

Coneflowers and the Common Cold

The coneflower is a common flower that can be found in a million flower gardens, and they are simply beautiful. They are perennials and handle the cold very well. They are from the Echinacea family, and in Greek, the word echino means spiny  - like a sea urchin. When you look at all the spines that make up the center of the flower, you can see where they are considered a spiny flower. This flower is a herb that is considered an anti-viral herb, although, there is no real evidence that this helps prevent a cold or has any other medicinal properties.

While the purple is the most common color, the original color was orange. It is the orange coneflower that I have used in this counted cross stitch pattern.

  • Fabric: 14 count Aida
  • Counted Cross Stitch
  • Stitches:  124 x 200
  • Size: 8.86 x 14.29 inches or 22.50 x 36.29 cm
  • Colors: DMC
  • Count: 74
  • Stencil

Enjoy a colorful spring!

Julie and Blu

PS – Make sure you sign up for our newsletter, so we can send you information on all the new flowers that are blooming!

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Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Bouncing Baby Birds

Well, they are not exactly hopping around, although I did see a starling that looked a bit more speckled than an adult would, so it is possible that those guys have already started having smaller ones.

The ducks are all pairing on the pond. The geese have taken partners and are honking their way up and down the lane. The red-winged blackbirds are singing their mating call as they precariously perch on the reedy cattails in the middle of the pond. There was a pair of hawks sitting in the top of the cottonwood the other day. I saw a pair of bald eagles flying together, and the pair of robins have been hopping around on the aspen limbs.

Between flying, squawking, honking, cheeping and quacking, everyone is getting ready to say hello to baby birds and ducks. Just saying “I Love You” quack.

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Here are some baby birds that never go out of style.

  • Fabric: 14 count Aida
  • Counted Cross Stitch
  • Stitches: 250 x 111
  • Size: 17.86 x 7.93 inches or 45.36 x 20.14 cm
  • Colors: DMC
  • Count: 21
  • Stencils

Happy bird watching!

Julie and Blu

PS – To not miss any of my bird tales and great counted cross stitch patterns, be sure to sign up for my newsletter!

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Monday, March 24, 2014

A Little Silliness

Some days, I just don’t feel like working, so this is one of those days that I will just post something fun and free from my site.

I love to cartoon, and I have a large collection of images that I have created over the years. Some are on paper, some are on disks and some are pinned to my wall. Here is a little something that is a freebie on the site that I was playing with because I enjoyed the image.

  • Fabric: 14 count Aida
  • Counted Cross Stitch
  • Stitches: 70 x 89
  • Size: 5.00 x 6.36 inches or 12.70 x 16.15 cm
  • Colors: DMC
  • Count: 6
  • Original Art

Pretty silly and fun for a little one’s bedroom. Plus, it is FREE!

Enjoy,

Julie and Blu

PS- Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter because one of these days all those little drawings are going to make their way into patterns.

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Sunday, March 23, 2014

Even More Birds

Did you know that bluebirds eat mealworms because they love the taste?

If you want to enjoy bluebirds in your yard, you can easily make a little feeder for them by creating a wooden platform that has a small sides all the way around. That way you can provide them with their favorite treats like mealworms without worrying about them falling off the side of the feeder. You can get mealworms at any bait shop, or if you are really ambitions, you can actually grow your own little mealworm farm with wet paper and warm boxes.

Here is a link to an article I wrote some time ago about raising mealworms.

http://www.critters360.com/index.php/how-do-i-raise-mealworms-4674/

Here is a little bluebird that won’t eat you out of house or home, and you won’t need to grow mealworms in your closet :)

  • Fabric: 14 count Aida
  • Counted Cross Stitch
  • Stitches: 365 x 200
  • Size: 26.07 x 14.29 inches or 66.22 x 36.29 cm
  • Colors: DMC
  • Count: 113 and less
  • Stencils

Enjoy,

Julie and Blu

PS – So you won’t miss a single new bird as I create new patterns, sign up for my email newsletter.

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