A visit to Kelmscott Manor

A wonderful day exploring Kelmscott Manor, the country retreat of William Morris (father of the Arts and Crafts movement) and his family in Kelmscott Gloucestershire.  I’ve been wanting to visit here for such a long time and so glad we finally did.  It is so easy to see why he loved it here and why it provided such inspiration.  The embroideries and tapestries by Jane and May Morris were so beautiful.  The paintings and sketches by Rossetti who lived at Kelmscott for a time were glorious to see.

New Cross Stitch Design called Pumpkin Pal - Free

I'm delighted to introduce you to my new counted cross stitch design called Pumpkin Pal.  This chart is my gift to you (a freebie) in celebration of the autumn equinox.  I've dedicated this sweet design to my lovely stitching friend Charly Feathers, who is so encouraging of my creations.  

You will be able to download the pattern from my website at www.thistleheartcreations.co.uk

Please share the link to my website with friends and family, and don't forget to tag me on your photos so I can see what you create.  Karen x

Pumpkin Pal is an original creation by Karen Wiederhold designing as Thistleheart Creations. 

New Cross Stitch Design Called Springtime Funny Bunny

Margot the Mouse joins us once again and this time she is a funny bunny enjoying the Spring and Easter festivities dressed up in an adorable bunny outfit.  Springtime Funny Bunny is suited to being stitched as one complete piece or stitched in sections to create smaller projects.

The chart pack contains the colour key with symbols for the DMC threads required to stitch the sampler, as well as A4 sized chart pages in colour and black and white.

Springtime Funny Bunny measures 

14 ct 93x75 Stitches (16.9 x 13.6 cm) (6.6 x 5.4 in.) 

16 ct 93x75 Stitches (14.8 x 11.9 cm) (5.8 x 4.7 in.) 

18 ct 93x75 Stitches (13.1 x 10.6 cm) (5.2 x 4.2 in.)

The model is shown as stitched on ivory/cream aida fabric using DMC thread. 

Happy stitching,

Karen x

Springtime Funny Bunny is an original creation by Karen Wiederhold designing as Thistleheart Creations.  The chart-pack is delivered to you as an instant download PDF direct from Etsy for you to print on payment.

Introducing my new design called Joyful Garden Mandala

How's this for a burst of colour on a cold wintery day here in the UK?  

I'm delighted to share my new counted cross stitch design with you called Joyful Garden Mandala.

As well as being a lovely summer or spring piece to hang on your wall, it would be lovely stitched in remembrance, as a decorative patch on a bag, quilt centrepiece or as a beautiful ring cushion for a wedding.

The measurements for the stitched area are:

14ct (20.5 x 20.5cm)  (8.1 x 8.1 in.)

16ct (17.9 x 17.9cm) (7.1 x 7.1 in.)

18ct (15.9 x 15.9cm) (6.3 x 6.3 in.)

Joyful Garden Mandala is an original creation by Karen Wiederhold designing as Thistleheart Creations.

All charts are available for purchase in the Thistleheart Creations Etsy shop.

Stitching the model for my design called Snowflake Bouquet

I decided that my first stitch for 2025 would be the model for my design called Snowflake Bouquet which I published in 2024.

I had been itching to start work on stitching this piece for a few months but had been uncertain about the choice of thread or colour I would use.  Although I had created Snowflake Bouquet as a red-work piece there really isn't a requirement for it to be stitched in red.  

I debated about blue thread on white, then white thread on blue fabric, or frosty blue on white and so on.  Eventually I decided that I really wanted to stitch it in red and liked the idea of the shifting tones which appear when using a variegated thread.

The decision was made to stitch the model for Snowflake Bouquet on white 16 count aida by Zweigart, with one thread of DMC 107 variegated stranded cotton.  This is resulting is a lovely shift of tones and a delicate finish.  

To keep updated with the progress of this piece please visit my Instagram.  I will endeavour to update photos here too but this may not be as frequent as you'd find on my Instagram account.

Here's the update from 7 January 2025.  It's coming along beautifully .... I think you'll agree.

Here’s the update for 16 January 2025.  It’s nearly a finish!

Snowflake Bouquet is an original cross stitch design by Karen Wiederhold designing as Thistleheart Creations.  All charts are available for purchase in the Thistleheart Creations Etsy shop.