Cross Stitching With Blended Threads

Cross stitch is a form of stitchery that is very relaxing and also very rewarding. When you see your finished piece, framed and hanging on the wall, it is a special sight. These can make wonderful gifts for any occasion.

Using blended threads gives your piece a more lifelike appearance. When you look at a person, their hair is not all one color, it has shades. Blending threads, using one strand of one color and one strand of another color, gives your design more depth and dimension. It gives a more realistic feel to your artwork. This is also great for stitching animals, flowers, trees and anything else in your design that nature gives depth to.

If you are creating your own design you can transition from one color to another with blended threads. This will give a more realistic look and makes the design flow better. For instance, if you are designing flowers that have pink and purple in them, try taking one strand of pink and one strand of purple to blend between the two areas. For trees, use various shades of greens or green and brown.

This is a great way of adding shading to your design. You can use this method for reflections as well. If your design has flowers by a pond, then blend a shade from your water and a shade from your flowers to work into your reflection.

You can purchase many cross stitch patterns that include blended threads. Some of these claim they are for advanced cross stitchers but it truly is no more difficult.

Author: Lorenda Dowdey

And So It Began

When it came to cross stitch supplies, needlework kits, quilt patterns and all form of stitchery.... I had it all. Then one day in June of 2008, Mother Nature decided I did not need it any more and she was more than happy to take it all away. We were flooded out and my "stitching room" with all the cross stitch, quilting, and needlework was swamped. Oh, everything was still there but it was the nastiest mess you have ever seen. Cross stitch stuck to quilting and needlework colors running. I cried and cried. Years of gathering supplies and kits for various occasions and it was all basically gone in a flash. Sorting through that was the hardest thing I have had to do for a long time. I had to keep telling myself that "it is just stuff, it can be replaced".

I had quilting kits for all my kids as graduation gifts. All of my Christmas cross stitch pictures were ruined and I felt an empty hole for not having all of these "things" to pass on. Cross stitch, needlework, quilting... all forms of stitchery had become almost an obsession to me. It was a way to relax and unwind.

That began a new quest. Since my local suppliers do not carry much selection, I started searching for other sources for my cross stitch supplies. Needlework, quilting, and cross stitch are all very popular stitching methods and they can be found on line if you do not have a local supplier.

Please feel free to visit my site at http://stitchingjunkie.com.

Author: Lorenda Dowdey