Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Christmas Wreath

This is a variation of a wreath design I did for a friend's wedding. I found the Rhodes hearts and stars so pretty in red, I couldn't resist doing the pattern in Christmas colors. In the picture, you can see I monogrammed my initials in the center of the wreath. I matted the work in red fabric to fit an 8x8 inch frame. It's pretty cute in purple, too. Have fun with it - and please visit me on Etsy - Rainburst Embroidery.


This is the original wreath I did for my friend's wedding. The colors were purple and black - and the bride's and groom's initials were ABC. I thought it was so cute, so I did this mini-sampler for them. It was matted with purple fabric borders, and framed in a black ornate frame.

She is a very talented musician, so I added little black musical notes throughout - the tips in black seed beads, with white pearl accents:

Here's the Christmas pattern. If you click on the image and print it, it should read pretty well:

©Rainburst Embroidery 2009
Here is the pattern in Purple:

©Rainburst Embroidery 2009


Leaf Biscornu

This is a variation on blackwork - so many of my patterns are! Traditionally blackwork is composed of graphic patterns done in black floss on a white or neutral counted cloth. I like to use to use the motifs, but embroider them in different colors. Here, silhouettes of leaves are surrounded by bands of green. I  love the color green - it's so soothing. My vision for this was of all different white or cream buttons in the centers of each leaf cluster. For more fun patterns, please visit me on Etsy -Rainburst Embroidery


©Rainburst Embroidery 2012

The three shades of green listed are Weeks Dye Works threads, but three shades of a harmonious, graduated, green palette would work.

1193 WDW Guacamole
2201 WDW Moss
1279 WDW Holly

The Vine is backstitched in Holly, the leaf veins in Moss, the leaf outlines in Guacamole.

Note:  I usually stick to DMC floss for my patterns because I want my customers to be able to find them easily - but if you are lucky enough to live near a specialty shop - I recommend trying the beautiful threads they have simply for the joy of it! Gental Art Floss and Weeks Dye Works are beautiful. One thing about many of my patterns - I keep a fairly simple color palette. This makes it easy to experiment with different colors. I like the idea that anyone can take my designs, and do them up in colors that go with their own tastes, home decor, or mood.

Enjoy!