Welcome! The last month and a half has been busy for me. I've been working diligently to get some great projects for the Spring Solstice issue. For this issue I wanted to introduce everyone to a great stitching technique called Blackwork. Since I also wanted to do a project for St. Patrick's Day I got the bright idea to combine them while toying around with different blackwork designs, which is my first ever original design! I turned the design into a small pin, which is quite pretty.

Also in this issue I have put together a simple and sufficiently messy kids project. It uses pastel string, or you can use odd bits of string from around the house. Whether you celebrate Easter or Ostara I'm sure the Lace Egg project will be fun to try out!

Finally, I created a Broom Doorhanger with spring flair. I really enjoyed making this project with pretty silk flowers. I liked it so much its now hanging on my front door! It was easy to make, and was relatively inexpensive to produce.

I hope everyone enjoys this issue. In this time of renewal may everyone find joy in their holidays!

Bright Blessings,
Karistan

Blackwork: Four Leaf Clover

Want to learn a new stitching style that’s easy and quick to work up? Then let me introduce you to Blackwork, a traditional stitching style that has been gaining a large revival. Blackwork was started back in the 14^th century and was popular during the Tudor and Elizabethan eras. We are fortunate to have knowledge of the style from looking at the paintings of Hans Holbein, which showed the minute detail of the blackwork trim. Because of his legacy they named the stitch after him! The Double-Running stitch, or the Holbein stitch, are easy to do. Basically it is an off-shoot of the backstitch or a straight stitch.

Finished Four Leaf Clover (View enlargement)

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day I present my first original design, a blackwork Four Leaf Clover.  I suggest stitching it in green for a unique look, since blackwork does come in other colors [red, blue and green are documented]. I hope you enjoy stitching it as much as I enjoyed designing it!

Materials:

1 skein DMC 6 strand floss in a green or black
Needle
14 ct Aida or linen material

Directions for Double-Running stitch:

Lace egg

Since this is the time of year for symbolic eggs in many religions I offer as the kids craft a Lace Egg. This is simple but messy, so make sure the kids wear play clothes and the table is well covered. The results are pretty and can be used as decorations. Have fun!

Materials:

Oval balloons [blown up to the size of finished egg]
Colored crochet string
Liquid starch
Large bowl
Scissors
Newspaper

First spread out the newpaper over your work surface so that cleanup will be easy. Take the bowl and fill it with the liquid starch. Pull out crochet string and submerge in the liquid starch until it is soaked then start wrapping the balloon in lacy patterns. Don't pull too tight on the strings. When the balloon is finished, cut the end and tie it off anchoring on a lower row. Let dry completely. When dry, pop the balloon and admire your string egg!

To make a basket: While wrapping wet string, leave a 'handle' by not filling two holes on the top.

Broom Door Wreath

Sweep away those late winter doldrums by making a gorgeous broom wreath to hang on your door or in your house. These are so easy to make it shocks me how much people spend to buy pre-made ones in the store! All you need is a little imagination to come up with great results.

Finished Broom Door Wreath (View enlargement)

Materials:

Twig craft broom
3 to 4 different kinds of spring silk flowers
Hot glue gun
Hot glue sticks
Scissors
Ribbon Bow [optional]

First start by getting an idea of where you want the flowers on the handle and start stripping the flowers and leaves off the stems. Once that is done position the larger flowers by gluing them down. Make sure you're careful not to burn yourself with the glue gun! Then start filling in the smaller flowers and leaves. When your done attach the bow [if you want one] and hang up!