Owl,

As promised, here is the chart for the Owl counted cross stitch motif.

As with the Fox, the finished counted cross stitch is only small, 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" (or 4 x 4 cm) and fits perfectly onto the laser cut disc (which is available from The Workroom) and works out at roughly 13 stitches to an inch (or 2.5 cm), but can also be stitched onto any aida or evenweave fabric.  The finished size will change depending on what count fabric you use.

So, in addition to what you decide to stitch the design onto, you will also need, thread (I call it stranded cotton, is it embroidery floss in the USA?) in the following colours (I used Anchor thread and have added the shade numbers in brackets as a guide), dark brown (382), dark grey (400), mid brown (936), brown (379), blue grey (850) and cream (386), plus a fine embroidery needle and some small scissors.

Follow the chart below for your stitching.

(click on the chart to enlarge it to stitch from)

The surrounding circle is just a guide for the edge of the laser disc, and I split the stranded cotton and worked with 2 strands in the needle.

 

Happy stitching!

Introducing...

Project 3

Project 3 is my plan to stock the Lucykate Crafts... online shop on a more regular basis with something a little bit extra special.  Every few weeks, there will be a range of 3 themed handmade items added.

The first will be the foxes.  These are slightly different to the usual foxes I make, as they are smaller, more or less half sized, making them all the cuter!

The Foxes are in the Etsy shop now

All SOLD, thank you!

Foxy fox...

It's been a while since I've offered a free project, but this is an idea which has been milling around since I first posted about these pendant blanks for cross stitch...

The finished counted cross stitch fox motif is only small, 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" (or 4 x 4 cm) and fits perfectly onto the laser cut disc (which is available from The Workroom) and works out at roughly 13 stitches to an inch (or 2.5 cm), but can also be stitched onto any aida or evenweave fabric.  The finished size will change depending on what count fabric you use.  

So, in addition to what you decide to stitch the design onto, you will also need, thread (I call it stranded cotton, is it embroidery floss in the USA?) in the following colours (I used Anchor thread and have added the shade numbers in brackets as a guide), dark brown (382), dark grey (400), mid brown (936), dark terracotta (884), terracotta (1003), beige (942) and cream (386), plus a fine embroidery needle and some small scissors.

Follow the chart below for your stitching.

(click on the chart to enlarge it to stitch from)

The surrounding circle is just a guide for the edge of the laser disc, and I split the stranded cotton and worked with 2 strands in the needle.

And there's more...  As I bought 2 of the laser cut pendants (indecision as to which shape I wanted!), next week, I will be posting another cross stitch chart for the Owl.

Happy stitching!

Change of mind, change of policy...

 

(picture of work in progress just to pretty up this post, more on the Foxes next time)

Since my previous post, I have given the whole selling from patterns a lot of thought, in addition to reading Abby's post and the comments made for her 'softie's for sale' series.  It made me think back to my time working within the craft kit industry, marketing, added value and various other technicalities of running a business.

All of this has led me to a conclusion, and that is to have a change in policy.

I've amended the tutorial page on the blog, and also the sidebar, but in short, it means craft items made using any of my free tutorials and PDF patterns (which are coming soon!) can be made to sell. 

There are a few stipulations noted within the new policy page, nothing too major though.  Unfortunately, the new policy does not cover the patterns from the books, Countryside Softies, Little Birds and Countdown Calendars.  Published books come under a different banner as the copyright restrictions are set by the publisher, not me. 

My hope is that this is an enlightening decision, and also make future PDF patterns have a greater appeal to purchase.  What do you reckon, good idea??

Not going to link, not going to name names...

...that would just be crass.  Now, I know people are making items from my book and selling them.  If you go to Etsy and search the term 'fox softie', a fair few of the front cover design pop up.  Officially, you are not supposed to.  It says so within the copyright section at the front of the book.  But do you know what?, I actually don't really mind.  Lets be honest here, I'm not made of money and I don't know anyone in the legal profession, so chasing down small independent sellers is not something I can afford to get into.  That, however does not mean it is open season.

A few sellers have emailed to ask first.  A few have gone ahead anyway, but have credited the book in the product description, and I appreciate the honesty in doing so.  

A small few have claimed my designs to be their own.

Just bear in mind that I too, am a small independent seller.  I still make things from my own patterns to sell.  Any confusion over copyright can potentially impact on my business too, which, given how much I do already give away in the form of free tutorials, is frustrating.

I didn't make a huge amount from writing the book.  Enough to buy a new washing machine after destroying my old one felting wool.  The book was a labour of love so, please play nice.