Free cross stitch pattern, Spring birds and flowers

Here is a wonderful spring birds and flowers stitching for you from Maria (LaMariaCha). If you love to cross stitch, it might be a great way to make it during last winter nights and turn it into something spectacular, like a tote or a purse.

 This design has a very nice folklore feel. It will look great on contrast with black canvas cloth with its bright colors. Or stitch it on natural linen for the coming Easter decor.

You can download this free cross stitch pattern here or here. 

Maria is a cross stitch designer from Kursk, Russia. If you'd like to see more of her work, please visit her LaMariaCha shop on Etsy.

Happy Easter! free cross stitch chart

It's time to make some pretty spring ornaments and decorate your home for a new season!

If you like to stitch, here is a lovely free cross stitch pattern for you.

It is made by Mariya (lamariacha), our team member who has so many wonderful ideas for cross stitch and embroidery decor.

Please enjoy your free chart and don't forget to share some photos of what you made with us!

Kawaii Angel to cross stitch

Season of sharing and giving is coming and we are all looking for one of a kind gift to give to our friends and family. So why not make it yourself?

If you like to stitch, this little Angel from LaMariacha shop on Etsy can be a wonderful gift idea.

Your finished chart will look great on a wall or on a sofa pillow. You can decorate a handbag with it or IPad case. Use your imagination and your gift will be truly one of a kind!

 

There are many more ideas to cross stitch at Mariya's shop so please stop by!

Cozy January

The nights in January are dark, but so cozy. It's nice to be indoors and cuddle on the sofa with warm throw and a cup of steaming tea in your hands. Your favorite book is right here, everyone is home, safe and happy, what can be better!

Photo source: vladahome, MariyaCha, NatkaLV, woolsolution

January is also a great time to decorate your home.

Photo source: HansHolz, TorriPhoto, ShimmerPlace, MulberryWhisper

You can make many things yourself or purchase some one of a kind items online, it will all work. Your house will become even more welcoming that it is now.

Photo source: galafilc, FancyKnittles, CityCrochet, Grimme

Here is what we can offer on home decor - enjoy browsing!

Free cross stitch pattern, Eat More Veggies

Good health is one of the most important things when we are talking of a healthy life style. It's not a secret that a healthy diet will help you shed some pounds, makes you feel good and live happier.

 

I created this little cross stitch ornament as a reminder to myself to eat more vegetables. So if you'd like to stitch one for yourself here is the pattern!

The ornament is easy to make. It will take you just one free evening to stitch it and you can finish it any way you want. Hang it on your wall to make it your New Year resolution!

All materials are available for purchase by request at agardencottage shop on Etsy, subject to availability.

My best wishes in 2012 and good health,

Tanya at AGardenCottage.

Are you ready for Christmas?

What a time of year! It is not enough time in twenty-four hours!

Yes, I’m talking about Christmas. If you are like I am, I mean if you like to make presents with your hands, it would be better to start work on them in the summer time! What could be better than a gift which was made with love, with fantasy, or with hope?

I’m not a very good organized person and what would I do without my lovely Etsy where I can find everything what I was going to make by myself but I didn’t. Just allow me to guide you there or let me share how happy I’m with my purchases for my friends and relatives for Christmas.

First of all I need to tell you I have been a knitter for more than 30 years. But, if you are a full time working mom and wife it is not easy to make something like Muza does in her shop.

Or look at TatianaOrlova shop, where Scandinavian knitting designs are combined with Russian warmth. Wow, this is really a knitter’s winter fairyland!

 
If you are looking for warm gift don’t hesitate to visit these next shops where my friends are making very artist items!

          From left to right: CozySeason, woolsolution, SocksAndMittens

Maybe because I live in Alaska I prefer wool and natural materials. They keep you warm and comfortable on cold winter days. But could you imagine how beautiful and soft wool could be in a scarf which was made using nuno felt technology? Look here and I’m sure you can’t go without a purchase!

From left to right, from top to bottom: YanArt, manonknits, JaneBoFelt, galafilc

I can’t be quiet when we are talking about embroidery. This is my new passion and I’m just in the beginning of my study. That is why I strongly recommend you visit Lana’s BelleCoccinelle shop! There you will find amazing art work! Look around and enjoy!

Also I would like to introduce you the shop of talented Ukrainian artist Natalka and her skrynka shop. You can find a lot of choices for gifts there.

And to end, I just want to tell you that I’m a proud member of Rusian Artists team on Etsy. And if you want to find something really unusual and made with love of high quality just type RUSTEAM in search column of Etsy website and you will be surprised how many talented people belong to our team.

Yes, Christmas is almost here. Don’t be sorry if you are late with buying presents for this great holiday. Just think of the future and I’m sure you will be back!

Allow me to wish you a Merry Christmas from my Rusteam’s friends!

Happy shopping! Happy holidays!

Sincerely,

Happy Frog,
a proud member of Russian Artists team on Etsy

A day in a lavender paradise

It is so nice to take a country road trip in the middle of summer, warm sun, rolling hills and a fragrant air. What else can you wish for? Just the great easy summer living feeling! There are endless farm fields that are full of juicy berries but in some parts of country there is also a time for a lavender paradise.

Straight purple rows and purple flower cloud right in front of you are worth a picture. The fragrance is just wonderful.

You will not be able to resist stopping by a lavender farm to take a closer look.

Go ahead, stop and enjoy yourself. Take some photos, cut some flowers and get a special little treat at the farm cafe. Fresh baked cookie with lavender buds or a cup of a warm steaming lavender tea will add some flavor to your day in lavender paradise.

Lavender has a special way to make you feel about it.

People are inspired by this simple purple flower to create, me included. While in Washington we stopped by many lavender farms, I took lots of pictures. Later I made some sketches and watercolors and during cold winter days created some simple charts of a lavender stems to cross stitch.

My special way to remember the fragrant summer.

Story by Tanya (AGardenCottage)

Here is some of our team members lavender inspired creations:

1. Herbolution 2. YanArt 3. Lasunka 4. StudioElenus 5. Svetkar 6. Yevgenia

7. CityCrochet 8. BelleCoccinelle 9. Visart

Giveaway result, Branch of flowers - summer give away.

We are happy to announce the winner of our giveaway.
Comment #3 by doroffee was chosen as a winner, so the necklace is going to be packed in a next couple of days and sent to the winner's address!

Natalka (Skrynka) will contact the winner to verify the shipping address.

Congratulations and thank you for participation, everyone!

Branch of flowers - summer give away

This charming necklace is perfect for the summer! Someone will see branch of flowers on it, someone will see branch of berries. It can be yours if you will participate in our giveaway!

Natalka (Skrynka) is hosting it today. She make wonderful hand embroidery: jewelry, home decor and accessories.

To be a lucky winner please follow these rules:

1.Visit Skrynka shop, browse around, and leave a comment here on what your favorite item is (1 entry)
2. Follow/subscribe our blog (1 entry)
3. Grab Etsy Russian Team’s button and place it on your blog (1 entry)
4. Share this giveaway on your blog/ facebook/ twitter (1 entry)
5. Follow/subscribe Natalka's facebook / blog (1 entry each)
6. Purchase anything from Skrynka shop and come back letting know what you purchased!

Please leave a separate comment on each entry and don't forget to leave us your email address so that Natalka could contact you!

The winner will be announced on Jule 2nd, so have fun, guys and good luck!

Free cross stitch chart "Happy Easter!"

Easter is one of my favorite holidays. Everything is so sunny and fresh and I just love to see the colorful eggs and first blooms on a spring flowers!

I wish to share my love of spring with my friends but some of them live far away. So I am sending them a note, just to let them know I am thinking about them!

Sometimes I am purchasing greeting cards but I am also making them when I have the inspiration and time.

I made this design in the spring of 2009 for some of my friends in England. It is very easy to stitch and you will make it in no time!

You can buy a tri-fold card for your stitching or you can make one yourself (for step by step instructions please visit my blog).

I am always happy to see your finished projects made by my charts. Please send me a photo of your finished card through the conversation at my Etsy shop (AGardenCottage) and I will publish it on my blog!

I am sure your friends will be happy to hear from you this Easter. Please enjoy this complimentary chart and have a wonderful spring!

By Tanya (AGardenCottage)

St. Patrick's Day

Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated all over the world on March 17th. It is a religious holiday that evolved into a secular celebration of Ireland's culture. The holiday is named after Saint Patrick who is the most widely known patron saint of Ireland.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

The person who has later canonized as St Patrick was born in Roman Britain in the 4th century. At the age of 16 he was kidnapped and taken to Ireland as a slave. He remained captive for about 6 years until he had a dream in which he was told by God to flee and return to Britain. The dream came true and he returned to Britain and studied to be a priest.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

In 432 St Patrick returned to Ireland as a bishop and proceeded to convert Irish to Christianity. He used the shamrock, a three- leaf clover, to explain the concept of Trinity to the Irish.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

Saint Patrick's Day became an official public holiday in Ireland in 1903. And in the mid-1990s the Irish government began a campaign to use Saint Patrick's Day to showcase Ireland and its culture. Wearing green and displaying images of shamrock have become a tradition for Saint Patrick's Day all over the world.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

Story by Alla (FleetingStillness)