Mini Mystery Series (2011)

This is a set of 4 designs, which will all have a theme of rare gemstones. My goal is to design around this theme, make the stones visible in color, shape and texture. We will use DMC cottons, one or two variegated silks ,for which I will offer conversions into solid DMC, and some beads, crystals and metallic fibers as well. First group begins Jan 2011 and ends March 2011. Second group begins April 2011 and ends June 2011.

• Moderators:
• annsombel

Seasonal Fairies Series

Series begins with On-line Class 51: Appleblossom Spring Fairy which begins Nov 2010 and ends Jan 2011. On-line Class 68 is Pear Tree Autumn Fairy which begins May 2011 and ends Oct 2011. On-line Class 86 is Frosty Snowflake Winter Fairy which begins Dec 2011 and ends May 2012.

• Moderators:
• annsombel

Medieval Flower Stars

Series of 4 small designs to accompany the large “Herbularius” design of a Medieval Herb garden. All 4 will share the elaborate and intricately embroidered star-shaped frame, taken from the outline of a medieval fortress. Each center plant will of course be different! First design is On-line Class 80 which begins Sept 2011 and ends Nov 2011. Second design is On-line Class 91 beginning Jan 2012 and ending March 2012.

• Moderators:
• wendy111

Mystery XV - Deep Blue Sea

The topic for this BIG Mystery is "DEEP BLUE SEA" Inspirations were the colors, plants and animals of the Deep Sea, the shades and hues of water, the richness of shapes and beauty there. Class begins January 1, 2012 and goes for 12 months.

• Moderators:
• shell39

On-line Class 38: Baroque Castle & Gardens

Several smaller Mandala Gardens in one design, together with the view of the castle, and 8 different over-one reproductions (and over-two conversions) of the antique gouache paintings of rare plants of this time. This project can be stitched on one piece - or can be broken up into two or three panels (matching spacers and frame corners will be provided). This is a 2 YEAR PROJECT!!! Group begins June 2010 and ends May 2012.

• Moderators:
• AnaW

On-line Class 61: Spring Knotgarden

It is kind of a companion piece to the very first Mandala Design - CHAT 016 as well as to the two Knotgardens: "Frosty" and "Summer". The colors and threads are chosen to depict a Tudor Knotgarden in budding spring - bulb flowers everywhere, young gras and light blue ponds and creeks. Beads and Crystals will be used to give an overall pastel and shimmering appearance !! Group begins March 2011 and ends February 2012

• Moderators:
• Dreamstitcher

On-line Class 69: The Button Garden

This design is planned for all the precious vintage + antique buttons we all have in a box or glass - you should sew them on on the places where you see the round Jessica flowers, instead of these, of course. And all around in the frame too !For the stitchers who do not want to add their buttons to a piece of embroidery I chart and describe the beautiful Jessica flowers as a substitute. Group begins May 2011 and ends April 2012.

On-line Class 71: Autumn Knotgarden

Companion piece to THE FROSTY KNOTGARDEN/ The SUMMER KNOTGARDEN - a Renaissance Knotgarden in muted Autumn colors – The roses bear rosehips already, leafs are changing color and falling, grasses are wilting and the field flowers have ripe fruit. Spider webs tell of coming cooler days…Beads and Crystals will be used to emphasize colors and “mood” !! Group begins July 2011 and ends June 2012.

• Moderators:
• MsMacFan

On-line Class 73: Rose Tapestry (Tapestry II)

This is the second "GARDEN TAPESTRY" by Châtelaine with a theme of Old English Roses and a bundle of freshly picked Lilies of the Valley... both fragrant messengers of coming Summer. More companion tapestry designs to come. This group begins June 2011 and ends Nov 2011.

• Moderators:
• Carleen5967

On-line Class 76: Small Hamam Oasis

This is a design which takes up the Hamam theme again, but this time in a non-Mandala shape with rich golden ornaments as can be found in the Topkapi palace in Istanbul ( formerly: Konstantinople) marble water basins are there, partially with water fountains for visual delight, others in green patios filled with cool water for personal cleaning and well-being. Group begins Sept 2011 and ends Aug 2012.

• Moderators:
• jkwrabbit

On-line Class 79: Butterfly Elegance

This design is a companion piece to the Hummingbird Sparkly Elegance Design. This is a Mandala, with lovely tropical flowers, which are visited by different BUTTERFLIES, stitched over-one with intricate detail (an over-two version is also included). This design incorporates lots of 'sparklies': beads, crystals, bicones, cubes, metallics, and glossy silks. Group is one-part download which begins Nov 2011 and ends Oct 2012.

• Moderators:
• Guymark

On-line Class 83: Les Roses de PARIS

The topic is again PARIS, depicting some well-known landmarks but as well all the whimsy and small-sized beauties you can find when strolling through this city: formal gardens, roses on arches, intricate fences…lanterns and Metro-signs….. Group begins Jan 2012 and ends Dec 2012.

On-line Class 85: Full Moon Witch

This ist the group for a small Autumn/Halloween Design - why must witches always be these crooked, hook-nosed old women ? ...rather a “young” and pretty little witch, sitting on her broomstick with a nice dress of dark violet cottons – and a tipping hat on her lovely red locks. The full moon lights the scene which will best be stitched on a medium blue or grey or teal background to emphasize the “night” feeling ! One time download available from Oct 15, 2011 through Jan 15, 2012

• Moderators:
• MagpieFI

On-line Class 88: Castle Moyland Mandala

This design features a real castle near Martina's home place, which was already mentioned in 1300. It is beautifully restaurated today, surrounded by a moat and vast gardens. This design will be available online in 6 pieces (every 2nd month) starting on January 1st 2011 - December 31, 2012.

• Moderators:
• sdarlow

On-line Class 90: My Winter Garden

Inspired by the wintery frost in my garden which is not only my joy in Summer, but throughout the other Seasons too. Browsing photos of last Winter's frost, snow and ice make me want to capture this beauty in a cross stitch design.....Class begins Dec 2011 and ends Nov 2012.

• Moderators:
• MagpieFI

On-line Class 93: Spring Watergarden

The colors and threads are chosen to display the first buds + leafs of early Spring. You will find pastels and hues of greens and blues, in the 4 corners you will stitch different early Spring bushes as Willow Catkins, Forsythia, Hazelnut and Dogwood with their typical colors of branches and early flowers and buds. There are Brimstone Butterflies, tiny Gras Frogs, Dragonflies freshly hatched and much more. In the center pond you can see tiny yellow waterlilies and dewdrops galore (BEADS!!) Beautful borders of different Spring flowers frame the inner design – different on 4 corners again. I found a picture of a really gorgeous wrought-iron gate which I transferred into a stitchable pattern. Class begins April 1st, 2012 and ends March 31, 2013.

On-Line Class 95: The Châtelaine Anniversary Mandala

To celebrate this anniversary of Châtelaine, Martina envisioned a fairy tale castle (yes, it is Sleeping Beauty’s castle) with lots and lots of crystals and beadwork. There are fountains of water, little flowerbeds and climbing rambler roses, a pond in the center and topiaries on the gates. There are beaded flowerbeds, all with different colors – so you won’t be bored with repetition ! We will use beautiful variegated silks and other threads, metallics and braids, but Martina will of course give her special conversion into DMC for the silk threads for a very affordable materials option. Class begins April 1st, 2012 and ends March 31, 2013

On-line Class 97: Fire Lily Garden Mandala

We will use cross stitch and a variety of pretty Special Stitches, normal DMC, silks in solid and variegated shades, effect threads and of course beads, pearls, crystals to recreate a truly summery and lush green/bush/pink/orange design, which simply calls : SUMMER.GARDEN.SUNSHINE. Class begins April 1, 2013 and ends March 31, 2013

• Moderators:
• SuburbanStitcher

On-line Class 100: Sanssouci Castle and Gardens

The Sanssouci Castle, near Berlin, is depicted in this design. It will have classizistic gardens, statues, ponds, bridges, gates…. All the elements, Friederich II of Prussia installed in his castle “Without Sorrows” (translation of Sans Soucis). Stitching will start on JULY 1st 2012 and go till JUNE 30 2014.