Witchy Stitches!

I don't call myself the Witch of Stitches for nothing! Earlier today I headed over to my local needlework shop, Cross Stitch Cupboard, in Fort Lauderdale. Karen had called me to let me know that the Halloween Ornament issue of Just Cross Stitch had arrived. I had planned a trip to the grocery store anyway, so I decided to stop at the Cupboard first.

I think this issue is the best they have ever done. There are 51 really great designs, with plenty of witches. I have already chosen 10, YES, YES, 10 designs that I want to stitch. Most of them are smalls so that's not as big a deal as it sounds. So here are my favorite witchy designs from this issue to encourage you to pick up a copy and a needle, LOL!

A little stitching witch holding a sampler. How could I NOT stitch this, fond as I am of samplers! This design is by Gail Bussi and is called "Little Stitching Witch."

Three designs on this page - all smalls. Top left, "Witch" designed by Pamela Byrd Smith of The Prairie Schooler, a favorite designer. Middle right, "Family Portrait" - a silhouette of a witch, another small, quick stitch, designed by Wendy White of Wee Works. Bottom left, "Double, Double" designed by Linda Ebright of Lizzie*Kate - how could I NOT stitch this one? 

"Matilda Hornbuckle" designed by another favorite designer, Lori Brechlin of Notforgotten Farm. I love these primitive designs and this one is delightful!

"The Spells' Store" designed by Isabella Abbiati of The Primitive Hare, yet another favorite designer. This is just too wonderful not to stitch!

Another little primitive style design, "Ghoul Tidings", designed by Paulette Stewart of Plum Street Samplers. I love her designs too. This little witch is another favorite and I have to stitch her.

"Fire Burn & Cauldron Bubble" designed by Traci Horner of Ink Circles. This is not my usual style, but anything with a cauldron...

"Goody Trask 1692" designed by Tanya Marie Willis Anderson, AKA The Sampler Girl. A cute little primitive design. Tanya has wonderful Jane Austen designs too.

"Starry Witch" designed by Elizabeth Toledo of Dames of the Needle. This is actually the first one I want to stitch. I have some wonderful linen, color Cognac, that will be just perfect. Can't wait to start this!

Right in the middle of the page, another one that caught my eye, a hardanger design by Lucy Lyons Willis, The Sampler Girl's mom. I love her work as well. I don't do a lot of hardanger, rarely in fact, but this piece has inspired me so...

Well, that's nine designs, but if you look at the magazine cover, there is a little owl in the bottom right corner - that little one makes 10 designs!

Now I wonder if these designs have inspired any of you who don't stitch to take up a needle and give it a try. Those of you who do stitch, well, which are you going to stitch? We'll see how many I actually get done as I have three designs I am currently working on, one is actually a silhouette of a witch at her cauldron! I can't resist a witchy design! In addition, I now have three apprentices and two monthly classes I am teaching. I wonder if I can stitch while I lecture??? ; )

All this stitching is really part of my devotional work. Most of what I stitch is dedicated to the goddesses I am devoted to. Stitching, threads, scissors, needles, all play a part in my magickal work as well. It is art as ritual. In 1997 I had an article, "The Ritual of Stitching", published in The Beltane Papers, unfortunately no longer in print. I was going through some papers and found the article which I will post here soon. It includes a design for a home blessing sampler and I will see if I can post that too - not really sure how to do it. I will have to re-chart the design with my MacStitch program. The design was originally charted by hand. So... stay tuned!

Blessings nine!