For Halloween Night October 15, 2018 17:18

"'It's Hallowe'en tonight,' Kathy said.    She sat on the floor in front of the window seat, busy with her preparations for the evening, intent on the contents of a big cardboard box. On the boulevard outside the dusk was falling almost imperceptibly on the facades of the houses opposite; the automobiles cutting red trails with their rear-lights in the gathering darkness." - "The Candle in the Skull" by Ramsey Campbell

As candy corns melt in fistfuls, the crescent moon peeks upon the horizon, and your little trick-or-treaters scuttle about in white taffeta fairy dresses and black satin vampire capes, remember to have a fun Halloween and watch for the little rodents if your out driving!

If you're in for the night it might be fun to sew the Gaslights of Halloween quilting pattern.  Here's a new video on assembly tips!

"I was working in the lab late one night..."

Gaslights of Halloween Pattern

Autumn Seasonal Leaf Hangers Pattern August 22, 2018 16:32

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree" - Emily Bronte

Listen to the wind blowing leaves off trees as you gear up your stash for autumn sewing.  Watch our NEW video for tips on making the Leaf Hangers - three leaf designs in maple, oak, and aspen.  

• Make into ornaments,
• Hang directly on a pushpin, or
• Attach together on a ribbon length for a lovely fall decoration.

Retail Price: $9.99

Leaf Hangers Pattern

Digital Download

Embroidery Patterns July 10, 2018 12:05

Embroidery patterns are a beautiful way to add graceful touches to your special clothes like a t-shirt, jeans or jacket.  Expensive clothing-makers know these designs set their products apart.  For just a few dollars, you can download one of our beautiful designs, embroider with your favorite color floss, and make your clothing unique!

These sets are available for $2.99 each.

Flower Field (pictured above)

Orchid Fragrance

Rose Blooms

Verdant Leaves

Shipping Rates June 20, 2018 10:23

Many people have questions about shipping rates.  As of June 2018 these are current.  

Thanks,

RLC Staff

Blue Orchid Quilt Block Pattern June 08, 2018 15:11

New patterns for May 2018 include:

Cross Stitch Pattern: Treasure Box

Quilt Patterns: Blue Orchid and Chinese Lantern Freedom

These patterns are available as paper copies or digital downloads.  Save on shipping with the downloads!

Also new is the Blue Orchid quilt block pattern video.

Spring Art Discount March 29, 2018 17:34

Spring storms have arrived along with this early Easter holiday!  Rain opens the budding trees and blades of new grass appear.  

Enjoy the season of spring cleaning and redecorate your abode with new artwork!

Now through the end of April 2018 all art from The Art of Wendy Christine is discounted 15%.

PROMO CODE: SPRING15

Thanks for supporting independent artists!

Advantages of Buying Digital Download Patterns March 27, 2018 15:51

If you live in the 21st century, everything is available digitally - movies, photos, songs, tax documents...

Why not patterns?  Of course quilt and cross stitch patterns are available as digital downloads!  Now Raspberry Lane Crafts patterns are too!

The up side of buying digital patterns:

1) Free Shipping - Sorry USPS.  No need for shipping costs when the file is transferred digitally.  Keep your wallet a little fatter by avoiding this unnecessary cost.  

2) Adobe Reader is Free - Digital downloads are saved and emailed as .pdf files which are readable on lots of free software like Adobe Reader on all kinds of digital devices.  

3) Magnifiers - Cross stitch symbols too hard to read? Font too small? Make pattern images larger on your screen easily with the magnifying button.  No need for a magnifying glass here!

4) Saving Trees and Energy - Yes, digital patterns are mongo-easy on the environment.  Isn't that always a good idea?

5) Embroidery Charm - Using a digital file lets you print out embroidery designs directly on your own transfer paper.  User Note: only use inkjet printers with transfer paper. 

A few disadvantages to digital patterns:

1) Technophobes Beware - If you don't own a computer, tablet, smartphone, laptop or whatever is next (watchpad, eye implant) you won't be able to use the digital pattern but we still sell the paper patterns here, too!

2) Ink Monsters - Most patterns have just a few need-to-print pages like pattern pieces but if you'll print the entire download some files may contain up to about fifteen pages like Chinese Lantern - Faith.  Printer ink is the most expensive liquid on Earth I've heard so you may need to store up XL versions of at-home printer cartridges if you MUST print everything.

Digital downloads are the present and future thing.  Take advantage of this wonderful option for you now!  

Seventeen for '17 February 01, 2018 14:32

Seventeen new patterns were created at Raspberry Lane Crafts in the year 2017.

Quilting

Chinese Lanterns Longevity, Fortune, Faith, Love, and Peace

Mountain Habitats block #11 Raccoon by the Stream and #12 Canyon Kaibab Squirrel

San Antonio Riverwalk

Ric Rac Cactus with Stained Glass

The Holly and the Angels

Cross Stitch

Jewel and Gothic Ornaments

Ice Cat and Purple Flower for Mom cross-stitches

Lace in Blue

Ivy Needlebook

Spix's Macaw

Thanks very much for your support of independent designers!

Have a wonderful 2018!

Love to all,

Wendy

35 New DMC Embroidery Floss Names November 06, 2017 15:58

Thirty-five new DMC six-stranded embroidery floss will be here by December.  I'm so excited to begin incorporating them into new cross stitch designs!  Trumpets, please...

01 - White Tin

02 - Tin

03- Medium Tin

04 - Dark Tin

05 - Light Driftwood

06 - Medium Light Driftwood

07 - Driftwood

08 - Dark Driftwood

09 - Very Dark Cocoa

10- Very Light Tender Green

11 - Light Tender Green

12 - Tender Green

13 - Medium Light Nile Green

14 - Pale Apple Green

15 - Apple Green

16 - Light Chartreuse

17 - Light Yellow Plum

18 - Yellow Plum

19 - Medium Light Autumn Gold

20 - Shrimp

21 - Light Alizarin

22 - Alizarin

23 - Apple Blossom

24 - White Lavender

25 - Ultra Light Lavender

26 - Pale Lavender

27 - White Violet

28 - Medium Light Eggplant

29 - Eggplant

30 - Medium Light Blueberry

31 - Blueberry

32 - Dark Blueberry

33 - Fuchsia

34 - Dark Fuchsia

35 - Very Dark Fuchsia

Fortune Lantern August 10, 2017 11:09

Susan Wilkerson sent this perfectly stitched Chinese Lantern Fortune block. Beautiful!  Chinese Lantern Faith, the third in the series, hits the shelves this month.

If you'd like to send us a photo of your finished Raspberry Lane Crafts project please email to raspberrylanecrafts@gmail.com

We'd love to see your work! 

The Squirrel Cuckoo Bird July 17, 2017 13:56

When sunning at the pool is over, try stitching to brighten your day.  Here's our new embroidery kit available now.

The Squirrel Cuckoo Bird Cross Stitch Kit is now available from Raspberry Lane Crafts.  With the kit you'll receive: the pattern, 20 DMC floss, Scarlet Today Size 07 needles (12-pack), and an Allary embroidery scissors.

See video of the finished cross stitch here.

Six Bunnies and a Quilt Block Pattern June 15, 2017 17:06

Have you seen this new video?  If you'd like to play "Where's Waldo?" with bunnies, slide forward to 5 min 35 sec.  On the way though, see how Chinese Lantern - Fortune is made.  Block #2 in the Chinese Lanterns Collection is as easy as bunnies hopping...

Artwork in 2016 February 24, 2017 13:37

In 2016, I designed thirteen quilt and cross-stitch patterns and completed fourteen pictures.  "Yucca Tree" was imprinted on a mug, four postcards were made available and The Art of Wendy Christine Coloring Book was published.  More DMC floss was added to the collection and four cross-stitch gift sets were made available.  Advertising included three times in a cross-stitch magazine and three times in quilt magazines.

For 2017, keep an eye out for a fun new cross stitch design to be published in Just CrossStitch Magazine Sept/Oct edition, more cross-stitch gift sets, and the complete DMC floss collection.  For the first time, I'll be advertising art prints in a magazine (Sedona).  Framed giclee prints are coming very soon.  A giclee is a higher quality art print in which 8 to 12 pigment-based inks are used instead of four dye-based inks to produce a richer likeness of the original.  Of course, please expect new quilt and cross-stitch patterns and artwork from The Art of Wendy Christine.

Check out my other website for free environmental news and science at www.ocean-to-ozone.org.  Coming very soon are The Ocean to Ozone Show water bottles.  They're really colorful and come in four different colors! 

To new beginnings!

Linda Gass Fabric Art February 02, 2017 13:50

Copyright ©2012 Linda Gass  and Photograph by Don Tuttle

Artist Linda Gass combines quilting and painting to create her environmentally-themed works of art.

At her website www.lindagass.com you can purchase original artwork, glass pieces, prints, cards and more.

Her images are striking and a reminder of our environmental duties to keep Earth clean.

Visit her beautiful website by clicking on the photo.

www.lindagass.com

(Photo used with permission by Linda Gass)

How to Paper Piece a Quilt Block November 30, 2016 09:03

Paper-piecing is quite simple when you get the hang of it.  This new video demonstrates the paper-piecing technique on the quilt block "Agave with Stained Glass".  For this pattern, the blues and aquas used in the paper pieced strip are striking, however, other colors like reds and yellows would be equally stunning!

Chicken Pattern at Fiddle Sticks November 08, 2016 15:48

Artist and designer Ann Shaw's quilt block patterns including this one called "Gallus Gallus" can be found at the online quilt shop www.fiddlesticksquiltshop.com.  Her beautiful patterns only available at Fiddle Sticks include: chickens, dogs, flowers, a puffin, and other animals.  Prices range from $14.99 to $22.99 and sizes vary from 18 x 20 inches to 47 x 30 inches.  Freezer paper templates of full-sized pattern pieces are included.

Personally, I love the texture and colors in her designs.  They look to be paper-pieced, though I haven't made one yet.  Ann Shaw teaches classes on her piecing method and has a website at annshawquilting.com.

Check it out!

Sea to Garden Bookmarks Video September 14, 2016 15:33

Watch the Sea to Garden Bookmarks video to learn how to trim the perforated paper of the Black Rose bookmark.   Or watch on the videos tab.

Orchid Fragrance Embroidery Designs July 19, 2016 14:25

"Orchid Fragrance Embroidery Designs" are available to download at the link below on my craftsy.com store for $3.99.  No shipping costs are always good!

http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/embroidery/hand-embroidery/orchid-fragrance-embroidery-designs/215312

I love to embroider these on jeans or skirts for a designer look.  Your teen will love it, too!

Finished Size (Approximate): 4 (w) x 8 (h) inches each

Check it out!

Modern Patchwork Ad June 10, 2016 14:35

Check out our current advertisement in Modern Patchwork magazine.

Fruit Potholders is a paper-pieced set of four potholders: bananas, strawberries, oranges and a plum for $9.99.

Fun and fast, sewing these potholders in beautiful colors to coordinate with your own kitchen is a great way to spend hot summer afternoons.

Enjoy!

Patterns Made in the U.S.A. May 19, 2016 12:28

Recently I watched a documentary highlighting how many of our American manufacturing jobs have been moved to other countries with foreign workers.  Realizing this is a global economy I became more aware of the value of products Made in the U.S.A.  This label means I am directly supporting American jobs and our economy.

Raspberry Lane Crafts patterns are made in the U.S.A. and here's a list of the local companies that I use supporting American jobs:

Two local printing companies (one for copies/one for art prints) (Colorado)

A photo company (New York)

Art supplies (Illinois and Wisconsin)

Ads in quilting and cross stitch magazines (Indiana)

Packaging company (Wisconsin) 

I'm checking my labels for U.S. companies!  It just takes a second.

Armadillos - Not Just for Texans Anymore April 11, 2016 17:49

This conservation article on armadillos is found in block #10 "The Armadillo" of the Desert Habitats Collection 

Armadillos - Not Just for Texans Anymore

             At Christmastime, when I was growing up one of my favorite ornaments was a small stuffed yellow armadillo with nine bands of colorful thread across its back. My family is from Texas, where I was born and lived the first five years of my life. My grandparents and lots of relatives lived in San Antonio, Houston, Austin, and Tyler. We visited our relatives many times a year when I was growing up. So naturally, Texas icons like the Lone Star, cowboys, blue bonnets, and armadillos were important to my family.

             The Spanish word armadillo means “little armored one”, so-named for the hard plates that cover them everywhere except the belly.   Twenty species can be found in North, Central and South America. Only one can be found in the United States – the Nine-banded Armadillo. Anywhere from eight to eleven bands can be found across the Nine-banded armadillo’s back. Unlike its armored back, head, tail, and legs, the stomach is covered in skin and fur. Armoring of this type is unique to the armadillo in the mammalian world.

             If you look at an armadillo’s face, it resembles the opossum. However, armadillos are more closely related to anteaters and sloths. Like these creatures, armadillos have large front claws used for digging invertebrates like ants, beetles and grubs. Armadillos also possess sticky tongues, the better to catch their creepy crawly prey. Sometimes armadillos will supplement their diet with bird’s eggs, fruits, plants or even carrion. Early morning and evening is the best time to spot an armadillo since they are nocturnal and forage all night long.

            In the U.S., armadillos have spread from Texas to Florida and to a smaller extent as far north as Nebraska, Illinois and Indiana. Their habitat has increased due to several factors. Large predators, like the cougar, normally feed on armadillos. However, cougar populations have been decreasing in numbers leading to a lack of armadillo predators. Grazing cattle leave grass shorter and provide a warm habitat for ants and other invertebrates. These small creatures form the majority of the armadillo’s diet. Since armadillos need a warm environment in which to live, global warming is thought to provide warmer temperatures to more northerly states.

             Not all armadillos are spreading, however. The Pink Fairy Armadillo, found in Argentina, is endangered. The Giant Armadillo, found in Latin America, has been noted as “threatened”. It is killed often for its meat, which has been likened to pork.

             Armadillos have been around since ancient times in the form of their giant cousin, the Glyptodont. They have many unique characteristics. The Three-Banded Armadillo can actually roll into a ball as a defense mechanism. Although, armadillos in the United States are not endangered, the Nine-Banded Armadillo is often hit by cars due to its habit of jumping when frightened. So when you’re driving in Texas at dusk, remember the armadillo and stop short of targeting these helpful, ant-eating creatures.

 References:

        Davies, Angela and Penny Mathias, ed.s. “Nine-Banded Armadillo.” World of Animals. Mammals.                      Insectivores and Bats, Vol. 9, Danbury, CT: Scholastic Library Publishing, 2003.

         http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/armadillo.html, accessed 6 May 2009.

         http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armadillo, accessed 15 May 2009.

         http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glyptodontidae, accessed 15 May 2009.

         Myers, P. 2001. “Dasypodidae” (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed May 15, 2009 at

http://animaldiversity.ummz.edu/site/accounts/information/Dasypodidae.html

         Wilson, Don E. and Sue Ruff, ed.s. “Nine-banded Armadillo.” The Smithsonian Book of North American Mammals. 1 vol. Washington D.C.: Library of Congress, 1999.

         www.msu.edu/~nixonjos/armadillo accessed 15 May 2009.

Hand-Dyed Cross-Stitch Fabric February 09, 2016 11:55

This past week I stumbled onto a website called www.dovestitch.com.  To my delight, I found a new treasure - hand-dyed AIDA cloth for cross-stitching!  Colors with sweet names like "Cotton Candy", "Tea Rose", "Cafe au Lait", "Caribbean Sea", "Seaweed Green", and "Damson Berry" inhabit the sixty-one hand-dyed varieties.  For an 18 x 19 inch (45 x 50 cm) piece it will cost you $15.95 plus shipping.   Dovestitch ensures the fabrics are colorfast.  Patterned and polka dot cross-stitch fabrics are in their selection as well.  I'll be sure to design new patterns on these fabulous fabrics.  Check them out!

http://dovestitch.com/categories/aida-fabrics/hand-dyed-effects.html?sort=featured&page=1

Cheers to the New Year! January 12, 2016 12:16

"Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right." - Oprah

In 2015, I designed 19 cross-stitch and quilt patterns and 20 pieces of art to make posters available for sale.  The DMC floss collection is about two-thirds complete.  Ultra-See-N-Side bags, Scarlet Today & DMC embroidery needles, Thread Heaven (TM) and several embroidery scissors are available to purchase.  I advertised cross-stitch patterns in three Just Cross Stitch magazine issues.  Every month I try to auction 20 items on E-bay.  There are currently 25 active RLC e-patterns on Craftsy.com.  At this site I offer 5 free e-patterns and one coloring page and have uploaded three videos. 

With a little faith, the grander goals I've set for 2016 with come true and yours will too!  To dreams coming true for everyone . . .  - Wendy Christine

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year" - Ralph Waldo Emerson

New Cross Stitches for Perforated Paper December 12, 2015 13:25

Sea to Garden Bookmarks, one of three new patterns coming out this December at Raspberry Lane Crafts, are four designs stitched on perforated paper.  Since stitchers cannot pierce in-between the main holes, I've designed three new stitches to solve this problem - see diagrams below.  Additional precautions must be made using the perforated paper:  

1.) Do not bend perforated paper. 

2.) Thread catches on the edges and pulls off the color (gold in my case) - that's why I suggest you trim edges at the end.

3.) When the holes are filled with many stitches be careful not to rip the paper - the paper is more like plastic than paper but still not invincible.

Overall, my first experience cross-stitching these bookmarks on perforated paper was great.  I even ripped the paper once or twice but stitched over it like camouflage - no problem.  Perforated paper is highly suggested by this long-time cross-stitcher!