Helen Philipps' Cross Stitch Samplers and Cards: Over 55 Designs from the Heart [Hardcover]

Helen Philipps (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2004

All cross stitchers love to stitch for others and create designs that commemorate and affirm life's special moments - a birth, a wedding, a new home, an anniversary or other special day. This collection of bright, decorative samplers and cards contains something for everyone, from the bright new home sampler with flowers and nesting birds, or an Advent calendar filled with the promise of Christmas, to the colourful samplers that simply celebrate a friendship. Additional alphabets are provided to personalise any of the designs. Each project is accompanied by a detailed full colour chart and step-by-step making up instructions for mounting or framing.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Helen Philipps studied Printed Textiles with embroidery at university, and then taught drawing and design before becoming a freelance designer. After working in the greetings industry, Helen's love of needlecraft led to her creating original designs for stitching magazines. In 2000 Helen set up Merry Heart Designs which specialises in bright modern cross stitch charts. This is her third book to be published by David & Charles. Helen lives in the Wirral, Cheshire.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 104 pages
• Publisher: David & Charles Publishers (September 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 071531582X
• ISBN-13: 978-0715315828
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,191,638 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cutesy and Bright, June 12, 2007

By 

M. Nordyke "Latin Junkie" (Somewhere in Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Helen Philipps' Cross Stitch Samplers and Cards: Over 55 Designs from the Heart (Hardcover)

I'm not sure if I would agree with the product description above that calls these designs "modern," and would more likely categorize them as "cute." Some of the designs remind me of the designs in Donna Kooler's Great Cross-Stitch Gifts. With that said, a little modification on the super bright, 1980s colors, overdyed threads, and some nice linen fabric (brown or tan instead of the recommended white), as well as the removal of backstitching could modernize these designs very nicely in a way similar to the "homespun" style of Bent Creek cross stitch ([...]).

All of the designs are simplistically colored, which may make them look less realistic and more "cartoon" like, but this also facilitates your own take on the palette. None of the designs include 1/4 or 3/4 stitches and most of the backstitch outlining is done around in such a way to look somewhat boxy (no diagonal outlines).

The book is organized into spring, summer, fall, and winter themes. Some of the samplers include room for button/charm embellishment, which is nice. The end section of the book includes a basic techniques section (which is probably not enough to teach beginners, but would serve as a good review), information on finishing techniques, the standard DMC/Anchor conversion chart, a supply information list - pretty standard. However, what I like most about the back is that in addition to several charted alphabets, there are "alternative messages" charted out for you. This could really help those of us who like to customize our stitching.

I give the book 4 stars because of my own personal taste - it's a little cheesy and cutesy, which you might like, but is highly redeemable because of its potential for customization.

4.0 out of 5 stars rileys gammy, March 25, 2009

By 

rileys gammy (Newborn, Ga) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Helen Philipps' Cross Stitch Samplers and Cards: Over 55 Designs from the Heart (Hardcover)

i liked the book. it offers a variety of cross-stitch cards and gifts. detail instructions as well as full color pages. It also teaches you how to make ornaments, wall hangings etc...not just cards! for beginners and advanced!