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Embroidery: Celtic Ladies
63 kudoz

Celtic Ladies

Celtic Christmas

Celtic Autumn
Celtic Summer
Celtic Spring
Celtic Christmas
Celtic Winter
Is this your project? Can you share instructions or a pattern with the Craftsy community?

Difficulty:

Category: Embroidery

Type of item: Home Decor

For: Home

Style: Ethnic, Romantic


Materials

32- and 28-ct. linen, DMC cotton flosses, Mill Hill beads, Petite Treasure (metallic) braid

What was your inspiration?

I saw the first of these designs, Celtic Christmas, in a cross-stitch shop. It was so beautiful I had to buy the pattern. Then the designer came out with the seasons, and I knew I had to have all of them.

What are you most proud of?

Finishing all four seasons plus Celtic Christmas. Like most stitchers, my stash is ... SABLE (stash acquired beyond life expectancy). After I did the first two, it took every ounce of willpower I had to move on to the third one and not go to one of my other beautiful patterns--but I did it!

What advice would you give someone starting this project?

(1) Find a good tutorial on counted cross stitch, working with metallics and working with beads--these patterns are not meant for beginners and there are no instructions on how to work the stitches.
(2) Check your fabric count--I accidentally picked up one piece of 28-count and one piece of 32-count linen, so my ladies are different sizes!
(3) If you are want to frame them all the same, consider having your framer order enough frame when you finish the first one. It keeps you motivated to finish the others, and it ensures that if the frame is discontinued, you'll have enough.

 

73 comments

Add your comment:

ascheno121476825 on craftsy.com
May 12, 2013    Flag as inappropriate
Your work is so inspiring, Great job!
silvioorte481206 on craftsy.com
Apr 28, 2013    Flag as inappropriate
Were you can buy this designs
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
May 03, 2013   Flag as inappropriate
If you have a local needlework shop, it may carry these designs. If not, it can certainly order them. If you don't have an LNS, you can order the designs from Nordic Needle. They are called "Celtic Christmas," "Celtic Spring," "Celtic Summer," "Celtic Autumn," and "Celtic Winter," and they are all done by Lavender and Lace. Enjoy!
k021406 on craftsy.com
Mar 23, 2013    Flag as inappropriate
Very lovely. My MIL has done the angels series. I admire your work.
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Mar 31, 2013   Flag as inappropriate
Thank you so much! I'm working on a Chatelaine piece now--makes the time I spent on these seem like it went by in a jiffy!
MarjorieV on craftsy.com
Oct 13, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Amazing pictures, real heirloom. BTW I think my stash is SABLE also :-)
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Oct 14, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thank you! (P.S. If it's not SABLE, it's not a stash.) ;-)
angelfairy on craftsy.com
Sep 14, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
You do such beautiful work.
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Sep 16, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Oh, thank you! I enjoy doing it so much!
Phenebock on craftsy.com
Aug 28, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
These are beautiful. I just love them. You are a true artist because you have created true beauty.
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Aug 28, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thank you so much!
Tina Sanders on craftsy.com
Aug 05, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Your project is truly beautiful!
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Aug 05, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thank you--she just won a blue ribbon at the county fair, too!
patz in suffolk on craftsy.com
Jul 26, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
I did this one ("Noel") in 2000 and I'm still astonished that I actually finished it! I turned into a sort of hermit for a few months whilst doing it! I have the pattern for "Spring" but, 12 years down the line I still haven't got around to doing it. Congratulations on finishing all of them. I'm in awe of you! From another Patricia - in England
patz in suffolk on craftsy.com
Jul 29, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
I watched the opening ceremony and would be interested to know if it made any sense to you! We understood it as we know British history - but I wondered if anyone who wasn't British would have made any sense out of it at all! The Queen looked fed up and bored, but I don't think she was. She IS 86, after all, and it was way past her bedtime! She's wonderful and we can't expect her to smile ALL the time!
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Jul 29, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
After I finished Noel--she was my last in the series--I went through my pattern stash and got rid of everything that was part of a series. It stressed me out knowing I wasn't finished with the series. I'm too anal. P.S. I'm enjoying watching the Olympics in your country!
Lilibetp on craftsy.com
Jul 19, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
I love these patterns! One of these days I'll get around to doing them.
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Jul 22, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
In a way, I highly recommend that--they are truly stunning. In a way, I say "NO! STAY AWAY! THEY SUCK YEARS OUT OF YOUR LIFE!" ;-) Of course, what I really say is, "Do whatever makes you happy."
rtyler63500 on craftsy.com
Jun 18, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
These are truly beautiful. A friend did the entire series of 5 for me so you know how much I love them. Yours are just beautiful and you deserve to be incredibly proud of your work. WELL DONE!
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Jun 18, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thank you! But wow! Your friend must like you a lot--I'm not sure I could have parted with mine after all that work!
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Jun 18, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thank you! But wow! Your friend must like you a lot--I'm not sure I could have parted with mine after all that work!
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Jun 18, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thank you! But wow! Your friend must like you a lot--I'm not sure I could have parted with mine after all that work!
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Jun 18, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thank you! But wow! Your friend must like you a lot--I'm not sure I could have parted with mine after all that work!
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Jun 18, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Whoops! Sorry for the multiple replies. It didn't seem to be doing anything, so I just kept hitting "Enter." :-)
soma1773 on craftsy.com
May 16, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Absolutely breathtaking! All of them!
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
May 16, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thank you--whenever I get a comment like this, I'm glad I did them all. :-)
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
May 16, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thank you--whenever I get a comment like this, I'm glad I did them all. :-)
Rosa T Hopgood on craftsy.com
May 15, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
This awesome super detail. One day I could try this
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
May 15, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thank you! It's not hard at all--it's mostly cross stitch with a little beading. No French knots, no partial stitches--I don't even think there are any blended threads! You can do it!
broderick660678 on craftsy.com
May 02, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
i would love to get pattern
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
May 03, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
All the Celtic ladies patterns (Celtic Christmas, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter) are available from Nordic Needle, or type "Celtic Christmas cross stitch" into Google and find other sources for the patterns. They are awesome!
broderick660678 on craftsy.com
May 02, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
i would love to get pattern
mo.sews on craftsy.com
Apr 08, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Simply beautiful!! and I love that they are celtic! I'm glad you appreciate that you can do them now. You really must be proud! You have a LOT to be proud of!
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Apr 08, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thank you so much--I love their "Celticness" too!
maxipad62 on craftsy.com
Mar 13, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Determination plus is what you display along with superior finished x-stitch.I used to love doing x-stitch until RA got to my fingers so can't hold a needle anymore.So enjoy your time with each and every design that says stitch me.Simply gorgeous.
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Mar 13, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thank you--what a sweet comment! I do worry about one day not being able to hold a needle--or perhaps not being able to see well enough to continue, so I definitely treasure every minute I spend on my beloved crafts! <3
mmauch on craftsy.com
Feb 04, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Fantastic project. Love them, cross stitch is a time consuming hobby but so worth the end result. Thanks for sharing.
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Feb 05, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thanks so much! You're so right about cross stitch being time-consuming. I do several other crafts--crochet, beading, hardanger, needlepoint, to name a few--to give me a variety so as not to get bored. And while I'm doing them--they go so much faster--I think, "I like this craft better than cross stitch." But I always go back to cross stitch when it comes up in the rotation, and I'm always glad I did, because, as you noted, the end result is so amazing. Thanks for your kind words!
Dawn Rodgers on craftsy.com
Jan 29, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Absolutely beautiful, Patrica! This is the kind of work I learned embroidery for, and I also love it for many reasons including my Celtic heritage, my love of thread arts, the use of beads, and last but not least, your advice to us on this project. Can I ask, how long did it take for you to do these? It looks like you spent years on them! Awesome! Thank you so much! ~ Dawn ~
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Jan 29, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thanks, Dawn--I'm glad you like them! The first one I did took the longest: 127 hours. They got shorter after that, and the last one was "only" 101 hours. I do 10-15 hours a week, so they each took about three months. (And I'm a finisher--I finish one project and move on to the next.)
CraftsyLisa on craftsy.com
Jan 01, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Gorgeous. Be proud!
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Jan 01, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thanks, Lisa! Much of what I am today I owe to you--crafty and professionally! <3
CraftsyLisa on craftsy.com
Jan 01, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
oh shucks, what a nice thing to say. you and rachel and I need to get together for lunch in the New Year.
sblosser on craftsy.com
Dec 29, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
There are absolutely stunning. I can't imagine how you did all of that work.
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Dec 31, 2011   Flag as inappropriate
Looking back, I can't imagine it myself! But "stunning"--that went straight to my head. THANK YOU!
mamavozw26656 on craftsy.com
Dec 15, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
Lovely and wonderful to look at!!!!!
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Dec 15, 2011   Flag as inappropriate
Thank you! The set hangs on my bedroom wall, so I get to look at them a lot!
Felicia Jones on craftsy.com
Sep 06, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
These are VERY beautiful! I might add these to my projects I want to do! Thank you for shareing them.
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Sep 11, 2011   Flag as inappropriate
I'm glad you like them--they are time-consuming, but they are easy and beautiful!
lisolabella on craftsy.com
Sep 03, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
Hi Ladies: I'm new for forgive me if I ask a silly question! Where can I get the pattern for this?
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Sep 04, 2011   Flag as inappropriate
If you have a needlework store in your area, if they don't stock it, they can certainly order it for you. The designer is Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum, Lavender and Lace. The pattern names are Celtic Spring, Celtic Summer, Celtic Winter, Celtic Autumn and Celtic Christmas (not pictured). If you don't have a needlework store in your area, you can order all the patterns from Nordic Needle (www.nordicneedle.com). Happy stitching!
andiacreations on craftsy.com
Sep 01, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
Stunning
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Sep 04, 2011   Flag as inappropriate
Thank you! That went straight to my head. :-)
eddenise2160851 on craftsy.com
Aug 28, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
This amazing most beautiful embroideries are my most favorite. Thank you for sharing it with us.
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Aug 28, 2011   Flag as inappropriate
Thank you so much!
angeleyes777 on craftsy.com
Aug 23, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
This is so impressive!! Your work is beautiful. :) I spent the summer of 1999 stitching the Celtic Christmas pattern, and I've always meant to get around to the seasons . . . . . .someday. lol So lovely to see them all finished and together. Well done!
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Aug 23, 2011   Flag as inappropriate
Thanks a bunch! I bought the Celtic Christmas first, but I stitched her last (just finished her this year)--and she's really my favorite, I think. I'm sure you'll get to the seasons--when you've finished all the other things that are calling your name!
wwndymax47888 on craftsy.com
Jul 13, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
Beautiful! What count did you prefer once completed ... the 28 count, or the 32 count?? I like a finer fabric, but not tooooo fine. What count did the pattern itself call for? Thanks for showing the set ...they really are a credit to you. :-)
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Jul 17, 2011   Flag as inappropriate
The pattern called for 28-count, but I preferred the 32. It just gave slightly more coverage and made the ladies look a little more "real."
Maggie385 on craftsy.com
Jun 12, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
beautiful what more can I say I have just finished a native american design and am about to start Tutunkhamun
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Jun 12, 2011   Flag as inappropriate
Sounds lovely! Hope to see it here someday!
KathyW on craftsy.com
Jun 05, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
Congratulations on finishing them. I have several similar patterns and at work on one of them, but keep getting distracted with my other needle interests.
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Jun 05, 2011   Flag as inappropriate
Oh, I hear you! I'm working on a crochet baby blanket at the moment--what was that? A bead bracelet calling my name? Coming, bead bracelet, let me just put this baby blanket aside...
dottyeb on craftsy.com
Jun 03, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
Beautiful!!! I have my own SABLE (don't we all). I always have something to do when it is raining outside. lol
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Jun 03, 2011   Flag as inappropriate
Thank you! Oh, yes, we do all have sable--and I don't just have cross stitch. I have needlepoint, samplers, beading and crochet projects in my stash all calling to me saying "Do me next!"
nordie on craftsy.com
May 24, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
well done for completing! I've had the Winter one 2/3rds done and sitting around for several years now. All that beading! Yikes! Anyway, they all look so good....!
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Jun 03, 2011   Flag as inappropriate
Thank you--it really was kind of a chore to do them all, and after I did, I gave away everything in my stash that was a series because I never wanted to be in that position again. As for the beading, yes, there sure is a lot of it. And to do it right, you either have to do a cross stitch or a kind of a railroad stitch--both of which are incredibly time-consuming. But oh, the reward when the beading is finished!
klncrochet on craftsy.com
May 21, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
So beautiful. Your stitches gave the pictures depth and movement. Great work, thanks for sharing.
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Jun 03, 2011   Flag as inappropriate
Thank you--I am as passionate about taking great pictures of my stitching as I am about my actual stitching!
Bettylou on craftsy.com
May 21, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
Awesome work.
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Jun 03, 2011   Flag as inappropriate
Thanks a bunch--They were so much fun to stitch!
Lilleylou on craftsy.com
May 20, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
Beautiful work!!!
PatriciaLove on craftsy.com
Jun 03, 2011   Flag as inappropriate
Thank you so much--I really enjoy my hobby!