My mom taught me how to cross-stitch about 30 years ago; it’s always been one of my favorite pastimes. But blackwork embroidery captured my imagination. I love the intricate, lacy patterns that are created with a very simple stitch.
Welcome to my blackwork adventure where I discover, create, and share beautiful embroidery patterns. Some will be my own designs, but there’s many gorgeous patterns by talented designers, and I’ll share those too.
Blackwork is a centuries-old form of embroidery going back to Elizabethan times, when clothing was decorated in delicate hand-stitched blackwork patterns. These designs were commonly stitched with black silk threads, and so were called blackwork.
My designs grow from quick sketches on whatever paper is at hand, are transformed onto graph paper, and then drawn in design software. Then the stitching, frogging, re-graphing, re-stitching process begins! And continues until the design is complete – when it makes my heart happy 🙂
One of my first blackwork designs was a butterfly box.
My inspiration comes from all around me. I live on a farm in northern British Columbia, a spot of peaceful quiet
offset by the chaos of the critters that help occupy our space – dogs, horses, and cows mostly.
But when I have a moment, you’ll find me designing and stitching blackwork – usually with a Lab and a Corgi or three, curled up nearby.
Pop in for a visit, and see what I’m up to 🙂
September 22, 2014 at 8:19 am
Great About page 🙂
Atb with your blog 🙂
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September 26, 2014 at 5:46 am
Thank you for following my blog. I can’t say that I know much about embroidery but your designs seem interesting to me.
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September 26, 2014 at 7:11 am
Thank you! 🙂 You have some spectacular photos on your blog; I’m looking forward to seeing more.
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January 30, 2015 at 10:05 pm
Your blackwork is absolutely beautiful. I have not done a lot of blackwork but I absolutely love it. I have several designs that I am eager to try.
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January 31, 2015 at 12:49 pm
Thank you! 🙂 I love blackwork – it’s simple but the patterns can be amazing.
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February 1, 2015 at 5:54 pm
Hello, I have nominated you for the Liebster award, which is an award to celebrate newer blogs, or those with less than 200 followers. The details of the award can be found on my acceptance post https://helizabeth1952.wordpress.com/2015/02/02/liebster-award/#more-363. There are some rules you are expected to follow if you choose to accept the award. I find that these awards have really increased my blog traffic so if you are interested, please accept and pass it forward
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February 3, 2015 at 2:15 pm
I am truly honoured that you chose to nominate my blog for the award 🙂 Wow, thank you! I would like to join in the fun, but must regretfully decline. Congratulations on receiving the award yourself, you have a very lovely blog 🙂
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February 3, 2015 at 2:39 pm
Thank you for looking at my blog and for the very nice comment. I completely understand if you choose not to accept. I like to spread the opportunity around while understanding that not everyone would participate. I will continue to enjoy your blog.
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February 22, 2015 at 6:39 am
Well this is the absolute faux pas in blogging awards, because after posting my nominations, I realize that I previously nominated you for the Liebster award which you chose to decline. And there I went nominating you for the “Very Inspiring Blogging Award”. I apologize for being a pest with this. I respect your choice to decline both.
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February 26, 2015 at 10:37 am
Thank you so much for thinking of my blog! I do appreciate it, very much and feel very honoured. 🙂
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June 7, 2015 at 9:14 pm
You have some really beautiful work. Your color choices are so soothing and cheery. Happy to have found your blog 🙂
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June 8, 2015 at 6:44 am
Thank you so much! And thank you for visiting 🙂
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January 14, 2020 at 1:19 am
can’t fine your email address !! so sending a thank you this way, to say many thanks for the xmas card and lovely blackwork tree décorations! Wishing you all the best for 2020.
Claire
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March 27, 2020 at 7:10 pm
Hi 😊 I’m sorry, I’ve only just seen your message! I hope you and your family are well, stay safe 💜
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February 15, 2021 at 5:08 pm
Hi Claire! I just wanted to say thank you so much for the sweet blackwork gift tag – it really uplifted my day 😊💕 Hopefully 2021 brings back a normal world! All the best
Storm
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