Picture It in Cross Stitch

Jo Verso was one of my favorite designers. When she wrote a book for beginners, you could rest assured that you would be able to understand and follow her directions even if you'd never picked up a needle and aida or linen. I was devastated to hear that she'd been killed in an auto accident a few years ago. What a true loss to the stitching world!

Every cross-stitcher should have this! It's a collection of small bits that can be combined, along with ideas on design.Any hobbies your friends or family members have, you can find examples of here. I have made several wedding samplers by combining interests of the bride and groom. Any kind of pet at all - including snakes, goldfish, guinea pigs, and parakeets. Gilbert and Sullivan characters, and other drama motifs. People in general - examples of males and females, boys and girls, elderly people, people in wheelchairs, people with every kind of professional equipment you can think of. Classical music motifs, musical instruments. Different kinds of windows, doors, walls, and roofs so you can do a house that looks like yours, or the person's you are making the sampler for. Every kind of flower and vegetable commonly grown in home gardens. All the woodland creatures, trees, etc. for surrounding scenery. Flags for many nationalities. An astronaut.Are you getting an idea of the variety in this book? I haven't mentioned a tenth of it!!Some of the examples of samplers include ones she made for Prince Charles' and Diana's wedding; one for an elaborate garden with the appropriate quote from "Candide," several house-based samplers, and sample birthday and anniversary cards.Grandfather clocks, peach-faced lovebirds, bee hives, violins, and oak leaves are among my favorites, that I have used in more than one piece.Warning: once you buy this book, you will have so many ideas, you won't get anything else done for a while. If you get started right this very minute, you might even finish them all before the NEXT century!!

This book is a wonderful reference. It will help anyone wanting to learn how to design and stitch cross-stitch. It goes from basic reference and teaching to relatively advanced design ideas. Jo Verso writes in a friendly, accessible style, as if you had a good friend sitting at your elbow, helping you along. The illustrations are clear and will help you see the mistakes in your stitching, to correct them and become better. The design ideas will encourage you even further than you thought you could go! I have designed several personalized samplers and designs for family and friends based on this book. Along with Erica Wilson's books, this is indispensible for any needleworker; unfortunately, many of Miss Wilson's books are out of print, but this one's not!

This book is a must for avid cross stitchers. I have had it on my shelf for almost six years and refer to it very frequently. I stitch a lot of personal projects for family and friends. This book has so many great templates from professions to animals to borders. I couldn't do without it. - D. Minter