| The designs of Africa have a totally unique look | | | | designed several cross-stitch hardback books with |
| about them, and are not typical of other designs. | | | | Africa in mind. One is entitled, "Cross Stitch Animal |
| Their patterns are not simply "another piece of | | | | Collection" which has the Safari Collection in it, plus |
| material with art designed on it", but are made | | | | many other animals. |
| and designed with the love of Africa always in | | | | The book has the basic techniques needed to |
| mind. The people of Africa trust in their inner | | | | complete each picture in the book for cross-stitch |
| knowledge and fundamental beliefs, and their | | | | design, along with many project ideas. Her |
| history is never forgotten as is clearly shown by | | | | watercolor illustrations and colored photographs |
| their fabulous designs. | | | | add to the 128 pages of cross-stitch design |
| The material and textiles are designed with their | | | | information. She also has a book entitled, "Cross |
| attitudes and behaviors toward all, which is | | | | Stitch Collection Tigers" and "Cross Stitch |
| believed to be sacred. Added to their work is the | | | | Collection on Safari". The website Alibris, has the |
| recognition of their country and society, not only | | | | Safari book in a large range of prices, with the |
| by themselves, but also of others. Cloths in other | | | | low price of $5.60 from Dave and Charles |
| African regions represent their aesthetic quality, | | | | Publishing as its low bid. |
| symbolism of the regions culture, or individual | | | | has a price of $9.59 on it. If you plan on having a |
| responsibility. | | | | cross-stitching resource library, such as some of |
| The quality that is expressed within the African | | | | the books listed above, make sure it is the one |
| look and feel is demonstrated in their culture and | | | | you want. Check it out, read the reviews and |
| their material, created by their own people. And it | | | | comments. Look at some of the designs if |
| is onto this cloth that cross-stitch weaves its | | | | possible. And then purchase the book for your |
| powerful communication with those who feel this | | | | own library. |
| metaphor. | | | | Another item I ran across in regard to Africa |
| The warm and vivid colors of Africa's sunrises | | | | cross-stitch was on one of our favorite websites, |
| and sunsets are interwoven with its folklore and | | | | good ol' Ebay. The seller, happy_paws_haven, has |
| customs, and are impossible to separate from | | | | a beautiful African cross-stitch pattern for $8.00 |
| one another. | | | | plus $2.00 shipping. The money from these |
| An excellent resource book to use in regard to | | | | patterns is for a rescue animal site for Happy |
| Africa colors and designs, if you are not using a | | | | Paws Haven, so you may want to check it out |
| pre-designed kit, is "The African Cross Stitch | | | | online. The pattern is one of a group of African |
| Collection" by Trish Burr, which is for embroidery | | | | animals in a headshot with beautiful "Africa" |
| work but the projects in it are bright and vivid, | | | | lettering below. |
| letting you see how the colors work together, | | | | It is nice work and comes on a CD, with the |
| with folklore African stories bringing the work to | | | | pattern being on 16 letter size sheets. Included |
| the very heart. The designs vary from easy to | | | | are a color key, DMC floss usage summary, and |
| more challenging. | | | | a finished color picture of the pattern in virtual |
| An alphabet and motif library is included in the | | | | stitches. This pattern can be used in 18, 20, 22, |
| resource book, which costs approximately | | | | 28, etc. size fabric, with a stitch count of 280 x |
| US$17.95/UK/£10/Canada$2 3.95. The | | | | 355. |
| publisher, Powell.com, has some used copies | | | | In summing up this marvelous topic, be assured |
| beginning at $9.95 if you are interested in them, | | | | you can spend a lifetime researching traditional |
| or some used copies from Amazon.com, has an | | | | African patterns and being enthralled by the many |
| average price of $11.95 each. | | | | striking images of that magnificent continent so |
| If you are interested in the African animal | | | | beautifully captured in its cross-stitch designs |
| cross-stitch designs, Janye Netley Mayhew has | | | | without ever tiring of its sheer fascination. |