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