In a previous blog post, we showcased Colour #69, which is a beautiful colour blend.  It combines the depth of red violet and the richness of deep purple.  We wanted to highlight this colour palette with a stitched needlepoint sample that showcases how dynamic this colour combination can be.

We could have easily explored a palette filled with various shades of pinks and purples, but decided to take a slightly different approach.  In this sample, our goal was to create a palette that harmoniously blends colours while offering an unexpected touch of contrast.

What Colours Did We Use For This Violet-Inspired Palette

• Colour #3
• Colour #44
• Colour #69
• Colour #191

Our colour selection was thoughtfully curated to evoke a sense of balance and cohesiveness. Knowing that purple and yellow are complementary colours, we incorporated Colour #191, a bright blend of yellows, golden tans, and bronze. This blend of warm tones complements the core red violet and purple hues. Additionally, Colour #3, with its mix of pink, orange, and green, was deliberately chosen to emphasize the red-violet tones present in Colour #69.

Our sample measures 2 ½ inches on 18-count mono canvas, BUT you can stitch this any size you wish. Back in 2021 we offered several mini samplers, including patterns, which is one of the samplers. A download PDF for the pattern is available complimentary on the Colour Complements website.  

All these colours are available in the shop. Take a look, and you just may find more while you visit.

The post Violet Inspired Colour Palette appeared first on Colour Complements.

While it is currently winter here on the west coast, we are eagerly anticipating the arrival of Spring so we have created this bright and beautiful spring colour palette!

Our needlepoint sample today demonstrates how our feature colour this month, Colour #72 looks when combined with a spring palette of gorgeous vibrant colours.

Colour #72 is a blend of light values of coral and pink. The sample is stitched with many of the colours from our spring 2021 collection which are itemized below. This is a gorgeous palette of colours that I could easily see used to stitch a larger design.

Its soft shade makes it quite a versatile colour to use on virtually any project.

How This Spring Colour Palette was Created

There is no pattern as stitches were randomly chosen. Dominique made it up as she stitched but it includes stitches such as Smyrna cross, scotch stitch, diagonal pattern and Rhodes stitches. The design measures 3 ¼ inches on an 18-count mono canvas. 

What Colours Were Used To Complete This Design

• Colour #70
• Colour #71
• Colour #72
• Colour #73
• Colour #46
• Colour #66

The post Spring Colour Palette appeared first on Colour Complements.

Our needlepoint sample today showcases a beautiful brown needlepoint pattern. Brown is one of two colours I’m featuring this month. Brown is such a beautiful, organic and earthy shade.

As I mentioned previously, I think brown can look beautiful depending on the colours you surround it with. It’s a great neutral shade that can be blended into any project, especially ones inspired by nature.  

Our sample today is combines elements of two different patterns. One pattern is featured in the September/October 2020 issue of Needlepoint Now. It is designed by Canadian designer Carolyn Mitchell Designs. The pattern is a cruise pocket but we have modified it as a 3 ½ inch sample stitched on 18 count mono canvas.

Dominique stitched the central part of the design and added borders from Margaret Bendig’s Express Kimono pattern. This is a great example of combining stitches from different patterns.

More About This Brown Needlepoint Sample

The following colours are featured in the sample, all in size 5 perle cotton

• Colour #35 – brown and green
• Colour #57 – brown
• Colour #55 – greens
• Colour #66 – orange
• DMC 30, 154

So, what do you think of the brown needlepoint in the sample? Do you like it?

I think Colour #35 which is a brown and green blend looks beautiful next to Colour #55 which is a blend of greens.

Have we inspired you to start stitching?

The post Brown Needlepoint appeared first on Colour Complements.

Our last turquoise needlepoint sample this month features a third colour variation, different from the previous samples we shared over the last several weeks. In this variation Colour #45 is used in the lower right and upper left accented with Colour #46. A solid turquoise floss was used in the upper right accented with beads and Colour #33 was used in the lower left.

This particular colour variation is not as bold and darker than the others I have showcased in the previous posts we shared. 

Each of the samples we’ve showcased this month are a small section of a pattern designed by Debbie Rowley called Spring 9 Patch. You will find the pattern in the March/April 2021 issue of Needlepoint Now.

What Colours Were Used In This Colour Variation

All three samples are stitched on 18 count mono canvas using 3 strands of cotton floss. The overall design measure 6 inches square but our samples are only 2 ½ inches.

 Each of the samples features three colours:

• Colour #33
• Colour #45
• Colour #46

And there you have it!  Three different samples featuring various changes utilizing one palette but alternating colour placements.   I hope this palette has inspired you to perhaps stitch Spring 9 Patch or start another appealing project!

The post A Different Colour Variation appeared first on Colour Complements.

Last week we featured our first sample and today is our second sample. Once again we are featuring all three colours in our colour series this month. For this sample, we played with a different colour placement from the first sample.

In this particular case, Colour #45 was used in the lower left, Colour #46 in the lower right and Colour #33 in the top two boxes along with a solid turquoise floss.  Beads were added to the top right box as an accent.

I discussed in my blog post last week that each of the samples I’m featuring this month is a small section of a pattern designed by Debbie Rowley called Spring 9 Patch.

You will find the pattern in the March/April 2021 issue of Needlepoint Now.

What Colours We Used For This Version Of The Colour Placement

All three samples are stitched on 18 count mono canvas using 3 strands of cotton floss. The overall design measure 6 inches square but our samples are only 2 ½ inches.

 Each of the samples features three colours

• Colour #33
• Colour #45
• Colour #46

The colour is subtle in the sample above demonstrating how different colour placement can offer unique results. 

Stay tuned for the last sample in this series next week!

The post Colour Placement appeared first on Colour Complements.

Over the next several weeks I will be sharing three needlepoint samples featuring a beautiful turquoise needlepoint pattern! Turquoise is one of my favourite colours to use in my stitching. So much so, I used it for my Autumn Kaleidoscope. 

Each of the samples is a small section of a larger pattern designed by Debbie Rowley called Spring 9 Patch. You will find the pattern in the March/April 2021 issue of Needlepoint Now.

There are unique variations for each, but you can hardly notice as they all come together using the same palette of colours!

Details Of This Turquoise Needlepoint Pattern

All three samples are stitched on an 18-count mono canvas using 3 strands of cotton floss. The overall design measure 6-inches square, but our samples are only 2 ½ inches.

 Each of the samples features three colours

• Colour #33
• Colour #45
• Colour #46

In our first sample above, you will note that Colour #46 is used in the upper right and repeated in the lower left. Colour #33 is a gorgeous brilliant blend of blues and turquoise blues shown in the lower right and upper left. Lastly, we added a few beads for some bling. Not a whole ton, but enough to give this particular pattern that WOW-factor!

As mentioned, we will be featuring more variations of this needlepoint pattern throughout the next several weeks. Stay tuned for our next post! 

The post Turquoise Pattern appeared first on Colour Complements.

Today’s stitch sampler is proof that you CAN in fact use copper threads without overdoing it with the pattern.

Earlier this year, we featured a pattern entitled, Asymmetrical Copper designed by Jeff Kulick. The pattern was published in the November/December issue of Needle Pointers available as a member of the American Needlepoint Guild.

The original design was stitched in an autumn palette of colours with the addition of lime green and blue but the sample today is stitched with a selection of spring colours featured in our spring collection. We have also added one of our yellow feature colours this month, Colour #30. You can find the previous stitched sample in this blog post.

We used several of the stitches in the original design including the framed scotch, slanted Gobelin and scotch stitch. We substituted a giant rice stitch in the centre instead of the original scotch stitch. This is another example of using a design but switching it up a bit.

How we used metallic & copper threads in this design

The sample today measures 2 ¾ inches on an 18-count mono canvas. Size 5 Perle cotton was used in the following colours:

• Colour #30
• Colour #78
• Colour #79
• Colour #175
• Copper metallic of choice

As you can see from the design, when you incorporate metallic colours to an already existing colourful palette, the end result is spectacular! The metallic accents provide that extra hint of glimmer without going completely over-the-top with the end result.

Keep your eyes peeled on our blog for another sample of this design!

The post Copper Threads appeared first on Colour Complements.

Let’s talk about some fall-themed stitching today.

After the heat of the summer, I always look forward to the cooler temperatures autumn brings.  It is my favourite time of year – sunny warm days and cool nights AND the stunning colours! 

Sadly here on the West Coast of Canada, we seldom experience the beautiful fall colours those of many of you on the East Coast do.  While we tend to think of the warmer colours of turning leaves – yellows, oranges and browns, I wanted to share a slightly different colour scheme for Fall.

This needlepoint sample features blue, green and brown highlighting a cooler palette. One that is reminiscent of coastal Autumn days we get on the West Coast!

Here Are More Details Around This Fall-Themed Stitching Pattern

The sample is stitched on 18 count canvas and measures about 4-inches square. I used the following colour palette to create a more neutral, cooler effect:

• Colour 62 which has since been discontinued. Try substituting Colour 175
• Colour 57
• Colour 18

My apologies to the designer, but I am unable to provide either a link or recognition for the above pattern as we do not recall where we located this design. If this pattern looks familiar to you, I’d love to know!

I hope this colour palette and design gives you permission to think unconventionally about traditional seasonal colours. Let your surroundings inspire you to go beyond the beautiful bold oranges and experiment with using different shades!

Wishing all my Canadian friends and customers a Happy Thanksgiving!

The post Fall Stitching appeared first on Colour Complements.

Today, my stitch sample is Colour #71.

If you subscribe to my blog and receive email notifications of my posts, you may encounter difficulties viewing the video above. If so, please visit the link at the bottom of your email – the link will take you directly to this blog post.

Colour #71 is one of the colours I introduced in my new spring collection.  It is a lovely blend of mint green and aqua. 

The sample is stitched on 18 count mono canvas in the video in a size 5 perle cotton.  The stitch is an upright beaty.  You will find this stitch in Volume 2 of the Stitches books on page 108.  There are five volumes of the Stitches books by Ruth Schmuff and Kathy Holicky which are great reference books.  I would recommend that you add these to your library.

I stitch these samples for my personal stitch library but I hope they will allow you to “see” how the colours blend and the appearance of the colour variations when stitched.  Yes, I am continuing to stitch video samples for each colour I sell but it is taking quite awhile!

I hope you enjoy the video. 

As it is the upcoming Easter weekend, I will be taking a short break from blogging returning on Wednesday April 7th! The shop remains open.

The post Stitch Sample #71 appeared first on Colour Complements.

Today is my sparkle finale! 

Earlier this week I shared two samples of sparkle which is a pattern designed by Terry Dryden.

The sample today features only one of the elements of Terry’s original design, the medallion flower band.  This time the center section is rows of cashmere stitches in colour #71 accented with DMC colour #435 (tan).  The medallion flower band borders is stitched in colour #73 (turquoise/aqua) and accented with colour #18 which is a dark green

If you want to stitch this, what colours are required?

• 18, 71 and 73 in size 5 perle cotton
• DMC #435

If you are looking for the pattern you will find it in the July/August 2020 edition of Needlepointers.

Needlepointers is the official publication of the American Needlepoint Guild.  It is published six times annually and subscriptions are through membership in the guild.  The focus of the magazine is the art of needlepoint including educational articles, projects, charted designs, painted canvas stitch guides, book and video review and local chapter news and events.  You can visit the ANG website for more information.

I hope we have provided you with some ideas this week demonstrating how to take one element of a pattern and come up with something quite different!

Thank you Terry for a beautiful design and to Dominique for stitching these samples. 

More samples featuring my spring collection next week so stay tuned.

The post Sparkle Finale appeared first on Colour Complements.