Watercolor Wonders

 

NEW THIS WEEK - May 22nd 2013 Re-create the beautiful blending of color that is the hallmark of watercolor painting, with your embroidery machine! To capture the delicate colors of watercolor, we began by painting the birds and flowers. We used those canvases to turn the artful watercolor shading, and subtle color tones into embroidery stitches. The color change sheets for the designs show you the shades to use to achieve this look. There's no special technique required. The bold, beautiful colors of macaws, toucans, peacocks, and flamingoes become even more radiant in a vibrant watercolor style. A hummingbird, dragonfly, and butterflies add their gem tones to the palette. And, the petals of a pansy, tulip, rose, and other flowers are rendered so delicately in the soft shades of watercolors. Put the passion of this process into your projects, with the gorgeous designs below!

We began by painting each subject in watercolor (top), then using the canvas to replicate the effect in thread (bottom).

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Watercolor Birds & Feathers

We began this series by painting each scene in watercolor. Then we used those canvases as models to replicate the beautiful color blending in stitches. The result is truly a work of art. Because the designs use blending and shading to achieve the watercolor look, we recommend a sturdy low-stretch fabric. Faux suede, linen, denim, canvas, chamois, are all excellent choices.

Available in four sizes: 6.96"X11.23" and 5.84"X9.42" and 4.87"X7.83" and 4.27"X6.87"

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Peacock feathers bring grace and elegance to towels, linen skirts, and more. Jewel-toned colors are blended to create an amazingly life-like look. With a watercolor background or without, you'll be proud as a peacock to stitch these fabulous feathers! Separate feather designs can be used on their own, or in conjunction with the bird designs in a larger project.
Available in five sizes: 7.61"X11.77" and 6.96"X10.77" and 5.84"X9.03" and 5.01"X7.76" and 4.42"X6.83"		Available in four sizes: 6.98"X11.09" and 5.83"X9.22" and 4.89"X7.76" and 4.31"X6.83"

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Beginning with watercolor paintings made it possible to create the elegant and lovely use of color you see in the designs below.  An original digitizing technique then brought the shading and blending of watercolor into embroidery, while keeping light and open layers. Let this brilliantly colored Scarlet Macaw land on home decor for a vivid and eye-catching look!

Available in four sizes: 8.60"X11.65" and 7.00"X9.51" and 5.73"X7.76" and 4.85"X6.62"

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Brighten any room with these scarlet macaw feathers. Or, bring a bit of the tropics to beach towels and bags. The watercolor background enhances the vivid colors, while the shapes of the feathers without the background add a lot of appeal.
Available in four sizes: 6.37"X11.72" and 5.11"X9.40" and 4.26"X7.83" and 3.75"X6.89"		Available in four sizes: 4.76"X11.80" and 3.77"X9.44" and 3.10"X7.72" and 2.75"X6.86"

 

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The beautiful pink feathers of the flamingo are reflected in the water below, while the vivid green leaves frame this amazing bird. As popular now as they ever were, flamingos make fabulous additions to towels, totes, and wall hangings!

Available in five sizes: 8.54"X10.41" and 6.99"X8.53" and 6.46"X7.82" and 5.86"X7.04" and 4.84"X5.89"

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The detail in the flamingo feathers below is a sight to behold, with each feather visible in all its glorious color. The feathers with the watercolor background are perfect for adding a splash of color to pillow shams, while the feathers without background make excellent embellishments for bath and beach towels.
Available in four sizes: 8.51"X11.76" and 7.00"X9.69" and 5.88"X8.16" and 4.87"X6.77"		Available in four sizes: 7.00"X10.34" and 5.86"X8.66" and 5.26"X7.80" and 4.63"X6.85"

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Who can stitch a watercolor wonder with an embroidery machine? You can, with this toucan! Extraordinary and delicate color blending make this toucan look like he's about to fly off his branch and onto your next project.

Available in four sizes: 8.59"X9.98" and 6.71"X7.80" and 5.84"X6.75" and 4.84"X5.61"

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Let intricate yet lightly layered toucan feathers flutter onto purses, pant legs, tote bags, and more. Artful shading gives these handsome feathers an almost 3-D look.
Available in four sizes: 6.94"X11.48" and 5.70"X9.46" and 4.70"X7.77" and 4.13"X6.84"		Available in four sizes: 6.62"X11.76" and 5.26"X9.36" and 4.34"X7.80" and 3.82"X6.81"

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A hyacinth macaw perches on a jungle branch, ready to fly onto wall hangings or into framed embroidery. The contrast of his luminescent blue feathers and the greens and golds of the jungle foliage make a stunning combination.

Available in four sizes: 6.96"X11.69" and 5.59"X9.41" and 4.62"X7.82" and 4.09"X6.86"

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Put a feather (or two) in your cap -- and on jacket backs, pant legs, and much more -- with beautiful hyacinth macaw feathers. The brushstroke effect in these designs brings a unique look anywhere you stitch them!
Available in four sizes: 6.97"X11.79" and 5.56"X9.42" and 4.63"X7.83" and 4.09"X6.88"		Available in three sizes: 4.72"X11.69" and 3.82"X9.43" and 3.11"X7.77"

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Bring something extraordinary to your embroidery with a gorgeous quetzal! Highlighted by the subtle watercolor background, and complemented by the fresh green leaves, this bird is as proud as can be, from the feathers of his "crown" to his magnificent tail feathers.

Available in four sizes: 6.44"X11.80" and 5.06"X9.42" and 4.25"X7.76" and 3.72"X6.89"

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Flowing quetzal feathers look as soft in watercolor as they must feel in real life. Their flowing shapes are a natural fit for towels and along the sides of placemats.
Available in four sizes: 6.79"X11.78" and 5.37"X9.38" and 4.49"X7.79" and 3.92"X6.84"		Available in four sizes: 4.20"X11.77" and 3.32"X9.38" and 2.77"X7.78" and 2.45"X6.84"

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A bird of paradise cocks his head as he listens to the sounds of the forest. Frame this awesome bird and add an instant centerpiece to any room.

Available in four sizes: 6.51"X11.79" and 5.22"X9.33" and 4.35"X7.79" and 3.84"X6.85"

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Feather your nest with bird of paradise plumage! Curving, graceful lines add colorful energy to the pant legs, jackets, and e-book cover readers, too.
Available in four sizes: 5.58"X11.72" and 4.50"X9.43" and 3.68"X7.77" and 3.29"X6.89"		Available in four sizes: 5.49"X11.80" and 4.40"X9.40" and 3.65"X7.80" and 3.21"X6.84"

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A hummingbird flirts with a brilliantly-hued flower in a very fresh design for summer totes, pillows, and more.

Available in four sizes: 6.98"X8.56" and 6.42"X7.80" and 5.89"X7.14" and 4.89"X5.96"

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Brighten book and e-book covers with a dragonfly and flower composition. Wings shimmer and petals gleam in this luminescent watercolor-style design.

Available in three sizes: 6.82"X7.83" and 5.80"X6.62" and 4.84"X5.51"

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Butterflies alight on flowers in a lovely design, just right for summer stitching.

Available in three sizes: 6.96"X9.59" and 5.72"X7.80" and 4.84"X6.63"

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Watercolor Birds & Feathers Design Packs
Bird-lovers will delight in the variety of the Watercolor Birds & Feathers Design Packs. A peacock, scarlet macaw, quetzal, toucan, blue-and-gold macaw, flamingo, and bird of paradise are all captured in natural settings. And, a hummingbird, dragonfly, and butterflies flit among fresh flowers. The watercolor effect in all these designs is stunning!
	The designs are available for individual purchase, or get the 24 above in a design pack. The pack with all 24 designs is priced at $49.97. Five sizes are available to suit any project. Click on a link below to see the designs in the pack, and add the pack to your basket. The pack is available in 5 sizes: **XXL - Designs smaller than 8.6"x11.8" **XL - Designs smaller than 7"x11.8" **Lg - Designs smaller than 7.9"x7.9" **Md - Designs smaller than 6"x10" **Sm - Designs smaller than 5"x7"

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Watercolor Garden

Flower arrangements in glass vases and jars are beautiful as centerpieces of wall hangings, and colorful embellishments to pillow cushions. The watercolor shading makes the designs impressionistic, and so natural, all at once.

Available in four sizes: 6.99"X10.83" and 5.88"X9.01" and 5.04"X7.80" and 4.44"X6.84"

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Create stunning gifts with a flower and vase design! Just right for the gardeners in your life.

Available in four sizes: 6.93"X10.63" and 5.86"X8.95" and 5.07"X7.80" and 4.47"X6.85"

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Let your creativity bloom and grow with lovely single flower designs. They add splashes of color to smaller projects, or can be paired with the larger designs as well. A tulip and a pansy bring watercolor beauty wherever you plant them!
Available in three sizes: 4.27"X7.77" and 3.76"X6.85" and 2.12"X3.88"		Available in three sizes: 4.77"X7.80" and 4.18"X6.85" and 2.36"X3.85"

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Delicate freesia buds run along a stem, and a rose blooms with color.
Available in three sizes: 4.99"X7.80" and 4.34"X6.80" and 2.48"X3.85"		Available in three sizes: 4.65"X7.83" and 4.05"X6.81" and 2.51"X3.86"

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Stitch a bit of cheer with a watercolor anemone and daisy. A lovely addition to bath towels!
Available in three sizes: 4.11"X6.97" and 3.16"X5.37" and 2.28"X3.86"		Available in three sizes: 3.70"X7.79" and 3.06"X6.42" and 1.84"X3.85"

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Watercolor Garden Design Packs
Plant a whole garden of beautiful blooms with the Watercolor Garden Design Pack. Subtle shading and delicate colors let you create a fabulous watercolor effect.
	Order the designs individually by clicking the links above, or get the designs in a pack. The top three sizes contain 20 designs, and is priced at $39.97. The small size contains 15 designs, and is priced at $34.97. Click on a link below to see the designs in the pack, and add the pack to your basket. The pack is available in 4 sizes: **XL - Designs smaller than 7"x11.8" **Lg - Designs smaller than 7.9"x7.9" **Md - Designs smaller than 6"x10" **Sm - Designs smaller than 5"x7"

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Add 6 or more regular-priced designs to your basket, and you'll get a 25% discount. Add 12 or more regular-priced designs to your basket, and you'll see a 33% discount! This discount applies to any single, regular-priced designs (not sale designs or packs). The watercolor designs use elegant blending and shading to achieve the watercolor effect. Stitching them onto sturdy, low-stretch fabric will bring excellent results. Faux suede, linen, denim, canvas, chamois, etc. are all good choices. The Fabrics 101 articles are on the HELP page and the Projects page for you to use anytime, day or night!

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Special Request of the Week

Embroidery Library is always inspired by your design suggestions, and we thank you for sending us tons of terrific ideas, which we regularly incorporate into the weekly design themes. This space is dedicated to the "Request of the Week." And to say thank you for all your great ideas, the Request of the Week designs are only $1.00! This week's request comes from Judy in Australia, who wanted to stitch an Australian beach hut, also sometimes called a bathing box. A beach hut is used as a shelter from the elements, and as a place to change clothes and store belongings. With its bright colors and surfboard decorated with symbols from the Australian national flag, this design will add loads of spirit to beach towels and totes. Thank you, Judy, for the great idea. Surf's up!

Only $1.00!

Available in two sizes: 7.40"X5.85" and 6.13"X4.85"

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Free Project Instructions Create a beautiful upholstery cover for a stool  -- either square or rectangular, or round. In just a few steps you can customize the look of any room! Add embroidery you love, and you will truly have a one-of-a-kind addition to home decor. Click here for free project instructions for a round stool, and click here for free project instructions for a square or rectangular stool!

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