Queen Elizabeth I was the first to receive a book marker as a gift at the end of the 16th century, during a time when books were so valuable that harming the pages of a book, was considered a very bad thing to do. It was during the 1850s that detachable book markers began to appear, eventually being called the bookmarker (or bookmark) in modern times.
These first bookmakers were made from silk, cross stitch, or made with embroidered fabrics, while eventually other materials, such as paper, were used after the 1880s. Today, bookmarkers can be found anywhere in the thousands, and patterns for their design fill the Internet to the brim.
Behavior that we take for granted, such as lying books face down on a table or turning down page ears to mark selected sections, were not acceptable in these days. Writing in books was not accepted either, so the bookmarker was eventually developed to protect these valuable assets.
To this day, my mother will not write in any of her books or magazines, frowning at me and almost shuddering when she sees me do so. When I purchase a book, I "work" the book - not just read it. I tell her, Ahem... it makes no difference at all.
Some of my favorite gifts are bookmarkers that have been cross-stitch designed from my grandchildren or nieces and nephews. They are simple, small, and are tremendous in quality and value.
They are excellent projects for children to start with, as they are small in size, and their attention doesn't wander while doing them. And they make excellent small gifts for the person who has everything and you don't know what to get them. Small gifts are not necessarily insignificant, only small in size. The work that goes into them adds meaning and quality.
Some simple instructions in for bookmark preparation can be changed into any design along with any color or type of thread:
When making the bookmark, make sure the bookmark material is either a blank Aida fabric or one with a pattern on it, such as one in a kit. Be aware these come in plain or lacy borders, since they are for cross-stitch or embroidery.
If you did not buy the bookmark fabric in a kit, make sure you have a design in mind that fits the occasion. You can get many ideas online, which can be transferred onto your fabric after being downloaded.
Always keep your bookmark designs simple and use every bit of space accurately, even if you have to reduce the size to fit. Keep an eye on the border, unless you want your design to float off the edge.
When choosing project thread, use embroidery floss and an embroidery needle.
If you have a kit, and don't like the colors in it, you can change them by purchasing colors of your own. Use the kit's original colors for something else.
Check online how to reduce or enlarge your design, if not using a kit. The actual design area should be from the center of the design and going outward.
Be neat at all times, trimming any excess threads that are hanging around.
A growing number of websites offer a service that transfers photographs onto patterns for items such as pets or children, or pretty well any subject you choose.
Ask if they will reduce a small photograph of your own to fit onto the marker, perhaps combined with one of your favorite sayings. Of course you may choose to use one of your favorite sayings on its own - it's your design and your choice.
The Celts were nomads and warriors who did not leave any part of Europe untouched with their influence. They are also associated with embroidery, patterns, myths, poetry, designs and all sorts of creativity. Thus you will find the Celtic designs in almost every country's culture - be it French or Turkish, English or Spanish, Irish or Italians. The Celtic predominance is evident in their needlework, tattoos, draperies and jewelry.
The bold Celts were as famous for their handiwork as they were for their combatant nature. They are renowned for their innovative ideas and decorative possessions. You will find Celtic patterns over their clothes, their armory, utensils, jewelry, vessels and swords also. Their walls were decorated with similar patterns. They even had their bodies tattooed with these designs. You will find that their ornaments had patterns of creatures that were part of their myths and stories as they were believers of mysticism.
What is Celtic Cross Stitching?
The Celtic cross stitching pattern is very simple, yet a very elegant style of embroidery. The Celtic cross stitch is perhaps one of the prehistoric patterns that still widely popular. You can find a mixture of amazing deep and light colors giving shape to some exquisite designs. The quintessential Celtic cross stitch patterns are those that have classic over cut designs which have geometric patterns, spirals or interwoven patterns, the use of knots, animal figures and alphabets with animal symbols.
You can find these patterns in cushion covers, bedspreads, table mats and all daily items. You could use these patterns to make armbands with alphabets and use animal patterns for your headgear.
Celtic Cross Stitching Is Simple And Can Be Done By Anyone
Celtic cross stitch patterns are very bold and lively and extremely easy to follow. Once you learn the ropes with the easy patterns you can go on to make some magnificent pieces of your own by trying some complicated patterns. The Celtic knots are one of the best patterns that you could try with. You can find various kits with all the necessary accessories to help you in this venture. Some of the kits come with frames as well. So you can start you Celtic cross stitching journey and frame it up for display as well.
Fabrics Suitable for Celtic Cross Stitching
Aida is a good option for beginners as this is 100 percent cotton fabric. It is a good option for those with weak eyesight as well since the pores in this fabric are large. You can also use linen which is as popular as Aida. In Linen however the pores are more comparatively which could pose a problem for novices. Among the varieties of linen Jobelan is a mixture of cotton and modal which is easier to handle. Zweigart Linda is another variety which has a mixture of cotton and synthetic which gives the fabric longevity. Belfast and Cashel linens are extremely soft to use. However, you could also use stitching paper which is normally given to kids which are punctured or punched. The stitching paper can be folded or twisted and excellent for making book marks and file covers.
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