In my previous post, I mentioned that I had purchased and downloaded a PDF file from Artecy, consisting of charts for nine Blackwork Christmas Motifs. After studying the designs, I found myself thinking that it would be great if I could find some software, which would enable me to experiment with different shades of metallic thread. My reasoning was that this would enable me to get a rough idea of what the designs would look like, before I committed myself to stitching anything, and used up valuable stitching supplies.
In the past, I have downloaded evaluation versions of cross-stitching software, and although good, they haven’t included a palette for metallic threads, which on this occasion was what I wanted. As luck would have it, I stumbled across a website for StitchCraft. The StitchCraft software is available to purchase in three formats (Home Edition - £95), Designer Edition - £496, and Publisher Edition - £1,548). Each version of the software allows the user to save charts as a PDF file, and includes a palette for metallic threads, from the DMC Light Effects range. Needless to say, I wasted no time in downloading an evaluation version of the software, and was suitably impressed. It’s just a shame that in order to purchase the Home Edition (never mind the other two editions), I would need to rob a bank, or else find myself a wealthy, generous boyfriend!
During the course of last night, and the early hours of this morning, I was in my element experimenting with the software. As with most evaluation software, I was unable to save my work, but I was able to take screenshots, which I then cropped.
On the chart for the images below, the design was stitched using 1 strand of DMC 498 (red), on white Aida. Using the evaluation software, this is what I came up with.
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| Metallic Black and Metallic Gold |
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| Metallic Blue and Metallic Silver |
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| Metallic Pink (NOT from the DMC Light Effects range) and Metallic Silver |
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| Metallic Purple and Metallic Silver |
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| Metallic Red, Metallic Gold, and Metallic Silver |
On the chart for the two images below, the design was stitched on white Aida, again using 1 strand of DMC 498 (red). In addition, the ribbon wasn’t filled, so I thought it would be good to see what it would look like if filled with cross-stitches, and fractional cross-stitches.
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| Metallic Purple and Metallic Silver |
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| Metallic Red and Metallic Gold |
Finally, on the chart for the bell below, the design was stitched using 1 strand of DMC 699 (green), on white Aida. The hook on the bell wasn’t filled, neither was the clapper (the bulbous part, at the bottom of the bell).
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| Metallic Gold and Metallic Silver |
5 comments:
Wow! How very neat! What a wonderful idea; I had no idea that there *was* any software out there that can do this! I may just have to join in your bank heist :) My luck at wooing wealthy boyfriends is nil to none, unfortunately, LOL!
Aurelia - It seems I need to go back to the drawing board and come up with another plan. You see, I had been thinking that you could find yourself a wealthy boyfriend with an equally wealthy brother (for me), and then we could both purchase the StitchCraft software. Lol.
Oh well, looks like we'll both have to invest in black balaclavas and gloves!!! ;-)
I like your charts - they're very pretty! I particularly like the first one!
Well I still vote for the wealthy boyfriend (please make sure there are two brothers though!) - balaclavas are NOT a good look for me!! ;)
Rainy Day - I particularly like the first one too. It looks even better in the flesh, so to speak. :-)
I just hopped over from Aurelia's blog to check out your review. That is certainly an expensive piece of software!!! Love everyones idea of a rich boyfriend with brothers enough for everyone haha.
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