Tamiko Rollings of PinoyStitch Cross Stitch designs bases her charts on the paintings of individual artists, saying "I merely interpret their artwork into a format that is accessible to cross stitchers remaining faithful to the original artwork."

Tamiko is offering a free pattern to all readers of About.com Cross Stitch. No purchase necessary, no sign-up to anything required. To learn more about Tamiko's designs and to find out how to download the free pattern (depicted here), read the profile of PinoyStitch. Many thanks to Tamiko for providing this exclusive chart for us.

Those of you who are looking for challenging patterns should be happy with this one! If you stitch the design, be sure to share photos with us. We love to see what you are working on!

More on PinoyStitch and how to download the free pattern. The chart is in pdf format.

As I developed my stitching skills over the years, I was always a little hesitant about trying new stitches. After all, I had mastered the basic stitches used in Cross Stitch.
After all, I had mastered the basic stitches used in Cross Stitch. I was wary of trying out specialty stitches due to some bad experiences with hand embroidery.

I have a hard time making embroidery stitched look the way they are "supposed" to look.

And as most of you already know, I still fake French knots if possible. I finally mastered them after a LOT of practice, however.

Once I tried my first Cross Stitch variation, I was hooked. The grid provided by Cross Stitch fabric makes it simple to reproduce even the most complicated variations.

Now I am constantly on the look out for new stitches to try. I also enjoy adding stitches from other embroidery disciplines to my designs and projects.

The image at right shows the free Mini Heart C pattern stitched with laced cross stitch (top) and regular cross stitch (bottom). The laced cross stitch produces a stitch that is slightly raised, giving a little texture to your stitching projects.

Suggested Practice Patterns - Replace some or all of the cross stitches in these designs to create a unique design.

• Mini Heart A
• Mini Heart B
• Mini Heart C
• Acorns Away
• Rose Window

Find out when new tutorials and free patterns are added to About.com Cross Stitch. Sign up for the FREE newsletter.

I have added a number of new photos to the About.com Cross Stitch Photo Album. I have more to add - thanks to all of you who have sent them in - but here are the latest additions. If your photo is not listed here, it is coming soon.

• Nine Square Back Stitch Model Submitted by Veronique
• Romance Bookmark Submitted by Patricia
• Christmas Medallion Submitted by Marty
• Swan Project Submitted by Patricia
• Floral Bookmark Submitted by Patricia
• Wedding Anniversary Project Submitted by Marty

I am also working on posting tip submissions. Y'all have been keeping me busy! I still have some more of those to add as well, but here are two recently added entries.

• Paula's Tip on Starting Two Floss Strands
• Carla's Floss Storage Tip

More on Submissions:

• Submit a Cross Stitch Tip
• About.com Cross Stitch Member Submitted Tips
• Submission Guidelines for Photos
• Photo Submission Form
• About.com Cross Stitch Photo Album

Recently I did something unusual for me. I purchased a downloadable pattern online. I have downloaded free patterns from many sites, but I had never purchased one. Even though I write for the internet, I rarely shop online. I usually like to see things before I purchase them and I used to be very skeptical about the security of sites. Since advances have been made and because I found two patterns I really wanted. Badly. So I said, "Honey, can I borrow your credit card?"

I told my DH that I was getting the patterns to make for my sister-in-law, and I will, but I want to make them for myself too. He totally busted me when he saw them. They are stitched versions of blue willow plates. I have been a fan of blue transfer-ware since I was young. My grandmother had one bowl - it was a cheap knock off, but it was still pretty. I have a small set of a modern version of the plates. My sister-in-law, on the other hand, has a huge collection. So many lovely pieces. I love looking at them when I visit her.

Back to the topic of downloadable patterns though. Do you purchase them? Vote in the poll and let us know. What has been your experience? Do you prefer professionally printed charts to printing your own? What about the prices? What are you willing to pay? Let us know more about your opinion by using the comments section below.