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This website is about making your life more creative with ideas for cross stitch charts, some that are free and some that are for sale through distributors or your favorite needlework shop. I also have ideas for papercrafting and some free designs to paint or bead.

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About Counted Cross Stitch

For many people, cross stitch is relaxing. It is easy to make it into a little kit that you can take with you and pull out to work on while you wait for appointments, or while on vacation. I have emergency kits in my car dash, briefcase, and almost every room in the house. I like to create patterns that are easy to complete so the beginner can feel the satisfaction of accomplishment.

Cloth:

There are so many fabrics to work on. Linen is beautiful and comes in almost every color you can think of. Wichelt has so many beautiful fabrics and are always coming out with more. If you are a beginner, working with Aida is easier. Perforated paper is also easy and fun. It is especially good to work on if you are going to combine stitching with papercrafting.

Threads:

DMC thread from France is the most available, and just about every chart has at least a DMC conversion. They have a wide selection of colors. I absolutely love hand overdyed threads from a wonderful company in Ohio called The Gentle Art. The subtle variation in color makes the coolest shading. They are always creating amazing new colors. Krenick thread makes different sizes of thread. Many of them are sparkly and add life to stitchery projects.

Beads:

Many of my projects use beads. I prefer Mill Hill Beads. I like to use them where someone might otherwise use French knots, since French knots can be like a groundhog, seeing it's shadow and dipping back under the fabric.

About Me

I am a person who loves to create things. I have since I can remember. I began my life with crafts, drawing on the walls, making doll clothes, making my own paper dolls, making things with bark, twigs and moss. I also fell in love with colors, officially in kindergarten when I was coloring in a Cinderella coloring book using Maroon. Every few years I fall in love with a new color and begin using in in my designs.

I began taking decorative painting lessons when I was 12, and painted with oil, acrylics and watercolor for fun since then. Having done counted cross stitch since about 16 when my sister taught me how, I began designing my own pieces about 20 years ago. My most recent adventure has been in beading. I am a beginner but I love the feel and look of the beads. I like making Christmas ornaments and letting the light shine through the back.

My day job (and my major purpose in life, as far as I know) is as a psychotherapist. I believe that part of healing and wholeness is creativity. Everyone needs to have some place in their life where they create. Many of my projects are very easy so you are not too discouraged if you are a beginner. At any rate, CREATE! Make stuff! Have fun! Do it with friends!

My card making designs are relatively simple. I think it is because when I was young and a craft project was in front of me I went rabid and maniacally stuck everything I could get my hands on to my project. Did you know you can get 4,000 macaronis on a plate? It looked like the Dollar store exploded. So, maybe my minimalist bent is to compensate for this.

One thing we humans need to have good mental health is time with others--playing. Paper crafting is playing. Cross stitching with others is playing. Painting with others is playing. About four times a year I have a "stamp camp" for my friends where we make cards and tags. Somehow it got renamed "tramp camp" but that's ok (maybe because of my scavenging, at least I hope so). We have fun. We also have "art night" several times a year. This year we painted old fence posts I couldn't bear to throw away when we got a new fence. I have even had large groups of people learn to make cards and tags. One of our local rotary clubs have spent several meetings over the years creating cards and tags.

Stitching is especially fun with friends. Here is a dear friend, helping me stitch a table runner for a magazine article.

Another friend of mine says, "You know if Frony hates you. She sends you a store bought card." Making cards and tags is an act of love. Today I look at the news and see so many people acting out hate. I want, for my part, to act out love. Making something for someone is an act of love. If I can foster that for others by offering these designs, I am very happy.

If you want to see more Frony Ritter Designs

Here is a list (not complete because I know I forgot a few) of my published work. If you are interested you can buy back issues of magazines and books on the internet somewhere.

Painting:

Magazines:

  • "Art Pouches," The Decorative Painted, Issue I, 2003, pages 77-79.
  • "Butterfly Basket Purse," Let's Paint, Vol XIII, 1995, page 27.
  • " Wreath of Forest Roses," The Decorative Painter, Issue 2, Vol. XX, 1992, Cover Piece.

Books:

  • Eggs for All Seasons, Vol III, Viking Folk Art, 1997.
  • Keepsake Tins Volume I, Provo Craft, 1994, one of six contributing artists.
  • Frosty Christmas Memories, The Artist's Club, 1994.
  • Eggs for All Seasons, Vol II, Viking Folk Art, 1994.
  • Check Mates, The Artist's Club, 1994.
  • "Eggs"etera, The Artist's Club, 1994.
  • Easter Eggs: A Classic Collection Returns, The Artist's Club, 1994.
  • Eggs for All Seasons, Vol I, Viking Folk Art, 1992.
  • A Victorian Painted Garden, Frony's Publishing, 1991.
  • Easter Eggs: A Classic Collection of Spring Designs, 1990.
  • Paint 'N Foil, Frony's Publishing, 1989.
  • Spring Flowers, Frony's Publishing, 1988.

Counted Cross Stitch:

  • "Gently Drifing", February 2020 issue of Just Cross Stitch.
  • "Snow Day", December 2019 issue of Just Cross Stitch.
  • "Holiday Cocktails," 2019 A Cross-Stitch Christmas book from Craftways Publishing.
  • "Flower Quilt Square", 2019 Special Holiday Issue of Just Cross Stitch.
  • "Cape Cod Fireworks" and "Star Quilt Block", 2019 August issue of Just Cross Stitch.
  • "Sweet and Scary Cupcakes", 2018 Special Halloween Collector's Issue, Just Cross Stitch.
  • "Halloween Wine Charms", 2018 Special Halloween Collector's Issue, Just Cross Stitch.
  • "Haunt and Taunt", 2018 Special Halloween Collector's Issue, Just Cross Stitch.
  • "Flying Santa:, Just Cross Stitch, December 2017.
  • "Joyous Angels", 2017 Special Holiday Issue Just Cross Stitch.
  • "Scary Laundry", "Boo a Latte" and "Haunted Tweet Street", Just Cross Stitch, 2017 Halloween Special Collector's Issue.
  • "Luck O'the Irish", Just Cross Stitch, April 2017.
  • "Good Luck Always", Just Cross Stitch, April 2017.
  • "Celtic Pincushion", Just Cross Stitch, February 2017.
  • "Valentine Sentiments", Just Cross Stitch, February 2017.
  • "Christmas Coin Purse", Just Cross Stitch, December 2016.
  • "Baby's First Christmas", Just Cross Stitch 2016, Special Holiday Issue.
  • "Halloween Magic", Just Cross Stitch, 2016 Halloween Special Collector's Issue.
  • "Accessorize", Just Cross Stitch, 2016 Halloween Special Collector's Issue.
  • "Nuts for You", Just Cross Stitch, 2016 October Issue.
  • "Love Always", Just Cross Stitch, 2016 October Issue.
  • "Snowman Sled", Just Cross Stitch 2015 Special Holiday Issue.
  • "Witching you were Here", Just Cross Stitch, Halloween Issue, 2015.
  • "Autumn Nights", Just Cross Stitch, Halloween Issue, 2015.
  • "Christmas Bell", Just Cross Stitch, Christmas Issue, 2014.
  • "Cauldrons", Just Cross Stitch, Fall Issue, 2014.
  • "Spider Sampler", Just Cross Stitch Halloween Issue, 2014.
  • "Under the Sea" Pocket Necklace, Crafts 'n Things Weekly, July 17, 2013.
  • "Baby Tag" Jill Oxton's Cross Stitch and Beading, Issue 88, March 2013
  • "Floral Sachets", Crafts N Things, April 2012, Pages 64-66.
  • "Mini Christmas Pockets", Crafts N Things, December 2011, pages 44-45.
  • "Happy Halloween Bags" , Crafts N Things, October 2011, pages 42-43.
  • "Thanksgiving Sampler", The Cross Stitcher, October 2009, cover piece.
  • "Patriotic Pockets", The Cross Stitcher, August 2009, pages 38-39.
  • "Chick Pocket", The Cross Stitcher, April 2009, pages 28-29.
  • "Love and Joy Stocking Ornaments", The Cross Stitcher, December 2008, pages 32-33.
  • "Apple Pouch", Cross Stitch & Beading, Issue 74, April 2008, page 39.
  • "Three Crosses" Egg, Cross Stitch & Beading, Issue 71, July 2007, page 42.
  • "Chapel" Egg, Cross Stitch & Beading, Issue 71, July 2007, page 43.
  • "Rabbit" Egg, Cross Stitch & Beading, Issue 69, January 2007, page 28.
  • "Chicks" Egg, Cross Stitch & Beading, Issue 69, January 2007, page 49.
  • "Madonna and Child", The Cross Stitcher, December 2006.
  • "Love You Tree", Cross Stitch & Beading, Issue 68, October 2006, page 51.
  • "Cardinals Decorating Snowman", The Cross Stitcher, August 2003, page 14.
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