Annies - Four Seasons of House-Mouse Cross-Stitch

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All House-Mouse Designs Images Ellen Jareckie, All Rights Reserved by Artist Designs Adapted to Cross Stitch by Sharon Pope

Welcome to the cheerful world of House-Mouse Designs where tiny, charming mice take their playful and inquisitive natures to new heights and bring their own individual characteristics to every situation. Each member of this delightful quintetAmanda, Maxwell, Mudpie, Muzzy and Monicahas a unique personality and fascinating facial expressions. Theirs is a world of play, never-ending snacks and fanciful fun.

These precious furry creatures find themselves soaring through spring, summer, autumn and winter with new and exciting prospects around each corner. Whether reclining in a bowl of colorful jelly beans or in a fresh summertime pea pod, the sweet countenance of each mouse will have you smiling all year long. Falls blustery winds take a trio of friends on a wild adventure, while sweet winter birds serenade Muzzy and Maxwell amidst a peaceful snowfall.

Inside this book, you will find 14 wonderful designs from House-Mouse Designs creator Ellen Jareckie carefully adapted to cross-stitch by Sharon Pope. Every tiny detail is captured lovingly with intricately shaded colors and textured backstitching. We are granted a small glimpse into this magical world as we swing through blooming lilacs, dine on juicy summer raspberries, go trick-or-treating, and take our place at the top of a festive holiday tree. Join us as we journey with them through the four changing seasons of the year in their playful world.

Maxwell is reddish-brown and has a perpetually curled tail. A true prankster, Maxwell loves to play tricks when he can. He truly loves to make others laugh, so Maxwells pranks are harmless and all in good fun.

Monica is gray and has a small body and big feet. She is the tiniest mouse and tends to be sweet, innocent and charming. Being the baby of the group, Monica is a bit spoiled (with love)!

Amanda has fawn-colored fur, and her ears are a bit large. She is the most innovative mouse in the group and is always full of creative energy and ideas. Amanda is also the caretaker in the group.

Muzzy is fuzzy. He is a dark mushroom-gray and has slightly longer hair than his friends. Muzzy is a very curious mouse and loves to investigate anything and everything.

Mudpie has brown fur and a nick in his left ear. His two favorite activities are eating and sleeping. Hes a true mouse potato. He could use a little exercise but isnt likely to begin a fitness routine anytime soon.

Ellen Jareckie was born in Bennington, Vt., in 1959. As a child, she spent much of her spare time drawing. She also kept a variety of pets throughout her childhood, which included a pig named Pipsqueak (who was raised on a bottle), a quail, some lizards and, of course, mice. When Ellen was introduced to her first domesticated mouse, it was love at first sight and the beginning of a lifelong interest, which would eventually lead to the creation of House-Mouse Designs.

Ellen uses pencil and ink and watercolors to create all of her images out of her studio in Shelburne, Vt. She depicts her characters in a life-size human environment, which is designed to give the viewer a mouses-eye view of the world. In addition to drawing exclusively for House-Mouse Designs, Ellen volunteers to rehabilitate injured and orphaned wildlife, some of which can be seen interacting with the mice in her artwork. Ellens inspiration for her designs comes from being involved with animals, domestic and wild, from a very early age. Her respect and love of nature and all of its critters shines through in each new design she creates. Rumor has it that in her 7th grade diary, every page included a little snippet of information about her pet mice.

Ellen and her business partner, Barry Percy, started House-Mouse Designs in 1980 when they were college students. Having a bit of wanderlust, they wanted to earn money for a trip to Europe and decided to try their hand at selling greeting cards. Starting out with pen, ink and just eight images in black and white, they attended their first craft show and were pleasantly surprised by their warm welcome. With a legion of growing fans and customers, they decided to expand their business, eventually adding watercolors and five distinct mouse characters to the brand. Imagining Maxwell as the mischievous class clown and prankster; Amanda taking care of a sick friend or playing the mother hen; Mudpie dozing under a flower or, more likely, in a half-finished box of chocolates; Muzzy curiously looking into every corner and under every morsel; and Monica joyfully exploring new adventures helps Ellen create her whimsical designs.

All House-Mouse Designs Images Ellen Jareckie, All Rights Reserved by Artist

16" x 18" piece 28-count Zephyr Cashel linen or 14-count Zephyr Aida from Picture This Plus

One skein each DMC six-strand embroidery floss*

Size 24 tapestry needle

Professionally framed

*Refer to color code.