Saturday 28 May 2016

stitching galore

This month, instead of one big piece, I have several smaller ones freshly out in print. First up is the latest WOCS, issue 243, and the funky neckties alphabet by Rhona Norrie that I stitched... last September, I think. Quite a long wait - oh, and I`ve seen the Susan Bates sunflower wreath in next month`s preview, I stitched that `only` around Christmas so practically, `the other day`. :D So here`s my snippet of this Fathers` Day alphabet:


Next up is Cross Stitch Collection 263 - before I forget, remember the shoe sampler I mentioned a few months ago? I was just about to give up on it as `lost at sea` but I bought Collection yesterday and spotted it in next month`s preview, it`ll be the giant chart in the next issue. But back to the current one: there`s a cute little card in here by Jenny Barton, of a wee mouse hanging out the washing, nawwww. :)


Hmmm, interesting, I just spotted the stitch time in the magazine and it`s not what I put on the form. We have to record everything, from the lengths of threads we use to the time it takes us to complete a piece - I often wonder why anyway but especially when it`s not even used or taken into account. Oh well. Anyway, mag says 5 hours, I say 8 - and I thought I was a fast stitcher but who knows, maybe I had an off day...? ;)
And finally, here`s my little bouquet of flowers in Cross Stitcher 306 - I love this Felicity Hall design, it was such a pleasure to stitch. I do like the difference backstitch makes to a picture but from time to time, you just want to stitch something without it, gleefully jumping from one block of colour to the next, knowing that once they`re done, that`s it, the whole picture is done.


And finally, here they are in their respective magazines - don`t say that all you ever see here are bleached photos or pics taken in twilight. ;) Hope you`re all keeping busy, happy stitching, peeps!




Monday 2 May 2016

Union Jack Mini Cooper - Cross Stitcher 305

In all the excitement of the Bank Holiday weekend, I almost forgot that issue 305 of Cross Stitcher has been in the shops since last Friday, with my little cover star on it, a classic Mini Cooper, complete with British flag roof. This adorable design by Jane Prutton took 30 hours to stitch, and I have a before and after backstitch photo of it - I love how much difference adding the details has made to this project! :)




I also received my subs copy of Cross Stitch Gold the other day, and although there is still a long wait until the next issue comes out in the middle of June, at least there`s already a sneak peek here of the gorgeous Kate Knight cushion I was working on last month - squeeeeee, can`t wait to see more! :D Hope you`re having better weather than we do just now, it`s a sleety snowy rain that comes on every time I hang out the washing... meh. Enjoy the rest of the long weekend, happy stitching! :)