World of Cross Stitching magazine and other musings

I must confess to being somewhat underwhelmed by the latest issue of The World of Cross Stitching

However when my sister in law picked it up she instantly fell in love with the Gorjuss design and has put out loads of hints about me stitching it for her.   She did try cross stitching a couple of years ago but we don't live close and she picked something totally unsuitable for a beginner and so she got disheartened and has decided it isn't for her.

I do like the Gorjuss design so perhaps in the new year I may add it to my WiPs.

I've even got a suitable piece of very pale blue/grey evenweave which would be ideal so it could happen.

My Smalls finish for the SAL is French Country Witch by JBW Designs

I stitched it on a piece of hand dyed opalescent from a grab bag from Polstitches Designs using Nevermore which is a hand dyed thread by Jodyri Designs. You can't really see the variegation in either the fabric or thread in the photo which is a shame.

I loved stitching this but haven't managed to finish it, in spite of having a suitable piece of Halloween style fabric.  I haven't had the sewing  machine out for ages.

Also on the Halloween theme I am stitching Beware by Shepherd's Bush

I am delighted that this will be entirely stitched from stash.  I've had the chart for a while, the fabric is 20 count lurex evenweave which I tea dyed and the #5 perle threads are all from stash.  I don't have a complete set of #5 perle but do have a lot of bits left over from SB stockings I have stitched so I subbed a couple of the colours.    I haven't decided which button from my stash I will use instead of the one called for.

Having just about decided that I would be stitching Shimmering Mermaid for Mira2015 SAL organised by MrsMilkyBarKid I have totally fallen in love with the latest Mirabilia design and may be tempted by this one instead

I've printed off the supplies list so will check whether I have the required Waterlillies and beads (I know I have the DMC)   It doesn't call for lots of MillHill Treasures which can really add to the cost. And I think that the design is so detailed that the fabric doesn't need to be anything too distracting so I will probably have something suitable in my stash .........

Cross Stitch Crazy magazine 193

I love Friday evenings when the whole weekend is still to come.    Of course I always have far more that I plan and hope to achieve in 2 days but on a Friday evening it all seems possible.

I found a few minutes to read the latest issue of Cross Stitch Crazy magazine (193)  which arrived 2 weeks ago!

The main design on the cover is by a designer I really love, Joan Elliott.   This one is a mermaid in some of my favourite colours so us definitely one for the "must stitch" list.    As with a lot of her designs it is stitched on hand dyed fabric by Polstiches.   It's a very subtle choice for this design   I would choose evenweave   instead of aida 

I love to stitch coasters as little gifts and this design by Diane Machin would be perfect for a coffee loving friend

Cushions are another passion and I am very taken by this design by Jody Rice of Satsuma Street

I had already discovered her quirky and colourful cityscape charts on Etsy and pinned lots of them.

This design is all whole stitches so would be a quick stitch 

Finally there are some lovely cute designs by Durene Jones which are shown as cards but which I would use for coasters or scissors fobs 

My favourite is probably The Bees Knees but then I do love stitching bees and especially since I discovered honeycomb fabric at Sewitall

http://www.sewitall.com/webshop/evenweave-fabric/133-28ct-11pts-cm/ffe28-929-honeycomb-evenweave-28

So one magazine with lots of things I would love to stitch 

If anyone is reading this -  Hello and welcome. 

I am a complete novice at actively blogging although I have been reading other blogs for years as well as being an active Pinner.

I have decided now is a good time to join in and collect my thoughts, pictures and links about my passion for all things needlework related into one place.

I've made a start by adding some lists and link lists.  Perhaps one day I will be brave enough to add a list of my UFOs.

In spite of the fact that I am and have been for many years a fully paid up member of SABLE (Stash Accumulated Beyond Life Expectancy), I add to my stash most months and would like to share what I've acquired this month.

Lizzie Kate is one of my all time favourite designers - I have stitched many of her designs both large and small and am currently stitching "Let them be Small".

I have just purchased Busy Bees which is 3 designs, all of which I love.  I bought some honeycomb design evenweave from www.sewitall.co.uk and have already stitched one bee related piece on it.  I plan to use it for at least one of these LK designs.



Another favourite designer, though one I have only discovered recently is Alessandra Adelaide Needleworks (AAN).   Beautiful designs which are crying out to be stitched on hand dyed fabric (which is one my great loves).   This stunning design has been added to my stash this month - stitching a dress like this is the nearest I will get to such gorgeousness these days.



And speaking of hand dyed fabric........one of my favourite fabric sites has a sale offer this week of a grab bag of 3 pieces of hand dyed fabric for a great price.  I just couldn't resist and here they are