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Friday 10 November 2017

Cross Stitcher Magazine - December 2017


Yay look what came in the post yesterday!!!!!  What's better than a cross stitch magazine?....  A Christmas cross stitch magazine!!!!

It's on sale in the shops in the UK today (10th November).  I will do a quick run through for you.

As you can see it is all about the festive season...There's an interview with Lizzy Dabczynski-Bean and some inspirational ideas in the Out There section.


The first patterns we come across are for these lovely tree ornaments by Maria Diaz. They all call for Linen and give you a choice of DMC, Anchor or Madeira threads.  There are 6 different designs.
Really traditional looking designs, they make me want to stitch them all!!

Next up is Winter Walkies by Lucie Heaton, you can buy a kit for it from the Cross Stitcher website for £23.  I guess this could be used just as a winter decoration as it's not specifically Christmas..


I love these next 2 patterns by Ruth Craig and especially the way they are finished in hoops, both stitched on 14ct Aida.


There a few interviews with designer about selling at craft fairs and how they decide what to sell there and if they have any new designs coming up.

 How Cute is this polar bear by Durene Jones? You can again buy a kit pack from the website to complete it on 14ct Aida.

 Next is Zoe Patching showing how to use safety pins to make Christmas decorations.
 There is a letter Library...  

and some Christmas Card ideas...  


Next up is a Christmas Eve box by Felicity Hall with a treat bag and also a gift tag stitched on perforated paper...


What Christmas magazine would be complete with out a stocking?...  Designed by Emma Congdon


And last but by no ways least as it is absolutely beautiful is this gorgeous Christmas Dresser design by Shannon Wassilief stitched on 28ct Cashel which you can purchase from the website as a kit too...


This month's free gift is a Christmas card with car button and some beads so perfect to someone special. 


I love all the designs in this month's magazine and I hope you do too.

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Thursday 9 November 2017

Autumn Fireplace Decor



I know Halloween is over but I love Autumn decor and seeing as it's not December yet I would show you my fireplace.

On the mantle we have faux Autumn leaves garland, Ronnie the Raven, a couple of wooden cardholders and a Buddha.




Just under the mantle is a heart shaped wreath that I decorated with a faux sunflower, leaves, dried oranges and tartan ribbon.


In the fireplace we have a pile of logs wrapped with fairy lights with faux sunflowers, Autumn leaves and dried oranges.



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Wednesday 8 November 2017

Hometown Holidays - Main Street Station



It's been such a long time since I wrote a blog post, I hope you've all been doing well.

I have a finish but not an ffo, I'm going to stitch a few more in the series then decide how I'm going to finish them.



Hometown Holidays Main Street Station by Little House Needleworks.

I absolutely loved stitching this. It only took a couple of weeks.

I used all of the called for DMC threads and used my own hand dyed tea coffee stained 28ct Evenweave.



I added the border as I'm thinking of putting them on canvas i just wanted to add something to the edge.

Started: 26.10.17
Finished: 05.10.17
Fabric: Hand dyed tea coffee stained 28ct Evenweave.
Threads: DMC 221, 869, 950, 3022, 3023, 3031, 3052, 3828 and Ecru.

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