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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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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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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My First Granny Squares

So as promised I am going to show you the granny squares that I am making for my Afghan blanket.

I am using Sirdar cotton DK in shades 0515, 0511, 0512 and 0514.

I have now made 11 squares and I was planning on making just 16 but I may make a few more, we'll see...


Anyway I will do a post once it's all finished.

Please leave me a comment I love hearing from you all.

Michelle xxx

I've been learning crochet

I lost the crafting bug for a bit.  I think I was taking on too much and it got a bit boring with too many deadlines to complete.  On top of my business I decided that I was going to sell custom made hand stitched gifts but as the orders started to come in I realised that it was impossible to keep up and it became a chore rather than a pleasure.

I am still going to make gifts but at a much slower pace and when it suits me.

Last week my wonderful mother in law asked me if I would like a bag of wool, crochet hooks and magazines that she didn't want anymore.  She had wanted to learn crochet but couldn't get the hang of it, so of course I said yes as I have been wanting to join a crochet club in my local town for ages now but couldn't pluck up the courage to go as I wasn't sure I would be any good at it.

When I got home I looked at the magazines but couldn't make head nor tail of what the pictures meant to I went onto You Tube to see if I learn from there.

Well this was my first attempt at single crochet..

 

Then I had a go at double crochet making a granny square...

 

I am really pleased with my efforts and I can't believe how easy it is to do.  What a lovely craft to do whilst sitting watching tv or listening to the radio.

 

I made these 2 on the Wednesday evening and on Sunday I went to buy some more wool from my local store so I can make a blanket. 

 

I am so excited to show you how far I've got so far but that will have to wait for my next post.

 

Until then, take care and keep on crafting xxx

 

 

Michelle xx

I've Lost My Mojo

I am really unmotivated at the moment to do any sewing.

I haven't picked up my hoop for a couple of weeks now.  I want to get on with my HAED Tree of Life but I always find something else to do rather than doing it.

This heart was the last thing I made for my mother-in-law for Mother's Day.

I hate feeling like this about sewing because it is my favourite thing to do normally but just sometimes I can't be bothered.

This Sunday I have nothing planned so I'm going to try to get some done, it's normally alright once I get started and can't tear myself away from it.

Do you ever have spells like this? What do you do about it?

Wow I didn't realise that it had been such a long time since I last posted, I am sorry about that.  I have been busy with not only my personal cross stitch but also my business Thirtyish Mish Stitch.  I have made quite a few new things and I am also now doing button art letters and pictures..

I am also now over a 3rd of the way through my WIP HAED Tree of Life which I will do a seperate post about...

Thanks for reading and if you want to follow me then you can find me on Facebook, Twitter, Etsy and Pinterest.

Sorry this post hasn't been that interesting but i do promise to a better post this week xxxxx