Yay ...

This is what I eventually did with the cute cthulu design from Needle Noodles - I turned it into a little framed picture for a friend. =D

Stuff from the weekend ...

This little devil is from Needle Noodles and the Santa Biscornu is from The Floss Box. Both are stitched from free charts.

Yummy Cupcakes ...

Don't you just love it when things just come together? I bought this fab fabric, (in background), the other day from a local haberdashery and then the next day one of my eBay purchased Cross Stitcher magazines, (Issue 239 - May 2011), lands on the doorstep featuring cute cupcake charts! I decided to stitch one right away, using beads as "sprinkles" to make a cute gift bag with the fabric.

It was really easy and fun to stitch using only whole stitches and backstitch, I really do enjoy backstitch on cross-stitch designs, it makes such a huge difference and when done over several blocks it creates a nice sketchy look.

I really need to dig out the sewing machine in the next few days and actually start making things up!

French Knots ...

My latest work in progress is a Christmas, (yes I know it's early but us stitchers have to get ahead), Biscornu which uses French Knots as eyes. I only recently "got" how to do a French Knot so I thought I would share this link http://www.ehow.com/video_2381641_do-french-knots-cross-stitching.html which shows you clearly how to do them.

All I can suggest if you still find them tricky is to load a hoop with some fabric and practice, practice, practice. If you still can't get the hang of them - use seed-beads =D

Ooops ....

I have been having lot's of fun this weekend stitching some lovely designs from www.theflossbox.com and a little devil from Needle Noodles but I forgot my camera so there will be no new photos till Monday. :-(

Blue Bird.

I really love this one. The pattern is from Cross Stitcher Magazine but I can't remember the issue ... I will look for it and post it tomorrow sometime.

This was really fun to stitch, I really love designs with lot's of backstitch as it really brings the piece to life as you you stitch.

As always I just used threads that I already had .. I don't think I have ever followed a key!

The frame is a super -cheap Pound Shop buy, I want to spray it matt black at some point. I loved the tattoo style so much and so yesterday I ordered the Ed Harvey cross stitch book from Amazon. I can't wait for it to arrive. =D

Buttons!!!

I love buttons, I really don't know what it is about them but they make me happy. Imagine my delight then, when I realised I could make my own cute stitched buttons and that it was easy peasy and quick too.

A button can literally take just 15 minutes to complete which makes them ideal for a little break from larger projects and perfect for those of us with a short attention span.

The buttons I use are made by hemline and these are all 29mm. You can get various sizes and obviously you can also cover them with fabrics to make matching buttons for home-made textile projects.

They are all on 14ct Aida but you could get some great detail using a higher count. The spotty Aida was hand coloured using a crayon - it's easier to do this if you dampen the tip of the crayon slightly.

The patterns are from various issues of Cross Stitcher Magazine.

Wednesday WIP ...

My current work in progress.

This is a gorgeous free Biscornu, (Biss-Core-Noo), design from www.theflossbox.com. I picked the colours from the threads I already had and have stitched it on 14ct white Aida.

This design uses whole cross-stitch only so it's really easy to stitch and the bright, simple motifs really pop against the bright white background. The pattern doesn't come with a design for the back/bottom of the biscornu but I intend to use the centre design and the corners to add interest and I will be finishing it off with a little flower shaped button in the centre. I am also adding the backstitched border simply to make making up the finished biscornu a bit easier.

This is a great site for learning about making Biscornu www.prettyimpressivestuff.com/biscornu.htm and www.ehow.com/video_4940669_sew-whip-stitch.html may also be a help.

(A Biscornu/Biscournu is a quirky looking "pillow" which is often used as a pincushion. The word Biscornu is French and means "quirky or irregular", the literal translation is "twice with horns").

Nordic Needle Rocks!!

I discovered this gem of a website last night - it is chock full of amazing information on a variety of stitching topics and methods as well some awesome free charts. I really look forward to browsing it more and discovering all it has to offer!

http://www.nordicneedle.net

I Failed the Old One ...

Today I stitched a super awesome Cthullu I found at http://needlenoodles.com/home/node/148.

The actual stitching turned out great and after buying a stack of felt earlier in the day I decided I wanted to give my little evil one a snuggly felt backing. Well after my best efforts it still turned out kind of lame.

I realise now that my scissors are too blunt and probably too cheap to cut felt straight! I kept cutting both felt and aida until I had run out of stuff to cut. The other half loves his Cthullu and banned me from binning him. I was kind of bummed at the time but will try again tomorrow and see what happens.

Anyway this is how he turned out....