Cross-stitch cafe 2010

shelly

23rdspiral wrote: »

i think i found a good deal in the 99p store today. they had some large xstitch kits. a grey kitten, pink flowers, and a 'bon appetite' kitchen scene. there isnt a photo of the completed kit, i didnt think the chart looked too good. but i noticed they came with needle (later found it's sharpe not blunt), nicely done instructions, a large bundle of threads and a piece of 14count aieda measuring 35cm x 35cm.

it's far cheaper than i've seen aieda on the market, (i've only done kits so far), but probably not very good quality. also the threads are loose & cut so aren't a named brand.

but for me trying not to spend too much it seemed like a bargain at 99p - so i bought 2 and now have threads and aieda for my motto sampler!:)

I think I have posted about this bargain before....or I might have meant to and never got round to it....I don't know....but I agree it's a fantastic deal!
I have about 6 of these kits in my stash bought purely for the fabric and I'm using the fabric for the 2 fairies. As you said it's not as good quality as 'shop bought' aida but for £1 it's fine and it's a nice big size, much bigger than the piece of fabric that came with the Rose fairy kit.
I agree the needle isn't great because it's sharper than the usual needles you get in a kit. Isn't the bundle of threads huge compared to the small design? lol I'm going to use it to do some bookmarks.
Also I learnt the technique of folding a length of thread in half and looping it through the back to start it off, much tidier than leaving a tail.

shelly

Flat_Eric wrote: »

work.

One thing I have noticed is that some of you have marked your aida with thread. can anyone give me any tips on how to do this because I think I did try this previously and think my efforts were rather unsuccessful! It would be great to be able to mark the aida so that its easier to count and make sure I don't go wrong !

I have a washable/spongeable (sp?) blue pen the same as the one Louise has linked to. I bought both the washable and the disappearing one at the same time and have never used the washable one......it's yours if you PM me your address
I'll be honest though and say that even though I haven't used it, it's been sitting there doing nothing so might not be as dark as if it was brand new. Also it's not in it's original packaging, I took it out of that long ago but I do have the instructions that came with it.
Might be good for you to try and see how you get on with it before spending a couple of ££ on a new one.....like I did and don't use it :rotfl:

thifty

Spent a couple of hours doing my lavender fairy and even took a couple of pics. Now I need to get DH to take them off the camera and get them on here! lol

spottybutterfly

Sat over 3 hours straight backstitching this evening, still have atleast another 3 hours to do the rest- i know elliot is small but combining the fact i hate backstiching, im rubbish at following where the strands go as he is"shaggy" (not sure what the proper word is) and it has quite a few french knotsim quite pleased how much stitching i did today.

Sorry no photo as the stitching is downstairs and the camera is up here.

As for making a grid on the aida, my current small elliot has grid-lines marked on in blue wash out ink, and i think i will continue to use it for larger projects.

I dont do the sewing on grid-lines thing as my mam does it and i thing it looks messy when not all the thread can be pulled out after stitching.

When i buy aida fabric in the future i'll probably buy the magic lines stuff. Just wish they'd bring out a even weave version.

The pen is also useful for putting backstitched writing in the right place when its not included on the original chart.

23rdspiral

Thanks for all your comments re the 99p store kits. i want to save money, but wasted money would be worse! i might pop back in my lunch break tomorow...

Emzy 81 - i've not seen them in poundland, but think they only appeared in 99p store this week, but they are with candles ect not the art section?!? - i'll pop in poundland in my lunch today, have a look and report back.

23rdspiral

woo! i'm *nearly there with the japanese doll! Thinking of The Challenge and the motto has spured me on! And in a good way, i'm still enjoying stitching her thankfully , and want to get her done Before Starting a New One :A

:eek: *i need to do 4 fractional stitches and backstitch around her outline and clothes (not each flower though!). eek! i also do freehand embroidery so the idea of backstitch shouldnt worry me, but i've Never done a Fractional in my life!!

... does anyone have any advice re these 2 techniques please...

Keiss_21

Did some more last night.....:)!

maria_and_the_imps

didnt get any stitching done yesterday as i got a call to say grandad had been taken into hospital so visted him last night, he has got fleaitus sp? in his legs and will be in till next tuesday at least off back to the hospital today, happy stitching today everyone
xxx

Ruth_honey

*Louise* wrote: »

I have done a PINN chart (Mermaid Heaven) and it used DMC threads.

Thanks Louise. Thought I'd try emailing PINN and asking what colours the motorbike kit uses. They got back to me very quickly & have asked for a picture of how much I've stitched so they can send me the missing threads! Wasn't expecting that at all, so very pleased with their customer service.

maria_and_the_imps wrote: »

ruth well done for confronting your dad that coudnt have been easy and im very proud of you for doing so. so sorry you arnt having a very good 2010 and hope things get better for you over the next few months sending you lots of (((hugs))). xxxx

Thank you to *everyone* who sent me messages about my Dad. It was so hard to make that call. I sat with the phone in my hand for ages, but I'm glad I did it. I've been sleeping better now I've confronted him. I just hope he's listened to me and will sort it out. My stepmum is really nice and she doesn't deserve to be messed about. Her last husband beat her up, so she needs someone good in her life now.

maria_and_the_imps wrote: »

didnt get any stitching done yesterday as i got a call to say grandad had been taken into hospital so visted him last night, he has got fleaitus sp? in his legs and will be in till next tuesday at least off back to the hospital today, happy stitching today everyone
xxx

Sending best wishes to your Grandad. Maybe you could give him some stitching to keep him busy during his hospital stay?

I've dug out another UFO to be getting on with. It's a John Clayton design of Golden Gate bridge. As much as I'd like to take part in the challenge, I have jury service coming up in a week & a bit, so I have no idea how much time I'll have to stitch in that fortnight. It might be loads, or it might be nothing...
I do want to start stitching (and finish!) a design on linen for my husband. It'll be our 8th wedding anniversary at the end of May & I want to stitch either 'Everyone brings joy' http://www.sewandso.co.uk/cgi-bin/find/db.cgi?db=zoom&do=search_results&Prod_Code=22105&ww=1 or 'Welcome to the nuthouse' http://www.sewandso.co.uk/cgi-bin/find/db.cgi?db=zoom&do=search_results&Prod_Code=22101&ww=1
for him. I should really start stitching that soon, shouldn't I? I know linen will slow me down a bit.

Right, time for some tea & toast, then I can put some washing on, sit down and get on with some stitching...:)

ERICS_MUM

spottybutterfly wrote: »

...........As for making a grid on the aida, my current small elliot has grid-lines marked on in blue wash out ink, and i think i will continue to use it for larger projects.

I dont do the sewing on grid-lines thing as my mam does it and i thing it looks messy when not all the thread can be pulled out after stitching.

When i buy aida fabric in the future i'll probably buy the magic lines stuff. Just wish they'd bring out a even weave version.

The pen is also useful for putting backstitched writing in the right place when its not included on the original chart.

wow, what a great tip !!!!!:T:T

Linda