Cross Stitch Cafe - stitching out of 2012 and into 2013...

Flat_Eric

Cross Stitcher dropped through my letter box about 10 mins ago ! I was hoping to get Cross Stitch Card shop but I guess that will arrive early next week ?

Anyhow as I browse the mag, I thought I would review it so here goes.

First impressions on opening
Hmmm nothing really excites me.

Free gift
Ahh yes, I remember seeing this advertised last month. The free (three) reindeer designs are cute. I wonder what the quality is like. (Opens envelope with great difficulty) hmm as expected, (the three pieces) of aida feel wrong and if I look long enough, can see that they are slightly wonky. Annoyed that they leave the needle in the aida (resulting in needle imprint in aida) Threads feel cheap. Best bit about the free kit (apart from the charts) is the buttons.

So to the magazine:-
Free gift
annoyed that the 3 reindeer charts are on the inside cover of the magazine? Will need to copy chart to be able to mark off successfully as I stitch. Will use my own stash rather than the rubbish quality material and threads supplied. Think I might find some sparkly aida to stitch on!

Furry Friends
3 woodland animals individually stitched on rustic aida.
These look very bare and I don't really get them.

Merry Christmas festive wall hanging
Stitched on 28 count blue evenweave this design has something appealing about it (and looks good on the front cover) but on closer inspection, there is something that just doesn't feel right about it.

I don't think I will be stitching.

Stocking fillers
These look quite cool and an easy/quick/use up odd bits of thread kind of stitch but I don't really see the point of them. Not cute enough to use as gift tags.

Winter wonderland
Cute but in my opinion a pointless stitch?

Kisses make up bag
Odd ! Like the idea but don't think I would include the word kisses.

City of Angels
not for me.

All I want for xmas is...

Not sure about these. Colour scheme not very appealing (but think thats the intention) too dull for me.

Home for xmas welcome hanger
Not keen. have seen better.

Emily peacock letters
Ahh the first of the numbers :j

Peace on Earth
Does have something appealing about it but not for me.

Applique feature
An article to read on a rainy day

Season's greetings

The saving grace of the magazine. Cute xmas cards that look simple and easy to do. designs look quite effective. Lovely bright warming xmas colours

next month
like the snowman/cat design. the ipad cover looks interesting (don't own an ipad though!). Nothing else appeals and you just know the free gift although they are cute designs, the materials supplied are going to be naff!

Flat_Eric

Begins public safety announcement :rotfl:

On the subject of changing clocks today/tomorrow, please remember to test your smoke alarm at the same time!

End of public safety announcement!

catwoman150

Its a bit cold this morning, lots of cold wind but no white stuff here.
Maria lovely table mats and set.
Littlestar cute little tatty bear
nice to see you back 23rd
JCS1 thanks for the offer about anchor threads, poppy flower fairy beautiful
ellip how inconsiderate if them to move your appointment
Laura Hope Harlods results come back with good news
sweetcarer good luck
Im off to do a bit of stitching this afternoon

Flat_Eric

Thank you for all your knitting ideas and tips. :j Much appreciated

Now for my next off topic question! Do any of you have or do any of your children own the Nintendo 3DS console? I bought a DS console a few years back and bought lots of games. I very rarely play it now.

I saw recently that there was a new mario game being released (and got excited) but when I read up on it, it only works if you have the 3DS console I have also seen very recently that there is a new Professor Layton game but again, its exclusive to the 3DS console. I love professor layton but not enough to shell out £139.99 (according to Argo%) for a new console. Time spent on games consoles is time that could be better spent stitching!

Anyhow if you own or know someone that owns a 3DS console - are they worth it ? its something I might consider if they come down in price but then no doubt i will find myself in the same dilemma where they release yet another updated console and games that only work if you buy it.

oh and finally, will my old games work with the 3DS console?

*Louise*

Hi all -I have popped in and had a look at the thread but just haven't had the energy to post much (Not cos of anything bad though)

I haven't been getting home till nearly 10pm each night - Mon/Wed I was working, Tues I had my presentation night (the commendation from the Lord Lieutentant that I mentioned a while back, yay me):jThursday I was at a meeting, Fri I was getting kids pics done for Xmas cards then at a halloween party with eldest. When I got in I just had a look on here and had to work on my own website.
This afternoon I'm going to get pics done again *groan* (we are getting all 7 grandkids done for my mum) and got a party with the younger two this time tonight.

Just going to go back however many pages and have a catch up.....

*Louise*

Page 72...really??:eek:

*makes a wee cuppa*

*Louise*

Ailsb - I'm loving your fairies :T

Mags - thanks for the pic of the organiser, it's not somthing I have ever used and tbh I just know my kids would knock it over so I have never bothered lol. If I have spare thread I just knot the end and shove it through the cardboard thread holder I usually make, until I need it.

FOS....ear worms? Lovely :eek::rotfl:

littlestar - I am planning on keeping 12 Days for myself since it will be a special date finish

Shelly - Hoping you have got your fabric by now, I would still buy from ebay, I would just look for brand names

Sweetcarer - wow, you are keeping busy - good luck with the competitions!

Chicky - Oops! :rotfl:

Jarus - Big welcome to the cafe :T

craftygranny - good to see you posting, hope you can get back into your UFO's x

Ruth - Hubby and I saw the Hunger Games when we were in Scarborough this year and we were surprised that they had an intermission as well, as you say, very old fashioned (they even had a girl with an ice cream tray lol) :rotfl:

elliep - Sorry to hear that you are having to wait for a scan So awful waiting for tests and results and suchlike. I'm glad you're able to tell us on here, I hope it helps a little, please let us all know how you get on, I will be thinking about you xx
Oh - and keep posting on here to take your mind off the wait if you can x

Flat_Eric

I have just been browsing b00ts hunting for xmas gifts. Want to do xmas as cheap as possible this year. Too much overspending and no savings means Flat Eric is poor!

There are some nice gifts. just need to work it out as want to achieve the full benefit of the 3 for 2!

flowerofscotland

My copy also arrived today so here are my comments in blue

Flat_Eric wrote: »

Cross Stitcher dropped through my letter box about 10 mins ago ! I was hoping to get Cross Stitch Card shop but I guess that will arrive early next week ?

Anyhow as I browse the mag, I thought I would review it so here goes.

First impressions on opening
Hmmm nothing really excites me.

Free gift
Ahh yes, I remember seeing this advertised last month. The free (three) reindeer designs are cute. I wonder what the quality is like. (Opens envelope with great difficulty) hmm as expected, (the three pieces) of aida feel wrong and if I look long enough, can see that they are slightly wonky. Annoyed that they leave the needle in the aida (resulting in needle imprint in aida) Threads feel cheap. Best bit about the free kit (apart from the charts) is the buttons.
Think the designs are cute but have to agree about the quality of the fabric. But as I would use evenweave I'm not too bothered

So to the magazine:-
Free gift
annoyed that the 3 reindeer charts are on the inside cover of the magazine? Will need to copy chart to be able to mark off successfully as I stitch. Will use my own stash rather than the rubbish quality material and threads supplied. Think I might find some sparkly aida to stitch on!
I always copy charts anyway to keep the magazine in good condition

Furry Friends
3 woodland animals individually stitched on rustic aida.
These look very bare and I don't really get them.
I rustic aida but not keen on the designs

Merry Christmas festive wall hanging
Stitched on 28 count blue evenweave this design has something appealing about it (and looks good on the front cover) but on closer inspection, there is something that just doesn't feel right about it.

I don't think I will be stitching.

I like this but it hasn't made the must do list

Stocking fillers
These look quite cool and an easy/quick/use up odd bits of thread kind of stitch but I don't really see the point of them. Not cute enough to use as gift tags.
I agree - can't see the point of these

Winter wonderland
Cute but in my opinion a pointless stitch?
I like these especially the cushion and the other designs would make different Xmas cards - I like the colours used (lime and turquoise plus white)

Kisses make up bag
Odd ! Like the idea but don't think I would include the word kisses.
Not keen

City of Angels
not for me.
This is an Emily Peacock design and I quite like it but think it would be better in wool on canvas as a cushion or draft excluder. I like the shading on the angel's wings

All I want for xmas is...


Not sure about these. Colour scheme not very appealing (but think thats the intention) too dull for me.

Love these and they will be added to my stock of Xmas stocking patterns - could be useful for adults rather than children. I like the other suggested colour variations as well


Home for xmas welcome hanger
Not keen. have seen better.

Agree - I don't like the colours at all

Emily peacock letters
Ahh the first of the numbers :j
Love these

Peace on Earth
Does have something appealing about it but not for me.
Appealing but I would have to have the right recipient in mind


Applique feature
An article to read on a rainy day
Love these - definitely on the to do list


Season's greetings

The saving grace of the magazine. Cute xmas cards that look simple and easy to do. designs look quite effective. Lovely bright warming xmas colours

Modern designs for Christmas cards - really like these

next month
like the snowman/cat design. the ipad cover looks interesting (don't own an ipad though!). Nothing else appeals and you just know the free gift although they are cute designs, the materials supplied are going to be naff!
I also like the snowman/cat plus the blue and white decorations and the Home cushion

Overall I am happy with the value in this magazine and the fact that the ads are relevant (no bras, baby monkey dolls, stairlifts etc)

flowerofscotland

Just uploaded a pic of the Joan Elliott Christmas Angel I framed last weekend - you can't see the frame very well because it has a mirror surround which I couldn't photograph without flash and annoying background but at least you can see the stitching
Another pic for the Christmas stitching display and note the date 08 10 12


Christmas Angel - Joan Elliott design by stitchyfeather, on Flickr

Planning to finish the hand stitching on Ruby's stocking this weekend