The "no frills, no gremlins (hopefully)" cross-stitch cafe

*Louise*

Email sent to WOXS. :T

I should have probably sent it to 'XS Card Shop' but I chose my favourite mag

Mags_cat

Those Nordic Santas are seriously cute

If I sent Christmas cards I would definately be buying them. Shame about the website closing down

flowerofscotland

Flat_Eric wrote: »

Did anyone receive Cross Stitcher yesterday ? I'm as once again the *free* kit contains inferior materials. The material is folded over on itself and the waste canvas (I think thats what it was) is marked/creased. Such a shame. I used to love this magazine but it has changed so much.

I don't usually stitch the cover kits so I haven't even looked at mine. The last one I wanted to stitch was the bookmark one where they included the wrong count of aida

I agree the magazine has changed a lot but I actually like the changes and I think they had to do it to differentiate themselves from WOCS and XS Crazy.

I really like some of the designs in this month's magazine - I love the 2 cushion designs and the Betty & Boo design on the front cover is cute. And I really love the Jan Constantine stocking designs coming next month

Shame you are so disappointed.

Great haul of kits from Hobbycraft - have you started any of them yet?

flowerofscotland

CoffeeandStitches wrote: »

IT'S HERE!! :j:j

Can't contain my excitement. Can't wait to be home from work to get started!! :j:j

I'm terribly sorry but I cant remember who asked... and I know everyone will probably shoot me, but, I detest even weave. It boggles my eyes and I don't like the feel of it, so it's going on aida magic guide 18ct........ I'm sorry!!!!

I can't remember who asked either but I'm sure it was only out of interest. While we have different preferences I don't think any of us believe there is only one right way.

I prefer stitching on linen because I love the feel of it and the look of the final finished piece. I don't like stitching on some varieties of evenweave however. It's all a personal preference and you have made the best decision to go with what you prefer - especially for a big project like a HAED where the fabric is usually completely covered anyway.

Really looking forward to seeing your progress pics - it's a stunning design you have chosen

*Louise*

*Louise* wrote: »

Awww no, me neither

i'm prob best not looking at it now tbh

Who believed I wouldn't look??


I treated myself to the Nordic Santas and Fairy Magic, a set of 4 cute designs.

froddington

*Louise* wrote: »

14ct white aida
thread pendant cutter
small hoop
gold needles
The Christmas special mag that's out at the moment (£7.99 but there's a fair few free gifts with it)
DMC storage box and some pastic bobbins so she can start a thread collection.
Some common DMC colours - blanc, 310 666 etc and a gold metallic

flowerofscotland wrote: »

I agree with all of Louise's suggestions and would add
Embroidery scissors
Trial subscription to one of the XS magazines such as WO CS to keep her inspired
A web link to the Cafe:D

Thanks for these ideas - I haven't seen the Christmas special mag but I'll keep a look out. And, somehow, I hadn't considered scissors or a cutter

Looking forward to spending tomorrow spending the money!

flowerofscotland

*Louise* wrote: »

Email sent to WOXS. :T

I should have probably sent it to 'XS Card Shop' but I chose my favourite mag

Looking forward to seeing it in the magazine

Flat_Eric

flowerofscotland wrote: »

I don't usually stitch the cover kits so I haven't even looked at mine. The last one I wanted to stitch was the bookmark one where they included the wrong count of aida

I agree the magazine has changed a lot but I actually like the changes and I think they had to do it to differentiate themselves from WOCS and XS Crazy.

I really like some of the designs in this month's magazine - I love the 2 cushion designs and the Betty & Boo design on the front cover is cute. And I really love the Jan Constantine stocking designs coming next month

Shame you are so disappointed.

Great haul of kits from Hobbycraft - have you started any of them yet?

I don't mind so much that the mag has changed as it does to some extent I suppose have to differentiate itself from others on the market. The concept of the mag now appears to be more a craft mag with cross stitch themes which isn't a bad thing. I can cross stitch but that's about it but it is nice to have ideas presented to me / tips/instructions on how to incorporate cross stitching with other crafts if I so wish. I prefer to stick to what I know although if time and my confidence allowed then I would probably try more things.

I suppose grumble number 1 is that loyal subscribers are not looked after - no gift or acknowledgment when your subscription birthday comes up. Grumble number 2 is that the free gifts are rarely things I want to stitch anymore and the quality of the materials supplied is disappointing. Grumble no. 3 is the subscriber pages appear every quarter now instead of in every magazine. I used to like collecting my Emily Peacock Letters every month.

I think I'll keep the subscription going until after xmas (as I love xmas themed stuff) but then that's probably going to be it.

Flat_Eric

Louise - the card collection you have stitched is fab. :T I always have the best of intentions to build up a nice little card stash but it never seems to happen....

I recognise a Michael Powell design - do you know what mag that was from?

I'm torn today between doing my stitching and tidying up. We have friends coming round later so really the tidying up should take preference but I can't be bothered at the moment !

sweetcarer

Hello girls (better say and boys too - just in case)

Hope all are well. I have a slight infection just now but working through it and it doesn't affect my stitching except for making me tired.

Mrs_ceejay wrote: »

Just use what your comfortable with,I have used both and something's look good in even weave and others are good in Aida.i am doing two little dinosaur pic for my grandsons and they are on aida and look really cute,I don't think they would have looked right on evenweave.I haven't used magic guide aida so i will be interested in how you get on.

I like stitching on a variety of materials - and as you say it depends on what I am doing - my favourite I think is about 18hpi (though I confused someone by calling it HPI - think the modern word is count).

In the last week I have used a variety of materials - I had a wee rush job - one of the girls at work got married - so I do my wee wedding sampler in 18hpi - got it done within a couple of days - here is a picture (sorry for picture - was that quick with it I didn't have time to photo it framed).



Also I have made a start on the learning sampler, which - wait for it ... is on .... 36hpi (evenweave - not too keen on linen due to its variance at times)- yikes! Started it and bless, hubby bought me a wee portable magnifier to help me - says can't have you going blind. I have only did a bit of the satin stitch border. Doing it via a facebook group - the designer will release and new part for 18 months - using a variety of other stitches. Here is where I am now -



But the best news is - I have finished the winter sampler today and it was on 28hpi. Next onto spring -

*Louise* wrote: »

I never thought of that

Going to send an email now, thanks

You will need to let us know when you are famous!

Flat_Eric wrote: »

I don't mind so much that the mag has changed as it does to some extent I suppose have to differentiate itself from others on the market. The concept of the mag now appears to be more a craft mag with cross stitch themes which isn't a bad thing. I can cross stitch but that's about it but it is nice to have ideas presented to me / tips/instructions on how to incorporate cross stitching with other crafts if I so wish. I prefer to stick to what I know although if time and my confidence allowed then I would probably try more things.

I suppose grumble number 1 is that loyal subscribers are not looked after - no gift or acknowledgment when your subscription birthday comes up. Grumble number 2 is that the free gifts are rarely things I want to stitch anymore and the quality of the materials supplied is disappointing. Grumble no. 3 is the subscriber pages appear every quarter now instead of in every magazine. I used to like collecting my Emily Peacock Letters every month.

I think I'll keep the subscription going until after xmas (as I love xmas themed stuff) but then that's probably going to be it.

I was very sad when I had to give up my subscription but I was getting a tad disappointed with everything, you describe and I didn't find anything inspiring. I had been a collector since issue 1. Didn't know if you know if you are subscriber you can access their craft circle pages for free and down load all the Emily Peacock letters (and numbers) for free - just need your subscriber number and name.

Sorry for long post - just so busy during week to post pictures - can see site at work but can't see pictures or upload any. Getting ready to go out and drive down to my parents - its their 43rd wedding anniverery today!

Keep well everyone and thank you for all your updates and anecdotes.

sweetcarer