The Crafty (Magazine) Review Thread!

Ailsb

Had a nightmare trying to amend louise's post. Will try to use Son's laptop later, I'm using a tablet, and see if I can make the post readable. Spent half an hour faffing round and all I've achieved is a pounding headache.

Coxy11

Hi,

I took out a subscription to Cross Stitch Crazy and yesterday I received my first issue, the one Ailsb and Louise have reviewed.

I have to say I quite like the sugarplum fairy by Joan Elliott (:o) although I have so many other Christmas themed kits and charts that I don't think I will get to this one for a looooooong time if ever :rotfl:

Nothing else really stands out for me but I quite like the Christmas Floral Alphabet and might use that for something. Plus the Elliott Wreath is very cute.

Coxy

nmm

*Louise* wrote: »

Page 15 - There is a beautiful 'Mary and child' Christmas stitch which has been sent in by a reader. It's not normally something I would stitch but it really caught my eye. I might have a google for it - if anyone recognises it please help point me in the right direction :T.

Can you pop up a photo either in here or the caf! and i'll see if I can help track it down, oh and I love the sound of a "pant pot" :rotfl:

*Louise*

iammumtoone wrote: »

Thats sound interesting, when you say money holding is it like a money pouch you stitch up?

Ailsb wrote: »

Iammumtoone - Louise meant to say Monkey holding presents. She's stitching the whole series.

Oops...typos.... (thanks for pointing the worst one out nmm haha):o

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

*Note to self - don't type, post and run in future :rotfl:

flowerofscotland

Great idea for a thread. Hope we can keep it going

*Louise* wrote: »

Cross Stitch Crazy - Issue 183 / Christmas 2013

Price: £4.99

Free Gift 1 - Penguin Cards
The cards seem okay but they aren't really designed to display cross stitch on them, and the pastelly colour threads aren't very Christmassy.
i like the cards but agree the wording and threads aren't ideal
Free Gift 2 - Gingerbread Cottage Chart
Very pink and girly. Not something I would stitch, I have seen Gingerbread houses I like better but it's pretty
i really like this design but not sure what I would do with it

Sugarplum Fairy - Joan Elliot
A fairy in a red/green dress carrying a little Christmas tree. I always love Joan Elliots designs. I will certainly hold on to this one, but not for this year.

I'm another JE fan and really like this but I've stitched one of her red and green designs so would probably choose something else ahead of this one ( unless I had unlimited time to stitch )

Page 15 - There is a beautiful 'Mary and child' Christmas stitch which has been sent in by a reader. It's not normally something I would stitch but it really caught my eye. I might have a google for it - if anyone recognises it please help point me in the right direction :T

unusual design which I don't recognise still all. Reader is from the US so it may be a US designer

Cross Stitch Quickie
Monkey holding presents - this is a definite for me, I have the first 6 charted and stitched up already for my DS2
cute but not for me

Celebstitch - Martin Freeman
I'm never keen on these, I don't think they are detailed enough, some can be pretty hit-or-miss :rotfl:

can't think why I would want to stitch a celebrity. I grew out of having posters on my bedroom wall decades ago


50 Classic Toy Gift Ideas
Some lovely old fashioned Christmas designs here, great for Victorian-style cards

sorry but I don't care for this style of design. Too much back stitch

Elliot Wreath
Two elephants cuddling inside a Christmas wreath
Very cute but I would never stitch it, too much foliage I would get bored

not keen on the design but love the red heart bell pull hanger

Craft Xtra
There are two angels here. The top one is one I would probably stitch for a card. The bottom one is the STRANGEST looking Angel I have ever seen!:eek:

she looks like a pantomime dame. Not appealing at all

Crazy for....Christmas Birds
Various realistic birds - Swan, Robin, Duck, Dove, Hen, Penguin, Turkey etc. In all honesty, if I send someone a Christmas card with just a duck or a hen on it they might think I have finally gone a bit mental

I agree

Christmas Floral ABC
Letters with mistletoe/snowdrops/holly etc in the background
Nice enough but I don't 'do' florals I like the idea about stitching a name on aida and wrapping round a plant pot

ok I do like florals but I've got designs I prefer to these

Festive Table set
Wreaths in green/pink/purple shades. I like the shades but wouldn't stitch these. There is the added fact that we barely sat down for 2 mins at Christmas last year and my MIL knocked over a glass of wine. If I had stitched the table stuff I think I may have cried :rotfl: Something like that would be 'display only' in my house

in mine too I couldn't enjoy a meal worrying if my stitching was going to be ruined. But I like the little wreath designs and think they would make nice cards

Cake toppers
Robin/ reindeer/tree/snowflake. I don't like these, they are very plain and not something that interests me.

I like these I may use them with my grandchildren who like to stitch


Heart Sampler
Two angels flying over a snowy scene within a heart with the words 'Let your heart be glad at christmas'. Well first off, I would be stitching that on cream fabric to save a heck of a lot of backstitch (Lazy - moi?:o) I also feel that the detail in the stitched piece isn't very clear so I would change the backstitch to a darker shade of grey.

just don't like it all. Agree with the comment about not stitching backgrounds

Owl Decorations
Cartoon Owls mounted on felt background. Cute but not something I would stitch at all.
Naah not for me

Festive Wishes
Various Christmas card designs. There is definitely acouple here which will make my stitch list, I'm doing a lot of cards at the moment

I really like these

Challenge Lucie
One of my favourite designers. Charts for: Moon bear / French & british flags / brownie and rainbow / tudor rose / karate / pigeonhole.
Nothing there for me, but hopefully the people who requested them like them

nothing I want to stitch at the moment but a couple of the designs could be useful

Next Month: I hate looking ahead because if I see something I like I know I have to wait a month for it and I am so impatient :rotfl: There is an elves workshop which looks cute, and an angel ABC.

so nothing has actually made my must stitch list but as that's already far too long I don't really mind I enjoyed the article about Joan Elliott

*Louise*

The World Of Cross Stitching Issue 209 £4.99

FREE GIFT – Chart booklet and Purple/Silver metallicthreads.
Lots of Christmas designs. I don’t like the baubles (even though the designer is one of my favourites) The ABC is quite nice, as are the patterned snowflakes. To be honest, if I was to do any of these I would probably change the colour scheme.

CARROLLING CATS – Margaret Sherry
Two cats with a song sheet under a lamp. Cute, but since it has BOBS there is no way it will make my list.

LETTERS PAGE – I sent in a picture of my coaster cardswhich they were going to use, doesn't look like I was in time for this issue.

YULETIDE WELCOME – Durene Jones
Blue front door, snowman on one side holding a robin,Topiary Christmas tree and a little cat on the other, surrounded by the words ‘Welcome all at christmas’
I do like this actually, not sure if I would ever get round to stitching it, but it's lovely and friendly

BEST BUYS PAGE – I always admire tablecloths like the ones shown but I could never trust my family enough to actually use one. I swear, one spill and I would cry! There is an article with tips for table stitching on page 64.

NATIVITY CARDS – Jenny Barton
Cute and colourful cartoon style nativity designs. Very childlike designs, quite appealing but I don’t think I will end up making any.

ASK THE EXPERTS – There is a good tip on how to get fabric back into shape after washing (basically pinning it in place when wet)
I love the design of the periodic table which is advertised, but don’t have anyone I could stitch it for L

STOCKING TOPPERS – Joan Elliot
4 different designs for the top of a stocking. Jolly snowmen, penguins, angels or a Scandinavian style red/white one. Could be used as pictures in their own right, I like them (would never make a stocking though)

CRAFT XTRA – SNOWY GOOSE
Goose with a ribbon round its’ neck and a weird border oft riangles and hearts. Not keen on this at all.

DESIGN LIBRARY – WINTER WONDERLAND – Rhona Norrie
Not a designer I have noticed before, but there are some good card sized designs here. They vary from polar bears and penguins to carol singers and little winter scenes. There is maybe half a dozen which will make my list.

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS TREE – Helen Brindley
One each of the ’12 days’ items displayed on a metallic gold backstitched tree. This is different, and very effective looking. It doesn’t look like it would take too long to stitch either.

CHRISTMAS PUPPY – Debra Page
Puppy under the Christmas tree, surrounded by baubles and parcels. It’s a cute design but there is no way I would ever stitch this, I wouldn’t have the patience.

CRACKERS ABC – Lisa Reakes
Very bright and festive, can’t really see me using it for anything though.

SCANDI SAMPER – Karen Brittan
Sampler with house, trees reindeer and snowflakes alld one in 3 shades of red and some white. Scandinavian style seems very popular this year. Unfortunately my colour scheme is blue and silver so I won’t bestitching it

ROVING REPORTER -Interesting article on someone who stitches for the magazine. The one (and most important) thing it didn’t discuss was how much money can be earned!

CUPCAKE OF THE MONTH – Durene Jones
This is a santa one this time. Pleeeease let these finish their run soon! So sick of cupcakes! That said, this is one of the better ones.

NEXT MONTH – Hedgehog decorations, Wreath cards, Kitty ina santa hat (cute!), Reindeer cushion, oriental lady, and tatty teddy

sweetcarer

Hello everyone,

Thought I would review my clip on magnifier that hubby bought me to help me when stitching on smaller fabrics - ie the 36hpi I am using to do the learning sampler (see cross stitch cafe).

The item -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ILLUMINATE...item2eca890f86

Cost £8 including shipping.

Positives

• It is good as you can clip it onto anything.
• So light I hardly feel it on the hoop.
• It takes normal batteries - AAA.
• No big amount of heat from the LEDs.

Negatives

• The lens is not big - but ample for me
• It doesn't have a cover - don't want the sun burning through the lens and starting a small fire

All in all I am happy with it and helps so much with my stitching.

Kind wishes to all

sweetcarer

Flat_Eric

Not reviewing WOXS Issue 209 just yet - have lots of thoughts... just need to get them done in print....

but where (scratches head) in the magazine is the NOEL design and the snowman featured (see pics on front cover next to Margaret Sherry)?

flowerofscotland

*Louise* wrote: »

The World Of Cross Stitching Issue 209 £4.99

FREE GIFT – Chart booklet and Purple/Silver metallicthreads.
Lots of Christmas designs. I don’t like the baubles (even though the designer is one of my favourites) The ABC is quite nice, as are the patterned snowflakes. To be honest, if I was to do any of these I would probably change the colour scheme.

I'm not a fan of stitching with metallic threads. I like the snowflake designs and I think they would make lovely coaster cards - copyright Louise But I would prefer to stitch them on sparkly fabric with normal thread

CARROLLING CATS – Margaret Sherry
Two cats with a song sheet under a lamp. Cute, but since it has BOBS there is no way it will make my list.

completely agree

LETTERS PAGE – I sent in a picture of my coaster cardswhich they were going to use, doesn't look like I was in time for this issue.

hope to see them next month

YULETIDE WELCOME – Durene Jones
Blue front door, snowman on one side holding a robin,Topiary Christmas tree and a little cat on the other, surrounded by the words ‘Welcome all at christmas’
I do like this actually, not sure if I would ever get round to stitching it, but it's lovely and friendly

not keen on the colours in the stitching. Love the heart hanger Something like this would be ideal for my Stitchers' 12 Days

BEST BUYS PAGE – I always admire tablecloths like the ones shown but I could never trust my family enough to actually use one. I swear, one spill and I would cry! There is an article with tips for table stitching on page 64.
so true


NATIVITY CARDS – Jenny Barton
Cute and colourful cartoon style nativity designs. Very childlike designs, quite appealing but I don’t think I will end up making any.

not keen. I don't care for the faces

ASK THE EXPERTS – There is a good tip on how to get fabric back into shape after washing (basically pinning it in place when wet)
I love the design of the periodic table which is advertised, but don’t have anyone I could stitch it for L

fabulous design for a budding scientist

STOCKING TOPPERS – Joan Elliot
4 different designs for the top of a stocking. Jolly snowmen, penguins, angels or a Scandinavian style red/white one. Could be used as pictures in their own right, I like them (would never make a stocking though)

I like these and could use them though I prefer to include a name when I make stockings

CRAFT XTRA – SNOWY GOOSE
Goose with a ribbon round its’ neck and a weird border oft riangles and hearts. Not keen on this at all.

me neither

DESIGN LIBRARY – WINTER WONDERLAND – Rhona Norrie
Not a designer I have noticed before, but there are some good card sized designs here. They vary from polar bears and penguins to carol singers and little winter scenes. There is maybe half a dozen which will make my list.

Mixed bunch of Christmas designs but I really like some of them, my favourites being the 2 with SNOW and snowflakes Again these would make coaster cards

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS TREE – Helen Brindley
One each of the ’12 days’ items displayed on a metallic gold backstitched tree. This is different, and very effective looking. It doesn’t look like it would take too long to stitch either.

I usually like this style of design but I don't think the presents match the tree They are too prominent and mask instead of enhance the tree. And it's metallic thread

CHRISTMAS PUPPY – Debra Page
Puppy under the Christmas tree, surrounded by baubles and parcels. It’s a cute design but there is no way I would ever stitch this, I wouldn’t have the patience.

not keen and as you say it's a lot of work

CRACKERS ABC – Lisa Reakes
Very bright and festive, can’t really see me using it for anything though.

too much back stitch for my taste

SCANDI SAMPER – Karen Brittan
Sampler with house, trees reindeer and snowflakes alld one in 3 shades of red and some white. Scandinavian style seems very popular this year. Unfortunately my colour scheme is blue and silver so I won’t bestitching it

I like Scandinavian designs but this one doesn't scream "stitch me" and I can't decide why

ROVING REPORTER -Interesting article on someone who stitches for the magazine. The one (and most important) thing it didn’t discuss was how much money can be earned!


CUPCAKE OF THE MONTH – Durene Jones
This is a santa one this time. Pleeeease let these finish their run soon! So sick of cupcakes! That said, this is one of the better ones.

to me it looks like Santa in a bucket:eek:

NEXT MONTH – Hedgehog decorations, Wreath cards, Kitty ina santa hat (cute!), Reindeer cushion, oriental lady, and tatty teddy

So not an outstanding issue for me but I still enjoyed reading it

flowerofscotland

Flat_Eric wrote: »

Not reviewing WOXS Issue 209 just yet - have lots of thoughts... just need to get them done in print....

but where (scratches head) in the magazine is the NOEL design and the snowman featured (see pics on front cover next to Margaret Sherry)?

Somewhere in the middle of the magazine it shows these 2 designs and says "coming next month" - looks like a bit of a hasty cover up to me. I'm sure the intention is to include in the magazine what is featured on the front cover but perhaps there were last minute issues with production.

You could ask them