The Crafty (Magazine) Review Thread!

*Louise*

Thank you for the review fos. As you say CSC isn' t widely stocked, I will see if WHS has it when I'm next out and about.

flowerofscotland

*Louise* wrote: »

Thank you for the review fos. As you say CSC isn' t widely stocked, I will see if WHS has it when I'm next out and about.

This site sells the current issue and a few back issues - the great thing is that they sell them for the cover price with no postage charge making them cheaper than most sellers on ebay who tend to charge more than this for this magazine.

I bought a few issues this way last year because you get a reasonable idea of what the issue includes before you buy.

You can see the JE Christmas Angel in the current issue very clearly on the site - much better than my description

blue_eyed_girl

New WOCS arrived today but I haven't had time to open it.

Looking forward to getting the first one of 3 for £3 Cross Stitch Card Shop - I think it might arrive next week.

b_e_g

nmm

blue_eyed_girl wrote: »

New WOCS arrived today but I haven't had time to open it.

Looking forward to getting the first one of 3 for £3 Cross Stitch Card Shop - I think it might arrive next week.

b_e_g

I signed up too, so we're both waiting for it

*Louise*

The World of Cross Stitching
Issue 210 £4.99

FREE GIFTS
1- Festive Rudolph - Little Rudolphs head with baubles hanging from his antlers. Comes with a pink themed card mount and I have to say - it's great :T
2- Delivering the presents (Lilli of the valley) - Little boy pulling a sleigh of presents. I think there is a bit too much red in this picture (Trousers, jacket, hat, presents) and there is a lot of white stitching for the background which I just wouldn't do. IN fact I wouldn't do the sky either, I would stitch it on pale blue and replace the grey shadow for white stitching to give the impression of snow.

TATTY TEDDY - This is very cute! I like the TT designs that have some colour and Tatty is wearing a red santa hat and carrying a big stripy parcel.

LETTERS - Ohhh who is that stitcher who has sent in a picture of coaster cards? Oh yeah that would be me Did I mention I have a letter in this month...no? :rotfl: No gift through yet, I will let you all know what it is - probably a mouseloft design again.

FUNKY REINDEER CUSHION - Jane Henderson
Rows of reindeer silhouettes, stitched in blues/lilacs/pale greens. I like the colours used, and it looks really nice but not something I would personally make.

CHRISTMAS HEART TABLECLOTH - Amanda Gregory
This has some cute little designs on it, it could also be made to go in a frame on the wall. Again though - not something I would make.

GARLAND CARDS - Lesley Teare
Garlands featuring things like Candy canes, gingerbread people, stars, candles etc. I like the gingerbread one but not really fussed about the others.

ADVERT - British Craft Awards 2014
If anyone wants to vote, go to www.britishcraftawards.com

CRAFT XTRA
One of the better ones, a baby's first Christmas picture of a little snowman in a nappy sitting on top of blocks.

DESIGN LIBRARY - Last Minute Xmas
Here are the pictures that were missing from last months mag! :rotfl: There are some fantastic Christmas designs here - I love the santa with the little robin but there are loads to choose from and some of them are definitely going to make my to do pile :T

CHRISTMAS KITTEN - Peter Underhill
Little grey kitten wearing a santa hat. Adorable :T I would change the colours if I stitched this though, to match our little kitty who looks more like his 'Catching snowflakes' one advertised.

CHRISTMAS PUDDING ABC - Diane Machin
Lots of little puddings and letters. Not sure what I would stitch this for tbh.

ORIENTAL LADY - Helen Brindley
Geisha lady in red and green with a background of mountain/river/trees. Really not keen on this, her face looks a little strange as well.

ROVING REPORTER
Good article on stitching in schools, and how to get youngsters started.

HOT CHOCLATE CUPCAKE
I'm saying nowt

MR HEDGEHOG DECORATIONS - Durene Jones
Little hedgehog doing various xmas activities; posting a card, ice skating, boozing (lol) getting a tree etc. also instructions how to make these into little mini pillows to make tree decs


NEXT MONTH....
Christmas is officially over! The colour scheme has changed to mints and pastels and we have a forever friends bear, a blackwork piece, a year of cats (this looks interesting), a flowery cushion and a paris picture.

*Louise*

CROSS STITCH CARD SHOP
Issue 93 Nov/Dec £4.99

FREE GIFT - Boofle
Well there is SUPPOSED to be a free card kit but I don't have one with mine. Huh

PARTY PENGUIN
Penguin on ice skates carrying a candy cane. Cute

APERTURE CARDS
I'm not keen on designs where you need to buy specially shaped card. It usually works out much more expensive and you end up with a pack when you really only want to make one or two.

FESTIVE RIENDS
These caught my eye on the front cover, they are lovely. I like Santa hugging the reindeer and Santa and elf building a snowman. Very sweet.

CHRISTMAS MITTENS
Little mittens with messages on them. At first glance I wasn't keen but they are different and I might give one a go.

BAUBLES
Big baubles with Christmas designs on them. Not really for me.

ANIMAL CRACKERS
Chrismas characters 'bursting' out of crackers. These look very eye catching but there is a lot of work in them for a card

CAROL SINGERS
Set of 6 cards, moving away from traditional Christmas colours these use lilacs, pinks and greens which look quite nice.

REQUEST A CHART
2 grey parrots, goalkeepers gloves, UK/USA flags, Labrador. Nothing I would make use of.

NEW YEAR CARDS
Firework designs worked on a black background. Does anyone actually send New Year cards??

NEXT ISSUE
Mothers day and spring designs. There is a cute teddy peeking from behind a parcel and a little cat (Kiri) which loks cute as well.

MISS DECEMBER/ MISS JANUARY
You know how I feel about the cupcakes in WOXS? Well that's how I feel about these ladies. The concept is great but the designs don't look nice, and their faces are strange.

CHRISTMAS TAGS
Cute designs. I have cards with 4 small square apertures on the front and these would be great for them.

nmm

Thanks for the reviews *Louise*, I will add my thoughts to card shop soon. I just checked for the free kit and mine is there so i'd complain if I were you. That's my mum's card sorted

nmm

*Louise* wrote: »

The World of Cross Stitching
Issue 210 £4.99

LETTERS - Ohhh who is that stitcher who has sent in a picture of coaster cards? Oh yeah that would be me Did I mention I have a letter in this month...no? :rotfl: No gift through yet, I will let you all know what it is - probably a mouseloft design again.

CHRISTMAS KITTEN - Peter Underhill
Little grey kitten wearing a santa hat. Adorable :T I would change the colours if I stitched this though, to match our little kitty who looks more like his 'Catching snowflakes' one advertised.

Oh can we see a piccy of your letter, please I love the catching snowflakes one and Christmas kittens too adorable, does he do dogs, off to look

EDIT: He does clicky :j

nmm

My review in purple, thanks *Louise* for the contents I'm glad I got it on a 3 for £3 I wouldn't pay £4.99 for it

*Louise* wrote: »

CROSS STITCH CARD SHOP
Issue 93 Nov/Dec £4.99

FREE GIFT - Boofle
Well there is SUPPOSED to be a free card kit but I don't have one with mine. Huh

Boofle holding a poinsettia plant. Cute will stitch it for my mum or perhaps my sister, one of them is getting it, lol.

PARTY PENGUIN
Penguin on ice skates carrying a candy cane. Cute

Cute and quick to do, great for a last minute card.

APERTURE CARDS
I'm not keen on designs where you need to buy specially shaped card. It usually works out much more expensive and you end up with a pack when you really only want to make one or two.

Nope not for me either.

FESTIVE RIENDS
These caught my eye on the front cover, they are lovely. I like Santa hugging the reindeer and Santa and elf building a snowman. Very sweet.

Really nice modern designs, great for anyone not just friends I like them all.

CHRISTMAS MITTENS
Little mittens with messages on them. At first glance I wasn't keen but they are different and I might give one a go.

Sorry they look rubbish to me.

BAUBLES
Big baubles with Christmas designs on them. Not really for me.

I think they would be ok as tree decs but don't work as cards.

ANIMAL CRACKERS
Chrismas characters 'bursting' out of crackers. These look very eye catching but there is a lot of work in them for a card

I love these but agree too much work for a card maybe one as a picture instead?

CAROL SINGERS
Set of 6 cards, moving away from traditional Christmas colours these use lilacs, pinks and greens which look quite nice.

Not for me, no budding singers in my family :rotfl:

REQUEST A CHART
2 grey parrots, goalkeepers gloves, UK/USA flags, Labrador. Nothing I would make use of.

The Labrador looks nothing like my black lab.

NEW YEAR CARDS
Firework designs worked on a black background. Does anyone actually send New Year cards??

I get a drunken phone call at midnight, never sent or received a card.

NEXT ISSUE
Mothers day and spring designs. There is a cute teddy peeking from behind a parcel and a little cat (Kiri) which loks cute as well.

Agreed the teddy and cat look adorable, I also like the pretty birds and fun animals, something a bit different.

MISS DECEMBER/ MISS JANUARY
You know how I feel about the cupcakes in WOXS? Well that's how I feel about these ladies. The concept is great but the designs don't look nice, and their faces are strange.

I don't see the point.

CHRISTMAS TAGS
Cute designs. I have cards with 4 small square apertures on the front and these would be great for them.

I don't bother with tags but there are some quick and easy designs here.

blue_eyed_girl

I haven't received my Card Shop mag yet But after reading review I'm really looking forward to receiving the Boofle card (I love him).

b_e_g