The Crafty (Magazine) Review Thread!

blue_eyed_girl

:j Woo Hoo Card Shop Mag has arrived but I don't have time to open it just now so will have to save it until this evening.

b_e_g

flowerofscotland

free gift 8 small designs for Christmas gift tags. Apparently some kits have had wonky aida but mine was fine I wouldn't ever stitch gift tags though

have yourself a merry little Christmas modern design I'm blues and reds on rustic linen displayed in a bound hoop. I really like this

take a bow. Felt bows with a small Christmas design or initial in the middle Quirky alphabet which might be useful but don't like the idea of stitching on felt

housewarming. 3 colourful houses decorated for Christmas made into ornaments plus another design of a row of colourful.houses in the snow. Stitched on blue Evenweave Similar style to Michael Powell. I like this

owl keep you warm Hand warmer sand mug cosy design of cute owl Cute if you like owls (I don't). Includes instructions for making a hand warmer and mug cosy which could be "handy"

silver service. Banner on white Evenweave saying Joyeux Noël plus a gift bow Also placemats with knife fork and spoon, and napkins with gift bows. Love the banner, would never stitch the placemats or napkins though I like the bow design even if it does include metallic thread

tales from the wood. 3 cartoon forest creatures fox, owl, badger all wearing hats and scarfs. Not my sort of thing

be still my heart 2 small heart decorations by Jan Constantine. Love these Stitched on cranberry Evenweave

chrimbo quick stitches 22 different seasonal motifs One shown stitched onto a felt treat bag including instructions on how to make the treat bag. Not keen

hello deer cushion with cartoon style fawn on pale blue Evenweave. Looks too much like the Babycham deer for my taste

queen of hearts beautiful French design in blue on rustic linen. Doves and heats in a heart shape. On my to do list

festive friends 4 cute character cards - snowman, penguin, Santa, polar bear Ok but nothing special

hoops with style. Various ways of decorating wooden hoops to display stitching Must try this.

All in all I really like this issue

*Louise*

CROSS STITCH CRAZY - Issue 185, £4.99

FREE GIFT - Festive Garland Hearts & Thread Holder
These are quite nice, I like the Xmas pudding thread holder - nice touch and the hearts can be used as intended or you can use your own designs and mount them on a card. You can also download an alternative chart from their website.

CHRISTMAS PETS - Margaret Sherry
Two cats and a dog in a row, wearing festive has and peeking out of Xmas gift bags. I normally write of Margaret Sherrys designs due to the BABS even though I find some of them adorable...but on closer inspection this one only has minimal BABS on the facial features - the rest goes with the aida fabric holes. Hopefully this marks a change for her designs :T:T

CROSS STITCH QUICKIE - My January monkey is here, with little snowballs to represent the awful weather that is heading our way.

CELEBSTITCH - Jennifer Lawrence
Could be any girl really.

50 ZODIAC GIFT IDEAS - Diane Machin
Lots of nice little designs, I'm not all that into them myself.

MUST HAVES - There is a gorgeous little set of coasters shown, badger, fox, deer and hedgehog - lovely set for any fans of British wildlife.
There is also a picture of a Thomas Kinkade Disney dreams (Bambi) I have meat to stitch one of his designs for a long time (I have Fly to Neverland sitting here)

HUMPHREY PLAYING
Humphrey the elephant in a red jacket, running in the snow. I've seen cuter designs tbh. Watch for BABS

CRAFT XTRA - Three little hank you designs featuring a snowman, penguin and Teddy.

CRAZY FOR...CHOCOLATE
Mmmmm...



Sorry, I digress - Chocolate theme designs - cake, chocolate, doughnut, hot choc etc.

FOREST FRIENDS - Becky Tuffnell
I love these!! The animals are cute, the pastel shades are really pretty - these will be useful It's also good to have an alphabet that isn't too babyish for under-10's

RESOLUTIONS - Julia Rigby
Set of 4 New year resolution designs (Who needs resolutions when you're perfect / I resolve never to make another new years resolution / My new years resolution can start tomorrow / MY new years resolution is to get started on last years). Writing is BABS, I would change this straight away.

CAT TOYS - Rhona Norrie
Fish & mouse designs to make into mini cat filled cushions with a string attached - nice enough but I think my cat would have them ripped to bits in minutes

KITCHEN SAMPLER - Emma Congdon
Pretty kitchen themed design, not something I would stitch but others may like it.

ROBOT BADGES - Fiona Baker
Cute little robot designs to make into buttons.

NEW YEAR CARDS - Jennifer Ellory
Lots of card designs...very nice - but I don't send new year cards.

CHALLENGE LUCIE
RAF Sweetheart wing (lovely sentiment), child in a wheelchair, robin & owl, street dancer, girl footballer, barrel wearing sunglasses (I'm sure some people just send the silliest thing they can think of)

NEXT MONTH.......Here comes Valentines....Some nice card designs, a mobile, an ugly (in my opinion) bird cushion, and monster alphabet

*Louise*

THE WORLD OF CROSS STITCHING
Issue 211 £4.99

FREE GIFT 1- Vintage Charm Diary
I never use these diaries that are given out every year. There are 12 feminine designs in this but I won't stitch any of them

FREE GIFT 2- Decorative stitches guide
Useful little booklet showing how to do Herringbone, Algerian eye, Rhodes and Lazy Daisy stitches.

FOREVER FRIENDS
Teddy holding a bunch of flowers. Cute design, wouldn't take long to stitch if you like the FF range.

THANK YOU CARDS - Rhona Norrie
6 different floral based designs. There are a couple which could be simplified further by using coloured fabric instead. *note to self* I do like the purple check one with violets

BLACKWORK BEAUTY - Anne Macgregor
This is a bit strange but not awful - lots of squares with different designs in blackwork style. I like the use of variegated threads.

CRAFT XTRA - Lisa Reakes
Birdcages. Hmm. Not for me.

STUNNING FLORAL TREE - Kate Knight
Big tree with lots of flowers and birds. Pretty but not for me

DESIGN LIBRARY - FICTION OR FANTASY?- Debra Page
Ohhh yes, these are for me! Fairies, dragons, unicorns,a castle etc etc. My favourites are: Dreamcatcher(13) Pot of gold(22) Fairy (24) Tooth Fairy (25) Mermaid (33)

PLAYROOM ABC - Jenny Barton
Cute alphabet, although not very bright for a kids stitch?

A YEAR OF CATS - Durene Jones
A cat pic for every month of the year. Nice to get a whole set at once and not have to collect them for months. Some cute ones there.

CUPCAKE OF THE RUDDY MONTH - Durene Jones
....Neverending...!

Page 75 - Picture of John Claytons newest full length lady. Isabella - she is just beautiful and so realistic

PARISIAN CHIC - Susan Bates
Lady in a pink dress with Eiffel tower in the background. I like the card version but the full picture doesn't appeal - and the lady's face looks a bit strange...

blue_eyed_girl

Just renewed my sub for WOCS and I thought I got it to start with issue 211 but when I got the confirmation through it said it will be 212. Oh well, never mind, I don't think too much appeals Louise.

b_e_g

Coxy11

Hi everyone,

I took out a subscription to The World of Cross Stitching five issues for £5 and received issue 212 yesterday.

Here is my review:

FREE GIFT 1
Chicken sampler by Madeleine Floyd - design features 9 different hens with eggs, could also use each chicken separately. Not sure who I'd stitch this for?

FREE GIFT 2
Felt floral decoration. Two felt 'frames' included, one pink heart shaped, one green circle, one piece of Aida, threads and hanging ribbon.

FRAGRANT FIELDS
AOY design featuring two little girls in a field of lavender - love this, definitely one for the to do list.

LOVE STORY
Sweet design featuring hearts and a motto, displayed as a cushion but could also be used for a wedding sampler or anniversary gift.

FLOWER POWER
Alphabet featuring Spring flowers such as daffs and crocus. Love these.

BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Four different bird designs, not for me.

CRAFT EXTRA SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Valentine hearts x 2
Nice simple designs for cards.

MOVIE MAGIC
Cinema-themed items, eg, popcorn, oscar, directors chair, clapper board etc.

WHAT A CHARM
Really cute sampler featuring cupcakes and flowers. Another one for my to do list.

LET'S PLAY DRESS UP
Doll dress up set (like the ones from our childhood where you have a base doll and fit different clothes on top). Lots of effort but quite cute if you have the time and someone to play with it lol.

FIONAS SWEET TREATS
Heart cupcake for the month of February. A bit cartoony iyswim?

FRESH FROM THE GARDEN
Herbs in pots with name tags, not a fan.

POWER OF POSITIVITY
Six designs featuring butterflies and positive words such as 'cherish' 'inspire' - not sure who I'd stitch these for.

WASH AWAY THE BLUES
Bright design featuring a washing line on a windy day with a cat asleep in the washing basket, also a peg design and a 'missing socks' banner. Quite sweet, maybe for a cat lover.

In the next issue:

Floral Fairy by Joan Elliott
Stained glass floral design with seasonal flowers
Mother's Day cards
Ed hedgehog exclusive design
Peacock design
Designs for mug rugs (large fabric coaster)
Free gifts - bath time bunny from Some bunny to love' and puppy bookmark (which looks a bit odd)

Coxy

nmm

Cross stitch Card Shop arrived today, will review it at the weekend

nmm

CROSS STITCH CARD SHOP
Issue 94 Jan/Feb £4.99

FREE GIFT - Cute Kiri The Cat
A really cute card with Kiri sitting down surrounded by hearts saying "With Love..." Would work for a valentines card or mothers day one? Will stitch at some point.

ACORN THE BEAR
Adorable bear holding a present from the creator of woodland folk. Cute not sure who to stitch it for, maybe my niece.

FLOWERS FOR MUM
Bright flowers in pots using beads, they kinda look like a kid drew them, don't think i'll stitch these.

BEAUTIFUL BUNNIES
White rabbits with floral backgrounds, not for me they look evil!!!

PAGE 25 BEST BUYS
The Baby Love charts are so cute

MOTHER AND CHILD
Mum and baby animals there are rabbits, hamsters, ducks, hedgehogs, dogs and cats. Nothing catches my eye so probably wont stitch.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
16, 18 and 21st birthday cards in blue and pink. Quick simple cards, not too fussy just gifts and text.

FLORAL FRIENDS
Assisi-Style cards/gift tags featuring an elephant, giraffe and a ostrich? Either floral animal/white background or floral background/white animal. I liked these from the preview last issue, they look very different.

THE POWER OF LOVE
Valentines cards saying "i love you more than..." cupcakes, chocolate, cocktails or shoes. Pretty rubbish really and i don't think any man would appreciate them.

REQUEST A CHART
A monkey, a helicopter, a water dragon and a clarinet player. Not for me.

LOVE IS IN THE AIR
4 valentines cards featuring a couple of cute birds with romantic greetings. Bright and colourful i would stitch these but not as valentines cards.

NEXT ISSUE
Spring and easter designs, my last 3 for £3 issue. The free gift is a lamb looks a bit rubbish, some grandparent cards, easter egg cards and a lovely Forever Friends Bear, which is the only thing i like.

TERRIFIC TRIOS
New Birthday series, i guess its moved away from the ladies, 3 cute dogs and some flowers. Both are ok for birthday cards, the flowers can be for mothers day also. Might stitch these.

JUST FOR YOU
Floral ABC, nice if you need a name plaque or gift tags.

There you go my first attempt at a review hope its ok

flowerofscotland

Thanks for the reviews Louise, coxy and nmm I have all of these magazines but haven't had time to look at them yet. They will be my treat after Boxing Day when all visitors gone and before I go back to work.

Just a couple of comments from me - I like the WOCS diary and would be very disappointed if they stopped doing them. I have the current year next to where I sit and stitch and I write on the day the name of the project I have stitched on that day. I don't keep a detailed record of the number of hours each piece takes but this does give me an idea of time taken.

I had to take a look at the latest Elegance lady - very nice although I think I prefer the first one in the series - Gabriella (who is dressed in pale pink). If I had time I would love to stitch both and I'm looking forward to seeing more in the same series

Coxy11

CROSS STITCH CRAZY - Issue 187

Free gift 1
Hard-backed floral notebook (A6 size?) with aperture to add a cross stitch design. Three designs included: dragonfly, flowers, wording 'stitchy notes'. A useful gift (for once!) and I've been looking for a dragonfly design so this is perfect for me

Free gift 2
Floral teapot chart - not my cup of tea (if you pardon the pun!) but sure others will like it.

Happy Days - Forever Friends Bear
Nice simple design featuring FF Bear planting flowers in a pot, with a watering can by the side. StitchTime is 15 hrs. I like this design (and the other featured designs from this range).

Cross Stitch quickie
British Shorthair cat design. Next month: Maine Coon.

CelebStitch - Humphrey Bogart
Not for me!

50 Sweet treat gift ideas
Nice designs featuring jammy dodgers, doughnuts, loveheart sweets, cakes, jars of sweets. The magazine has these on biscuit tins, jars, cards, oven gloves etc. Some very useful designs here.

Perfect pattern
I'm not sure how to described these There's a kaleidoscope design on a tote bag, a chart to cover a compact mirror, and one for a cosmetic bag. They are brightly coloured and really not my thing (sorry).

Crafty Xtra - subscribers only
St. Patrick's Day designs for cards etc.

Crazy for Monkeys
9 different monkey designs, sitting on branches, eating etc. Again, not my thing.

Brilliant Bugs ABC
Really cute, colourful alphabet featuring ladybirds, ants, bees, snails etc. Useful to have in my stash

Nature study
Four designs of trees and the corresponding wildlife for Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. I like these and they don't look like they'd take too long to stitch - 8-10 hours stated.

Feeling fruity
Designs for fruit pin cushions - apple, pear, banana and strawberry - stitch time 3-4 hours each.

Sweet dreams
Princess and the pea design by Lucie Heaton. I love this, but sadly don't have any littlies to stitch it for May save it for when I'm a grandma lovvvvl!

Crafty makes
Door hangers, two designs - 'do not disturb' with a teddy and a heart design. Stitch time 8-10 hours each.

Finders keepers
Designs to add to a keepsake box. Lots of useful ones here including baby footprints, beach scene, Mr and Mrs etc. Could easily be used for cards too I'd imagine.

Chart challenge
This month's requests are: a map of Thailand, an aeroplane, meerkat wedding couple, papillon dog, 30th wedding anniversary/Florida trip and a pink beetle (as in the bug, but there's a part of me that thinks the requester meant the car :rotfl:)

Next month:
Free wall hanging kit featuring birds and hearts, Spring blooms sampler, gift ideas for bookworms, dress up dolly with separate clothes, egg cosies, Kate Knight vase of flowers design and Japanese inspired designs.

I think this is the last of my 5 issues for £5 subscription. I have taken out another cheapy subscription to World of Cross Stitch so I will continue with that for the time being.

HTH
Coxy