New Yarn and Cross Stitch Update

Not much to report this week as I've mainly been plodding along with my cross stitch.  I decided to turn the heart cross stitch that I made a few weeks ago into a little hanging ornament and here is the result:

A little bit wonky unfortunately but it looks quite cute hanging on my door now I think.  I've also been working on my "Whistle While You Work" cross stitch design from Crossstitcher magazine and have made some good progress with that:

I've actually got a bit further with it now and I reckon it'll be finished fairly soon - especially if the weather keeps going as it has been the last couple of weeks.  I'm really enjoying this design - I thought the colours were a bit dull to start with but the pink really makes all the difference and it is really starting to come together.  I must have good taste in patterns because a couple of you recognised the design in my last post and said it was one you are planning to do!

I've also finished my first knitted scarf that I've mentioned previously and I'll post some pictures of that when I've blocked it properly.  I haven't actually got much on the go at the moment (well, for me anyway!) and I'm looking for a new knitting or crochet project to get my teeth into.  I'm finding it particularly hard to find a knitting project which is simple enough for a beginner but still something I want to make!  Any suggestions gratefully received...!

Also, when I was at Stitch and Craft a few weeks ago  I "accidentally" bought some hoopla yarn.  It was much cheaper than online and it all looked so pretty on the stall so I couldn't resist.  Now I've got it at home I'm not sure what to do with it!  I was going to make a pouffee like the one they had on the stall but I'm unsure if I really need one!  And I've already made a crochet rug so I probably don't need another one of those.....  For the moment it is just sitting looking at me so any suggestions for that would also be gratefully received!

Have a lovely rest of weekend xx

Cross Stitching Away Stress

Things have been a bit hectic in my life recently - lots of good stuff going on but it means not as much time for planning craft projects!! I think it is because of this I have been getting back into cross stitching over the last few months. Its such a lovely thing to do - calming and relaxing without taking too much concentration.

I've actually been subscribing to Crossstitcher magazine the last couple of years but almost never do any of the projects. I decided it was time to rectify this and the first project I went for was a cushion as a present for my grandma in a beautiful, bright gerbera design.


She was thrilled with the cushion - in fact, so much so that when I last went round there she kept moving it everytime someone wanted to sit down near it because she didn't want to risk anyone squashing it! (Even though I told her that was the point of a cushion!!) I also found this fab fabric which matches perfectly to use on the back:


Then, a few weeks ago, for those brief few days when it felt like summer, I needed a portable project that I could take into the garden so I spontaneously started an Emily Peacock design from the Valentine's issue of the magazine. I spent some lovely hours in the sun stitching this:


I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it yet but I really like it - gotta love the leopard print. I might make it into a stuffed ornament to hang somewhere even though the last thing my flat needs is more clutter!

My latest project - a cushion cover with a bird and buttons on - isn't finished yet but I had to show you a picture to show you my new embroidery frame:


Those wooden embroidery hoops always annoyed me and I was forever adjusting them so when I saw that Wendy had one of these square clip frames and said it was great I thought I'd give it a go. Now I have one I can't believe I didn't get one before - it is genius! So much better than the hoops - it actually holds the fabric taut! I got mine here and totally recommend it!

I am really enjoying this latest design and hope to have the finished article ready to show you fairly soon!

Happy crafting ladies xx

Latest stained glass

I feel like I don't have that much to blog about at the moment - partly because I haven't had as much time as usual for crafting and partly because everything I am working on seems to be quite a big project so I'm not getting anything finished!!

I'm hoping to rectify that a bit over the Easter weekend but in the meantime I thought I'd show you a couple of pictures of my latest stained glass piece.


It is a design from one of the books our teacher has and it quite simple but one I've always liked. I wanted to make something quick (ish!) whilst I thought about other larger designs and it was good for using up pieces of glass I already had. Apart from the yellow glass I didn't have to buy any new glass for this piece....although it has barely made a dent in the amount of glass I have!


I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out and I love the colour palette of rich, jewel like colours - I'm definitely going to remember this for future projects.

I also made a few little pieces to use up scraps at the end of the term.


These beach huts are done using the copper foiling method and I think I am going to hang them in the window as lightcatchers.


It is the Easter break from my stained glass class at the moment and I'm feeling a little bereft without it! The group I learn with is lovely and really inspirational and I can't wait to get back to work next term on a new piece. I think it is going to be a piece for my sitting room wall with lights behind it.....better get designing!

I hope you are all enjoying a lovely, crafty bank holiday weekend xx