Tuesday, 17 April 2012

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
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8 comments:

  1. Kandi17 April 2012 at 16:21

    Beautiful cushion and your Whistle While You work is going to be beautiful too I really want to make that one.
    Thanks for the tip with the frame, I might get myself one and the hoops are a bit pants aren't they?
    Kandi x

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  2. Wendy17 April 2012 at 16:58

    Gorgeous designs! I subscribe to cross stitcher too and just drool over the projects, then mark them with post its and put them back in the rack! I've got that Whistle While you Work marked!

    You can't beat a Qsnap, I should become a sales rep for them!

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  3. Annaboo's House17 April 2012 at 16:59

    Oh sew (sorry) pretty!
    I love the leopard print one the best and that cushion is FABULOUS!!
    Xx

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  4. Lyn17 April 2012 at 21:46

    I haven't the patience for cross stitch! well done they are lovely.
    xxx

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  5. Diane J. Evans18 April 2012 at 04:00

    Isn't cross-stitch wonderful?! So relaxing -- and your projects are simply beautiful. I, too, own one of these frames, and they're the bee's knees -- nothing beats 'em. Nicely done!

    Diane

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  6. Hippywitch18 April 2012 at 13:59

    Oh I can understand your grandma not wanting anyone to squish that cushion :-)

    Lovely stitching.
    Lori xx

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  7. Kerryp7718 April 2012 at 19:58

    gorgeous cushion, I love the little bird design too. I've got a q-snap too, i love how light it is.

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  8. Kay21 April 2012 at 23:56

    I love to cross stitch and have a similar frame to this, but my frame is a lap frame. It just sits there and I can use both hands. I love it so much and can never go back to a hoop.

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