Sundy Best - Cross Stitch Kits - Week 1

Hello beautiful people! Today's Sunday Best is a little run through of some of the amazing cross stitch kits available on Etsy. Life has been busy (same old excuses!) and I'm determined to give myself some crafting time in April.

I love the cute and quirky kits available for stitchers now (although still also have a soft spot for the more kitsch and old school cross stitch designs!).

Here are a few of my favourite 'safe for work' kits - the 'not safe for work' kits are equally awesome though, so be prepared for a run down of some of those bad boys next week!

1. Cute Bee from LittleBeachHut - I've admired the designs from LittleBeachHut for a while and this little bee is hard to resist.

2. Adorable Drama Llama from EllbieCo - nothing is better than a drama llama - and seriously - how cute? Just look at that little face.

3. Gin not Gym from SewCrossHandmade - I'm one day in to April and have already failed with my diet (damn the chocolate!) so this kit is a must-make to legitimise my bad decisions.

4. You're Tea-rific from GeekyStitchingCo - I think this cutie needs to be added to my Geeky Stitching Company collection very soon.

5. Makers gonna Make from Stitchsperation  - I've been a fan of the designs from Stitchsperation for a long time - it's definitely time to try a kit!

I definitely believe that setting some time aside for crafting (or any hobbies) helps us be more productive in the long run...so I'm off to have a cup of tea and get stitching. Looking forward to collating some not so safe for work designs for you next week so stay tuned.

Bye for now!

xxx

Motif Monday - The Porg

Motif Monday returns! Yay!

I'm still processing Star Wars The Last Jedi. It was an emotional rollercoaster I wasn't quite ready for.

One thing I do know is that the Porgs were flipping cute. And yeah...I also love the ewoks. If you're a Star Wars fan who hates the cute little critters of the universe then this isn't the blog you're looking for.

This week's free motif is dedicated to the little Porg dudes. It's a super quick stitch, and would be great for decorating a little one's t-shirt, or for stitching a legion of tiny little Porgs if you feel the need for a Porg army.

Porgs seems to be either brown or grey, depending on what point of reference you use. I've chosen brown for this design, but you can easily substitute for grey.

Here's the pattern:

Or you can download a pattern sheet, including the DMC threads colours I used, and a black and white version of the pattern by following this link:

Porg Pattern Sheet

Please only use this pattern for personal use, and if you share it credit this blog.

Happy porging everyone! I'll be back on Monday with another free pattern for you.

24 Projects in 24 Weeks - Week 6 Update - Unicorns Don't Care

Here's my project for last week - a day late! Oops!

I've had a summer cold this past week, which means that life has been spent either at work feeling sorry for myself, or at home curled up with tea and cross stitch.

The style of this kit was a little different for me - but I loved the retro font - and the Unicorn attitude of course! It's another one from The Geeky Stitching Company. I'm finding them to be the most relaxing projects ever. I've got another three kits stored up to complete, and about another 10 designs on my wish list!

I've been doing lots of thinking whilst stitching this week - about priorities, goals, what I want to do next with life - you know - the little things.

I do love crafting for providing some decent thinking time. I find that I never worry while I craft - instead I tend to quite calmly work through things in my head.

I haven't decided what project to complete for this week. I'm working through the rooms in my house at the moment and doing little bits of DIY and tidying/ turning out as I go. I'm hoping that will give me some inspiration on what to make next.

A friend has also lent me her sewing machine - so I'm going to be brave and try to use it. For all the crafts I've tried, sewing machines still terrify me!

Whatever your week brings, I hope it's a happy one. And remember - if you feel stressed - be like a unicorn.

Bye for now.

24 Projects in 24 Weeks - Week 4 Update - Succulent Cross Stitch

Life is keeping me busy at the moment.

To help me relax and give my brain time to download each evening I've been keeping up with my crafting and I've loved getting back into cross stitch so much. It's definitely my go-to craft.

My project this week was another kit from Geeky Cross Stitch. It was a joy to stitch and for such a simple pattern the final effect is gorgeous. Oh, and don't even get me started on that pompom trim (which comes with the kit) ... amazing.

I know succulents are the go-to trendy plant now, but my love affair with them started at age 10 - when I realised they were the only plant I could keep alive! I loved stitching this pattern to celebrate their amazingness.

Geeky Cross Stitch have a couple of other succulent themed kits - and I've ordered both of them - they're just too lovely, and will look amazing as a set. The presentation of the kits, and ease of use was just perfect - and they come with your own personalised sticker, which is so cute.

So my goal for this week is to keep crafting...but also get back to blogging! I have a day off work and think it might involve lots of tea, some mellow tunes and some serious catching up in the blogosphere!

Whatever you are doing, I hope you have a lovely week ahead and don't forget to keep making time to do the things you love!

Bye for now.

xxx

24 Projects in 24 Weeks Week 3 Update & Geeky Stitching Club Review

To say that my project for this week has been a joy to stitch would be an understatement. The weather where I live has been terrible, and so stitching this pattern was like stitching a bit of sunshine back into my week (which was a week off work - I really know how to pick them). The fact that I do love stitching a good pun also added to my enjoyment of this kit. Aloha Beaches. Brilliant.

I received this pattern as part of the Geeky Stitching Club , which is organised by the Geeky Stitching Company. I found the club through facebook and was quickly in love with the cure and quirky designs so decided to sign up. This was my first geeky stitching club box and it was really fun to receive and make.

Here's how the subscription box looks when you open it - super cute graphics and pretty colours (and a sweet) - so it definitely won my heart.

Inside the box was everything needed to complete the main pattern - a hoop, fabric, needle, threads, instructions and the pattern itself (which was super easy to follow). I've been travelling around a bit this week and being able to just pick my kit up in the box and carry it around with me was perfect.

There were also some extras in with the kit - two bonus patterns, a piece of fabric (which is so pretty - t had dots!) and a skein of thread for future use.

I'm definitely a fan of this subscription box - the presentation of everything, cuteness of the designs and how flipping easy everything was to follow (right down to having the skeins of thread pre-organised on a card in the order the colours are listed on the pattern) really did mean this kit was a joy to make. I'e ordered a couple of other kits (themed around my favourite plants!) so there will be more to come as part of my 24 projects, I'm sure!

Have you finished any projects this week? I'd love to hear about them if you have.

xxx

24 Projects in 24 Weeks - Week 2 Update - Foxy Cross Stitch

Hello to all the crafty people in the house! I've achieved week 2 of my challenge to complete a crafty project each week. Hurrah! I've found cross stitch to be really helpful this week. My brain has been so tired each evening (hence the silence on here...so sorry my lovely blog readers) that following a pattern has given me something to do that doesn't involve sitting around and worrying, but hasn't overly taxed my poor confused brain!

So here's the finished item. It was from a kit that came as a free gift with the September 2017 issue of Cross Stitch Crazy Magazine. I have such a stash of free kits to work my way through, but I couldn't resist this design - so pretty.

The kit comes with a pink plastic hoop as well, but I am trying to build a collection of embroidered designs in wooden hoops for a hoopla wall I want to put together,  so I used a small wooden one instead.

Here's a close up to show the detail of the design. I was so impressed with this design coming as a free kit.

If you'd like to stitch your own little fox family the magazine should still be in the shops.

I have a sneaky suspicion next week's project is also going to be cross stitch related - but more on that next weekend!

Have you completed any projects this week? I'd love to hear about them if you have!

Bye for now

xx

Collection Crush - Stitchsperation

Something a little bit different for my Collection Crush this week. I'm always on the look-out for more modern cross stitch designs, and I stumbled upon these amazing designs by Stitchsperation on Etsy. 

I love all the designs in the shop which can be bought as kits. They come with handpainted fabric and the thread needed to stitch the black designs. These are some of my favourites, but there are some pretty amazing not safe for work designs there too.

I've got a few crafty projects on the go at the moment but I'm definitely adding one (or two) of these designs to my to-do list!

1. Shake it off

2. Ampersand

3. Carpe Diem

4. Makers gonna make

Stitch 'n' Tell - Cross Stitch Otter

Today I thought I'd share a completed cross stitch project which has been keeping me very busy(I have a few of these on the go!).

This was a present for my dad who is a big otter fan. I'm so happy with how this little guy turned out but have to admit I found him a challenge! I'm better with projects that involve lots of different colours so I don't get bored - but this kit was obviously predominantly brown. I didn't complete the whole picture (as it's quite honestly massive and I didn't want a detailed border around the otter), but this is what the completed project would look like if all of the outlines were added...

The kit itself was perfectly put together and really clear with good quality threads and fabric included. Although I found the design a bit challenging at times, the fine detail of the otter is just so stunning it was worth it in the long run.

If you fancy a challenge, the kit can be found here. I'm going to go and get on with my next project...a Christmas robin who wasn't quite ready in time for Christmas....with any luck he'll be ready for Christmas 2017!

Bye for now

xxx

Christmas Card Challenge - Week 1 Update

Hello, hello! Last week I set myself a challenge to start making Christmas Cards in honour of World Card Making Day. Over the past week I have learnt/ remembered a few things...

1. Cross stitching takes longer than I give it credit for
2. Just because something is small doesn't mean it'll be quick to make if it still involves lots of stitches and colour changes
3. I find it hard to concentrate on anything other than self pity if I have a bit of a cold (pathetic..seriously...I'm pathetic)
4. I love finishing projects, no matter how big or small
5. As much as I've side-eyed people who start talking about Christmas in October in the past - starting to get prepared early actually feels lovely 

So the three cards I had planned to make this week were wayyy too adventurous. I'd just forgotten how many hours can go into even the smallest of projects when it comes to cross stitch. I think I'll try some other crafting techniques (in addition to cross stitch!) over the next few weeks to help build up my card stash.

I cheated slightly this week and ended up making one card and some gift tags (I'm sure they count, right?). These were made using kits I had hanging around. I know exactly who is receiving the teddy card and I really love the Scandinavian tags - they'll look lovely with parcels wrapped in brown paper.

Here's my week 1 photo...the bear bowl in the photo is a purchase I made today in Next...a bowl with bears climbing into it...does winder home ware get much better than that? I'll blog more about my most recent Next home ware haul as soon as there is enough daylight for me to take photos!

World Card Making Day...and a Challenge!

Today is World Card Making Day, a day dedicated to encouraging people to make cards rather than going for the mass produced market. It has inspired me to have a go at making my Christmas Cards this year. It's something I promise myself I'll do every single year...and then before I know it, it's the 20th December and I haven't made/ posted a single card. I'm determined to change that this year so I'm setting myself a goal. I don't actually send that many cards each year, so my goal is that between now and the 10th December I'm going to try to make three cards each week, so I should have 30 in total. That's more than enough, and any left over I'll either save for next year or donate to charity.

My plan is to cross stitch most, if not all, of the cards, and I have soooo many free kits from magazines to make, so that's my first focus.

I don't think for a second that my blog has enough of a readership to start this as a 'proper' challenge with other people participating, but if you're out there and would like to give this a try too, let me know...I think I'm going to need some motivation to stop me getting distracted and making anything and everything but Christmas Cards!!

I'll do weekly updates of where things are with my card making challenge...wish me luck!

Bye for now!

What's New in CrossStitch - Hannah Dale from Bothy Threads

Gorgeous Shih Tzu Print by Hannah Dale

I'm hoping to bring back motif Monday but until that happens, I thought I'd use Mondays to update on what is new in the world of Cross Stitch.

I've loved the art of Hannah Dale for a little while now. I've seen it adoring beautiful mugs and kitchenware in many a National Trust gift shop (should I be ashamed of how much of my life is spent perusing National Trust gift shops?). The print above is definitely on my wish list...partly because it reminds me of my own little scruffy pup.

I was very excited to see that her work was starting to be used for Cross Stitch charts and have managed to get a few from buying cross stitch magazines. However, they are now also featuring in some lovely kits by Bothy Threads and I thought I'd share a few here in case anyone else is as in love with the style as much as me. I think they'd look beautiful framed and hung on the walls of the cottage I'll own one day.

All photos are from sewandso.co.uk who are stocking these gorgeous kits. They're definitely going on my Christmas wishlist!

 Lovely mum and baby ducks design

 

  My current favourite - adorable and slightly startled looking rabbit

 

Perfect for Christmas

I'm hoping the range just grow and grows (and includes some of her gorgeous dog designs like the one at the start of this post...*hint* *hint*

Bye for Now!