Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2016 i The World of Cross Stitching

We’re all loving that the brightness of spring days finally seems to be back – not just because we can reserve our daylight lamps for the evenings. Mostly, we’re glad that everyone’s spirits are lifted and we’re much more in the mood for spring-themed projects of course. Take adorable Bebunni, our cover star, as a case in point… Check out this sweet exclusive on page 10, and imagine yourself playing in the daffodils with him! Speaking of seasonal fun, I know you’ll love our Springtime Stitch Kit and chartbook – our bumper value gifts for you this month. With enough goodies in the pack for three cards (and to have leftovers too!), I’m struggling to choose which of the 30 fun patterns to start! For more treats, I’m also loving…

PICK OF THE MONTH Blackwork blooms FLOWERS THAT POP How gorgeous are these blackwork floral designs by Valentina Sardu for Ajisai Press*? The blackwork really makes the colourful petals pop. We know how much you loved Valentina's wonderful hummingbird design in our issue 231, so these will be just as fun to stitch, we think! Using cross stitch, fractionals, French knots, plus all the blackwork, these are rewarding projects to expand your skills. The four designs in this collection can decorate an entire room. The downloadable charts include: 'Hellebore and Snowberry', 'Deep Pink Hellebore', 'White Spotted Hellebore' and three adorable mini designs in one called, 'Bouquets' (not pictured). BEAUTIFUL BIRDIE This Rico 'Cross Stitch kit with felt frame – Greenfinch' is great for beginners and experienced stitchers alike. With beautiful…

Ruth Southorn Ruth, our Editor, has been a cross stitcher since she was tiny and is ready to share everything she knows Fiona Baker Fiona is our Technical Editor so she’s all ready to answer your problems on all things stitch and chart related Jenny Barton Design pro, Jenny has been creating projects for us for years and is ready to take on your design challenges Jo Stenlake All set to hunt down those elusive charts and products, Jo’s on hand to find shopping answers that you need Katriel Costello Stitching guru Katriel has worked in the industry for years, so has ample knowledge to answer any queries So handsome Q I’d love to stitch my greyhound – here is my photo of Fitzwilliam Darcy. I named him after the…

✖ Emma Nagorski: I just love browsing through trusted companies on the internet, ones such as www.sewandso.co.uk and designs just jump out at me! ✖ Jennifer Handy: I use #crossstitch on Instagram and see what other people are stitching, I also like to browse new patterns on Etsy. ✖ Rita Sajtos: I flip through old issues of the mag and of sister mag, Cross Stitch Crazy and I always find new inspiration or a forgotten must-do project. Helen Jenkins-Knight Pick a timeless design that won’t go out of fashion… or just something you love. Andrea Stevenson: When I’m ready to start a new project, I see what’s in my stash and there’s always something that calls to me. Cindy Borlase ✖ Bennett: I have about five that I am desperate…

Take a walk through the woods, admire the luscious green leaves and be able to call each tree by name. For nature-lovers or those who simply admire a bit of greenery, these cards are just the thing. With a stitchy design including the whole tree, a close up of their leaves and identifying nuts and berries, you’ll be recognising the trees around you in no time. Willow, oak, elm, birch, hawthorn and hazel – Amanda Gregory has captured the beauty of them all, demonstrated the best of their foliage and earthy allure. Working on 14-count white aida, these cards are great projects for novice stitchers to sink their teeth into as they’re all in whole stitches with a bit of backstitch for added detail and leafy outlines. The various shades…

Ready, set, shop! Getting started Where to buy your start-up kit – turn to page 88 to see exactly what you’ll need ANCHOR www.makeitcoats.com ☎ 01484 681881 For kits, fabrics & threads CRAFT CREATIONS www.craftcreations.com ☎ 01992 781900 For blank & aperture cards DMC CREATIVE WORLD www.dmccreative.co.uk ☎ 0116 275 4000 For kits, fabrics, threads and more JOHN JAMES NEEDLES www.jjneedles.com ☎ 01527 830941 For needles & sewing essentials MADEIRA www.madeira.co.uk For fabrics, threads & accessories, buy in the UK from Barnyarns www.barnyarns.co.uk ☎ 01765 690069 THE WORLD OF CROSS STITCHING SUBSCRIPTIONS www.buysubscriptions.com/world ☎ 0844 815 0049 ZWEIGART www.zweigart.de For fabrics, buy in the UK from Sew and So www.sewandso.co.uk ☎ 01453 889988 Products to drool over! Browse the latest stitching designs and ideas on PAGE 24 Your projects Find…

Be on the panel! Get a sneak preview Appear in the magazine Receive a stitchy gift Keith Clark is an Editor from London How did you start stitching? I started cross stitching at Christmas a few years ago making Christmas cards for people. After I finished those I started designing my own patterns. Memorable stitching moment? I accidentally ended up on the news – my bank was having trouble sending me a debit card, so in protest I cross stitched one and posted it to them. The story wound up on BBC news, and in newspapers around the world. Fave recent design? I really like seeing the different ABC themes, so I enjoyed the Assisi hearts from issue 238. I loved the finished project as well – the backless frame…

Star Letter OFF TO THE RACES Just couldn’t resist showing this off! My largest project to date to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of an amazing racehorse. My husband works for the owners and asked me to do this as a keepsake for them. They were over the moon! It took me three months and 280 hours to complete. I’m very proud! Beth Lovett, via email Jo: What a great job Beth! I’m sure the owners are pleased. It’s always nice to know that you’re making a keepsake to be enjoyed for years. Win! The writer of our Star letter wins these two Bothy Threads* kits, worth £24.99 each. 'LOVE' (XST3) & 'Shall we nest here?' (XSRT2) contain aida, pre-sorted threads, charts & needle. For stockists, see page 90 Silky stitches Here…

HEATHER NUGENT, MAKING-UP EXPERT Stitched table linens Q In the past, I’ve made some pretty tablelinen using tablecloths which had inset aida panels. These seem really hard to get hold of these days. Do you have any ideas what I can do instead? I like to have a nice cloth for coffee mornings. Thanks! Marina Springs, via email A Heather says: It’s true, the aidainset cloths are few and far between now. The only supplier we know, making just a very few styles, is Rico*. One idea is to use a large piece of aida or evenweave for the whole of your cloth and stitch in the area(s) you want. This can be tricky as fabrics are made in limited widths (usually 114cm (45in)) which may not cover your table.…

In a tangle Q I find myself making a mess when I’m changing my stranded cotton colours and only have one or two stitches of different colours. I make a mess as I take my thread between areas at the back. Hope you can help me – a very frustrated cross stitcher! Thanks. Eileen Bentley, via email A Ruth says: It can definitely be the case that the back of a project can end up looking a real mess, Eileen. I can empathise with this – it sounds like you’re working on a socalled confetti-style project. These types of designs use quite a pixelated form with scattered, one-off stitches of each colour, rather than flowing areas of colour. It’s a common style for large, photo-realistic designs and ones converted from…

Fun facts about Labradoodles • Labradoodles are a cross between poodles and labradors and range in colour from gold to black, red, and silver. • The first labradoodles were bred in Australia for a blind woman in Hawaii. • Monopoly has replaced the Scottish terrier icon with a labradoodle on their “Here and Now” game version. • Labradoodles love swimming and being in and around water – whether it’s rain, puddles, pools or oceans. • Jennifer Aniston, Graham Norton, Jeremy Clarkson and Tiger Woods are all proud owners of this friendly breed. Design my pet! Q Hello! I’d like to make a Pet of the Month request. Please can you make a labradoodle pattern? Perhaps in black, or salt-and-pepper? I’d love to make something for my sister who has a…

With a picnic lunch packed and a fishing rod over your shoulder, it’s off to spend a day on the lake in hopes of catching a fish or two – better yet, we have a fishing expedition you can take the kids on a bit closer to home. With four fab fish and even a stitchy box to keep them in, this game will be a pleasure to create and entertain. Help little ones hook a fish or two, developing hand-eye coordination and catching something fun as well. Designer Rhona Norrie has created this fishy project exclusively for you. Done on 14-count white aida in all simple stitches, it’ll be a breeze for you to make and shouldn’t take long to finish… assuming the kids allow you time in your…

“IT’S MY TURN!” Fun for the kids at every throw of the die – create a board game they’ll love CARDS TO STITCH & SEND 50+ mini ideas: gorgeous greetings, perfect to send for any occasion! LOVE SEWING Exclusively from Monkey Boo Designs, celebrate your passion for stitching INSPIRING WORD-ART So on-trend – you’ll adore this colourful typography design! Fresh flowers – a must-stitch! Create this wow-factor bouquet from award-winning designer April Rose HOME SWEET HOME Enjoy a country cottage stitch – inspired by a novelty teapot style! FEATHERED FRIENDS Try an easy-make home decor idea, with our sweet garden birdies cushion PLUS MUCH MORE ✖ Green-fingered or stitchyfingered?! Design Library: 40+ kitchen garden motifs ✖ Ask the Experts: we help you! ✖ Lazy daisies – a pretty project idea…

Again this week I was stopped in a café as I was stitching away… a lady keen to find out what I was making. Not a fellow stitcher, but a knitter so she had a love for crafting. I quite often get chatting with people when I’m out with my projects. On buses, trains… in airport lounges, doctor’s waiting rooms… whilst out and about adding a few stitches! It’s important to have all my bits and bobs close by. Have I got my prewound bobbins? A spare needle, just in case!? Mini snips, nice and compact, when I’m on the go? And everything’s better in a nice, stash bag of it’s own. No more swapping bags around – it’s best to keep a dedicated project tote so I can lay…

Add metallic accents From the winding water of the River Nile to the iconic pyramids of Giza, Egypt is steeped in history and archeological treasures – making it a source of fascination for hundreds of years. With the earliest example of cross stitch discovered in an ancient Egyptian tomb, what better way to pay homage than with this classic sampler design? Featuring an array of motifs and graphic borders, Anchor’s stunning project includes a highly decorated sarcophagus, brightly coloured scarab beetles (thought to protect from danger), and a selection of hieroglyphics, just to name a few. Using a variety of stitches, including fractionals and French knots, in a traditional colour palette of sandy browns, royal blues, and reds, you’ll also work in accents of gold to add a regal touch.…

How did you first get into painting? I have painted since I was at school, but only as a hobby or for presents for my family and friends. It was after losing my mum, who was the person who encouraged me to paint as a profession, that I sat down one day and realised I had the most brilliant models, in the ducks running around my garden! And so, the Daphnee and Penelope range began! What’s your art training, if any? I have a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, which I received in my late teens. Where else might we see your beautiful artwork? All of my work is featured on my greetings cards which are stocked up and down the country, plus my card designs are on my…

Request a design and our resident design expert, Jenny, might just chart it for you… Q My son is a huge dance fan and I’m looking for a design to stitch on to his dance bag. Most ballet-related designs seem to be pink and girly, so can you help me with something for him? Thanks! Jo Browes, via email A Jenny says: A cross stitch for his dance bag is a fun idea, Jo. I designed these pointe shoes to keep the graceful look of a ballet design whilst creating something a young man would be happy to have, using a bright blue with a bit of black. I hope it suits! Please note: Jenny can only fit in fairly small designs and for copyright reasons she is unable to…

A forest of tree ideas STITCHY CHALLENGE STILL IN THE FOREST Imagine a walk through the forest on a misty autumn morning… this pretty scene, captured in a wholestitches-only chart (60727) from Mystic Stitch, is available from Sew and So*. The densely worked composition, with plenty of confetti stitches (see page 37), and a huge thread palette makes this one a stitchy challenge! Stitch count – 200 high x 310 wide, finished size 35.5x55cm (14¼x22in) on 14-count aida GREAT SPRING STITCH FLORAL TREE Colourful and contemporary, this stunning design is by WOXS designer, Lesley Teare, and available to buy from Creative Poppy* as an instant download (LJT301). Colour-printed over six pages but the background is left unstitched to highlight the vibrant detail of this stylised picture. You’ll find a key using…

1 Once you’ve finished stitching the back and front of each fish, gently wash and press your aida. 2 Cut a piece of ribbon measuring 7cm (2¾in). Ours are pastels, 3mm ( in) and 6mm (¼in) in width. 3 In pencil, mark a guideline on your aida 1.5cm (½in) following the outline of the stitched fish shape on the reverse side of both front and back pieces. This will be your line for sewing up the seams of the fish. 4 Trim away excess aida, a further 1.5cm (½in) away from the pencilled sewing guideline. 5 Form a loop with the ribbon and pin the ends at the top of your fish, making sure the loop lies downwards over the stitching as you look at it. Pin the front and…

Imagine not only having the bathroom of your dreams, complete with roll top tub and grand chandelier, but also having the time to spend luxuriating in it! If peaceful moments are few and far between in your home, stitching this beautiful design as a great way to pamper yourself with all the delightful details in this pretty project. Working almost every square on your 28-count evenweave, you’ll decorate the walls with fabulous floral paper, add expensive essences and oils to your shelves and fill the bath with bubbles! You’ll also use Madeira* Lana thread to add an extra-special touch. We couldn’t wait to use this speciality embroidery thread. With it’s woolly appearance, it’s the perfect way to add to the fluffy texture of the towels. After all, nothing but the…