Card Exchange

It's been a couple of months since over updated this but it's mainly because I've been out of stitching and into studying!  I've been doing a second degree for almost three years now and it's getting harder. My first degree was law and not I'm doing astronomy (a passion). I have to work a lot harder than in my first degree and I've had to give up stitching while I got three assingnments out of the way :(. But I'm back!!

I got back into stitching because of a card exchange set up on the facebook group 'Cross Stitch and Discuss 2'. Now I always keep my eye on the forum to look at people's work and to keep up with what's happening. I came across the card thread and it seemed amazing.  It's an exchange to send a card (stitched or not) to three people and three people send cards to you. 

So I decided to stitch my three cards (small pieces!) and pick three people to send them to. I picked two people from New Zealand and one person from the U.S.  I thought I would show you the three finished cards :)

All three are from the same company and they all came with everything you need to complete the card. They were really quick (all complete within an hour) and they have a great effect. 

I got all three from sewandso.co.uk so it is worth a look. Quick finishes and beautiful results. 

Well I'll see you with my next post. Stay stitchy :)

Christmas Stitching

Christmas time is upon us and everyone rushes to finish their Christmas pressies and decorations. I have been there. Getting gift tags done and Christmas cards. Thinking about doing a table cloth or runner or even a tree mat. Then Christmas comes and I don't feel I've done enough :/

So this year I am going to miss Christmas stitching. I know. A big taboo. The main reason is that I am just back into stitching after my moving in break so I don't want to throw myself into rushing to get deadlines finished. I am enjoying working at my own pace and relaxing as I stitch. I may do the odd gift tag (as I get them free with my magazine subscription) but that'll be about it. 

So that's it for me for Christmas stitching this year. Let me know if you are doing Christmas stitches and what you're doing. 

I'll have a WIP update soon and a review of the ever popular thread magic. 

Until next time stay stitchy :)

Pako Floss Organiser

So I recently purchased the pano flop organiser and thought I would give you a run-down. 

I bought this as I thought it would be great for projects where the floss all comes bundled together. So I used it on my current WIP (Beauty and the Beast) as this came with four lumps of thread. 

This is a picture when all my floss is on. It is a great tool and very simple to use. You simply pop the floss over the hook and place it between the little rubber stoppers. Then write the corresponding number or symbol on the paper provided. 

This is a great tool when you have projects without a floss card included. I have to say, though, that I would never use it when the floss card is included. I wouldn't go to the trouble of taking out the floss and putting it on this. 

My main issue is the number of threads it can hold. Each side has 25 hooks - enough for 50 floss colours. This may seem a lot but if you are doing a HEAD or something big, you are going to have to split up the colours and decide what colours to do first. Even on my Beauty and the Beast design it wasn't big enough and I had thread left over. 

All in all the product is ok. I just wish it was a little bigger and could hold more. If anyone knows of any other thread organisers (that are bigger), let me know and I'll give it a go :)

Thanks for reading and stay stitchy x x

Mystery Box Review

Hi guys,

I have not updated here in a while for the simple fact that I have moved.  I probably mentioned this before but it has been a nightmare getting everything ready (we've still got boxes to unpack!!)  So this is me just getting back to my cross stitch! 

I have made a few purchases over the last few weeks and I am going to go over them and review them.  Mainly because I want you to get an idea of what exactly you are looking at before you buy.  There will be WIP updates and the likes as well but I thought i'd throw some reviews in here as well :)

So the first review will be for the Hobby Warehouse I Love Cross Stitch mystery box.  The box itself is £14.99 but you are guarenteed at least two kits worth £30.  Hobby Warehouse have a range of mystery boxes but, as a cross stitcher, that's what I went with.

Now I was a bit disapointed with the packaging.  When something says 'mystery box' you expect a box!  It just came inside a pouch which was inside another pouch.  It was, in fairness, well packaged for what it was - the package was bubble wrapped and would have been well protected from any shipping mishaps.

When I opened the package I found two kits;

Embroidered Morning Counted Cross Stitch Kit and
Pink Floral Cat Counted Cross Sitch Kit

I immediately fell in love with the first kit I got but I wasn't too enamoured with the second.  Of course this is personal preference and others may love it.  It just wasn't me or something I'd normally stitch.  The Morning kit is not something I would have chosen either but I just loved the design and I will stitch it.  The cat I may give away at some point!

The total value for the kits I got was £24.08, which is slightly less than the value quoted but it is still £10 off.  So for the price of the morning kit I loved, I got a feww kit, is how I'm looking at it!

The kits are pretty good value and give you a chance to be sent some kits that you would not necessarily choose for yourself.  This can be a gamble as you may hate what you get or you may fall in love with something you would never have chosen for yourself.  Even if you dislike it, you may be able to find someone to gift it to or even cross stitch it for a friend you know will love it.

All in all it was a pretty good deal and I would do it again if I had the inclination.  I hope you found this review useful and hope you come back to read more and get more inspiration.

If you would like to see the other mystery boxes or get the cross stitched one youself, go here. 

See you next time and stay stitchy :)

WIP Updated Pic

Hi guys,

I have managed to get a bit more stitching done and have a new picture.

It may look a but crazy but this is what it will look like in the end;

Just now I am focussing on packs of colour which is why it may seem all over the place. The kit comes with four lots of floss bundled up. So I thought it would be easier to work in bundles at a time. 

I'll update when I get a bit further on. I think I'll do an update each week or each milestone. 

Hope you enjoyed this WIP update :)

Happy stitching ✂️

WIP

My current WIP is a Disney Collestions kit of Beauty and the Beast. It is so pretty and I am enjoying stitching it. I'm not very far along (as I have just started) but I am really enjoying it. 

I've got a bit more than this done but need to get a pic on the go :). Will get a pic tomorrow and post my most up to date pic then :)

Have a happy stitching day :)

Back to Stitching!

I know I haven't updated this in a while but I have not been stitching recently.  I have had a lot of different pulls on my time and have had no time for stitching...until now!

Over the past few months I have moved work location from London back to Scotland.  I have then been studying like crazy.  Two years ago I started a second degree in Astronomy and Planetary Science because I LOVE punishing myself!  This has taken the majority of my time.  I have had so many assignments due (two on Wednesday!) and I have had to devote myself to studying for the past few months.

But I am back on the stitchy trail.  I have started a Beauty and the Beast cross stitch and I will get some pics up soon!  I have also joined a cross stitch group on facebook, Cross Stitch and Discuss #2.  It's a closed group but anyone can join and it pushes you back into cross stitch! 

Well that's all for now but I will be back with WIP pics and updates :)