Table of contents for December 2017 in CrossStitcher

We take a peek at a designer’s early ideas for one of their projects “I’m studying Communication Design and the brief was to create a digital piece with your own theme. I chose a Scandinavian design, so I created some digital animals and my dala horse was born! I put the horse into the cross stitch program, made a nice body shape, then experimented with different decorations. The result is simple, yet unique – I added my favourite mini hearts into the design and wrapped the hoop to complement it. www.etsy.com/uk/shop/  LuckyStarStitches…

no one will be surprised when I tell you that Christmas time is my favourite time of year. While autumn is my favourite season overall, I can’t deny that Christmas is my favourite holiday. I had an extraordinarily happy childhood, and my parents made valiant, wonderful efforts to ensure my Christmases were magical, and they always were. I also met my husband because of Christmas! In Utah, we lived in neighbouring towns during high school, and we both were cast in a local production of ‘A Christmas Carol.’ He played Young Ebenezer Scrooge, and I played his love interest, Belle, in the scenes about Christmas past. Belle and Young Ebenezer had a kiss staged, but I had never kissed anyone before! So Spencer, my now-husband, was my first kiss! It…

Change your thread colours to match your own dog if you can spot its breed amongst our furry friends! Designed by: Lucie Heaton Stitch count: 112 high x 161 wide Design size: 20.5x29cm (8x11½in) Stitch time: 30 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials • Zweigart Pewter 14 count aida, ref: 3706/0713; 36x46cm (14¼x18in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 24 tapestry needle • Frame with a 20x29cm (8x11½in) aperture • Mount board to fit frame For stockist details see page 89 How to… frame a picture Step 1 CUT a piece of white mount board to fit inside your frame. Place your design centrally over the mount board and pin the fabric around the board to secure, starting…

Craft fairs are one of our favourite parts of the festive season. There’s something special about finding unique gifts for friends and family – and maybe a little treat for yourself too. But how tricky is it to sell your stitches? We spoke to four creative types who will be appearing at fairs this Christmas… LOUISE JONES www.sparklymouse.co.uk Which fairs are you attending? Crafty Fox Market at the Geffrye Museum on 14 December. It’s an evening event so I’m hoping it will be very festive and cosy. What will you be selling? I always like to take an array of things with me so that there’s something everyone can afford. This includes original stitched pieces and the prints and greeting cards of the designs. Will you be selling anything special…

Christmas is just around the corner, so here are some quick Christmas ideas which we think would make great little keepsakes and gifts, and all created around the humble safety pin! First up we have this cute little stocking with tassel fringing – why not wear it as a brooch? Next, for your tree – this glittery snowflake decoration with silver thread wrapping and beads will add sparkle. Finally, our robin brooch with covered button and bells is something you can stitch, just for you! MAKE A… TASSEL Stitch our mini stocking then spruce it up with some easy-to-make tassels! Step 1 TAKE some stranded cotton in your choice of colour and then cut four lengths of the cotton measuring about 10cm each. Keep the lengths grouped together – there’s…

We used blue aida for the background, but you can choose any colour to constrast with the design Make a… Christmas Eve box Step 1 CUT a rectangle of cardboard smaller than the top of your box, but larger than your stitching. Cut a piece of wadding to fit the cardboard. Place the wadding on the cardboard, and then the stitching on top, with the design right-sides out. Carefully turn the cardboard over and then tape the excess aida fabric to the reverse side. Step 2 ADD double-sided tape to the top of your box and then place the covered cardboard onto the box, pressing down firmly to hold it in place. Stitch count: 118 high x 136 wide Design size: 19.5x24cm (7¾x9¼in) Stitch time: 37 hours This…

If you would like to stitch our Christmas Dresser, we have a materials pack with everything you need to get you stitching straight away, and have it delivered straight to your door! Your materials pack contains: • Zweigart 28 count Cashel linen OR 14 count aida both in platinum • Skeins of DMC stranded cotton • Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 How to order: Go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of £28.50 for Cashel or £27 for aida, both plus P&P.…

Desperately seeking I am desperate to find ‘Laying the Foundation Stone’ a discontinued Bothy Threads chart in the L. S. Lowry series. I have finished all the others and just need this one to complete the set. Please has anyone got this chart? Many thanks in advance! Sue Rowley Email: suemoneyrowley@googlemail.com 17 Bretton Close, Brierley, Barnsley, S72 9LP I wonder if anyone will be able to assist me. I would desperately like to get a copy of the December 2010 CrossStitcher magazine (issue 233) for the Fabergé eggs which are on page 44. I have asked our cross stitching group in South Africa if anyone has a copy to sell me and all posts are coming back as negative. Many thanks for your help. Liz Archibald Email: liz@rattray.co.za P.O. Box…

OK WE ADMIT IT we do go a bit overboard when it comes to Christmas. We can never have too many decorations. Getting the old decorations down from the loft is always an occasion and we can’t resist the temptation to add in something new and sparkly. Sadly it doesn’t always turn out as tasteful as the lovely festive dresser starring on our cover (start stitching on page 71). We’ve got everything from a rather tacky shell covered wreath from the Caribbean to a bright pink flamingo adorning the tree! Very little goes undecorated in our house. Even the dogs wear their Christmas bows. Taking a walk on Christmas day is good fun when you see that everyone else dresses up their pets too. We’ve paid tribute to these festive…

BUSTLEANDSEW We love this simple yet effective Polar Bear Softie Pattern, available as a PDF instant download – just look at his patterned feet and ears! JAQSFABRICS Line your work and back your cushions with this Northern Lights – Polar Bears cotton fabric in Blue with Metallic from Lewis and Irene. CRAFTYALCHEMY Give your tree some polar power with these sweet little polar bear felt decorations – available as a kit with everything you need to make them!…

FEMINIST ICON CROSS-STITCH ANNA FLEISS & LAUREN MANCUSO [Running Press] Celebrate female icons in cross stitch – from Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Malala Yousafzai to Gloria Steinem and Michelle Obama, and from Hillary Rodham Clinton and Beyoncé to suffragette Susan B. Anthony and author Virginia Woolf. Choose your favourite portrait to create – each comes with a mini biography, plus there are also 10 feminist sayings to stitch as well! CRISS CROSSING PARIS FIONA SINCLAIR & SALLY-ANNE HAYES [Fil Rouge Press] This book is dedicated to bringing the sights of Paris to life in stitches. Beautifully produced, the pages include descriptions of the places depicted, illustrations and photos. Besides the motifs, the projects themselves are also Parisian in flavour, such as a baguette tote, a metro sign ticket holder, and…

If you would like to stitch Winter Walkies, TAKE A CLOSER LOOK we have a materials pack with everything you need to get you stitching straight away, and have it delivered straight to your door! Your materials pack contains: • Zweigart 14 count aida in Pewter • Skeins of DMC stranded cotton • Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 How to order: Go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of £23, plus P&P.…

NOVEMBER 19 Handmade Fair, Mercure Georgian House Hotel, Bolton 23 (to 10 December) Bath Christmas Market 26 The Fairy Tale Fair, Brighton Open Market DECEMBER 2 Ayrshire Arts and Crafts Fair, Troon Concert and Walker Hall 3 So This is Christmas, The Fairy Tale Fair, Worthing West Sussex 4 Tiverton Craft Fair 1-3 Etsy Made Local, all around the UK 2-3 Crafty Fox Market, Brixton and 9-10 Peckham, London 2-10 Chichester Craft Market 9-10 The Bristol Artisan, Bristol 14 Crafty Fox Market, Geffrye Museum, London 16-17 The London Artisan, London…

Inky inspiration Hello, I wanted to show you this project. I followed the pattern in your summer issue, but I used my own colours for this one, including lots of metallic sparkly threads to really make it stand out! As you can see, I am a huge fan of tattoos, too. Not only that, I was suffering with severe depression at the time I did this – and it really, really helped me get through it. Thank you! I hope you like it. Liz Wells, via email Purrfect project Hello, I wanted to get in touch and share a picture with you of our recently adopted cats ‘helping’ with my latest project. I was recently stitching the cottage needle case from issue 322 for my mum for her birthday, when…

Pick out motifs from this - such as the stocking and the teapot to make quick mini Christmas cards or tags SUBTLE SHADING: To create the beautiful watercolour effect on this design, Shannon has picked out subtle shading on the dresser, with a different thread colour used to add dimension. FRENCH KNOTS FOR TEXTURE: Can you spot our French knots added to items such as the bunting and the teddy? They give a 3D effect and are more prominent and precise than single white stitches. STITCHING OVER COLOUR: To add decoration to the gingerbread house, you need to add single strand stitches over the brown whole stitches used to make its roof – literally the icing on the cake!…

FESTIVE PETS INSPIRED BY our Christmas day dogs on page 22, we’ve found more festive pets you can get creating with… WHO ‘Santa’s Pug’ complete with hat is the star of this mini kit from Mouseloft, new for Christmas 2017. www.mouseloft.co.uk WHAT Any cat owners who’ve seen their moggies get tangled up in the decorations will love ‘Sleigh Belle’, available as a kit on 14 count or 27 count fabric. www.hcrafts.com HOW Decorate your tree with some pretty pet ornaments this Christmas – we love this Greyhound Lurcher Handmade Fabric Christmas Decoration. www.notonthehighstreet.com…

We’ve used twine for our hanging loops but you could choose a coordinating ribbon if you prefer Make a… decoration Step 1 LAY your completed stitching face-down on another piece of linen. Stitch around the design, leaving a small border of unstitched fabric outside the stitching, roughly following the shape, and leaving a gap for turning. Trim away some of the seam allowance, and then clip the curves. Turn to the right side. Step 2 STUFF your decoration with toy stuffing, and then sew up the gap with small, neat stitches. Fold a length of string in half and then tie a knot at one end. Sew the string loop to the top of the decoration. Designed by: Maria Diaz Max. stitch count: 48 high x 48 wide Max.…

Designed by: Ruth Caig Max. stitch count: 78 high x 74 wide Max. design size: 14x13.5cm (5½x5¼in) Stitch time: 7 hours each These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. There are only a few thread shades in these designs, so why not use up any leftover thread in your stash to create your own look? Materials  For each hoop • Zweigart White 14 count aida, ref: 3706/0100; 25.5x25.5cm (10x10in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 24 tapestry needle • Wooden hoop; 15cm (6in) diameter For stockist details see page 89 How to… frame your work in a hoop Step 1 TRIM your stitching and a fabric piece into a circle slightly larger than your hoop. Place the inside hoop beneath the two…

You can stitch on glitter fabric in exactly the same way as regular aida, making it a super-easy way to give your work that extra festive sparkle Designed by: Durene Jones Stitch count: 168 high x 120 wide Design size: 30.5x21.5cm (12x8½in) Stitch time: 67 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials • Zweigart Snow Glitter 14 count aida, ref: 3706/0011; 55x43cm (21½x17in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 24 tapestry needle • Frame with a 33x25.5cm (13x10in) aperture • Mount board to fit frame For stockist details see page 89 TURN TO PAGE 26 TO LEARN HOW TO FRAME YOUR PICTURE…

We asked our fans on Facebook “What are your favourite festive projects – cards, gifts or decorations?”... VALERIE FISHER BURNLEY Gifts, absolutely. I try to stitch things for my cousins’ kids and my nieces and nephews every other year. This year it’s bookmarks to go with the books I’m getting them :). KATHARINA O'GRADY I enjoy stitching cards, because they are quick and easy to make and the recipient (hopefully) won’t chuck them out in January with the rest of the decorations. SARAH HEYWOOD I love stitching cards as they are a relatively quick make. I’m currently stitching decorations for our tree. I always try to add at least one each year. CHARLOTTE WILSON Decorations or gifts, especially the wooden boards to stitch onto, I love them for myself and…

Designed by: Durene Jones Max. stitch count: 53 high x 38 wide Max design size: 10x7cm (4x2¾in) Stitch time: 4 hours each These designs were stitched on 27 count evenweave over two threads of the fabric. Mixing and matching the messages and designs will give you even more options! Make an… aperture card Step 1 STITCH over two threads of fabric, using two strands of stranded cotton for both the cross stitch and backstitch. Step 2 TRIM the stitched fabric to fit your card, with the design centrally placed behind the card’s aperture. Step 3 ATTACH double-sided tape to the inside of the card around the edge of the aperture. Step 4 PLACE the stitching on the table right-side up, and then place the card on top, pressing down…

Welcome to our latest project that’s designed to be a bit more detailed for those of you looking for an extra challenge. We’ve fallen in love with Shannon Wasilieff’s festive dresser and know how much you’re going to enjoy bringing it to life. It’s easy to focus on one area at a time as you watch your picture grow – the perfect project to cosy up with on the sofa in the winter evenings to come.  Designed by: Shannon Wassilief Stitch count: 173 high x 115 wide Design size: 27x19cm (10¾x7½in) Stitch time: 86 hours This design was stitched on 28 count linen over two threads of fabric. Materials  Zweigart Platinum 28 count Cashel, ref: 3281/0770, 46x38cm (18x15in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 24 tapestry…

For stitchers, giving gifts is nearly always more fun than receiving them, as we’ve often added that handmade touch to make them special. We asked our three designers to come up with a cute Christmas gift bag – making sure they used a little tartan tree topper in their design. Read the challenge rules on the left to see exactly what they were given. We hope this will inspire you to join in too – turn the page to see what our challenge will be for February – we’ve listed everything you need to take part. THE CHALLENGE • One piece of white 14 count aida fabric • Five shades of stranded cotton (shown above) • Wooden tartan tree shape, 3cm high approx • One mystery ingredient of your own choice THE RULES • Create…