Table of contents for June 2018 in Cross Stitch Crazy

BAUBLE BLISS If you love choice, visit Etsy shop Graceful Colors for unique needle threaders in a wide variety of designs! To buy, visit www.gracefulcolors.etsy.com A CLOSER LOOK We love a two-inone! Not only does this Hemline needle threader come with a magnifier to help you see the eye of your needle more clearly, it works for both your handheld and sewing machine needles. Priced at £1.39, it’s a nifty bit of kit! To buy, visit www.sewessential.co.uk or call ☎ 01283 210 422 WE’RE HOOKED! Another shop with a wide selection, Needle Keep Emporium features a fun assortment of needle threaders! To buy, visit www.needlekeepemporium.etsy.com…

Cast your mind back a few months and you’ll no doubt remember entering your votes and nominating your top stitching choices of 2018. The winners were announced at an awards ceremony attended by the biggest names in British craft, held in February at the Craft Hobby + Stitch International show at the NEC in Birmingham. Who was the top cross stitch designer, and what were the best-loved products? Did your faves get to scoop up an award this year? Well, the time’s come to unveil all and lift the curtain on the winners! DESIGNER OF THE YEAR Durene Jones “I was over the moon to win! This award means a lot to me because it was voted on by the readers. I’d like to say a big thank you to…

Next time you throw a celebration for someone special, these bright letters and numbers will be the icing on the cake! Decked out in modern ombré and fresh colours, they’ll delight even the most fashion-forward of your friends. Stitch the guest of honour’s initials for a contemporary yet personal birthday card, or create a sign that you can use at all your future parties. We love the idea of framing each letter individually in colourful hoops, but you can also stitch them all together as one big banner. Make your stitched phrase as long as you like – each letter is done in only whole stitches and backstitch, so you’ll easily be able to stitch one letter in an evening. And remember, you can use the motifs separately – try…

Go placidly I’m looking for a kit or chart of Desiderata, a poem by Max Ehrmann from 1927, to make as an 80th birthday gift for a friend. June Stirling, Edinburgh I’m impressed by your taste, June – Desiderata is a lovely poem and an inspiring guide to living life to the full. I’ve found an excellent design for you, which will be a beautiful heirloom piece to pass on through the generations. It’s available as a chart or a kit. As the poem is quite lengthy, it will make for an engrossing project, worked in just whole stitches and backstitch. Stitched on 14-count ivory aida, the verse measures a hearty 48x38cm (19x15in). The kit costs £49.50, or you can buy the chart for £10. Beginner stitchers may wish to…

Whether it’s sunny, rainy, windy or cloudy, you’ll be prepared with this clever weather chart. Take a peek outside, then spin the arrow to select the correct weather for the day – or teach your children the different types of weather by letting them choose! To make, simply stitch the designs onto aida using whole stitches and backstitch, frame in a hoop and use a craft split pin to add the arrow, stitched on plastic canvas, to the centre. Have fun! Shopping List… Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - Zweigart 14-count white aida measuring 30x30cm (11¾x11¾in) for the hoop design. To buy, visit www.sewandso.co.uk or call 0800 013 0150. 14-count clear plastic canvas measuring 5x8cm (2x3¼in) for the arrow.…

Complete the crossword and rearrange the letters in the coloured squares to spell the name of a hand tool (6) Across 1) Hole-making tool (5) 4) Coarse fabric used for sacks (7) 7) Grass-cutting machine (9) 9) Buzzing insect (3) 10) Paintings or sculptures (3) 11) Propel a boat with oars (3) 13) Speed of movement (4) 15) Cut the wool off a sheep (5) 17) Write clearly (5) 18) Aircraft (5) 20) Raises cars for wheel change (4) 23) Fasten with cord (3) 25) To annoy (3) 26) Large metal container used for dispensing hot tea (3) 27) One-handed pruning clipper (9) 29) Tool used to turn a nut or bolt (7) 30) Foot-operated lever on a bike (5) Down 1) Small pointy tool for planting (6) 2) Most…

Exclusive to Crazy! Fans of fantasy and those expecting new arrivals are bound to fall in love with this cute character! Filled with a sense of curiosity and wonder, this baby dragon will help encourage a little one to explore the world around them. It’s the perfect-sized design to decorate a reading nook or nursery, and is created using whole stitches, fractionals, backstitch and French knots for a detailed look. By the time you’ve finished this adventurous stitch, you’re sure to have a story or two to tell! Shopping List… Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - Zweigart 14-count white aida measuring 40x30cm (15¾x11¾in). To buy, visit www.sewandso.co.uk or call ☎ 0800 013 0150 Extras - Frame and mount of…

Meet your newest summer loves – four precious flower crown-wearing pets! Spend a few lazy days relaxing in the sun with these festival-ready animals, each adorned in their favourite flowers of the season. Stitch the set to hang on your wall during the warmer months, or, if one of these sweeties looks like your own pet, stitch it to display on a little cushion! No matter how you make them up, they’ll add an ‘aww’ factor to your home. Shopping List… Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - Zweigart 14-count white aida measuring 30x30cm (11¾x11¾in) for each design. To buy, visit www.sewandso.co.uk or call ☎ 0800 013 0150 Extras - 6in Round Flexi hoops with woodgrain finish. To buy, visit…

A father can be like the captain of a ship, helping you to find your sea legs, then navigating your future so you can set sail for a new adventure. If your dad has been your port of call through life’s storms, show him your gratitude this Father’s Day with a nautical-themed card or tag. You’ll need only whole stitches and backstitch to have these designs looking shipshape, so even new stitchers can create their favourite. Make up your finished stitch with contemporary papers, or use a crisp white, blue or red frame to make your dad a stitchy reminder of your love. Shopping List… Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - Zweigart 14-count white aida measuring 15x15cm (6x6in) for…

Take your passion for cross stitch out on the town with a trio of eye-catching bags in bright colours! Pop a few items for a night out in the large clutch, or add the mid-size wallet to your regular handbag to carry with you wherever you go. Or, if you prefer, just create the little coin purse. You can stitch and make up all three using the handy instructions on page 54. They make for beautiful gifts! Shopping List… Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - Zweigart 14-count white aida measuring 36x23cm (14x9in) for the large design, 26x18cm (10¼x7in) for the medium design and 21x16cm (8¼x6¼in) for the small design. To buy, visit www.sewandso.co.uk or call ☎ 0800 013 0150…

Off the cuff Q The friendship bracelets you featured in your March issue were gorgeous! I’d love to make something along the same lines for a friend’s birthday, but am fairly new to cross stitch. Any ideas? Brenda Hollingsworth, York A Making a one-off bracelet is a fun way to show someone what they mean to you. And you can make one to coordinate with your favourite outfit, while you’re at it! If you want to give your friend an impressive gift with a personal touch, there are some easy-to-make kits available. Two kits from Sew and So (www.sewandso.co.uk or call ☎ 0800 013 0150) caught our eye – a Leather Bracelet Wide Cuff kit for £28 (above), and an unusual Sterling Silver Bangle Bracelet kit, available in blueberry or…

Let this famous steam train take you on a wonderful journey through the British countryside. Use this travel poster-inspired stitch to add some vintage chic to your living room, or give it to a friend or family member who loves model train sets or simply riding the rails. If your father has a love of travel or finds mechanical marvels like this one fascinating, try stitching it as a thoughtful Father’s Day gift. The joy on his face will be well worth the time spent stitching this project in whole stitches and backstitch. Full steam ahead! Shopping List… Threads - Stranded cotton as listed in the key Needle - Size 24 tapestry needle Fabric - Zweigart 14-count white aida measuring 42x36cm (16½x14in). To buy, visit www.sewandso.co.uk or call ☎ 0800…

Star letter You are a winner! Gillian Crisp Be my baby Hi there, everyone! I’m sending pics of my newly finished project. It was for my granddaughter Emeilia, and I started it when she was just two days old. However, she’s now two years old! The project has taken a long time due to family problems and other projects jumping the queue. I still have one more granddaughter to stitch for, and she’s already one year old. She might be in high school by the time hers is finished! Thank you. Gillian Crisp, Wednesbury Rachel says: I can’t get over how lifelike this project looks, Gillian. It’s absolutely astonishing. No matter how long it took, your efforts were definitely worthwhile! Great job. WIN! Each month our star letter winner receives…

Madeira bundles! Explore new textures and colours with this selection of threads and accessories from Madeira (www.madeira.co.uk). Each bundle contains five packs of Mouliné, four packs of Decora, four packs of Metallic Mouliné, a thread tidy and a pair of Stork Scissors. To enter for your chance to win, text CSC242MADEIRA, your name, postal address and email address to 87474 (texts will be charged at 50p plus your standard network rate) or label your postcard ‘Madeira 242 giveaway’. Durene Jones charts! If you’re looking for a bright and breezy design for your favourite spot in the house, you’re in luck! We’ve teamed up with Crazy designer Durene Jones to offer 27 lucky winners the chance to win two of her most heart-warming chart downloads, Tea Cups and Birds and Counting…

1 Cut around your stitching with a 1cm (_in) border. Cut out a matching piece of felt in a coordinating colour. Both your cut-out stitched piece and the felt should be the same size. 2 Pin the stitching to the felt with the right side facing down on the felt. Stitch together along the straight edge, leaving a 1cm (_in) gap at either end for the seam allowance. 3 Pin the zip to your stitching, with the right side of the zip facing the right side of your stitching. Sew along the top edge of the zip using a zipper foot on your machine. 4 Open the zip and tack the two sides together to keep them aligned. Repeat step 3 with the other side of the zip, attaching it…

Shine bright I’d like to stitch a lacey, delicate star or set of stars. That would be great! Sandy Hurst, Portsmouth How’s this one, Sandy? I decided to design a single backstitch star so I could fit in more lovely lacey details. Lucie Crazy kid My chart request is for a mother goat and her kid. My husband had a pet goat and kid as a child. I’d like to make an ornament for him. Nicole Anderson, USA I hope your husband loves these cuties! Lucie Black belt Please can you design a chart of a male judo contestant. I have only managed to find females and as my brother enjoys this sport I would like to stitch this for his birthday. Elizabeth Chadwick, Essex Certainly, Elizabeth. I hope he…

SNAP & STITCH DMC has just made turning photos into cross stitch charts so much easier! This new online tool lets you upload any photo you choose and play around with different chart sizes and thread colours. Then, after paying for your custom-made chart, simply print it off from your home printer and start stitching! Or, get your chart for free when you buy the threads as well. For more details, visit www.dmc.com The twittersphere What you’ve been tweeting about! Love this design by Emma Congdon in Crazy issue 241! Makes me feel like my own gift of the same stitchy quote for a friend was somewhat lacking, though! @SarahSewjourn Got a bit of cross stitch done today. Only another couple years of stitching this large design to go! @debbifiggy…