Friday, 12 December 2014

CHRISTMAS: Festive Cross Stitching

If you haven't been able to tell, this Christmas has been rather productive on the cross stitching front. Aside from the cross stitched Christmas cards I shared previously, I've been working on some festive stitching projects - couple of tree hangers and a grumpy old sheep.

Love

I have to admit this Dimensions kit (#71-08932), annoyed the life out of me because embroidery is not my talent and the wording for love got pulled out far too many times to count. Satin stitch is not were my stitching talents lie. I'm too much of a perfectionist when it comes to stitch work and it's far from perfect but it got to the point where that was as good as it was going to get any time soon. Anyway, Share Love is something we all could be doing more at this time of year, like I said on twitter the other day - share love not a 101 wish lists.

Baaa Humbug

Baa Humbug by the Cross Eyed Cricket ( #21 from 1989) is the second sheep I've stitched by this company - they always design them so well. I have to admit, sometimes I feel and look as cranky as the sheep does when it comes to Christmas - too many years in retail does that to you. 


Cross Stitch

The sheepie hanger design was an old 1980's sewing kit I found at an estate sale. It had been opened but never started so it was my little mission to stitch it. Actually completed it in a night and I love the way it turned out. Those French knots in the wreath make all the difference.

So that's all my Christmas stitching for the year. It's a shame they'll only be out for a month every year but it'll be fun digging them out in the future and adding to the collection.

Sampler
Now I'm busy working on a large City Stitcher sampler - something to get my teeth into and slow me down a little.

28 comments:

  1. Ah I love the sheep! How cute! I am the same with embroidery, I get really frustrated with it and give up! x

    Jasmin Charlotte | UK Lifestyle Blog

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    1. Embroidery is something I would love to do more of, but some of the stitches and the neatness, I just can't manage. I know it's probably one of those things that comes over time, but I get frustrated trying to get there lol.

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  2. These are so cute - I used to love cross stitch.

    Lizzie's Daily Blog

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    1. It's been my favorite hobby for over 20 years.

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  3. I sooo want to have a go at cross stitch but havent a clue where to start x

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    1. I basically started when I was about 6 with a simple pattern in a book, some thread colours I really liked and a piece of fabric and went from there - that very first sample (super simple but pretty large) is still hanging in my parents house. I guess it can look confusing but if you take it block by block or colour by colour it's simple enough.

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  4. I've been folowing your exploits in cross stitch on Instagram as I've recently gone a bit mad on it too, it's relaxing and with quick resulrs, think you did great on the satin stitch x

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    1. Yeah, those quick stitches are just what you need when you're wanting to get something done, especially with the festival period being so short. Love seeing what other people stitch - gets me inspired!

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  5. I am rereading A Christmas Carol and I love your Baa Humbug sheep! So adorable!

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    1. Haha he's so cute that sheep gets away with being so grumpy!

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  6. Love all these works, well done! I also used to decorate my house with my own crafts - just love too much this atmosphere!

    Well done Rachael! Liuba, x

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    1. Thank you - good job we moved into a bigger place - more walls to cover!

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  7. "Baaa Humbug" is adorable! You're so talented! I used to love doing cross-stitching and definitely want to get back into it one day!
    ~ Samantha

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    1. Yeah that sheep was super fun to stitch - fun designs always make figuring out patterns worth it.

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  8. I love these! Have to admit, reading your posts on stitching has seriously made me want to go and get myself a cute kit to stitch!

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    1. You should you should! There's some super cute designs around these days!

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  9. I did my fist cross-stitching in years this week - festive, of course - and had so much fun. Some of yours look so complicated though - I might have to stick to the kids kits for a while! :)

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    1. They look harder than they are, you just need to find a way that works best for you to follow a chart and just take it slowly.

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  10. The ornaments are so cute! You are seriously so talented, I got your Christmas card yesterday and I LOVE IT!! :)

    Jessica
    the.pyreflies.org

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  11. Each time I see your new pieces, it makes me want to give stitching a go! I really like the cute little scenes you can create. Even if you only get to use them once a year, maybe you can just forget to put them away ;)

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    1. I was thinking of moving the share love into my office, I mean it doesn't have to be just about sharing love at Christmas right ....?!

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  12. You are so crafty and talented ! I don't know how you do it.. They look so great ! :)

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  13. I love have eweself a merry christmas!! I love puns so much. They are beautiful, well done x

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    1. Apparently I really love sheep and puns too lol

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