Top Beading Tip

I haven't posted in a week, which is a very long time for me. I have kept up with my blog reading, it's just that I didn't have time for any stitching! This week has been so busy with rehearsals, English coursework, University open days and my eighteenth birthday! I had a wonderful party with all my friends but I needed the next day to rest and recover :)
I have made some progress on my snowmen, with lots more beads going on . . .

I don't actually mind the beading, it's quite enjoyable. I read somewhere that if you haven't got a bead mat, an egg cup is the next best thing. I agree with this as it is easy to scoop the tiny beads out with your needle from the egg cup. I have finished my Lizzie*Kate Spooky Patch and will hopefully be finishing it into a pin pillow some time this week. I have picked out the design for my next pumpkin piece, just got to get the threads sorted.
I am working hard with schoolwork and studies, but I have allocated certain times in the week for stitching. I need them to keep me sane!
Have a wonderful week,

Something New

I have started on evenweave! As part of the Pumpkin Challenge, I am stitching this Lizzie*Kate freebie, Spooky Patch, on 28ct white evenweave. And I'm enjoying it. It was a bit strange at first with the counting, but I was getting into my stride with the second row, and by the third, I had forgotten to concentrate on the counting! It's coming on nicely and I hope to have it finished soon.

I'm going to try and FINISH a lot more of the designs I complete, so I needed some fabric to do so. I had a lovely visit to my local FabricLand and found these three beauties . . .

I got three half metres for under £5, which is very reasonable indeed. I felt a bit lost when I first went in, as there was so much to choose from - I didn't know where to start. Luckily, I had some help from one of the sales assistants. I was looking for Halloween fabrics mainly, but I couldn't resist the Christmas stars one as it was half off :)
I'm spending my Sunday afternoon stitching, I hope you are having an enjoyable weekend whatever you are doing.

The Beading has Begun

I'm really enjoying my snowmen design, as I have just started the beading. It does take rather a long time so I have only completed a couple of rows on the bottom. It is certainly coming along well now and my mum says she will display it for Christmas. Here's where I'm up to so far.


My evenweave arrived today and the first thing I noticed was how soft it was! When I looked closer, I thought the stitches would look quite large over 2, but maybe that's because I'm used to working on 18ct aida. I will persevere with it though, I'm planning to start my evenweave project at the weekend. Talking of new projects, has anyone else seen BeckySC's new Great Pumpkin Challenge? I signed up for it because I think it's a great motivator. Go and check it out.
And on a final note, I would like to wish my friend Timothy a very happy 18th birthday which he celebrated yesterday. He always teases me that his birthday his before mine, but it's only a week till I turn 18. I'm not too far behind :)
I hope you're having a lovely week,

Very Christmassy

My stitching is coming along nicely at the moment. Maybe because the nights are drawing in much earlier and it's so pleasant to cosy up and stitch. Snowmen is coming on a treat and I'm hoping it won't be too long before I start the beading task.



I have a new start this week. I found this little kit whilst rummaging for my needles and decided it should be stitched up right away. I don't think I'm going to add the blanket stitch or stitched stars to this piece, it looks a bit messy. I'll see what it looks like when I finish the actual reindeer, which shouldn't be too long actually!

I seem to be doing lots of Christmas pieces at the moment because I really want to decorate my room with cross stitch things when the season comes. Expect more winter design pieces in the months ahead :)

Thank you very much for your tips on evenweave/linen. I have now put in an order for a piece of 32ct white Jobelan - I'm hoping this was the right one to go for. I have a question though, if you stitch a design on evenweave 2 over 2, do you also complete the backstitch 2 over 2 as well? I'm afraid I'm a beginner in this department of stitching and need a bit of assistance :) I have chosen a pattern from a cross stitch book I borrowed from the library (Crafting Cross Stitch Cards by Sue Cook) to do my first piece of evenweave work on. I bought the threads required today and will hopefully be able to start by the end of this week, if the fabric arrives on time. I have also downloaded some of the Lizzie*Kate freebies which are very cute. I think they would look nice on evenweave too.
I hope you all had a lovely weekend,

Snowmen for September

School work is in full swing, but I am keeping on top of it all and even having time for stitching in the evenings! These past couple of nights, I've been concentrating on Snowmen and here's where I'm up to . . .



I really like stitching on perforated paper and will have to investigate more of these kits. I also think I should start a project on evenweave/linen soon, just to sample it. Any tips for my first attempt?
I'm definitely in the mood for Christmas stitching, I seem to have skipped autumn and Halloween in favour of every one's favourite holiday! I have a couple of cute Christmas kits that I am hoping to make up soon, as well as a few cards. I don't normally make Christmas cards, but I thought I would this year for my three closest friends. Also, I love the idea of those miniature stocking that you can fill. Seems like my needle is going to be busy for awhile!
Hope everyone is having a wonderful week,

Stitching in September

Hello all, I've started back at school now, but my first day back wasn't strenuous at all. After we sorted timetables out, we had simple lessons for the rest of the day, just to ease us back into the swing of things I reckon. I have got a picture of my new start on Snowmen . . .

It's not much, but it's a definite start. There's a lot of beading on this design which is a technique I haven't tackled before, but I am very willing to have a go. I have also got a picture to share of the mystery big project I spoke about last post, and here it is . . .

This is my progress on an Enchanting Lair design called "Always" It has been hiding ever since last September, but I would really like to finish it. I have therefore joined the I've Started So I'll Finish SAL in order to get this design complete. You can read more about it by clicking the link.
I have already got English Coursework deadlines, even though we've only been back two days, but there is still time for stitching. I hope any American readers are staying safe from Earl and that you all have a lovely weekend filled with stitching :)