Magazine Review: March/April Just Cross Stitch

I used to do these magazine reviews frequently. I'm not sure why I stopped, but it's something I'd like to get back into doing, if anyone cares to read my rambles. This came in the mail yesterday, and I was really pleased with the designs they chose this time. Designs that feel very fresh and fun, just what we need after this long cold winter. I've been carrying the issue around like a security blanket.

The cover design is a religious Easter one. I'm not sure how I feel about this one.


It's a fairly common theme for stitching, but I don't know that I could do it. Most of my Easter decor is secular. I kind of prefer the religious aspect of the holiday to be kept in my heart, and to immerse myself in Holy Week by going through the stations of the cross and to read the Bible story, rather than to put it on my walls. I'm not this way about Christmas, though, so maybe there's hope for me.

This is more my speed. What can I say? I like cute. I think the most literal way to celebrate Christ's death and resurrection is to appreciate the new life that spring brings us. That is why my heart sings when I see the new spring foals at the Thoroughbred farm; they, like spring, are hope and possibility. Life stretches ahead of them, unblemished and warm with potential.


This is the start of a new series. I really like this sampler. A LOT. It has bunnies and squirrels on it. How can I miss with that combination?
I can't wait to see how it progresses.

This Gail Bussi design had me at "hello." It has sheep. While they're not exactly patriotic, they're cute. And it has the words to "Simple Gifts" on it, which is probably my favorite piece of music.

My only vent with this design is that the directions say you can use aida. It's hard to tell from the picture, but that wording is over one. Now, granted, I haven't tried to use aida to do over-one, but I'm not a masochist, and I'm pretty sure it ain't easy to do. They don't offer an option for stitching it if you have aida. But then again, if you haven't tried over one, this would be a good design to try it because the over one is wording and easier to do than launching oneself off into doing on a complex design.

This is from a new designer. It's a sweet little design, it would be good to send a friend.



I LURVE LURVE LURVE this pillow design. I think it may have something to do with the hot coral border, but it's the prettiest pillow. Wouldn't that be a lovely pop of color in your living room in midwinter?

I even think taking part of the design, the part with the nest, and making a tiny pillow or a box lid, or even making it the center of a wreath, would be a really fun way to get this done quickly, so you could enjoy it before summer.

Country Cottage Needleworks contributed this.

Yes, there will be a companion piece for a boy. I like it, I just have no reason to stitch it right now.

Lastly, there is this nice design by Blue Ribbon. I think I wanted this issue just to see what the buzz was about for this one.



It's a pretty, fun design that doesn't look like it would bore you. I have a few of her pieces in my stash, but have never actually finished stitching any of them. This might be a fun one to try.


This, I think, was one of their better recent issues. There are more designs in the magazine, but 7 very stitchable designs for $6 is pretty good, especially with a Blue Ribbon and a CCN design. I hope they continue to publish this magazine at this quality level; losing one magazine, drastically cutting back another is going to be hard on us magazine lovers, we need what is left to be top-notch.