OK, since I didn't finish the reviews from yesterday, I have two more for you! Hopefully, you have availability to these issues.
The Cross Stitcher (US version), February 2008
I think the best thing that this magazine ever did was get a new editor 5 years ago because it truly has increased in quality and value since then. There were occasionally cute ideas under the old editor, but not in the quantities of the new editor. And this issue does not disappoint. I think one of the major things I like about Cross Stitcher is that it very much is a "grab your keys and go" mag in that you could literally buy it at lunch, read it on your lunch break, and then, after work or whatever, go to a craft store and purchase the right supplies to have a project started that evening.
My favorite design, and I can't put my finger on why is Winter Beauty. It's a pretty little thing, with cardinal buttons, simple but fancy looking embroidery stitches and a nice verse, "Icicles, redbirds, Snowflakes and Pines, Winter's Beauty is not hard to find." That is so true. They finished it as a pillow, which is probably the best way to do it, because it's awfully expensive to frame things and this makes for a quick change.
For our Valentine's Day enjoyment, there is a pretty door hanger with LOVE on it. I guess you could put that up on the front door, if you had a storm door. There is also a box with My Crazy Heart on it; a crazy quilt heart. It's nice, but what do you do with something like that? Maybe a paper box?
There is a design called teenage language that I don't get. It's a bunch of words that I think are from text messages. Maybe it's just a bad case of the crankies because I still feel like I am sixteen, and I looked at these and had no frigging clue what they meant, and I feel like I ought to. I don't know, though; it could be cute for my SO since we text so much. But he doesn't tend to do the abbreviation thing since he has a full out keyboard on his phone, and I have to do the "1-1-1-1, 6-6, 5" deal to tell him something, because I have a basic phone.
There is a pretty sachet pillow that would make a great Mother's Day present. But I would stuff it with lavendar. Wouldn't that make an awesome gift for the bed? I have a sachet Mama bought me, tucked under my pillow and it is so nice to smell!
Another design is a repro sampler. I don't know, but it seems like there are a lot of repro samplers being published that look alike.I am not really a sampler person, so this is wasted on me.
Right after that chart is an ad for some fascinating dragon designs. Aren't these cool?
I especially love the ice dragon. Very striking on black.
There is a chart for men's grooming supplies. I don't understand why anyone would stitch this. It is a sepia-toned pic of a comb, cufflinks, a shaving brush, and other stuff. Where would one put that? Unless you know someone who runs a barber, NO WHERE.
I like Jo Gatenby's Was It Worth It. Jo Gatenby is a pretty interesting person and it's a cute design. They feature it on JAR Designs fabric, but, they say you can pick out any complimentary fabric. However, this fabric is pretty kick butt; it's a leaf print. Very cool.
There is also a cute little snowman, stitched on Babbling Brook by Wichelt. You could substitute that new marbled DMC aida for this if you must stitch on the fly. I like the Hardanger tablerunner too, but it's pretty big and has a lot of buttonhole stitch, which I hate. I am still looking for my next project, but not this one.
05 January 2008
04 January 2008
More mag reviews
OK, able to write more.
Next up, we have Cross Stitch Collection, Issue 152
I think it's pretty obvious that I love this magazine. If I could subscribe to a British magazine, this would be the one. I love the fact that they have charts that you just can't find in America. And, unlike Cross Stitch Gold, which also happens to be a favorite, they don't usually put charts in that you can buy as a kit. I have to relate this story, because it's one of those horror stories you pray does not happen to you.
In the winter of 2003, around Christmas, someone on 123 discovered a gorgeous Pollyanna Pickering design of polar bears. She wanted to know if the kit could be had. The whole board searched for this kit in England, and she found a kit, apparently the last kit in the UK, and had it sent to her, for the mind-boggling price of $100US. Not a month later, the design was in Gold. AAAACK! I think I would cry--even to kit up a mag design is not $100. But that has taught me a valuable lesson. Think long and hard about spending big bucks on a UK kit cause eventually it'll end up in a magazine.
Anyway, as I am wont to do, I have been digressing. Please excuse me, my New Year's resolution was to stop drinking soda and, well, there is not enough caffeine in the iced tea I have been drinking to get rid of the slight headache I had all day today.
This is another fantastic issue of this magazine. The only design that I could not see myself potentially stitching is the Jane Netley Mayhew. Everything else is pretty stinking cool. There is a pretty Christmas AOY design--speaking of which, I need to do another one of those because I have 10 kits in my stash, and they were a pretty substantial investment back in 2003.
Sheila Hudson also has a pretty design called Winter Walk, though I do have to say that, since North American deer don't look quite like British deer (not saying this in a bad way, but they don't look alike), I would take the horns off. Otherwise, it's very pretty and it would be good to leave up all winter. There is also a nice little ballerina.
I also saw nice robin designs. I figured out a couple years ago that, even though I am not into cards, the designs they do for cards in the winter would make perfect ornaments. They are small, quick stitches, minimal commitment, and these robin designs would look great on a tree.
A new feature in the magazine is the stitching star. I think this is a good addition to the magazine. I love to see what other people stitch, and I like to find out about what compells them to stitch that. Perhaps that is the reason I enjoy blogging so much, because it's not just, "Look at what I stitched," there's a story behind it. I used to love the Diary section of Quick and Easy for that reason. I wanted to be a part of that, but I realize that, by the third entry, it would have been, "I hate this bleeping project. It makes me crazy." or, "Do quilters have to put up with this?" followed by a bunch of cursing. At least here, it's not so embarrassing when I say that.
there is a sweet little blue and white design. I think this year, I am going to try to do some designs to be mounted on boxes again. I made one in 2005 for an exchange where we had to give something we stitched (I suck at finishing, so ornaments are not a great choice for me to do), so the little box turned out cute. The lady I gave it to liked it; she uses it at Christmas . I have been wanting to do something like that again, and I have a pretty star-shaped box to use, but I am just afraid to screw it up. Anyway, this would be pretty cute as a practice piece. It might make a good Mother's Day gift--anyone can use a pretty little box, right?
I also like the pretty design called, "A Year In Flowers," with a different flower for each month. I am not a flower person necessarily--they need to be bright to strike my fancy--but I like these.
This is also pretty good for the non-project pages. I like the letters, and someone has completed Summer Ball, by Sandy Littlejohn. I am always awed by someone who can complete one of her designs as they are beyond NOT easy. And someone has done that baby in sepia again! Oh, to be able to start him . . .
Next up, we have Cross Stitch Collection, Issue 152
I think it's pretty obvious that I love this magazine. If I could subscribe to a British magazine, this would be the one. I love the fact that they have charts that you just can't find in America. And, unlike Cross Stitch Gold, which also happens to be a favorite, they don't usually put charts in that you can buy as a kit. I have to relate this story, because it's one of those horror stories you pray does not happen to you.
In the winter of 2003, around Christmas, someone on 123 discovered a gorgeous Pollyanna Pickering design of polar bears. She wanted to know if the kit could be had. The whole board searched for this kit in England, and she found a kit, apparently the last kit in the UK, and had it sent to her, for the mind-boggling price of $100US. Not a month later, the design was in Gold. AAAACK! I think I would cry--even to kit up a mag design is not $100. But that has taught me a valuable lesson. Think long and hard about spending big bucks on a UK kit cause eventually it'll end up in a magazine.
Anyway, as I am wont to do, I have been digressing. Please excuse me, my New Year's resolution was to stop drinking soda and, well, there is not enough caffeine in the iced tea I have been drinking to get rid of the slight headache I had all day today.
This is another fantastic issue of this magazine. The only design that I could not see myself potentially stitching is the Jane Netley Mayhew. Everything else is pretty stinking cool. There is a pretty Christmas AOY design--speaking of which, I need to do another one of those because I have 10 kits in my stash, and they were a pretty substantial investment back in 2003.
Sheila Hudson also has a pretty design called Winter Walk, though I do have to say that, since North American deer don't look quite like British deer (not saying this in a bad way, but they don't look alike), I would take the horns off. Otherwise, it's very pretty and it would be good to leave up all winter. There is also a nice little ballerina.
I also saw nice robin designs. I figured out a couple years ago that, even though I am not into cards, the designs they do for cards in the winter would make perfect ornaments. They are small, quick stitches, minimal commitment, and these robin designs would look great on a tree.
A new feature in the magazine is the stitching star. I think this is a good addition to the magazine. I love to see what other people stitch, and I like to find out about what compells them to stitch that. Perhaps that is the reason I enjoy blogging so much, because it's not just, "Look at what I stitched," there's a story behind it. I used to love the Diary section of Quick and Easy for that reason. I wanted to be a part of that, but I realize that, by the third entry, it would have been, "I hate this bleeping project. It makes me crazy." or, "Do quilters have to put up with this?" followed by a bunch of cursing. At least here, it's not so embarrassing when I say that.
there is a sweet little blue and white design. I think this year, I am going to try to do some designs to be mounted on boxes again. I made one in 2005 for an exchange where we had to give something we stitched (I suck at finishing, so ornaments are not a great choice for me to do), so the little box turned out cute. The lady I gave it to liked it; she uses it at Christmas . I have been wanting to do something like that again, and I have a pretty star-shaped box to use, but I am just afraid to screw it up. Anyway, this would be pretty cute as a practice piece. It might make a good Mother's Day gift--anyone can use a pretty little box, right?
I also like the pretty design called, "A Year In Flowers," with a different flower for each month. I am not a flower person necessarily--they need to be bright to strike my fancy--but I like these.
This is also pretty good for the non-project pages. I like the letters, and someone has completed Summer Ball, by Sandy Littlejohn. I am always awed by someone who can complete one of her designs as they are beyond NOT easy. And someone has done that baby in sepia again! Oh, to be able to start him . . .
Magazine Reviews-It's about time, right?
I realize I have been remiss about doing this for a long time. But I happened upon my local Barnes and Noble on a good magazine week. So here goes.
Just Cross Stitch February 2008
This is a really good issue. It's a Valentine's Day issue. If you hate Valentine's Day, this is probably not gonna be a must-have for you. I am not that fond of this holiday, but this is a good issue.
There is a great design of orchids on this issue. It's a Permin design. Those are expensive, so we've already got the money on the magazine back.
As far as the holiday is concerned, there are several great designs, including the cover design. One is really simple, called Hugs and Kisses, which would be nice if you decorate for Valentine's Day or else need a signal for a roommate that this is not a night to hang out in the dorm room. I am not saying it in a bad way, it's really cute. Also the design, be kind and your heart will grow. Now that is cute! I could see that as a pillow.
My favorite design has got to be Winter Symphony by Little House Needleworks. It's cute little birds. I like primitive things and it's pretty. I also like the New Zealand sampler, but probably won't stitch it.
There are a couple projects I am not to keen on. Monsterbubbles has created a design of bugs, called the Fab Four, and George and John are in this issue. I don't know if I would stitch bugs, even though these are modern. It's kind of a bummer because I like Monsterbubbles' designs. And then there is a rocketship design. I might like this if I had boys, but I don't. Unless you count Robbie, and, well, he doesn't need a rocketship stitched for him.
All in all, this is a good addition to a magazine collection.
More to follow
Just Cross Stitch February 2008
This is a really good issue. It's a Valentine's Day issue. If you hate Valentine's Day, this is probably not gonna be a must-have for you. I am not that fond of this holiday, but this is a good issue.
There is a great design of orchids on this issue. It's a Permin design. Those are expensive, so we've already got the money on the magazine back.
As far as the holiday is concerned, there are several great designs, including the cover design. One is really simple, called Hugs and Kisses, which would be nice if you decorate for Valentine's Day or else need a signal for a roommate that this is not a night to hang out in the dorm room. I am not saying it in a bad way, it's really cute. Also the design, be kind and your heart will grow. Now that is cute! I could see that as a pillow.
My favorite design has got to be Winter Symphony by Little House Needleworks. It's cute little birds. I like primitive things and it's pretty. I also like the New Zealand sampler, but probably won't stitch it.
There are a couple projects I am not to keen on. Monsterbubbles has created a design of bugs, called the Fab Four, and George and John are in this issue. I don't know if I would stitch bugs, even though these are modern. It's kind of a bummer because I like Monsterbubbles' designs. And then there is a rocketship design. I might like this if I had boys, but I don't. Unless you count Robbie, and, well, he doesn't need a rocketship stitched for him.
All in all, this is a good addition to a magazine collection.
More to follow
03 January 2008
Another kick butt site
I didn't find this one, someone else did, but it's a pretty cool site. I don't know if it's licensed.
http://www.cartooncritters.com/
Basically, it's coloring pages. Lots of coloring pages. They aren't conducive to cross stitch, but, if you were into redwork, they would be cute. Wouldn't they make a pretty quilt? It only sucks that they don't have Fox and the Hound. But no one has Fox and the Hound anything . . . .
http://www.cartooncritters.com/
Basically, it's coloring pages. Lots of coloring pages. They aren't conducive to cross stitch, but, if you were into redwork, they would be cute. Wouldn't they make a pretty quilt? It only sucks that they don't have Fox and the Hound. But no one has Fox and the Hound anything . . . .
The first finish within 48 hours of the New Year!
Look at it, over there to the left, all by itself, my first finish for the New Year. It's all by itself for now, but the year is young.
I am making a change to how I list my finishes this year. I am going to include the finish dates, for a better idea of how long it takes to do these. Like last year, New Birth of Spring took all summer to work on. That wasn't really reflected on the list.
I am making a change to how I list my finishes this year. I am going to include the finish dates, for a better idea of how long it takes to do these. Like last year, New Birth of Spring took all summer to work on. That wasn't really reflected on the list.
02 January 2008
Another great thing about my SO
At least crafty-wise. He's tall, he's handsome, he likes me a lot, he's a good cook, he's kind to me. All that is great and I love him for it, but a great bonus is he lives 10 minutes from a nice Michaels. This is important to a crafter! I was amazed on Sunday because I knew it was there, and needed floss--which I left in my craftroom, where I won't be for two days, dang it--and was home quickly! I am stoked. Woo hoo.
Since I am trying to control spending and keep my stash inline with the craft room limits, my mother asked me if we would stop going to the LNS. I think she is sad about it. I said OF COURSE NOT. I am just not going to go look around and buy. Shopping should not be entertainment, it should be just a thing we do to get stuff we NEED. And I was a little needy in 2007. I keep looking at that pile o' stuff from CATS and feel a little guilty, because it really is a lot of stuff to stitch. Why add on top of that, cause I have a lot of cute stuff in my collection. And why stitch what everyone else is stitching, when I can start THIS . I love this little mouse on a candy cane, even though I never saw it before I bought a box lot including it a couple years ago.
I know, stop getting ahead of myself over that mouse. But it's adorable. Adorable. SO was not impressed by him. Phooey!
Since I am trying to control spending and keep my stash inline with the craft room limits, my mother asked me if we would stop going to the LNS. I think she is sad about it. I said OF COURSE NOT. I am just not going to go look around and buy. Shopping should not be entertainment, it should be just a thing we do to get stuff we NEED. And I was a little needy in 2007. I keep looking at that pile o' stuff from CATS and feel a little guilty, because it really is a lot of stuff to stitch. Why add on top of that, cause I have a lot of cute stuff in my collection. And why stitch what everyone else is stitching, when I can start THIS . I love this little mouse on a candy cane, even though I never saw it before I bought a box lot including it a couple years ago.
I know, stop getting ahead of myself over that mouse. But it's adorable. Adorable. SO was not impressed by him. Phooey!
New Year, new start, new hopes
Happy New Year, kind hearts, gentle readers! May your 2008 be blessed!
Not much is going on in my little corner o' the blogosphere. My New Years was pretty good. SO's birthday was nice, except he wouldn't let me help get the house ready for the party, so I sat around watching a CSI marathon all day and stitching. His 5-year-old niece was very interested in my stitching--she likes any way of making a picture. So, as soon as we determine if she can count, I'll teach her to stitch! Another convert.
I did start my New Year's Day project. It's a Stoney Creek bellpull--I promise I will post pictures as soon as we get the Christmas tree taken down. The fabric stinks--not it's bad, it just smells funny, and it's been in a bag since I bought it, so I don't know what is causing that!--but it's a nice stitch so far. I am still incredibly intimidated by Stoney Creek charts, but this is very do-able.
I also am almost finished with Lizzie Kate's Beware of Cat--a Halloween project that is really cute. I will probably get it done by this evening. I think I am going to make a door hanger out of it
Not much is going on in my little corner o' the blogosphere. My New Years was pretty good. SO's birthday was nice, except he wouldn't let me help get the house ready for the party, so I sat around watching a CSI marathon all day and stitching. His 5-year-old niece was very interested in my stitching--she likes any way of making a picture. So, as soon as we determine if she can count, I'll teach her to stitch! Another convert.
I did start my New Year's Day project. It's a Stoney Creek bellpull--I promise I will post pictures as soon as we get the Christmas tree taken down. The fabric stinks--not it's bad, it just smells funny, and it's been in a bag since I bought it, so I don't know what is causing that!--but it's a nice stitch so far. I am still incredibly intimidated by Stoney Creek charts, but this is very do-able.
I also am almost finished with Lizzie Kate's Beware of Cat--a Halloween project that is really cute. I will probably get it done by this evening. I think I am going to make a door hanger out of it
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