• Large cross stitch Christmas tree
    Crafts for adults

    Large cross stitch Christmas tree

    January 12, 2024 - By 

    I love to add a couple of handmade decorations each year. This year I stitched some felt initial hoops for our family stockings, and thought I would add some cross stitched Christmas trees too. I used a simple template I designed and 3D printed. I’ll share the file in case you want to print and make one too. Supplies: Wooden embroidery hoop Heat erasable pen Felt Wool Needle Scissors 3D printed cross stitch template How to make a felt cross stitched Christmas tree I designed the plastic template in Autodesk Fusion 360  and 3D printed the cross stitch template on…

  • gingerbread house cross stitch
    Crafts for adults - gingerbread house

    Cross stitch gingerbread house

    September 1, 2022 - By 

    I’m not the biggest fan of the art of cross stitch. Cross stitch is a form of counted thread embroidery which involves an x stitch on fabric with an even and open weave like Aida. Some people think it’s the simplest form of embroidery, but I actually find it quite hard to find the right place for my needle! Thankfully it is easy to see where you’ve gone wrong and unpick a stitch or two. Anyway, when I saw that Cotton Clara had produced a gingerbread house cross stitch kit I bought myself one. I love anything related to gingerbread…

  • Spring Craftpod review
    Crafts for adults

    Spring stitching {Spring Craftpod review}

    April 13, 2021 - By 

    One of my birthday presents was the Spring Craftpod subscription box. I was more than ready for some Spring projects. It doesn’t feel very long since I shared what was inside the previous box but sadly this is a quarterly subscription. Spring is my favourite season along with Autumn. I’ve been enjoying watching for the signs of Spring for the last few weeks and my phone is full of photos of snowdrops, daffodils, tulips and blossom on trees. Spring stitching {Spring Craftpod review} The box was a real delight to open, containing two spring craft projects, bobbin cards, spring stickers,…

  • crafts - handmade

    Cross stitch Valentine card

    February 3, 2013 - By 

    For some reason I decided I wasn’t busy enough and challenged myself to try 10 different craft projects this year. I’m really bad at falling in love with a picture in a magazine, buying supplies and never getting round to making it. No more! This year I am working my way through my stash of projects and trying really, really hard to not buy craft books, fabric or anything else. I’ll admit I’ve failed terribly at this and have some amazing craft books to tell you about 🙂 Anyway, so far I’ve tried my hand at applique houses which was…

  • Day Zero

    Day Zero – Month 25 (October)

    October 31, 2012 - By 

    Woo hoo! Time for another update… On the 19 September 2010 I started a Day Zero list: a place to record goals, discover new challenges, and gain motivation to achieve them. I made a list of 100 things I want to do over 1001 days. The list is due to be competed by 16 June 2013. 9.     Lose baby weight For the past couple of weeks I’ve been taking part in the BritMums challenge to lose weight with WeightWatchers ProPoints. I have to admit it’s not going brilliantly but I’m enjoying trying lots of new recipes. 50.  Join the WI!…

  • crafts - handmade - sewing

    Cross stitch iPhone case

    October 22, 2012 - By 

    In between my Christmas crafting I’ve been making the odd thing for myself. I’m terrible at buying fabric and all kinds of items which I just never get round to using. This is one of those projects. I bought all the equipment but took ages to actually get a needle out and start. I bought the cross stitch iPhone case so long ago I actually imported it as I couldn’t find any for sale in the UK! I love the idea of customising an iPhone case. It’s the one item I have near me all day (besides the children) so…

  • crafts - handmade - sewing

    Cross stitch pendant

    June 4, 2012 - By 

    I’ve seen a couple of cross stitch pendants and thought they looked fun to stitch. The only place I could find them was from the workroom, a Canadian sewing shop, so I duly ordered a couple and waited for them to arrive. I was really pleased with the laser cut cross stitch pendants, both wooden, one with a scalloped edge and one circular, which measure just over 2″.   I wanted to stitch something to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee so I found some free Jubilee motifs from CrossStitcher. The motifs included a union flag (which I stitched for the God…

  • crafts - gingerbread house - handmade - Knitting and Stitching Show - Local Review - London - sewing

    The Knitting and Stitching Show at Ally Pally

    October 12, 2011 - By 

    The Knitting and Stitching Show is the highlight of my year. If you haven’t heard of it before it’s the textile event of the year, featuring hundreds of exhibitors, galleries from leading artists and groups, plus hundreds of workshops. I’ve gone every year since I heard about it but last year was really strict with myself and only bought items I actually needed or would make. This worked pretty well and I made everything I bought except one (due to an elusive Moda quilt pack). This year I was lucky enough to go with a friend and we took our…

  • Cath Kidston - handmade

    Cath Kidston cross stitch

    June 16, 2011 - By 

    My latest favourite craft is cross stitch. I’ve been working my way through my copy of Cath Kidston Stitch which is full of projects which can be made using needlepoint or cross stitch. This pattern turned our bigger than it was supposed to but I’m enjoying the challenge of trying something new. It’s a great excuse to visit more craft shops too!   Linking up with Handmade Thursday