#48 Stitched, sealed and (ready to be) delivered

Regular readers of Life’s Complicated So Cross Stitch might remember that back in September, I posted a blog about my plan to create cross stitched Christmas cards and sell them for charity, in memory of my Mum’s good friend, Tracey, and indeed all the loved ones I’ve sadly lost over the years to Cancer.

Well, I’m pleased to say that I’ve passed my mission.

Since the middle of September I’ve made and packaged 30 truly unique cards to be sold over the coming weeks.

From Rudolf and Santa hat wearing scotty dogs, to snow-scapes and fairies, I’ve collated my favourite Christmas designs either bought or free in magazines, and made up this selection of festive fancies.

Pick a favourite, you ask? I couldn’t possibly! Twist my arm, and it might just have to be the snow covered house designs…

Behind the scenes:

To create 30 Christmas cards might not, at first, sound like that arduous a task – I too, thought it sounded easier in principle than it turned out to be in practice.

There were often times when I didn’t feel like cross stitching, a feeling I’m sure we’ve all come across over our crafting years, and other times I didn’t want to get out all my ribbons and embellishments to make up the cards.

To counter this, I found it easier and more fun to work in stages; a one-woman production line if you will.

I would usually make up around 7-10 completed cross stitches over the course of a week or two and then have a little card making session.

Not only did this help to keep the experience fun and varied, but it meant that I was able to keep my inspiration, ensuring they were all different.

Another tip is to have fun when collecting your different bits and bobs.

I went to a stitching and sewing exhibition to pick up all my ribbons and took a trip to Hobby Craft for my wooden embellishments. I kept the colours suitably simple and seasonal to make sure all tied into the same sort of theme, but different enough so the cards all had their own signature style.

I picked up a ‘stitched with love’ stamp for the back of the card to give it the personal touch, and finished off the packaging buy using clear cellophane for a professional finish, and included a little slip saying:

“Thank you for buying me.

Every penny spent on me is being donated to Cancer Research UK, to give a little something back to those who have lost.

Merry Christmas.”

I popped a Christmas sticker on the back of the packaging and there you have it.

I’m looking forward to seeing what family and friends make of the cards and, if all goes well, may make the project an annual occurrence.

A good deed well done.

J x

#41 I do believe in fairies

You may have noticed a recurring theme in my last couple of posts: Christmas.

Now, I love the combination of cross stitch and Christmas as much as the next gal, but there’s a reason for me starting my projects a little early this year – aside from the gift of time, that is.

This year I plan on making as many cross-stitched Christmas cards as I can – fifty being my goal – and selling them for charity.

In my short 25 years living on this planet I’ve lost too many people I love and adore to a horrible, crippling, heartbreaking disease – Cancer.

I’ve seen the best of the best battle with all the weapons and will they can muster and sadly still it not being enough.

I’ve seen 51-year-old mothers lose out on seeing their young sons get married and have children, grandmothers miss out on witnessing their grandchildren’s milestone moments, grandfathers failing to see what legacy they’ve left behind in their handy, gardening-loving grandsons and granddaughters pine for the grandpas they will never meet.

But rather than think of all the bad, I want to do good, which is why I’ve pledged to use my hobby to give back to the causes fighting hard to prevent others going through the same loss that I, and so many others have, this Christmas.

And so I’ve set myself a target, started buying my patterns and magazines in the hope of finding the Christmas characters who’ll help me in my quest, organised embellishments and ribbons, all in enough time to do all my – and everybody else’s – angels proud.

I’ll be documenting my journey along the way with positive posts detailing the cards I’ve made and the cross stitches I’ve created.

Perhaps, if you’re in the mood to make your own cards this year, too, take what left over stitches you have and spread a little Christmas joy, too. Let’s help give more families the gift of life.

Eight stitches down, 42 to go…

J x