#51 Blogging 0 – Wedding planning 1

I’m a firm believer in if you don’t have anything to say, then don’t say anything at all, which might explain why I’ve been missing from the sewing scene of late. Sorry!

Well, that, and I’ve been planning a wedding.

This point leads me nicely onto the title and content of this particular blog.

Call me crazy, but from the moment I shared #47 Pop, I’ve been certain about of one detail about our wedding: It would involve as much sewing as my fingers and imagination would allow.

Let’s be honest, it’s the little things that make the day a truly unique and personal experience, and what would it be without a little needle and thread magic? So – I thought I’d give you all a sneak peak as to what I’ve been up to so far.

Guest table place cards:

I’ve set myself the rather ambitious task of sewing everyone of our guests’ name cards that will be placed on the table for the meal.

70 names.

Yes, you read correctly, 70.

Easy, right? Not really when you’re have no pattern to follow and you’re essentially making them up as you go along.

Top tips – start them early, do little and often and ENJOY IT!

I’ve had a blast choosing the different skeins to go for and had a blast researching calligraphy to turn into a pattern that fits in with the rest of my our day.

If that wasn’t enough, I’m also designing and sewing our full seating plan for the wedding breakfast and I’ll be honest, I can’t wait to start it.

The idea of having a one-of-a-kind seating plan, handmade, framed and hung on my wall for the rest of our days together is pretty special and keeps me inspired when the fingers are hurting and I can’t quite get the ‘d’ just how I want it in ‘bride’…

I guess if that’s the only hiccup I experience during the wedding planning process, I’ll be one happy briDe! (Get it?)

Watch this space…

J x

#50 Of course, it was a Christmas turtle…

Cast your mind back to post #49 and the little guessing game I set you all.

The correct answer was: A Christmas Turtle (naturally!)

My colleague assures me it will make sense to its recipient!

In other news…

Mr XStitch has given me an early Christmas present. He’s cleared away a book case in the spare room (craft cave!) so I can store my ever-growing collection of cross stitches, magazines and embellishments in a tidy corner.

And so the house domination continues…

J x

#49 All sold out, now taking (peculiar) orders!

In just three days I sold all my Christmas cards, making £100 for Cancer Research UK.

Colleagues, family and friends have all been incredibly supportive and generous in buying my cards, so much so, I think I may make it an annual event.

It seems I didn’t make enough (as Mr XStitch is taking perfect delight in telling me), as I’ve taken orders for five more of the Scotty Dogs, which I’ve spent most of my Saturday doing.

I also received an unusual request / order from a colleague.

I’ll be very impressed if you can guess what it is…

I’ll give you a clue, it’s not a Christmas Tree!

Have a happy weekend!

J x

#46 One cross stitcher’s gift to herself

As any cross stitcher, or indeed, crafter, will tell you, we rarely complete projects for ourselves.

Whether it’s quilting or card making, cross stitching or knitting, our projects usually find their forever homes in those of others.

So when you finally do make something for yourself, it can be an alien sensation.

Like yesterday.

Mr XStitch very kindly offered to have one of my first and favourite cross stitches framed for my birthday, to be displayed in our house.

It’s our Bengal Bundle of Fluff.

And it looks lovely, even if I do say so myself.

I don’t think I’ll be hanging up my gift-giving hat any time in the near future, but I’m so pleased that I’ve finally got one of my pieces professionally framed and finished, especially when it means as much to me as it does.

Tell me…what projects have you finished for yourself?

Comments below, please!

J x

#45 The 12.25 service to Christmas is arriving at platform…finished!

Choo choo!

…Ta-dah!

J x

#44 All aboard

I’ve never been one for the parking technique.

The idea of having lots of different threads and cottons lying loose at the front of my aida, while convenient, to me, isn’t very practical. Perhaps it’s my OCD tendencies that require me to have complete order with my sewing, or maybe it’s just the fact I came across the idea too late to get my head around it!

I have, however, over the recent months been contemplating how I seem to be quite a slow stitcher and, when you’re on a tight deadline, this is far from ideal.

I’m not sure if anybody else uses more of a ‘blocking’ technique, but I’ve come to use this of late and it seems to be making me stitch faster and neater than I think I’ve ever done before.

It’s simple:

Choose a colour close to the central point that seems to cover a large surface area of the pattern and work out in sections.

Keep doing so, working out towards the edges of the pattern, selecting colours and shapes that will help you to pick out the design of the piece, while ticking off a decent number of stitches.

When you can make out the pattern and you have done as much outlining and blocking, as I like to call it, then start to work back in towards the centre to fill in the shading.

The only thing I will say about this technique is that you MUST be careful with your counting. One mistake on the inside of your pattern could dictate the rest of the design, which means either a lot of reworking or a lot of unpicking, depending how strict a stitcher you are on yourself.

I started this Christmas train tree decoration last night and have perhaps spent about 2-3hours on it thus far. It’s on a plastic piece of aida, which I’m using for the very first time, too, but still the results seem to be heading in the right direction.

I’m not saying I’ll be setting any world records for the fastest stitcher any time soon, but the more cards I can make this Christmas, the bigger contribution I can make to charity.

J x

#43 Christmas came early for this cross stitcher…

Earlier in the year, Mr XStitch and I went along to the Sewing, Stitching and Hobbycrafts Event (#28) and came away with some absolute treasures (well I did, he came back tired and with a new found respect for online shopping!)

This weekend it was back with bells on, as exhibitors and crafters alike knew it was all about one thing: Christmas.

Ribbons, buttons, patterns, skeins, die-cuts, card, inks, glitter glue, decoupage all with your favourite Christmas characters.

I was there to pick up some beauties from my favourite craft barn, Black Sheep Wools, and to see if I could fill my crafting Christmas stocking a little early. I did.

The loot:

My favourite buy of the day has to go to this modest little stamp:

What better way to finish off the Christmas cards I have planned than with this heartfelt and genuine statement?

It’s also been a weekend of finishes, including this piece from the latest issue of The World of Cross Stitching magazine.

I’ve found it to be a great way of using up my own skeins and, with a little help from the BBF (Bengal Bundle of Fluff) we managed to make it our own adaptation by going with a more simple version. Still very effective though, I hope you’ll agree.

You’ll note I’ve frayed the edges of the aida… More on this later.

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

#40 Heaven

Friday nights.

Some go clubbing, others cross stitch.

J x

#37 She sells seashells…

Delicious cotton colours, a variety of stitches & knots and a cross stitch pattern that’s just the right level of complicated, can you think of a better way to spend a leisurely Friday morning.

Aren’t the colours magic?

J x