It's only 1 week until the annual Stitch & Craft show(whoop!) and if you buy your tickets in advance before 1pmthis Fridaythen you'll get it for £8 instead of £10 on the door.
That's a saving of a whopping 25%! Look at all these cross stitching treats you could buy with that £2.00 instead....
*Clockwise from top left: Easter cross stitch from Hobbycraft - £1.29, Needle tube from Wimblebees - £0.90, Stitchlet kit from Mouseloft - £1.99, Flourescent threads from DMC - £1.24
So, you could buy a ticket for the show and have change from your tenner to buy a small chart to keep you occupied in the car on the way there? That's such a great plan, we're proud we've thought of that...
What's in store for you at Stitch & Craft 2010 . . .
Join us for the biggest, best and brightest show this Spring and step into a world of new craft skills and ideas, or just celebrate your
old favourites!
It's only 11 days (yes, less than two weeks!) until the Stitch & Craft Show 2010 in London, and here's a sneaky peek at what's in store for you this year...
Stitch
A Star Competition: Guess and name the identities of our famous faces in our exclusive Stitch A Star gallery!
Workshops with the Cross Stitch Guild, Madeira and
Zweigart: Join the
make-and-take workshops with the Cross Stitch Guild supported by Madeira and Zweigart and learn exciting new techniques from the experts.
History of Band Samplers: Learn the history of counted cross stitch; see antique
band and alphabet samplers and other fascinating needlework memorabilia and see extracts from The Goodhart Samplers published by Needleprint.
Meet design queen Jan Constantine: See Jan Constantine's funky homeware exhibition with original hand-embroidery on exquisite textiles that stand alone as "heirlooms of the future".
Haven't got your
ticket yet? There's still time to book online...
Stitch & Craft 2010, Olympia II, London... 18 - 21 March.
Do you sew for pleasure?
If like us, you love all things crafty and jump at the opportunity for a great day out then this will probably be right up your street!
The Sewing for Pleasure show is running from 25th to 28th March at the NEC in Birmingham and promises to inspire you with fantastic workshops and displays as well as plenty of excuses to have a shop around of course.
For all cross stitchers and counted thread enthusiasts, Jane Greenoff's will once again be presenting her 'Itch to Stitch' workshops where you'll get the chance to try cutting Hardanger, work hemstitch and even earn how to embellish your embroideries with
perfect French knots!
Even
if you're not a textile artist or don't usually dabble in sewing, it's
still a great date for the diary with interesting displays including beautiful costumes from Oscar and Bafta winning movie The Dutchess, starring Keira Knightley. (She's been our Stitch A Star don't you know!)
Plus, don't worry if you have youngsters in tow, there’s a brilliant Junior Stitch Club with free workshops for children aged 8 to 16, giving them chance to try their hand at using a sewing machine with help from the experts...
Sound like your kind of day out? Click here to find out more!
Wednesday March 03, 2010
Pearl & Earl launches sister site Granny Knits!
Don't you just love it when you find websites full of fun and inspiration? Well, that's exactly what happened when we found Peal & Earl back in 2008. But, at the end of 2009 they launched sister siteGranny Knits, a site that's full of contemporary crafting goodness and retro charm - just how we like it!
With Pearl & Earl already an established online brand selling British home & clothing collections inspired
by things with nostalgic charm and character, it's great to see the same enthusiasm of pattern, colour and humour evident on their new site. Granny Knits features a extensive range of crafted products that may one day become your very own homemade heirloom.
With modern tapestry, embroidery, and cross stitch charts available... it's bound to inspire seasoned crafters beginners alike. But, if you're feeling adventurous there's even a good selection of wool yarns, canvas, fabric and trims so you can create your very own homemade heirloom. There's no doubting both of these sites are full of character and colourful designs that are band on trend with the retro chic look that's currently adorning our favourite home magazines.
But, that's not all. Like all good crafts businesses, their work is still in very much in progress and they're currently busy creating an extended range of
knitting, crochet, cloth, embroidery and contemporary paper craft
kits for us to get our hands too!
We think this is definitely a space worth watching...
PS: Seen a great website or blog lately? Let us know!
Monday March 01, 2010
Spoil your mum this Mother's Day!
Spoil your mum with up to 40% off a subscription to one of our fantastic magazines this Mother's Day.
With lots of
magazines to choose from in our crafts portfolio, there's a perfect
subscription for every mum. Whether she's into knitting, stitching,
paper crafting or tracing her family history we're sure you'll find
something she's into!
A subscription makes a unique gift:
Save up to 40% off the cover price
A perfect Mother's Day gift that your mum can enjoy all year round
Convenient and free home delivery every month, often with free gifts too!
Visit: www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk/x437 or call: 0844 848 2852 to order now... (Please quote order code x437 when ordering over the phone. Lines are open 8am - 9.30pm weekdays and 8am - 4pm Saturdays.)
Mother's Day - Sunday 14th March Don't delay, treat your mum today!
Thursday February 25, 2010
CrossStitcher 'Easter Special' – issue 224 on sale now!
Here we are in Lent and it's exactly 38 days until Easter Day – so now's the time to get cracking on all those chicks, bunnies and crosses.
To help you get started on your spring stitching we've made issue 224 into an egg-citing (sorry) Easter Special complete with 32 Easter-themed charts, plus plenty of finishing ideas and it's on sale right now!
Decorate your dining table with a bunny cake band by Lucie Heaton
Find out how to make fun Easter basket 'pokes' on plastic canvas
Remember the reason for the season with a special Christian ABC by Maria Diaz
We've even got two bonus charts as a treat for our blog visitors that you can download right here.
And check out what else is in issue 224 as well...!
PLUS!
Don't miss your FREE gift this month – 30 luxury pins!
Bridesmaid and page boy gifts
Oriental flowers to decorate your home
Birthday cards in the style of vintage advertisements
A glow-in-the-dark skeleton for the kids to try
Robbie Williams Stitch a Star
Issue 224 goes on sale today in all good newsagents and supermarkets until Wednesday 24th March. Pick up yours now, or order a subscription and be one of the first to get a copy of CrossStitcher through your door every month!
Wednesday February 24, 2010
Meet design queen Jan Constantine at the Stitch & Craft Show!
So, it's less than a month now until our annual Stitch & Craft show in London and we're already getting excited in the office about what's in store for you all at the fabulous Olympia II!
Not only will there be the usual array of crafty stands for you to browse around but we've also got a special Stitch A Star gallery where you can test your knowledge of our famous faces. Why not see how many celebrities you can name or even make a few suggestions to the team for the future?
But, what we're really excited about is that design queen Jan Constantine will be joining us to showcasing some of her new home designs in a special gallery! If you're not familiar with her work already take a look at her website, it's jam packed with Britannia themed fabrics, cushions and embroidered home ware that you may just recognise...
You'll also get the chance to join the Make and Take workshops with the Cross Stitch Guild (supported by Madeira and Zweigart)
and learn some exciting new stitching techniques in their informal daily classes. Stitching advice from the experts - sounds perfect doesn't it?
Tickets are still available to buy online at: www.twistedthread.comand whilst you're logged on why not pop over to facebook or twitter for all the latest gossip?
We're really excited about meeting you all there so pop on down and meet the team behind your favourite magazine!
Enter issue 224's competitions now!
Here
are the links to this month's comps and giveaways...
Click here to enter our Candamar Designs competition. Click here to enter our Prize Crossword competition.
Monday February 15, 2010
Jenson Button gets stitched up
Click here to download the Jenson Button Stitch a Star chart from CrossStitcher issue 222.
Don't forget to send your photos to us, plus any more suggestions for our Stitch a Star hall of fame.
Plus, if you're coming to the Stitch & Craft Show in March you'll be able to test your celebrity knowledge with our special Stitch A Star display!
How many can you name?
Tuesday February 09, 2010
BBC Wildlife expert Simon King on puffins, photography and craft…
In the current issue of CrossStitcher you'll find an inspiring interview with wildlife expert Simon King and a delightful puffin chart that his crafty sister Debbie Cripps helped create.
This exclusive chart was created from a photograph Simon took on the Shetland Isles and we've got a special insight into the story behind that picture just for you. So, scroll down for an interesting insight into his world
of wildlife... and craft!
Wildlife expert Simon
King has been painting and drawing for as long as he can remember, and with his
creative sister Debbie Cripps offering cross stitch as inspiration, he’s a man
who knows a thing or two about craft! “This puffin photograph was taken in 2006 at
Sumburgh Head in mainland Shetland, home to a colony of around 2,000 pairs of
puffins alongside guillemots and razorbills. Treshnish, Farne
Isles, the Isle of May and Lundy are but a few place to see puffins in the wild,
but the Shetland Isles are one of the few places in the UK where you can get
within a couple of meters of them!”
Besides his passion for the natural world,
Simon has always had a lively interest in crafts. He grew up in a creative
household, so it’s not surprising that he’s already worked on a series of cross
stitch kits for his sister’s company ‘from Debbie Cripps’. “Debbie and I don’t
have many opportunities to work together,” says Simon, “so to see one of my
photographs turned into cross stitch with such sensitivity and flair is
wonderful.”
But, it’s not just sister Debbie who is a dab hand with crafts! “I’ve
had a go at sculpture and wood carving too!” says Simon. “I think birds make
particularly good subjects for craftsmen, especially when they’re in flight.
They make such beautiful shapes!”
It was the work of Sir David Attenborough
and cameraman Hugh Miles that inspired Simon’s career in wildlife photography,
but what is it about puffins that made Simon head to Shetland to study them in
their natural habitat? He says, “They’re everyone’s favourite birds, you’ve
just got to love them! Puffins are utterly charming. They’re sweet, pompous and
comical. You can really see their gentlemanly characteristics as they strut
along cliff tops!”
When it comes to travelling, Simon’s had his fair share
of exploration but when it comes to favourite places his little puffin friends
make the Shetland Isles hard to resist. Simon said: “As far as the most
inspiring place I’ve ever visited, there really is too many places to mention. I suppose if pushed it
would be hard to choose between Shetland and Africa as they are so diverse.”
You'll find Simon and Debbie's puffin chart in issue 223 of CrossStitcher, which is on sale until 25th February.
PS: Don’t forget to drop us an email if you stitch this chart... as always, we love to see your finished pieces!
Thursday February 04, 2010
Introducing . . . The Crafts Circle!
We’re
really excited to be able to tell you all about our new Crafts Circle site,
a fabulous brand new subscriber only area we know you’ll love!
Crafts
Circle is a new access-all-areas treat for our loyal subscribers, designed by
the same people that bring you your favourite craft magazines. We’ll be
offering special monthly treats such as giveaways, free charts and discount
codes to help you enjoy your hobby even more.
What
do you get?
Exclusive
competitions and giveaways
Discount
codes for your favourite online stores
Access
to manage your subscription online
Regular
news updates on shows and products
Gossip
and information on the latest craft shows
Papercraft,
knitting and cross stitch themed giveaways
To log on to Crafts Circle you simply need your subscriber number, the magazine
to which you subscribe and your surname.
If
you’re not currently a subscriber but want to have CrossStitcher magazine
delivered directly to your door each month (sound perfect?) then click here
for more information.
PS: Let us know what you think, and keep checking back - we don't want you to miss our on any of the freebies and competitions we've got planned for the future!
Tuesday February 02, 2010
Kokeshi dolls - 150 years of traditional Japanese folk art
We're absolutely thrilled at the number of you who have already sent in pictures of your finished Kokeshi doll kit - free with this months issue.
As
a reward to those of you who have stitched it already (because we're
nice like this) we've been talking to our friend Jez Willard over at The Japanese Shop all about Kokeshi dolls and their meanings.
Free floral storage boxes for all new subscribers!
If you subscribe to CrossStitcher today you'll receive these stylish floral storage boxes from The Craft Factory - absolutely free! *contents not included. They’re perfect for storing all your stitching supplies and the small compartments are a great way to neatly store all your skeins. Plus, when you’re not using them, they fold down for easy storage too!
What do you get as a subscriber?
You'll be getting 13 issues of CrossStitcher magazine delivered FREE directly to your door throughout the year. You'll also get a special cover gift with each issue, plus access to VIP subscriber-only pages packed with charts, puzzles, competitions and news!
How much does it cost?
Just £10.37 every three months by Direct Debit – that's 20% off the shop price!
How can you get it?
It's simple, just choose one of these three options:
1) Call 0844 848 2852 and quote offer code
W048 2)Click here to go straight to the online order form. 3) Turn to page 50 in issue 223 and fill in the paper form.
Wednesday January 27, 2010
Enter issue 223's competitions now!
Here
are the links to this month's comps and giveaways...
Don't forget that the first person to send us a pic of their finished Stitch a Star each month wins a yummy prize of fabric and a chart book from Zweigart. So email us a pic when you've finished stitching George and you could be the lucky winner!
And keep emailing us your Stitch a Star suggestions too!
It was the work of Sir David Attenborough
and cameraman Hugh Miles that inspired Simon’s career in wildlife photography,
but what is it about puffins that made Simon head to Shetland to study them in
their natural habitat? He says, “They’re everyone’s favourite birds, you’ve
just got to love them! Puffins are utterly charming. They’re sweet, pompous and
comical. You can really see their gentlemanly characteristics as they strut
along cliff tops!” 
