Saturday August 16, 2008 Margaret Sherry abc - letter j
You can now download Margaret Sherry's J for Jaguar chart here. Enjoy!
Friday August 15, 2008 204 Advent calendar chart error
There was a small error on the chart for Making your mini pillow in issue 204's advent calendar chart. In the step-by-step box on page 34, the first step should say: Before you begin stitching, backstitch a 5x5cm square (not a 21x21cm square) for each...
Thursday August 14, 2008 CrossStitcher issue 204 now on sale!
CrossStitcher issue 204 is on sale now! Christmas has arrived at CrossStitcher! Don’t miss Maria Diaz’s stunning poppy design in issue 204, plus a truly unique advent calendar by Joan Elliott. We’ve even got an exclusive design by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen for...
CrossStitcher Facebook page!
Your favourite stitching magazine has now got a Facebook page! You can get updates on the latest issue, post feedback and add pictures of your finished projects, which could end up being printed in the magazine. So if you're on Facebook, why not become a...
More tips for buying craft products online
Bargain hunting at auction sites
Internet auction sites are a great place to source bargains. Goods are cheap because they’re second hand, and it's a great way of getting your hands on discontinued stock.
Ebay is the most popular site, selling new and second hand articles from private and business traders. A quick browse shows over 36,000 cross stitch related items, including 18,878 kits. Happily, they’re categorised, so you can narrow the field. Some sellers are infringing copyright laws by selling protected products like magazines, so make sure you check this before you buy.
Look at:
www.ebay.co.uk
www.loot.com
www.preloved.co.uk
The downside to buying from auction sites is that they don't have to accept responsibility if things go wrong, so you must check seller feedback. No complaints and a good delivery service should give a 100 per cent rating. Some rogue traders post positive comments about themselves – though this is unlikely with comparatively small embroidery items.
Internet auction sites are a great place to source bargains. Goods are cheap because they’re second hand, and it's a great way of getting your hands on discontinued stock.
Ebay is the most popular site, selling new and second hand articles from private and business traders. A quick browse shows over 36,000 cross stitch related items, including 18,878 kits. Happily, they’re categorised, so you can narrow the field. Some sellers are infringing copyright laws by selling protected products like magazines, so make sure you check this before you buy.
Look at:
www.ebay.co.uk
www.loot.com
www.preloved.co.uk
The downside to buying from auction sites is that they don't have to accept responsibility if things go wrong, so you must check seller feedback. No complaints and a good delivery service should give a 100 per cent rating. Some rogue traders post positive comments about themselves – though this is unlikely with comparatively small embroidery items.
Wednesday August 13, 2008 More from Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen
If you enjoyed reading our interview with Laurence in issue 204, here are a few more snippets for you.
Laurence studied Fine Art at Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts. He was always interested in illustration and graphics, but says: “I chose the course because I didn’t want to make up my mind. I thought I could bubble around more! I’m not ambitious – I liked the idea of interior design, that was all.”
He was at Camberwell for three years, graduating in 1986. From there he went to work in the marketing department of a rubber flooring factory, which, he tells us, he really enjoyed. Since then he’s gone on to be the face of some of television’s most popular programmes, including Changing Rooms, Holiday, and most recently To The Manor Bowen.
Laurence definitely believes that cross stitch is going to be around for a long time, playing its part in the world of craft and design. We asked him what he thought we could do to help make needlework more trendy in the eyes of future generations. “I think the answer is not to try to do anything,” he says. “Needlework will discover itself again.”
Which is great news for us!
Don’t forget to drop us an email if you’re planning to stitch Laurence’s fabulous Jaisamand design. We’d love to see your finished work!
Laurence studied Fine Art at Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts. He was always interested in illustration and graphics, but says: “I chose the course because I didn’t want to make up my mind. I thought I could bubble around more! I’m not ambitious – I liked the idea of interior design, that was all.”
He was at Camberwell for three years, graduating in 1986. From there he went to work in the marketing department of a rubber flooring factory, which, he tells us, he really enjoyed. Since then he’s gone on to be the face of some of television’s most popular programmes, including Changing Rooms, Holiday, and most recently To The Manor Bowen.
Laurence definitely believes that cross stitch is going to be around for a long time, playing its part in the world of craft and design. We asked him what he thought we could do to help make needlework more trendy in the eyes of future generations. “I think the answer is not to try to do anything,” he says. “Needlework will discover itself again.”
Which is great news for us!
Don’t forget to drop us an email if you’re planning to stitch Laurence’s fabulous Jaisamand design. We’d love to see your finished work!
Tuesday August 12, 2008 This month we’ve got a special giveaway for all our online visitors!
We’ve got 15 pairs of tickets up for grabs to the Weald of Kent Craft Show at Penhurst Place, near Tonbridge in Kent. The show is being held from 5th-7th September, and is open from 9.30am until 5.30pm. There will be marquees full of beautiful crafts, food, fashion, furniture and jewellery, so it’s a great day out for the whole family. You can enjoy workshops in painting, paper-making and ceramics, to name but a few, and there’s even a chance to get some of your antiques valued by an expert team.
Tickets are £5.60 (£4.60 for seniors) and children under 16 are admitted free if accompanied by a parent. You can buy your tickets online at www.ichf.co.uk or on the door when you arrive. More details are on the website too, so take a look at all the fabulous activities taking place.
All you need to do for a chance to receive two tickets to the show is click here and fill in your details. The keyword is CSCRAFT.
Tickets are £5.60 (£4.60 for seniors) and children under 16 are admitted free if accompanied by a parent. You can buy your tickets online at www.ichf.co.uk or on the door when you arrive. More details are on the website too, so take a look at all the fabulous activities taking place.
All you need to do for a chance to receive two tickets to the show is click here and fill in your details. The keyword is CSCRAFT.
Your template for issue 204's retirement cards
If you've been inspired to stitch Zoe Halstead's retirement cards in issue 204, click here to download the hanger template. Good luck, and don't forget to send us a picture of the finished project!
Monday August 11, 2008 Enter issue 204's giveaways
Here are the links to this month's giveaways. Enter now for the chance to win some fabulous prizes!
Framecraft giveaway
Country Cross Stitch giveaway
Past Impressions giveaway
Daylight giveaway
Treasure Bin giveaway
Cottage Needlecrafts giveaway
Click here to enter the main competition.
Country Cross Stitch giveaway
Past Impressions giveaway
Daylight giveaway
Treasure Bin giveaway
Cottage Needlecrafts giveaway
Click here to enter the main competition.
Friday August 01, 2008 Stitch A Star - Jonny Wilkinson
He's not just for rugby fans...! Click here to download our Jonny Wilkinson chart from issue 191.
Saturday July 19, 2008 Margaret Sherry abc - letter i
I for Iguana has arrived! Click here to download the next letter in Margaret Sherry's gorgeous alphabet.
Thursday July 17, 2008 Beautiful butterflies...
Your free gift with issue 203 is this gorgeous Butterflies and Blossom kit by Bangladesh producer group Swajan. We know some of you like to stitch your kits again and again, which is why this month we're offering you the chance to buy more kits with all the...
CrossStitcher issue 203 now on sale!
CrossStitcher issue 203 is on sale now! This
month we’ve got a fantastic Wild West design by Emily Peacock, drawing on the vintage style of reward posters, plus a gorgeous set of floral cards and a fun summer-themed beach bag. Enjoy the issue! ...
Wednesday July 16, 2008 Subscribe to CrossStitcher and receive a free book!
Get a Cross Stitch Countryside Collection book FREE when you subscribe to CrossStitcher Turn to page 50 in issue 203 of the magazine to see full details. Hurry – this offer is only available in CrossStitcher! CrossStitcher gives you the best...
Monday July 14, 2008 Enter issue 203's giveaways
Here are the links to this month's giveaways. Enter now for the chance to win some fabulous prizes!
