CrossStitcher issue 231 hits the shops today! If you'd like to enter this month's competitions, here are the links to the online entry forms. Good luck! 

Decorating your home for Christmas shouldn't be a chore, it should be a joyful experience that you can look forward to! That's why over the next few months we'll be giving you everything you need to host a completely handmade Christmas.

First up we've got the dining room covered with everything from cake bands and candle charms to decorated napkin rings. Plus, we've given Tatty Taddy the festive treatment with an unusual scalloped felt frame.

If you're not quite ready to delve into Christmas, there's a collection of spooky Halloween buttons and accessories to get stuck into that we know your kids will adore and a retro owl MP3 case that will keep your MP3 player safe and scratch-free.

Plus, add another technique to your stitching repertoire with our 3D cottage doorstop that will add instant country charm to your hallway.

Don't miss out - CrossStitcher issue 231 is on sale today!

Hi!

CrossStitcher magazine is looking for home stitchers.

We’re looking for neat stitchers who are able to turn pieces around to tight deadlines but are also comfortable working on a variety of fabrics such as: evenweave, waste canvas on fabric, perforated paper, plastic canvas and aida.

If you’re interested, please post us 1 - 2 unframed examples of your work, which we will return by RMSD.

Please also include your name, address, telephone number, email address and a brief paragraph about yourself, including your stitching experience and the approximate number of hours you’re available per week.

Please direct all queries to our Technical Editor

rebecca.preston@futurenet.com

Please post all submissions to:

Rebecca Preston
CrossStitcher Magazine

Future Publishing Ltd.

30 Monmouth Street

Bath, BA1 2BW

Deadline for submissions is Friday 24^th September, 2010.

Please note, submissions without stitched examples won’t be considered and unfortunately we are only able to accept UK resident entries.

We look forward to hearing from you,

Rebecca Preston

Technical Editor

We all know the art of cross stitching isn’t exactly a speedy craft, but whilst we think spending over 100 hours on a project is quite an achievement that’s nothing compared to this.

Joanna spent a whopping 2872 hours working on this cross stitch reproduction of the Sistine Chapel's ceiling by Michaelangelo.

Taking its intricate detailing one section at a time, Joanna worked this huge masterpiece over nine years whilst traveling across America and Canada working at software consultant completing most of the work in hotel rooms.

What a fantastic achievement.

(via Craft, via Extreme Crafts)

"As a professional cross stitcher, one of the downsides is being stuck in the studio by yourself, stitching away, packing up orders or doing admin, with no interaction with the outside world or with customers.

"So when events like the BUST Craftactular roll around, it's a chance to escape the routine and meet customers and fellow makers and generally have a crafty day out.

The venue - York Hall, Bethnal Green

"Saturday, the day of the show, dawned bright and fair and we donned our sunglasses and headed to York Hall, Bethnal Green, to set up in the beautiful Victorian hall, with lots of other designers.

"We had a little cross stitch enclave, with myself (Miso Funky) and Phil (Urban Cross Stitch) setting up stands near one another!

The Miso Funky stall, set up and ready to go

"We had a great day, meeting lots of great designers and visitors to the show, including our friend Mr X Stitch and many people interested in getting started in cross-stitch, as well as introducing people to cross stitch via a more contemporary route than the traditional charts and patterns many come to it by.

"All too soon, it was the end of the day and time to pack up and head back to our hotel with a much lighter suitcase and a spring in our step, to celebrate a great day with a drink or two!

"The next Craftacular will be at Christmas time, so make sure you check it out the amazing work on offer from a whole host of independent designers."

Claire Brown, Miso Funky

This stylish mini sewing box from Shruti is both useful and pretty. It's the perfect size for storing your stitching supplies in a handy place without worrying about all your needles and threads messing up your living room zen...

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CrossStitcher issue 230 hits the shops on Thursday this week! If you'd like to enter this month's competitions, here are the links to the online entry forms. Good luck!