This is Me!

Ok, so I have a little confession. I've been busy working on several projects (as well as having my day job) so I haven't quite completed anything to blog about! That got me thinking, what else could I write about that's relevant, maybe inspiration, maybe other blogs/ other crafters, although I'm planning that for a Valentines Blog next week (if you'd like to be featured, please leave a comment below), but they're still all standard 'blogging' topics. I want to do something different.

OK then, so what makes a good blog? I am far from the expert on this, and good is just a matter of opinion anyway, right? Still, with a little help from my thinking cap I realised that my favourite blogs, the ones I keep going back too, are a bit more personal. So how about telling you a little about me? I'm always curious about other crafters, so this is me!

I grew up in the Midlands with mum dad and my big little sis (she's been that ever since she grew taller than me!). We were often out and about, clambering up trees, going on walks or bike rides, playing in the garden, doing all the things that kids do!

It was probably when I was about 10 that I was given my first cross stitch kit, which I proudly completed, (and has subsequently been lost along the way)

Throughout my teenage years I kept stitching on and off, off and on, through school, 6th form, a few years of being in the Daventry Dolphins swimming club, then a ju-jitsu club, before coming to Sheffield for university, as a big girl.

...Well, I was certainly bigger, and what student doesn't have a fancy dress house party at some point? In case you hadn't worked it out, I was the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland. I always made my own costume, the best ones always were! (One of my friends dressed up as a spider with stuffed tights for the legs! she looked awesome!)

It wasn't all parties though, I did a lot of walking. Living in Sheffield with the Peak District only a bus ride away, and the fantastic University of Sheffield Walking Club, how could I not? I soon became a walk leader and publicity officer, and met my boyfriend Chris. I grew a lot in myself those years, thanks to fantastic housemates, and great friends made in the walking club!

Can you recognise where the castle is? It's Pervil castle, just by castleton in the Peak District.

Of course, as any avid walker will know, refreshment is essential, after a long hot walk a refreshing pint is just what's needed. Likewise if it's a rainy walk, cold, misty, snowy, any sort of walk really! A pub stop at the end soon became a large part of the walk, and my social life.

Now I've bought a house with Chris, I work 9-5 as a Cell Biologist, and try to sell my cross stitch jewellery! I still have dreams though, they're the same ones I had since I was little, and one day I will do them.

I will go travelling.

I will be a mum.

One day....

Aida Vs Evenweave...

Hello again!

I have been busy working on my hardanger kit (still ongoing so no pics yet) and it has inspired me to try stitching on evenweave fabric!

Now although I've been stitching for years, (on and off admittedly during my teenage years and university) I have never stitched on anything other than aida (with the exception of a tapestry kit). As I'm loving trying out new ways of stitching, I've realised that the background fabric is just as important (if not more) as the type of stitch used/skill of the stitcher.

This is very true, as while I consider myself a good cross stitcher, I have never stitched on anything smaller than 18 count aida (18 stitches per inch), so I decided to trial it, with results I am very pleased with!

The colours just seem to work, to give these earrings a lovely vintage look, and I think they look more professional. What do you think?

Conclusion: Evenweave wins!

I am now going to make a few more designs with evenweave, including ones with different stitches, more embroidery than cross stitch, and some seed bead detail!

As evenweave also comes in a wide array of colours, (which I discovered after a brief perusal of www.sewandso.co.uk) I need not be restricted to just one colour of background, which is great as colours are fantastic, and I aspire to learn how to use them for maximum effect! I can do everything I already am, and more besides on evenweave!

Of course, there is a downside, evenweave does require a little more skill, as there are more 'holes' and a standard cross stich will cover a 9 hole square instead of  a 4 hole square as with aida. (see below) which means I've had to do a little more unpicking than normal....

Still, the more fabrics I try, the more techniques I'll learn, and the more techniques I learn the more interesting things I can make, and the more things I can make, the more inspiration I could have, and so on, until I become a better stitcher!

New Year, New ideas!

Hello and happy New Year!

I am determined to post more on here, and maybe start another blog about hiking (another passion of mine, and how I met my lovely boyfriend). Anyway, time will tell...

All of my current stitching experience is cross stitch based which I enjoy loads. I have spent the last several months increasing my repertoire of hand stitched earrings, rings, key rings, fridge magnets and hair clips, as well as experimenting with adding seed beads to bring out detail.



However, after spending so long making lots of small items, I fancy a bigger project. I'm a bit too scared (and short on time) to begin with either converting a photo I've taken into cross stitch, or in making my own one with the help of 'The Royal School of Needlework" design disc (which I have used to create all of my designs) so I have decided to go back to the tried and tested method of buying a ready to make kit, and getting stitching!

I've got a stumpwork kit, and a hardanger kit, both of which are recently discovered techniques. Stumpwork involves embroidery (something I've dabbled in but have very little experience) and uses wire to form shapes, e.g. petals, but more about this later...

The hardanger kit, a present from my lovely big little sister (She's younger than me and taller than me, boo!) also involves embroidery, along with some new stitches for me to learn. It also involves cutting out some of the threads to create cut out patterns. I'll show you how I get on later...

For now, I'd best get stitching!