On-going Project: Welcome Banner

Finished working on the spots and now trying to finish off the dark pink background.

New Project: Vote Knope

I mentioned in my PDF patterns post that I liked the look of a Leslie Knope “Vote Knope” cross stitch pattern. I decided to stitch it up for a birthday present for a friend.

Pattern, thread, material, needles and hoop needed for the project.

My progress so far…

Tools of the Trade

I’ve decided to a post on the bits and pieces I find useful when I am beginning, in the middle of and finishing a project.

Patterns

First I decide what it is that I’m going to make and I have a range of sources to choose from. I buy Crossstitcher monthly and then keep my eye out for any books and old magazines in charity shops, on Ebay and on Amazon. I also look on Etsy for PDF patterns if there is something specific I am looking for.

Needles

I have a supply of needles of different sizes just in case I lose one whilst I am sewing or if it becomes discoloured from the moisture on my hands. The Cath Kidston book of needles came free with Stitch! and the book with the little boy on came from my Nana’s house.

Material

Having material on hand is helpful as you can start a project whenever it takes your fancy. Cross stitch material such as evenweave and aida can be expensive at craft shops so I tend to buy it in bulk as it is more cost effective. I also discovered that the Knitting and Stitching Fair sells large quantities of it fairly cheaply so I am definitely going to pick up loads when I am next there in November.

Thread

I have a big bag of thread some of which I got from my Grandma and some are leftovers from previous projects. Its really handy to have this bag as I don’t really have to buy thread when I’m starting a new project, I can pick my colours from this bag instead.

Scissors

Its good to have scissors in a variety of sizes. The biggest pair are the ones I use to cut my material for my projects. I then use either of the smaller pairs for cutting thread whilst I am sewing.

Embroidery hoops

Embroidery hoops of various sizes are an essential for cross stitch projects as the material needs to be kept tight at all times so that the stitching doesn’t go wonky. For my welcome banner I am using a frame as the piece is too big for a hoop. Frames aren’t as good as hoops at keeping the material tight but for big pieces it means your material doesn’t get scrunched up from using a hoop.

Finishing touches

The are a variety of ways to finish off your final piece. I tend to do one of five things; frame the piece in an embroidery hoop, make it into a magnet using a self-adhesive magnet strip, make it into a greetings card, have it professionally framed or make into a wall hanging. Double-sided sticky tape comes in really handy for cards, framing using an embroidery hoop and making magnets.

Other bits and pieces

I always keep a pencil or two handy for jotting down the size of patterns. The notebook is for writing down any ideas I have for projects or places to look for inspiration.

I also have this box where I keep some of my threads.

Embroidered Notebook

I got the idea for this embroidered notebook from issue 264 of Crossstitcher and decided to give it a go. It was fairly simple to do.

Tools needed for this project; blue tack, a pencil, a ruler, a sharp needle, a notebook and a skein of thread.

First of all, mark out the grid with a pencil and a ruler (sorry the picture are really bad). I did a 0.5cm x 0.5cm grid. Then place a small piece of blue tack under each hole and piece through each mark you’ve made with the needle.

The above picture shows my initial 1cm x 1cm grid. I then went back and made it smaller by putting a dot in the middle of each square to make it 0.5cm x 0.5cm (if that makes sense!).

Next, thread the needle with your chosen thread (I split my thread into 3 strands as 6 would have been too thick) and stitch your design.

Once finished, I cellotaped the back of the stitching to keep all the loose ends secure. I then cut a piece of paper to fit the back of the stitching and stuck this over the cellotape to make the design firmly secure.

On-going Project: Welcome Banner

This is proceeding to be a very slow but steady project. Because of its size and the size of the frame its quite cumbersome to stitch but once I get going with it I can get quite a lot done.

Chocolate Brownies

This month’s recipe is Chocolate Brownies and it is another easy-to-follow and easy-to-complete recipe. The brownies are also really tasty and soft just like a good brownie ought to be.

Chocolate Brownies

• 225g unsalted butter, diced
• 100g dark chocolate, broken up
• 200g caster sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 50g plain flour
• 50g cocoa powder
• pinch of salt
• 75g walnut pieces
• icing sugar, for dusting

a 20.5 cm square tin, greased with butter and the base lined with greaseproof paper

Heat the oven to 180C.

Put the butter and chocolate into a small, heavy-based pan. Set over the lowest possible heat and leave to melt gently, stirring frequently, until smooth but not hot. Remove the pan from the heat and leave to one side until needed.

Put the sugar, eggs and vanilla extract into a mixing bowl large enough to hold all the ingredients. mix thoroughly with a wire whisk or wooden spoon. Whisk in the melted chocolate mixture. Sift the flour, cocoa powder and salt into the bowl and mix thoroughly. Stir in the nuts, then transfer the mixture to the prepared tin and spread evenly. bang the tin on a work surface to expel any air bubbles.

Bake in the oven for about 25 minutes, until a skewer inserted into the centre of the mixture comes out with moist crumbs – the mixture will continue cooking after it comes out of the oven and it’s vital not to overcook it.

Stand the tin on a wire cooling rack and leave to cool completely before cutting into squares. Dust with icing sugar before serving.

Finished Project: Cath Kidston Rose Spray

I finished this little piece of stitching a couple of days ago and framed it in a wooden-effect frame I bought from a charity shop.

Tulip

I bought this Tudor Rose kit from the Knitting and Stitching Fair I went to in November last year. I actually finished it ages ago but couldn’t decide what to do with it; cushion, professionally framed, attempt to frame it myself, wall hanging, etc. Eventually I decided to have it professionally framed at a great place in Durham Market (they have also framed the Chick! Chick! Chicken! and Victorian Sampler) and it only cost £20. I went for the simple black frame to reflect the simple black line detail in the pattern and then, because the pattern uses multicoloured floss, I had a range of colours I was able to choose from for the inner border (I went for yellow as my mum picked it out when I was at work). I think it is one of my favourite things I picked up from the fair.

Crossstitch and keepsakes

I decided to make my own logo for my blog in case I ever decide to change my current header. I took the alphabet from Jo Verso’s Picture it in Cross Stitch.

Finished Project: Andy Warhol Banana

I have been slow to finish this project because of university work but here it finally is! I used the same method to make the cushion as I did for the Caravan Cushion I made for my sister.