Offering free cross stitch charts

That's right I'm offering a free chart of this Rainhawk I stitched 2 years ago. After much struggling I finally got the hand of converting a cross stitch chart into a PDF. More to follow as I make more charts than I can physically stitch up quick enough. View all my completed Sprite cross stitch work at this flickr set.

 Download the RainHawk Cross Stitch Chart 

 Download the Crom Cruach Cross stitch chart

I've amended the file, suppose to say use 2 strands of thread. When it says Anchor 0001, ignore the 0s in front and buy Anchor 1 same with the DMC threads and the chart isn't centre. Something about how Cross Stitcher card and pattern maker export files. Still trying to figure out the DTP as the text appears differently when imported.

Here is a cross stitch chart of a Gwyllgi (from FireEmblem game) created by Littlemojo. There's a few more pdfs of hers saved one of many CDs. There's a finished example somewhere on archive. Get the Gwyllgi cross stitch chart PDF.

Still working on the charts.
I'm updating this page when I've completed the file conversion.

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Busy as usual

Due to stupid internet rule takes me 2 days to complete both the Flickr and Blogger updates. I've been back on MMOs scene lately prefer solo rpgs myself they take ages to complete. I don't the patience for epic rpgs anymore. Here is what completed so far.

Rose needle case from Cross stitcher this is my first time using water soluble canvas as I have only waste canvas. The quality of threads in these freebie kits are not good as they fray very easily I found that pass them through bees wax or similar and prevent this. I'm working on Jubilee Heart right now no problems so far. The brought threads Anchor or DMC tend to silky and doesn't match the mat texture of these kits.

This is rectangle concentric doily can came from rettangoli concentrici tatted pattern I found on google. Took ages to complete I guess about 3 weeks some parts I went wrong and often had to rejoin thread. The instructions are in Italian I found them easy to understand all it is clover joined by ring. Most of pattern is 4ds separated by a picot and with some extra on the corners. Look at the diagram and finished work for clues. I was told by my mum that she use to made doilies using a small crochet hook. I think I'll work on some my patterns from now on there are some tatted jewellery and bracelet I hope to make and sell in my Etsy shop.

I found on create and craft. I only watch the knitting, sewing and beads slots as papercraft is boring. All samey and don't like the comments. I love it when Jane Greenoff is on the show as often have examples of other cross stitch samplers. I saw this and had to buy from the site basically it is called Cherry Pie Watbo scissor keeper there's a pin cushion version as well. Watbo is place she stayed in Cambodia while you picked up this object in night market. I think this is nicest and cutest thing ever designed and keeping it in my sewing box. This Watbo consist of 3 squares sewn together and could be the next thing similar to biscornu in a way. I think should be called a whackbo as you can hit someone should they disturb you when crafting. There's enough materials in the kit to make another.
You can buy this from create and craft or crosstitch guild site.

This was my attempt at converting a image with lots of colours into a workable chart. I used Paintshop Pro and posterize- reduce the number before the image went funny and then import to cross stitch program (I use Cross stitcher it's rather old and dated about 2000 still works Windows 7) then reduce to colours to 30. I prepare to buy only 30 threads. Backstitch is optional makes the image stand out more. This is demon known as Crom Cruach and appears in Shin Megami Tensei- Devil Childen, Red Book, Black Book. Took me 5 days to complete and worked on 16ct Aida in Anchor threads.
I'm sure I have find a use for these cross stitch panels. There really not much difference between Anchor and DMC as I use both. DMC is much cheaper and popular.
I have too many kits to deal with right now, the Xmas stocking is no where near completion because  hate doing fractional stitches on Aida and started on wolf cross stitch kit. Have a look at Flickr album for any new completed projects.

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More completed creations found in archive

These are were completed over the Christmas period. Some were given away as presents.

The photo quality isn't that good it's amigurumi baby snow bunny from darncat. The pattern used to be able to downloaded free I checked it seems to be private blog. The head was over stuffed, this is my second attempt at amigurimi. Recently brought another Japanese craft book which has lots of cute animals. These can be hung from mobile phone straps.

My first attempt at evenweave the stitching was alright but backstitch was highly detailed. This was to replace the altered stocking brought from a shop. The Me to You bear pattern is from Xmas issue of Crosstitcher magazine. I added seed beads on the edging.

This is first attempt at creating a mouse plush, everything is hand stitched I feel the limbs are slightly off. I used material scraps lying around. If there are duplicates this means I can't be sure these are uploaded or not. Pay well to update regularly.
Still more to come and decided to update my flickr album. I used to be able to to all these stuff in the daytime now have to wait until 7pm only to find other people are using the internet. This isn't fair. I was told laptop doesn't use that much electricity.

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Work completed so far

I recently brought some Crosstitcher magazines which I love is free kit and the great ideas. Normally people buy a kit and frame it with the hassle of mounting. A simple design can be turned into a cushion cover. This is small amount of what I have so far, I didn't get December issue which is just tags there nothing but Christmas stuff probably crafted enough to decorate a whole tree.

This is the reindeer cake band sadly I don't have a care and didn't come with enough thread plus they are of low quality. The kits from last year had plenty of leftovers. I need more practise with a sewing machine.

Picked out a mouse plush kit while in Hobbycraft it cost £9.99. Totally hand sewn and used scraps of fabric I have in my collection. The material is very thin so I had to use iron on interfacing to stop the hem from showing through. I intend to give this someone the original fabrics I will make and keep for myself.

These seems quite pointless, Christmas houses it was a bumper pack and magazine cost £4.99 instead of £3.99. Saves on buying tree decoration in fact there are embroidered ready made ones. I wonder that fools who buy these things are it's much cheaper to use scraps.

I love these charming birds but these aren't the ones which came with the kit this is the second batch. I have the photo of actual kit birds but haven't gotten round to edit the photos.

The first proper attempt at making a plushie, I tried before and failed it's hard to visual the final shape when I'm designing the pattern. Need more practise I found this bat a struggle goodness know what teddy will be like.

I originally brought a cross stitch stocking kit but found it had lots of annoying fractional stitches and thought sod it. Choose to do something else instead I will complete just not now when I have to juggle playing MMo and crafting. This is my first attempt at evenweave it is 28 count which equivalent to 14 count Aida. I found the backstitching was pain as highly detailed and difficult to distinguish the outline thread from xstitch it was easy to do fractional stitches, this chart is by Anchor and exclusive to Crosstitcher magazine. Cross stitching on evenweave seems wasted as I can do something like Hardangar or Lagerta. I can say that I have turned pro unless you have actually crosstitched on evenweave, cannot call yourself a master of this craft. Besides it's easy and like second nature.

More projects yet to come right now I doing a embroidery sample. The first one is back in my AdGNVQ years and still have the work. Will I get any decent sleep tonight I wonder.

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Cross stitch, tatting and needle lace

Since the MMo I was playing is now closed down I decided to focus on my crafting or finish off work lying around. In theory anyway there are always new games to play well comes to conclusion in order to spend more time on my work I must do less video gaming not going to give up either.

I've managed to complete the last of Old world ornament cross stitch kit by Dimensions part of the Gold collection. The cross stitch takes 5 days and more combine with half X stitch, back stitch and beads. I have been meaning to turn one of my drawing in to workable chart, the editing takes ages and have to decide what count of Aida to use.

I was deciding what to with the tatted motifs and there's quite a collection. I brought a plain black make up bag and sewn on various machine made lace. Normal lace are appliqué onto netting or linen I used couching which took ages and added 14/0 seed beads.

This is the back/side view. All the motifs I used tatted techniques learn from basic projects I found on the internet.

Mignonette is completed there are stains caused by the dye from the beads I should buy the pearl pins as more easier to use. I wasn't sure how to netting as most projects have it as single round whereas on a German tatting pattern it appears are several runs. Nothing is ever simple with me.

This is my second attempt at needle lace I hope to combine with tatting along all my projects. First of all I used a laminated piece to card took me several hours to couch the outline I went wrong with the Double Brussels. Doing some research I made my own cylinder cushion by making a drawing string bag and cover over Cornish Shortbread biscuit tin. I trace the design onto layout paper and glue on thin card. The thread I used are leftover from beading kit, the layout of stitches are wider I find the stitching is more flattened than round. Overall when starting a new project have your equipment ready, use the best material you have already and do some research. Lynxlace was where I got the bookmark pattern from it has extensive view of stitches but I felt it was better to work on a cushion and a lot of needle lace makers used green card.
I'll try to complete this project knowing it takes longer than tatting even though working more loosely. This is one thing which doesn't require you to buy a load of new equipment. Make do and mend.

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