Cross-stitch

[cnc]

I couldn't remember who was speaking to me about Cross-stitch, however, I'm after some ideas what to do with finished pieces? I don't particularly just want to leave them lying around. So any ideas would be appreciated.

My interest in this activity may not last much longer, as its amazingly frustrating with a tremor, took me about 25 minutes to do about 50 stitches!!

[Jazzingal]

I love doing cross stitches, i found once ive finished them i frame them you oculd put them up on your walls, they are also great as a gift for someone, if you know it is something that that person is interested in. I find that doin cross stiches relax me if am stressed, wot bout u?

[ellsie]

It wasn't me you spoke to but I am a cross stitcher. I think Linny does but it's ages since I talked to anyone about it here and I am old so my memory is going!
Depending on what you have stitched you could make it into a card by using a card blank, a picture by framing it- I often use cheap photo frames from Asda for this. If you have a craft or stitching shop nearby they will sell little key fobs and coaster covers for you. Lots of things you could do. If you want you can get them all online too! It's a great hobby but frustrating sometimes. My last project was a christmas tree which I finished and framed just in time for santa coming. Keep going, and well done for persevering when you are suffering! I can try and find a local shop in one of my mags if you really get stuck!

[Copper]

I am running out of wall space :eek: I make things for friends now. I made a cushion recently. Ellsie's ideas are very good.

[Jazzingal]

I never ever thought of doing that to be honest lol! i mainly give my cross stitches away, i even have people giving me cross stitches to do for them lol!

[cnc]

I was thinking of making a cushion with one of them. If I ever get it finished. I'm also going to be making lots of Winnie the Pooh ones, which will form a calendar kind of thing, so depending on how big they are, they will probably be useful for birthdays.

There are NO hobbyshops around here, I had to buy all of my stuff before I came back to uni.
I did a load of Christmas cards, but they were before the tremor got too bad, so was a bit easier to manage them.

[linny]

Hi, yes I think it was me who spoke to you about cross stitch. You've done really well stitching with a tremour.

Another idea for small pieces is to fray the edges a bit and put it on the front of a plain notebook. I've given these as a small gift.

I've just finished a sweet peas picture for my mum's birthday and I'm going to start a motorbike birthday card for my brother's 50th next month. I seem to get on better with small projects, my joints don't allow me to stitch for too long though. I have some special gloves to wear that help a bit, but I can't stitch when I get pins and needles in my fingers! Therefore I'm not the fastest stitcher in the world!

I have problems finding small square frames so my hubby is going to start making frames for me.

Haven't been on the site for a while as we've all had a horrible virus thing. It's still hanging around now but Megan went back to school today and I'm attempting to do the chores etc.!

Happy stitching!

[cnc]

Yes Linny, I thought it was you or Copper, but couldn't remember who-I struggle to remember my own name some days!!
Hope you've recovered from the virus now.

I can sympathise with the pins and needles, I just get so frustrated when the tremor is really bad, that I just give up- but I'm determined that my illness isn't going to stop me doing everything I enjoy (it took away sports, which I was devasted about!!), so I think its only fair I'm allowed to cross-stitch instead?!

[paranoidangel]

Bookmarks can be good to do too, as they're at least useful once you've finished! But you need to find a pattern (or lots of little ones) and the right shaped material.

I've long since run out of wall space for all mine. I just can't give them away though!

[matt]

so who wants to do a cushion cover for me with my avatar on one side and the
www.geocaching.com (http://www.geocaching.com) icon on the other?:D

[cnc]

I think I'll pass on that thanks!! Especially as it could take me a long time to do even the most basic stuff.

[Copper]

so who wants to do a cushion cover for me with my avatar on one side and the
www.geocaching.com (http://www.geocaching.com) icon on the other?:D

That is way too complicated!

[ellsie]

Matt there is no rule to say that men can't stitch! In fact there is a HUGE Hobbycrafts in Ferndown so you have no excuse really! Bookmarks are a good idea, You can buy them in kit form too.
We have a framing shop in Leicester that makes lots of frames up with their odds and ends to sell off the peg quite cheaply.
Sorry you have had to give up your sports Clare, it must be very frustrating for you.
Hope your family are much better Linny. Sweet peas are beautiful.
What was on your cushion Copper? I've not made a stitched cushion before.
Happy stitching!

[Copper]

I stitched Shaun the sheep as the centre piece for the cushion. This is a surprise present for my youngest daughter's birthday. She is mad about sheep :)

[matt]

cross stitching. not being sexist, i'm not calm enough to sit quietly long enough. plus if i did i'd fall asleep.!!!!

[cnc]

Matt, why do you think it takes me so long to produce any cross-stitch. Apart from the tremor, sitting still just makes me want to sleep!! But you can perserve with it- so stop making excuses :D

[linny]

Give it a go Matt! I met a man who is in charge of the RNLI station in Whitstable and he cross stitches pictures to raise money for the RNLI. He had to retire as a policeman due to ill health and so took up cross stitch. His pictures have appeared in the mag I get - Cross Stitcher. He's a fantastic stitcher, the last one I saw was the HMS Victory - it was brilliant.

Sorry to hear about your problems Claire. There's loads of hobbies to take up, take a trip to Hobbycraft or go on their website - maybe you'll be inspired.

Everyone is amazed how I can cross stitch with my dodgy hands but I think it's determination and the sense of achievement that keeps me doing it. I used to knit loads but have had to give that up. I also played the clarinet in a band but can't do that now. Hey Ho no use looking back!

If you want to do bookmarks there's special aida strips you can buy that is already edged. It's called an aida band I think. Plastic canvas is also easier to stitch on as it's more rigid and the holes tend to be bigger.

Hope you find something you enjoy.

[cnc]

I like doing the Cross-stitch, used to do more years ago, until I discovered the joys of sport and the perils of being a student!!
I'm currently doing a forever friends bear- I'm lazy and mostly use the kits, its more practical when you move around the country as often as I do!! Which I picked up in WHSmiths for £2.99 each. I am going to perserve- hopefully it should result in more satisfaction at the end.
I spent far too much money last time I went to hobbycraft. The other good thing about cross-stitch for me is that it takes me so long, that I don't have that many finished ones lying around :) I'm also stubborn and refuse to be beaten!!

[ellsie]

I like sean the sheep but I don't think I'e seen W+G characters in X stitch! Where did you get the pattern?:)

[Copper]

Shaun is in the hard back book "Cross Stitch Characters" by Adele Welsby. Published by David & Charles. ISBN 0 7153 1206 5
I bought my copy online from www.Amazon.co.uk (http://www.amazon.co.uk/) (I think it was from there)

I actually bought the book as it has a picture of an afghan blanket with X stitch Little Miss and I fancy a challenge. I have the afghan material so just need to buy some threads and find the time. I thought it would be nice for any grandchildren I might have in the future. It will take me years to make anyway I expect :)

[ellsie]

Great ,thanks for the book name! I am sure your future grandchildren will appreciate your work. My grandpa crotcheted lots of little things for his great grandchildren, but he died 7 years before the first one was born.:(