WIP Wednesday

This week I've started work test stitching a new pattern!  This one has been in the design stages for almost a year but I finally managed to finish the pattern last week with a bit of input from a couple of friends.

I started the piece on Friday, and this is where I've gotten to today:

I'm stitching this on "Rose Garden" 14 count aida from Sew It All

Not the fastest of stitching, but I've been working on a few other new patterns as well - which is why they take so long to design - I keep distracting myself!  On that note, stay tuned - I've added several new patterns to my Etsy store and will be detailing them in full over the next few blog posts.

Any guesses as to what this one might be? ;)

Happy Stitching!

A Successful Year at the Show

This si going to be a photo-heavy blog - just a warning!

This week was the local agricultural show for our region, which is a chance for the young amongst us to make themselves sick on junk food and show rides, and all that.  It's also a chance for people to show off their skills and talents - whether it's show dogs, cattle, horse riding, cooking, flower arranging, or hand crafts.  

This year was the first year my parents entered anything in the show - Dad in the woodworking section, and Mum in the patchwork.  They both took home prizes in their novice sections, which was very exciting.

 Mum's quilts received a few awards, including the Debbie Bell Memorial Award.  Dad's "Retired" clock received a first in its section, and the Tardis cupboard he made me received second in the furniture section.

I entered some of my cross stitch in a few different sections, and some of my photographs, and was very excited/happy/thrilled to win several prizes of my own.

My Once Upon A Time design took out first place!!

Most exciting of all was that my own design won first prize in the cross stitch section!  In fact, I took out 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Highly Commended!  There may not have been anyone else in the section, but that doesn't matter - I still kicked butt!

 Scarlett by John Clayton took second, and another of my designs, Geeky ABC took third.  Woodland Fairie by Mirabilla received a Highly Commended.  Go me!

I managed to get my pieces entered into a few different sections too to spread the love (and chances of winning!).  I entered this cushion in the "A piece for the Lounge Room".  I can't remember who the designer was - I stitched it back in 2005, however it was only this year that I asked Mum to turn it into a cushion for me.  

 Oh, and my biscornu took first in the pincushion section.

Oh, and the wall hanging that mum and I made took out third in the special challenge Anzac-themed category.

I don't have a better photo as Mum took the wall hanging
home to her place

This is the first year I entered my photos in the photography section of the show.  Of the 10 photos I entered, I received a first, two seconds, and three highly commendeds!  These were much more competitive sections (quite a large number of photos in each of the categories) so I was really really chuffed!

A closer view of my pics:

Well that's it for another year.  Time to start stitching for next year!

Happy Stitching

H is for Hello Hermione

(I'm so witty with the blog titles)

A to Z Challenge - H

H is for "Hello Sweetie"
The catch-phrase (I guess...) for River Song.  At least, this is what she says every time she meets the Doctor.  That and "Spoilers".  Which this is going to contain (**spoilers**).

River met David Tennant's Doctor in the Library.  She'd known the Doctor for years, he'd never met her before in his life; and then she died... sort of.  Then Matt Smith's Doctor met her - second time the Doctor had met her, she'd still known him for years, but wasn't dead yet.  Eventually we got to the point where River met the Doctor for the first time, and he'd known her for years - he'd even seen her born. River and the Doctor got married (except he was a robot being controlled by the Doctor), the Doctor travelled with her parents before they were pregnant with her, River tried to kill him, then came back from her sort-of grave to save him... And people think Once Upon A Time is confusing!

Alex Kingston who plays River is brilliant.  She has such quality and charisma and class and makes the character unforgeable.   I hope we get to meet her again in the future (it's a show about time travel - anything is possible!)

H is for Hermione Granger
This is becoming a blog about powerful women.

My all-time favourite character from the books.  This is the character I relate most strongly too, the character I back in every situation.  The character I understand on so many levels!  Hermione is a strong-willed, smart, self-sufficient, sensitive, caring, bossy, know-it-all, book-loving nerd.  Which just about sums me up too.  She comes across as bossy and arrogant and hard-to-get-along with in the first novel before she and Harry and Ron become friends, but it comes from a place of insecurity and shyness, and a longing to be accepted.  She stands up for what she believes in (remember S.P.E.W?), and doesn't back down from an argument (even when she should), even if it is going to cost her a friend or two (it's okay - she gets them back in the end).  Plus she has wild and woolly hair, and teeth that stick out a bit (she does if you read the books - the film version was too good looking - JK Rowling even said so).

Don't forget - the patterns for all these characters and plenty of others are available in my Etsy store! :)

Happy Stitching!

Craft Swap Addictions

Have you been involved in any craft swaps?

I'd vaguely heard about them, mostly through my mother Ozzypip participating in quilting ones - she'd send off a couple of blocks and receive some in return to make a quilt with.  It sounded like fun, but since I don't quilt I figured that was that.

Then I discovered Instagram.

And craft swaps.

So many craft swaps!

The Instagram craft swaps tend to be an "all crafts welcome" affair with people completing any crafty item they like under the theme.  The idea is that you receive a swap partner, and make something for them.  There is a theme for the craft items, and you receive details about things your partner likes/dislikes in accordance with that theme.  A lot of people also make inspirational mosaics to post on Instagram to give more ideas to their swap partner.  Then you make something for them, send it off (usually with a few other goodies thrown in) and all the while somebody else is making something to send to you (not the same person you made for - that way it's a surprise).

It's a lot of fun, particularly seeing the creation process of different people, the vast depth of creativity of people all around the globe, and it is a lot of fun watching items come to life, all the while trying to work out which item is destined for you.

Best of all, most of the ones I've seen on Instagram tend to be very heavily cross stitched-based.  It's great having an outlet in which to share my love of geeky cross stitch with like-minded people.

Having never participated in a craft swap until this year, I've now signed up for my fourth one.

The first was the #SuperHeroSwap, in which I made a needle-keeper, pair of earrings, and hanging decoration all in the theme of Thor, my swap partner's identified favourite super hero.  I'm still waiting for my package to arrive - darn bush post!

What I made for the Superhero swap.  The batgirl
fabric formed the inside of the needle keeper
and back of the padded hanging decoration.

The second one is a Harry Potter/Hogwarts Swap.  My swap partner is yet to post an inspiration mosaic, however from the questionaire answers I was sent I've already started forming some ideas...

Ideas are forming for my craft for the #hogwartsswap2015

 The third is a Villain Swap, or Viva La Villain Swap as it is known. For this one, my swap partner has indicated a liking for Daleks, Weeping Angels and Snape.  I'm pretty sure I can work with that!

Possible pattern idea for #VivaLaVillainsSwap

 After the 3rd one, I promised myself no more swaps.  At least, not until after July when the other two should be finished...

On Friday I signed up for my fourth swap.  It's Doctor Who themed.  Like I was going to be able to resist that one!

#doctorwhocraftswap2015

I wonder if any of these Fangirl Stitches patterns
will work for the Doctor Who Swap

I know.  I've become addicted.

I wonder if they make a patch for this kind of thing?

I'd love to hear about what craft swaps you've been involved in, and how you go about determining what to make.

The Mario Alphabet

Time to show off another new pattern - this time one designed for my bible study group.  It's The Alphabet according to Mario.

When I first moved back to my home town in 2009, I started a bible study group with my fellow young adults (aged 18 to "I feel too old"). We'd meet on Thursday nights to have dinner together and do a reading and study (if there was more than 2 of us, which often there wasn't, there being only about 5 of us at the time). After I moved overseas in 2011, this group more and more became Mario Kart. It was refered to as "The Gospel According to Mario".  When I returned again in 2014, I found Mario Kart had become Thursday Night Dinner as other people had left and joined our little group (which is now up to about 10 or 12 people - huge!) but it is still occasionally referred to as Mario Kart by some of the older members of our church.

This alphabet is for them.

Cross stitch pattern now available on Etsy.

Happy Stitching!

A Whovian Wedding - it's a new pattern!

It's about time I posted about another new pattern.  This one leads on from my prevous blog post about stitching presents for friends' weddings.

For a long time I wasn't sure how to design a geeky wedding sampler - I just couldn't get it to feel/look right.  Then someone contacted me via Etsy to ask about a custom wedding pattern featuring Rory and Amelia Pond and the TARDIS, and the pattern finally came together in my head.  The person never got back in touch to finalise their order but that's okay because now I have what I think is an awesome Whovian Wedding Sampler!

Patterns now available from my Esty store

There are two different styles to choose from - casual Amy and Rory, and formal Amy and Rory... mostly because I couldn't decide which one I liked best!  Also included is the alphabet and number guide so you can customise it to suit your own needs.

Happy Stitching

Wedding Stitches

A close friend of mine recently got married to another good friend.  I've known her since she was born (we were at the same church) - she's about 10 years younger than me and has always been like a little sister.  Him I did Little Theatre with for a number of years with all the usual shenanigans.

Their wedding was beautiful - such love and celebration.  They're both committed Christians which gave the whole ceremony a loving feel - lots of thanksgiving and worship intermingled throughout.

As a wedding gift, I cross-stitched "Tandem Wedding", a pattern from an old issue of the World of Cross Stitch magazine.  It's one I've stitched before when another friend got married in 2010.  This time I changed the colours to suit their wedding theme - rather than strong pinks and blues throughout, I changed them to soft greens and peach.  I also changed the colour of the groom's hair to match.

Tandem Wedding, stitched in 2015

 The first time I stitched this pattern, I changed the colour of the hearts to match that friend's theme, and used metallic threads to add some extra sparkle.

Stitched in 2010

I've put together a bit of a time-lapse video of the stitch as it progressed.  I had 8 days to stitch and frame the gift, so was doing a bit of a count-down on Instagram as I went.  It's the first time I've done one of these so I hope it works!

Otherwise it'll just have to be the still version

The only other time I have stitched a wedding present for a friend (not too many of my close friends have gotten married (or I just haven't been invited)) was in 2011 when another close Theatre friend got married.  I'd loved this pattern for years, so was very excited to finally have a reason to stitch it.  The classic style of this really suited my friend and her husband and was the perfect pattern.

To Have and To Hold - Verachtert
Stitched in 2011

Do you stitch wedding presents for friends?  How do you choose the right pattern to stitch, given the plethora of wedding cross-stitch patterns available?

Happy Stitching!

How to Cross Stitch - The Essential Materials

Cross stitching has long been my favourite hobby- I love how relaxing it is, how I can tune out the world around me, and I especially love sharing my hobby with others.   It is a very simple skill to pick up, as my 27 year old brother demonstrated last week when he stitched his first ever piece as a present for his girlfriend.

My brother's first stitching project.
Pattern is from a World Of Cross Stitch magazine

Several people have recently asked me via Etsy how difficult it is to learn how to stitch and so I thought I would put together a bit of a "how to" guide.

As I started putting this blog post together, it became bigger than Ben Hurr, so I decided to break it down into different posts.  As I write each one, I'll update the links here:
- The essential materials
- Starting Off
- The Cross Stitch
- The Back Stitch
- The Half Stitch
- The French Knot
- Beading (from last week)
- Stitching on Evenweave

This week is

The Essential Materials

The Thread

Cross stitch thread comes in bundles known as skeins.  It is a long length of thread, made up of 6 individual strands.  Most stitches require either one or two strands of thread to work the design.  Two threads gives a thicker appearance and covers the fabric better.  One strand tends to be used for backstitch.  I store my threads on bobbins to keep them organised so I can find the desired number quickly, and to stop them becoming tangled.



There are many different brands of cross stitch thread, however the main ones are DMC and Anchor.  I tend to use DMC as that is what my mother was collecting when I inherited her stash



To start stitching, unwind the desired length of thread from the skein or bobbin and cut it off.  I like to have a length about as long as my arm so that I don't have to come back for more as often.  However, shorter lengths do not become as tangled.  If you are new to cross stitch, a length approximately 20 to 30 cm is a good place to start.

The Fabric

There are many different types of cross stitch fabric around - aida, cotton evenweave, linen, zweigart linda, hardanger, crewel, plastic canvas, stitching paper... the list is endless.  They come in a multitude of colours and sizes and everyone has their own preference.  There is a great description on some of the different types of fabrics here.

The main types I use are aida and evenweave.

Aida is woven into blocks, which creates squares for you to stitch over.  Because it is so easy to see the squares, it is an ideal fabric for the beginner stitcher.  It comes in different sizes - 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18.  These sizes relate to the number of squares per inch - the bigger the number, the smaller the squares on the fabric.

 Evenweave contains lots of strands of flax.  It tends to be more uneven than aida.  The holes in the fabric are smaller, and stitches are made over two strands or holes rather than one. Evenweave sizes (22, 24, 26, 28, 32 holes per inch) tend to be double that of aida - for example 14 count aida is approximate to 28 count evenweave.

The Needles

Needles used in embroidery are blunter than those used for general sewing.  Because the holes are already present in the fabric, you don't need a very sharp needle to push through.  Tapestry needles also have large eyes, which makes it easier to thread them.  Needles come in a variety of sizes depending on how thick they are.  The larger count fabric you are using (remember - smaller holes), the thinner needle you should use so you don't stretch out your fabric.  I came across a really handy guide here that discusses the correlation of needle and fabric size for cross stitching.



The Scissors

It is important to have a sharp pair of embroidery scissors when stitching.  And that they aren't used for anything other than cutting threads or fabric!  Paper will blunt your scissors pretty quickly.








The Hoop

I find it essential when stitching to use a hoop or frame.  This helps keep the fabric taught which means that your stitches are more even.  It also gives you something to hold on to rather than your fabric, reducing the stains caused by the oils in your sweat and any dirt on your fingers.

My favourite frame at the moment is the Q-Snap frame.  It comes in a range of sizes that can be joined together to create even more sizes and shapes, and doesn't squish my stitches as much as a hoop does.

The Measuring Tape

Essential for measuring out your fabric prior to using it - so that you know you have enough before you start stitching.

(Plus he's just so cute I had to include him!)







Coming up...

Over the next few weeks, I will show you some the main stitches involved in cross stitch, including the cross, the backstitch, the half stitch, and the dreaded french knot.  I'll also show you how to stitch on evenweave, which is my preferred stitching fabric.

Happy Stitching!

I'm a Marshmallow - It's a new pattern!

I admit it.  I'm a Marshmallow.  I've been one for years, since I saw my first episode.

Marshmallow is the term given to a fan of the awesome television show Veronica Mars and comes from a quote from the pilot episode "You're a Marshamallow, Veronica Mars." Veronica Mars met all my criteria for a good show while I was at Uni - there was a mystery element, there was sass, there was great script writing, there was intrigue.

Meeting some of the VM cast - Wallace, Sherif Lamb, and Logan

I was one of those who was upset when the show finished far too early (and other rubbish was kept on) and who wished there could be more.  It was my second Firefly in that respect.  When I heard they were campaigning to make a movie, at first I didn't believe it (too good to be true) and then I jumped on board to show my support, contributing to the now-famous Kickstarter campaign.  I waited eagerly for the movie, devouring each of Rob Thomas' email updates.  I loved the movie and have re-watched it several times since its release earlier in 2014.  Now I am eagerly waiting for the delivery of the second post-movie novel which I pre-ordered back in July (I received an email last night to say it's on its way - hurray!).

As I said, I'm a Marshmallow.

All of this (there was a point, really) brings me to the exciting news that this week's new pattern on Etsy is...

The Veronica Mars Alphabet

Available from my Etsy store

I had a lot of fun with this one, coming up with different characters, quotes and locations to fill the different letters.  As always, if your favourite is missing you can order a custom pattern instead.

A is for Aaron Echolls, Logan's actor father

B is for Backup, Veronica's faithful companion 

C is for Dick Casablancas, the class clown

D is for Duncan Kane, Veronica's first boyfriend

E is for Logan Echolls, Veronica's true love

F is for the theme song "We used to be Friends"

G is for Gia Goodman, classmate and daughter of Woody Goodman

H is for Neptune High, the main location for the first two seasons

I is for Mars Investigations, Keith's detective business

J is for Jackie, Wallace's girlfriend in season 2

K is for Keith Mars, everyone favourite father

L is for Lilly Kane, who's murder was the basis for season 1

M is for Mac, Veronica's only female friend

N is for Weevil Nevaro, head of the PCHers 

O is for a pilot quote "Be cool Soda Pop"

P is for the PCHers, Neptune's biker gang

Q is for Questions and Answers, the basis of any detective show

R is for Rob Thomas, the creator

S is for Sheriff Lamb, who we love to hate

T is for the eternal debate - are you Team Piz or Team Logan

U is for Undercover surveillance, what every detective must do

V is for Vinnie Van Lowe, Keith's not-really rival

W is for Wallace, Veronica's best friend and ally

X is for Felix Toombs, who died.

Y is for the ultimate quote "You're a marshmallow, Veronica Mars"

Z is for Piz, Veronica's season 3 boyfriend

Happy Stitching!

Beads vs French knots

Are you a beader or a French knot fan?

One of the the most hated stitches in cross stitch is the French knot.  More so than back stitch, it's one of those things you either tolerate or hate.  And boy do most people hate it.  Have a look on any forum, magazine advice section, Facebook page or twitter feed and the French knot debate will be out in force.  

I'm yet to come across anyone who jumps up and down in joy squealing "ooh I love French knots" but I'm sure they're out there.  Strange unnatural fetishes are everywhere after all.

Personally, I hate them.  They're fiddly, they don't sit neatly, they're never of a uniform size, they untie at the drop of a hat or pull through the fabric and you find hours of work undone in an instant.

Pretty much the only time I use French knots is
to dot the i's and j's in writing.

Too bad they are such a useful stitch.  They're perfect for dotting the 'i' or adding punctuation to sentences and quotes.  They make quick and easy eyes and buttons.  They add a 3D effect and additional element to your picture.  I admit, I add them quite frequently in my patterns, particularly ones with writing.  

Which is why it is so great that there is a useful, quick, easy, simple alternative to the French knot:

The humble seed bead.

I think it was a store holder at a craft fair in Townsville some 10 or so years ago who first suggested to me using seed beads instead of French knots.  

The first time I used seed beads instead of French knots.
Angel of Dreams by Dimensions

The effect was instantaneous and amazing.  No more fiddling around trying to wrap the thread around my needle.  No more having to judge the exact right amount of tension to create the knot without pulling it through the fabric.  No more having to worry about the size of the knots. Amazing.

Okay, so you do have the added challenge of not tipping over the seed bead container, or losing your beads down the side of the couch or in the carpet.  But we wouldn't want it to be too easy now, would we?

This painted cross stitch pattern has far too many French knots
for comfort.  But never fear - I have my seed beads ready to go

I do still occasionally use French knots, particularly if there is only one or two in the pattern, or I don't have the appropriate colour on hand and don't want to wait for the postman (no local supplier in my country town!), but for the main part all my French knots are replaced with seed beads.  I'm slowly building up a collection of colours - they're so pretty!

My bead collection

If you have never replaced your French knots with seed beads, I highly recommend you give it a go.  You might be presently surprised.  In my next blog post I am going to give a bit of a step by step on using seed beads in cross stitch. 

One of my earliest beading attempts.  Not too bad, although
the thread one on the left needs to be tightened!

Or maybe you are that rare creature, the French Knot Fan.  If so, more power to you.  I bow to your talent and perseverance.  You have more patience than I do!

Happy Stitching!

Merry Christmas and a free pattern!

Merry Christmas everyone.  May your day be filled with love, laughter, friendship, family, food and fun.  And the chance for some stitching and geeking.

We're having a very Whovian Christmas this year.  We made a Tardis gingerbread house (seen here), my mother (Ozzy Pip) received Season 8 of Doctor Who, my brother got a Tardis mug, and I received a Doctor Who calendar, Tardis-coloured table-runner and set of coasters my mother made, and an actual Tardis!  I asked for a shoe rack, and received this:

It's a Tardis Shoe Cupboard.  How cool?!
More pictures to come soon.

Now we are sitting around in the air conditioning with very fully bellies, watching "Into The Dalek".  What better way to spend Christmas Day?  Okay, watching the Christmas Special would be preferable, but Australia doesn't get that until tomorrow.

While you sit around with full bellies and fight the urge to sleep, why not stitch this Doctor Who Christmas decoration?

Merry Christmas everyone and Happy Stitching!

- Fangirl Stitches

It's beginning to look even more like Christmas

There's only 3 days to go until Christams.  A little hard to believe it is so close already.

Time to fill you in on my latest holiday stitching and other make-your-own decorations.

First there is the Christmas Alphabet Cross Stitch.  I had a lot of fun coming up with this pattern - trying to find words for each letter that were a) Christmassy, b) relatively Christian, and c) not snow related!  Q was the hardest.  In fact, this was the only 'Q' word I could find.  If you can think of any others, let me know!  The pattern is now available in my Etsy shop.

My friend saw a picture of Ninja Turtle Christmas decorations and decided we should make some for my tree.  So we did.  They were surprisingly easy to make - baubles, ribbon, googly eyes and glue.

Turtles in a half-shell, Christmas power!

Then we were on a roll and wanted to see if we could make any other Christmas baubles.  Minion family anyone?  We even managed to find denim print duct-tape which worked perfectly.

Minion Baubles

Minions, Ninja Turtles, and a cat on the tree.

We have to work out how to make the Death Star next.  I think that may be a bit more complicated...

Our minister then sent us a picture of a TARDIS gingerbread house she had found on Facebook and challenged Ozzy Pip and I to make our own.

This is the picture we were sent.  The instructions to make it are here.

For some reason when we first followed the link we wound up here so used this was the recipe and instructions we used instead.  This is what we ended up with.  Not bad for a first effort, but I don't think we're giving up our day jobs any time soon!

Boo was the closest we could come to an alien invader.

Time for some flashback Christmas stitching.  I love this cross stitch design.  I found it in a pattern book at the library and originally planned on stitching it for my mother, but it took longer than expected so I ended up keeping it for myself!  It's hung in my parents' house every Christmas since I finished it, but this year Mum returned it to me to hang in my own house.

The name of the book this came from has been lost
to the winds of time, but it's a gorgeous pattern.

I've also uploaded a couple more geeky Christmas cards to the Etsy Store.  There is the Cel-e-brate Dalek Christmas card:

 

and the Pikachu Holiday card:

Two more days till Santa comes!

Happy stitching everyone,

- Fangirl Stitches