C is for Coolness and Cedric

A to Z Challenge - C

C is for "Bowties are Cool"

According to Matt Smith's Doctor, anything he wears is cool: hats, bowties, stetsens (I apologise for the spelling!), fezes, you get the picture (and yes I realise hat-type items are 3 of the 4 things I listed!).  In the original cross stitch pattern, this one actually says "It's so cool" which is another thing he says, however the person I am making this cross stitch for listed "Bowties are cool" as one of their favourite quotes so I changed it.  Like "Bad Wolf", "bowties are cool" has become one of the most iconic sayings of New Who.  A fez and a bowtie mean Matt Smith, in the same way that the paper 3D glasses have become David Tennant.  I think Peter Capaldi should just be represented by a pair of bushy eyebrows.

Thoughts: should there be a hyphen between 'bow' and 'ties'?
I think it looks okay but spell-check disagrees...

C is for Cedric Digory

*spoiler alert if you haven't read/watched Goblet of Fire*

I'm not a Robert Patterson fangirl.  I've never seen/read Twilight.  I didn't drool over Cedric Digory in the films.  In fact I didn't particularly even like him in the film - he was just such a nothing character; a bit self-centred but otherwise nothing much.  I liked him more in the book.  You got a better sense of his conflict over Harry being chosen "as well" and the battle between wanting to win vs wanting to pay Harry back (I mean in a positive way).  I remember back before I first read Goblet of Fire, there was an interview with JK Rowling where she said "a well loved character will die" in the book.  I felt kind of cheated that it was Cedric.  He wasn't a well loved character for the reader.  First time I think I've felt cheated that a character's death in a book wasn't more significant.

For a character I don't overly like, that's a fairly long description!

Remember to check back in to see the progress of my alphabet stitch :)

Happy stitching!

Decorating for Christmas

Today is the first Sunday of Advent, and the weekend closest to 1st December, which means it's time to put out the Christmas decorations!

I love decorating for Christmas.  I get it from my mum.  When we were kids there were decorations everywhere - in the kitchen, in the hall, in the lounge room, even in the bathrooms!  Hanging decorations was one of my favourite family Christmas activities - that and looking at Christmas lights.

It still is one of my favourite Christmas activities.  Finding unique or special ornaments on my travels, reliving the memories as I decorate, or creating something special of my own.  These are some of my favourites on display this year.

The cross stitch Nativity scene on plastic canvas.  I started this about 10 years ago, although it took me awhile to finish.  It was a 3-parter in a CrossStitcher magazine probably about 15 or 20 years ago.  We had one of the parts and Mum managed to track down the others so I could stitch the series.  There's also an angel, a star, and the Inn Keeper and his wife, but I need to buy more stands to display them!  I've used game piece stands which work a treat.

Blackwork Christmas Angel.  This one also came from a magazine, although I can't remember which one!  It was one of the patterns I stitched in 2012 when I lived in the UK. She was meant to have a border around her, but I didn't like it, so I left it off - after all, life's too short to stitch background.













My cross stitch advent calendar - another one from a magazine!  I think this was also from CrossStitcher.  There's a stitched picture on each reverse side.  4 and 15 are missing because I have to fix their hangers.  Mum made the hanging quilt.  It has tabs to hang on a dowel hanger, but I'm using a skirt hanger in the meantime.

Ninja turtle baubles.  They were surprisingly easy to make  - green baubles, ribbon, googly eyes and some craft glue.

My Christmas decorations from my travels in the UK and Europe.  They should be hanging on the tree, but my 7 month old kitten thinks the Christmas tree is her new climbing frame and that anything hanging on it is hers to attack by right.  So instead they are on sticky hooks on one of the high kitchen cabinets to keep them safe!  The teacup and crown come from the Royal Palaces in England, the shamrock from Ireland, the purple bell is from Germany, the man in the red circle is from Iceland, and the two on red ribbons are from Harrods.

My second advent calendar - Lego Star Wars!  Very excited to start this tomorrow. Each day you get a little thing to create or build.  I had to hunt it down online because the only one I could get locally was the Lego City one.  And Star Wars is so much cooler.

Discworld Christmas cards.  I bought a set of 4 one year, gave two away as presents, and kept the other two as decorations.  They did hang on my wall for about two years before joining the Christmas decorations box.  Artwork by the very talented Paul Kidby

The Willow Tree nativity scene.  I love Willow Tree figurines - they are some of the only dust-collectors that I own.  The nativity scene is just stunning in its simplicity.  There are a couple of other sets you can buy to build on it - the wise men, and a set of animals.  Maybe one year.






Do you decorate for Christmas?  Do you go all out, or only have a few special decorations?  Do you prefer to have colour themes, or do you keep and collect your decorations to use year after year?  Are you a geeky Christmas person, or more traditional?  Religious or mainstream? Or maybe you don't do Christmas at all - maybe you do Hanaka or forego religious celebrations. I'd love to hear how you decorate (or don't) for Christmas, or any other holidays.

Happy Stitching!

Geeky Christmas Designs

The count down to Christmas is on.  Advent starts next Sunday, and the Christmas decorations will go up.  The stores have had them on display for at least a month.  Tuesday will be one month to go.

However, there's still plenty of time to start and finish your Christmas stitching!

I've designed a number of Christmas cards and decorations that are now for sale in my Etsy store.  As a true fangirl, these designs are all geeky in nature, incorporating as many fandoms as I could.

Ron and Harry wish you a very Magical Christmas.

The TARDIS Christmas set, featuring a pair of earrings, and two different cards.

How cute are the earrings?!

Why not say "Happy Christmas" in Klingon?  Perfect for any Star Trek fans

In case you were wondering, it says QISmas DatIvjaj 'ej DIS chu' DatIvja 

Death as the Hogfather, as portrayed in the film Hogfather

Death as a more modern Hogfather.  Both cards are available in the one set

On a side note, these designs also don't have snow.  My biggest bug-bear about standard Christmas designs is that they are predominately just snow scenes.  Being Australian, snow doesn't really feature in my Christmas celebrations, so it doesn't appear in my designs.  Christmas designs for the Southern Hemisphere.  But feel free to use a few white beads or extra white stitches to add some in if you're in the Northern Hemisphere! :)

Happy Christmas and Happy Stitching!

How To... Stitch With Variegated Threads

Have you ever used the colour variation threads?  Colour Variation or variegated threads are multicoloured threads that are dyed to gradually change colour along the length.  I find them a great way to add a little demension and flair to my stitching, although I often find it difficult to identify an appropriate pattern to use them in!  One of the joys of designing my own patterns I guess :-)

DMC Colour Variations

For a long time I was put off using variegated threads - how do you use a thread that changes colour as you stitch?  How on earth was I meant to make that work?  Then I stitched "Wizard in a Magical Land" by Cross-Stitch Collection which used variegated threads in both the moon and the boarder, and a whole new world opened up to me.  It took me a bit to get used to this strange floss, but I learned some tricks along the way and thought I should share them with you.

The moon and boarder from
"Wizard in a Magical Land"

 1. Identify the colour pattern along the thread - variegated threads have a repeated pattern, fading from one colour to the next - sometimes it's hard to identify (depends on how the threads was dyed).  Try to cut your length of thread at the end of one of the repeated patterns.  This way, when you cut the next length the pattern should be the same and you can continue stitching without a massive jump in colour.

2. Don't double your thread over - as in don't use the loop-start method.  You need to keep the two threads together so that the pattern will show up.  Use the starting method where you secure the end as you stitch.

3. Stitch each cross individually.  Normally when cross stitching, you stitch the bottom half for a whole row and then come back and do the top half.  When using variegated threads, it is better to stitch each cross individually so that the colour pattern shows through.

4. When you have to start a new length of thread, try to match the colour as much as possible, keeping in mind the ends from starting and finishing off the length

5. Identify if there are any folds, double backs etc in your stitching.  For example, when stitching the Breast Cancer Ribbon, the ribbon is meant to look like it folds back over itself.  Keep this in mind when stitching and try to follow the direction of the ribbon - stitch around the ribbon as if you were laying it out on the table, rather than just stitching whole rows.

6. Just have a go!  Don't be put off - have a go and see what you can come up with.  You never know what you might discover.

Looking for a project to try out your new skill?  The Breast Cancer Ribbon and Cinderella's New Shoes patterns are designed using variegated threads.  

The Breast Cancer Ribbon jewellery

I'd love to see what you're stitching - why not post a photo on my facebook page?

Happy Stitching!

Show Success

I've just returned home after a long day at the Emerald Agricultural Show.  Our church is paid by the Show Society to run the car-parking (directing people on where/how to park), so I've been up at the showgrounds since 7:30 this morning directing cars, and then wandering around looking at all the displays, exhibits, show jumping, dog shows, catching up with folk from around the local area, and helping a friend chase her two littlies around the kids performances and rides.

It was also a very successful Show for me this year, with my stitches winning four first places and a second!

This blackwork lady - Pearl by X-Calibre Designs - received a first in the "Item for the Bedroom" class.  I originally listed her under "any other handicraft" as our Show doesn't have a blackwork section, and I didn't want her competing against my other cross stitches, however the stewards decided this was a better section for her.  Since she got a first, I didn't mind where they listed her!









The first of my cross stitch entries, Shadow of An Angel by Zolotoje Runo, which received a first in the Counted Cross Stitch class.  I've discovered that glass on black material becomes a really good mirror - need to try and get a better photo!  I was a little surprised to discover this one received the first over my other entry, mainly because of the significant difference in effort that had gone into each, but the judge doesn't know any of that and at least I was beaten by myself!  I love this design - it was actually quite easy to stitch, and I'd really like to stitch more of them in the future.

Speaking of my other entry, this is it: Aurelia by Mystic Stitches.  There are 86000 stitches, and she took 4 1/2 years to stitch (with several other projects completed when I needed a break).  As I said, I was a little surprised she received the second (when compared to Shadow of an Angel), but at least I beat myself.  And I wasn't the only entrant either!  There were actually a number of other entrants in the counted cross stitch class this year, which is great as some years there have only been one or two... or none at all!

These three were all framed by the same local framer.  I ran into him and his wife today - they decided that it must have been the framing that gave these stitches the winning touch. :-)

My third entry in the counted cross stitch section was Judy by Classic Embroidery.  Unsurprisingly she didn't place next to the other two, but since it was only a $1 entry fee, and a chance to show off some of my work - why not?

There were also two themed classes in the Handicraft section.  The first was to celebrate 100 years of the Australian Red Cross.  I think the description of the class was 'an item of any medium related to the Australian Red Cross' (I've managed to misplace the show guide).  This one I designed myself using ProStitch and an image of the Australian Red Cross logo.  Trying to get the letters to look right while at an angle was the hardest part!  If I'd had more time I would have filled in the letters, but as it was I only managed to finish stitching and display it (stretched over canvas) 30 minutes before I had to drop it off.  Now I need to work out what to do with it - suggestions appreciated!

The second themed class was "A pink item suitable for the Breast Cancer Function".  I designed and stitched a pair of pink ribbon earrings and a dual pink ribbon necklace.  I used one of DMCs new pink variegated threads which gave the 'ribbon' a really nice shaded look, and I'm really happy with the finished look.  This pattern will be up on the Etsy site this weekend, with proceeds being donated to cancer research (once I work out the best way to do it).







So that's it for me at the Emerald Show this year.  I was going to enter some photos but didn't get myself organised in time - there's always next year!  I heard a (fairly substantiated) rumour today that one of next year's themes will be Gallipoli/Anzac given that it will be 100 years since the Gallipoli landing - time to get planning.

Happy stitching!!

Discworld

My favourite author of all time is Terry Pratchett.

Well, one of my favourite authors.  I have a number of favourites - JK Rowling, LM Montgomery, Jasper Fforde, Bryce Courtney, John Marsden.  My bookcase is a bit of a conglomeration of different authors, themes, genres, styles.  It's over-flowing at the moment (and I have more in storage and at my brother's house) but space is at a premium in my share-house and there just isn't space at the moment!  My dream house has a dedicated library.  And craft room.  And Doctor Who shrine.  Have I mentioned I'll need a mansion?

My packed bookcase, and a few of my completed stitches

Part of my Pratchett collection - there are more on my desk, and more in storage!

But now I'm off topic.

My favourite author of all time is Terry Pratchett.  I love the way is mind works, the worlds he creates, the characters I know better than real people, the emotions, the total "what the" moments, and the utter crazy dedication of Pratchett fans.  I particularly love the vividness of his stories - the way I can see pictures in my mind as I read (or listen to the audio books).

To celebrate my favourite author, I have not one but two new patterns inspired by Pratchett, now available in my Etsy store.

First there are the Discworld Earrings:

The pattern includes Igor's eyeballs in jars, Death's life-timers, Rincewind and Granny Weatherwax's hats, and of course Great A'Tuin his/her self.

The second new pattern is A Cup Of Tea, featuring a quote from "Snuff":

Don't forget, there is also the Discworld Alphabet.  I originally designed and stitched this for the charity auction at the Irish Discworld Convention in November 2013.  The finished piece ended up selling for €35 (approximately $50).  Proceeds were donated to Alzheimer's Research UK.

In other news, I may have agreed to direct one of the plays for the local amateur drama group this year.  I'm not certain - it's all a bit of a sugar-induced blur.  I blame the owl-themed patty cakes at the baby shower for my friend (coincidently the president of said drama group).

I wonder if I could convince them to do Wyrd Sisters?

Happy Stitching!

The Joys of Plastic Canvas

I love plastic canvas.  It is amazing, magical, awesome stuff.

But best of all, it is firm.  It is self-enforcing.  It is 3-dimensional.  And you can't rip or tear it, unlike perforated paper.

If you haven't come across it before, plastic canvas most often looks looks like a sheet of thin plastic.  It's a clear, pliable plastic, full of regularly spaced holes.  I tend to work with the 14 count canvas - holes spaced out at 14 holes per inch, the same size as 14-count aida. 

It is also available in 7 or 10 count, with much larger holes, and can come in pre-cut shapes (circles, stars, crosses, dinosaurs).  Some places even sell it in different colours.

You can't stitch between the squares, which does mean that some patterns need to be adjusted to remove the half and quarter stitches.  On the plus side - no pesky quarter stitches!

Have I mentioned that I love plastic canvas?

Plastic canvas gave me my first experience of taking cross stitch off aida or evenweave and doing something else with it... something besides making wall hangings and cards.  I made a 3-dimensional nativity scene, with little figurines that had a front and a back side, and could be displayed anyway you like.  One year the shepherd might be standing on the left, the next year maybe he's hiding the camel.  The chance to change the design and layout of a cross stitch picture after it was finished was a new, eye-opening experience for me.  I was introduced to a whole new world of cross stitching opportunities.

Plastic canvas nativity scene.  Patterns from early issues of CrossStitcher magazine 

And what a world it is.  I have been blown away by the different things that people do with plastic canvas.  It is a great way of introducing kids to needlecraft and you can create so many different things:  tissue boxes, bags, ornaments, light boxes, toys for kids... the possibilities are endless!

Dolls furniture - picture from
http://www.examiner.com/list/plastic-canvas-fashion-doll-furniture-patterns-and-ideas/dollhouse-kitchen-plastic-canvas-pattern-epattern

A plastic canvas bug catcher - picture from
http://www.thecraftycrow.net/2009/07/plastic-canvas-bug-catcher.html

An amazing caravan light box in plastic canvas!  Need to find/make a pattern for this.
Picture from - http://makezine.com/craft/plastic-canvas-needlepoint-rv-lamp/

It's a plastic canvas TARDIS tissue box holder!!!
Picture from - http://www.zibbet.com/AuntCC/artwork?artworkId=1158213

My adventures with plastic canvas haven't been as extreme as some of these, but they have been fun.

When I first came across Wee Little Stitches' designs, I decided I wanted to do something different with them.  I didn't want just another wall hanging.  (I also decided there weren't enough Potter or Doctor Who characters and that I needed to design my own, but that's another story)  Instead I decided to turn them into Christmas ornaments for the children of a friend of mine.  And for myself.  I now have over 60 characters to try and work out what to do with!

They work very well as Christmas tree ornaments.  One idea is to find an old branch, paint it silver and hang the decorations off it.  Or buy one of the oriental style trees - less greenery to obstruct the figures.

I've bought plastic playing stands to display them in and have used the figures as playing pieces for Monopoly and other boardgames.

Pattern available from www.fangirlstitches.etsy.com

A good friend (and fellow Potter-head) has announced she is pregnant, so now my head is full of ideas of using the figures to create a very unique mobile for the cot!  I also have a plan for Potter-themed party, where I adjust the skin, hair and house colours of the student figures to match the guests - a unique idea for table decorations and place-cards all in one.

Pattern available from www.fangirlstitches.etsy.com

For Christmas last year, I made myself a pair of Christmas-themed Tardis earings, using plastic canvas and jewellery hooks.  They were very cute, and much admired by others at the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary exhibition in London, and the Doctor Who experience in Cardiff.

Tardis earrings - pattern available from www.fangirlstitches.etsy.com

Plastic canvas - the possibilities are endless!

Enough for now - I'm off to design my own 3D TARDIS.

Happy Stitching!

P.S. Some other plastic canvas sites I found with some pretty cool patterns:

craftkat.blogspot.com.au
http://plasticcanvascreations.com/
Free plastic canvas patterns