Saturday, July 06, 2013

Craft Book Review: Storyland Cross Stitch

Every now and then I come across a craft book, usually randomly stumbling across it on the web whilst looking for something completely different. Or I happen to be following the author's blog or twitter feed. Now for this particular book I can't quite remember where or when came across it might well have been osmosis. Basically I saw it and I wanted it. 


Storyland Cross Stitch by What Delilah Did a.k.a Sophie Simpson, has for me a winning combination of an awesome feeling cover (I do love a bit of texture) and wonderful looking projects (great photography). I opened the package and did the classic 'Oooooo, it's so pretty'.

The book arrived on what has to be the best day ever to sit outside and stitch, which was exactly what I ended up doing. After a quick dash about the house to gather various tools and materials. So that was my exercise for the day...not really...sort of was.

I must point out that I needn't have worried too much because rather handily the book comes with a little added extra, in the form of small piece of fabric, thread and needle. Perfect for when your caught short and in desperate need to stitch.



Me getting well and truly stuck in


So yep, today really was one of those rare moments when it just felt right to go 'sod my to do list' and work on something completely different and this was largely because I really, really wanted to do every single one of the 15 projects contained within the book. That doesn't happen often. In fact it took a lot of will power not to crack on with one of the larger projects, like the crown cushion.

It has something for everyone, and there are some great projects that I think solves my what to make for the hundreds of kiddie winkles (my term for a baby) that are due later this year. Suddenly all my friends are expecting.

What I think is so great about the book is that its subtly broken up into three stitching levels of beginners, intermediate and advanced, which I think is great. As it slowly eases you up the levels without barring your way or scaring the bejeebus out of you and making you discard the book.

The designs / projects are so utterly charming and for me they are the sort that I would be more than happy to do more than once. As there is nothing worse than getting a book that you only end up making one thing from it. I'm already thinking there will be plenty of keys, frogs, Jackalopes and foxes on the horizon.

Storyland Cross Stitch, will now sit perfectly within my collection of craft books (sadly they are currently in boxes pending the move), and I can easily say that if Sophie were to write another book then I'll eagerly purchase it. Though that time round I will actually remember to buy it from her site and not from everyone's favourite/least favourite e-commerce site that is the name of a rather large tropical rainforest. 

To purchase, nip over to Sophie's lovely site www.whatdelilahdid.com, stop and take a moment to admire her work, maybe pick up one of her other cross stitch designs whilst your there.

Book summed up in three words: wonder, lush, stitch-able 

ISBN: 978-1-908449-39-9
Images copyright What Delilah Did

Wednesday, July 03, 2013

Life is a Big Puddle Jump In - Embroidery Complete

There is always a silver lining to feeling poorly, additional days at home. And being the sort that always has to be doing something I've been able to finish my latest quote/typography embroidery piece, 'Life is a Big Puddle Jump In'. This piece is yet to be mounted, that's the next bit to do. And once I've got that sorted I'll be taking some higher resolution images to allow me to turn the image into purchasable postcards and greetings cards. 



Tuesday, July 02, 2013

Competition Time: Win Embroidery Patterns


Yes, folks its been a while since I did a little giveaway and I thought, why not give away something for you to do. So how would you like to win a set of two, full embroidery patterns (digital copies) from the Little Planet series; Little Home Planet and Planet of the Trees. 




Each pattern includes:
  • Full colour image
  • Pattern
  • Stitch and thread guide
  • Hints & Tips

How to enter? 

Well, nice and simple just leave a comment below (please no anonymous comments), perhaps telling me what would be on your little planet?

Competition is open to UK and International folks, as long as you have a valid email address.

Deadline for entry 13th July, the winner will be announced on the blog on the 14th July*.

*As long as I haven't been attacked by wasps or fallen down a well.