Big Bad

It's been a bit hectic in the past week two weeks or so. Two birthdays (myself and my youngest daughter), the release of my Abel the Stitch explorer pattern (which had a wonderful warm welcome and I'm really chuffed with that) and finishing the second issue of &Stitches!

While both Carina and I have worked on putting together the new e-zine since January, somehow a lot needed to be done at the last moment. But we managed to do it! Please check out our blog for details (including a discount for Early Bird Buyers) and there's a chance to win a copy of our e-zine at the Wild Olive blog too.

I'm currently stitching Cate Anevski's Big Bad and Little Red pattern from the current &Stitches issue, it's such a fun pattern to stitch. I used one of Lizzy House's 'Outfoxed' fabrics to stitch on and now it looks like the Big Bad (grey) Wolf is hiding in the forest a bit. :)  I'm nearly done stitching Little Red; I chose a lovely but difficult to stitch on fabric for that one and I may have to start again on a fabric that is more suitable...

Variation

I have been using a lot of this Colour Variation Floss in the last couple of weeks, including some in my new 'Abel, the Stitch Explorer' pattern. I actually used a ridiculous number of different colours in that pattern as you will find out if you decide to purchase it. (Still working out the details but I'm aiming at launching it next week!) Some of these variation threads have more than one colour in a skein, other skeins have different tones of one colour.  The colours are very soft and the changes in colour (or tone) very subtle.  Anyway these Colour Varation Flosses, or any other variegated floss for that matter, obviously are best used in a bit of your embroidery (or cross stitch) where the change of colours can be seen. Having said that, I also sometimes use small bits of variegated floss for a detail just because it's the right colour! (or so I think). I think (cross)stitching lettering with variegated floss could give lovely results too. Where do you use variegated threads for?

If you follow the &Stitches blog (or Facebook page or Twitter) you will probably already have seen a couple peeks of projects from our next issue. The second issue of &Stitches is all about books and reading. Our featured artist is the very lovely and talented Cate Anevski! This is the pattern I designed...

"Books&Stitches" is available from the 17th of April.

Wolfboy and a grumpy Bear

Things got a little bit hectic after the launch of the &Stitches ezine last week. The attention for and response to our adventure has been great so far and we are very grateful for the support of course. Time to take a step back now and get on with the next issue! Today I'm jotting down some ideas for future issues, in this cute Wolfboy notebook.  I bought it here.

Photo and artwork by Cate Anevski

Last Friday I wrote about an awesome piece by Cate Anevski on Feeling Stitchy. I just couldn't resist and had to add the original version of this grumpy fellow to my small Embroidery collection! You can stitch your own bear (and 6 other 'Animal Expressions') because there is a pattern set available (I actually purchased that as well). I named the Feeling Stitchy post 'Because Bears have Thoughts too' and I might just stitch those words to hang besides mr. Grumpy Bear...