Mollie Makes kit – rose cross-stitch hoop

Here's my latest (finished) craft project; a pretty cross stitched rose made with the kit which came with issue 30 of Mollie Makes.  It was designed by Eline Pellinkhof, a designer, illustrator and crafter - she has lots of cute designs for paper crafts too!

I've never used ribbons or other embellishments on cross stitch projects I've made before, but really liked this spotty ribbon and lace with the rose.  I'll definitely be wanting to add ribbon to my next cross stitch project!

I decided to keep the hoop plain wood, instead of wrapping in fabric strips like the magazine suggested.  I also stitched a circle of felt to the back...

I've already started making the kit which came with this month's magazine (which was only out this week) - unbelievably fast for me!  I'll share pictures of that when it's finished :)

Stitched Pen Pot

Do you remember the stitched letter rack I did a few months ago?  I now have a pen pot to match!

I had this mesh pen pot for Christmas and have now finished stitching the cross-stitch pattern.  It took several evenings to do and was much more fiddly than the letter rack (getting the needle out of the insides of the pots was tricky even for my little fingers!).  I love how it turned out though and it’s much more fun than a plain mesh pot. :)

I haven’t painted the edges in white acrylic like I did for the letter rack – I’m feeling a bit impatient and want to start using it on my desk!  What do you think – should I paint it like the letter rack or leave it as it is?

Stitched Letter Rack

I found a great tutorial for making a decorated letter rack via Craftgawker - here's the orginal tutorial which inspired my version...http://camillestyles.com/life-2/diy-cross-stitch-office-supplies/
I started with this silver mesh letter rack...

And painted the edge white with acrylic paint...

Then stitched a pattern with stranded cotton thread through the mesh...

Some old projects - found and finished

I love trying out different crafts but that means I have loads of half finished projects tucked away (and not even started ones too!).  I recently decided that I would make more of an effort to get some things finished.  When I went away on holiday I wanted something small to take with me and found a couple of cross stitch kits I had started years ago...

I finished this Bagpuss one while I was away...



I also found that I had done a few stitches of this kit to make a coaster.  I've finished sewing the rose - now all it needs is to go inside the coaster :)

I used to do quite a bit of cross stitch but I got put off by how long it takes to finish -  I was too impatient, wanting to see more progress in a picture.  Now I have rediscovered the fact that I actually enjoy it - on small projects anyway :)  I think I might have a go at designing some small charts again too.