Easter stitching

The weather's lovely outside and it's nearly time for some well deserved rest for everyone as we get ready for four days off. I hope everyone has a lovely Easter break!

This year in Cross Stitcher we included some traditional religious cross stitch cards but I know that cute chickens and rabbits are very popular too. My mum is a great fan of the traditional designs so she was so pleased when she saw them but I prefer more modern ones with bright colours myself.

What type of cards do you stitch for Easter? Would you prefer to see a mix of different types to stitch next year in Cross Stitcher? Let us know by posting below and you may even see your designs transformed into cross stitch this time next year!

Hope you enjoy Easter

Sally, production editor

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Join us today

It’s back! You can now hear even more from the Cross Stitcher team by signing up to our exclusive reader email newsletter – and it’s free!

Sign up for the Cross Stitcher newsletter and you’ll get up-to-date news from your favourite magazine, exclusive offers from all the best cross stitch suppliers, competitions, free charts and more…

To sign up for the newsletter just visit www.futureprofile.co.uk then click on ‘register for a new account’ and choose to receive the Cross Stitcher newsletter. It’s that simple!

This is a new system so if you signed up to the newsletter more than a few months ago it’s best to do it again to make sure you’re still on our mailing list!

What every cross stitcher wants!

 Hi there,
I hope you like our new issue and free gift, out in the shops right now.

The most important part of my job as editor is to make sure every issue is packed full of the things that you want to stitch and read. We love getting your feedback on the magazine through blogs, emails and letters - so keep them coming! We also run regular surveys to make sure you're happy with the content of the magazine. In fact we're doing one right now to a selection of readers (sorry, we couldn't ask all 65,000 of you - it would take us far too long!).

So rest assured, Cross Stitcher is by far the most popular magazine for cross stitchers, and that's exactly how we want it to stay - the best cross stitch designs, the best stitching advice and the best place to find out about all the new stitching products. It's your magazine, aimed at cross stitchers and put together by a team that love cross stitching too.

If you have any thoughts or suggestions about your magazine it would be really helpful if you could jot down your thoughts in a reply to this blog or you can write to me at Cross Stitcher magazine, 30 Monmouth Street, Bath BA1 2BW. I'd love to hear from you!
All the best,
Cathy

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Cross Stitcher issue 186

Issue 186 is on sale now! As usual it's full of exciting projects for all levels and is your first stop for inspirational ideas.

There are so many things to tempt you, here are just a few...

Forever friends picnic scene - Join Anchor for a special bear's picnic stitching treat
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cushion.jpgOriental style - Make a beautiful cushion and fill your home with Japanese elegance

fairy.jpgRose fairy
- Try magical metallics in our fantasy stitch

Local craft shops

Even in this age of online retailers and mail order, there's still something wonderful about a local craft shop – somewhere you can go and browse kits, products and all those wonderful colours of threads, and get to know the staff and fellow crafters. 

I still have fond memories of my local stitching shop in Rhyl when I was a child, and I'm sure the wonderful products I saw there helped inspire me to become the professional crafter I am today!

At Quick&Easy Stitch&Craft we'd love to hear about your favourite craft shop. 

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Another great offer from Black Sheep Wools

As well as getting DMC charts for a very special price from Black Sheep Wools Cross Stitcher website users can now get special kits too!

You can choose from two gorgeous All Our Yesterdays kits, Best Pals, ref k4134 and Shell Seakers, ref K763. Both kits have an rrp of £6.99 but you can get them for just £2.99!

Just go to www.blacksheepwools.co.uk and type code 1066 into the coupon code box at chechout. Enjoy!

black1.jpgBest Pals

black2.jpgShell Seakers

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Folk art charts by Maria Diaz

If you fell in love with Maria Diaz's folk art motifs in issue 184 we have a real treat for you. As promised, here are 15 more free for you to download. Enjoy!

Click here to download first set of charts

Click here to download second set of charts

Every design tells a story

Being surrounded all day by stitching related things is rather like working in a sweet shop, I’ve decided. I’ve just spent ten minutes happily nosing through a copy of the Heritage Stitchcraft catalogue, admiring their beautiful designs and wondering which one to do next. I’m a great fan of the John Clayton scenes. Travelling is one of my favourite things to do, and I’m fascinated by other cultures. I think this is reflected in the sort of things I stitch! What inspires you to get out your needle and thread? Are your walls at home filled with designs on a particular theme?
 

Cross Stitcher reader guests

We've featured a whole host of reader guests in many issues now and we have to say we love getting to know you all a bit better! If you've not take part yet then don't delay, get in touch!

Would you like to get a sneak preview at next month's projects, have your say on what you think of new designs or even pick our stitching winners? You can do all this and more as a reader guest and you'll receive a £15 voucher to spend on stitching goodies as a thank you too!

If you'd like to join us as our guest all you need to do is email dearcathy@futurenet.co.uk with your details and a photo of yourself.

Look forward to hearing from you!

Cross Stitcher

Charts vs kits - which wins?

We all know the scene, you go into your local craft shop and it's like an eight year old being let loose in a sweet shop. There are pretty coloured threads, lovely fabrics and gorgeous designs lying everywhere, just asking to be bought. So naturally we do!

But then the problem comes as our 'to do' lists keep growing and we run not only out of time to stitch the projects but room to store them!

So is it better instead to buy charts as they take up less space and we can start to use up the threads we have lying around? Or do we get enough charts from cross stitch magazines that it's a nice treat to buy a kit once in a while? What do you think?