Issue 185 is on sale now!

Packed with exciting projects you won't want to miss out. We're flying to the skies with an adorable bear scene. With three bears flying to the sky on their balloons we're sure you won't be able to resist.

If you're looking for a trip down memory lane why not try the Sarah Kay scene from DMC? It's from the new range of designs and it's guarenteed to take you back to your childhood. If you're looking for some more traditional nostalgia you could opt for the three old-fashioned transport designs from Anchor.

We've also got some gorgeous spring treats, such as two funky floral designs framed in a very unusual way, geese playing in an apple orchard, colourful cat cards, birthstone fairies, a linen sampler from Moira Blackburn, traditional Easter cards... the list goes on!

Plus if you've ever wanted to learn a little more about speciality threads this issue is for you as we lead you through the plus and minus points for each type of thread.

If that isn't enough you'll get a fantastic free gift! The ultimate David&Charles book collection is packed with 62 designs from 11 of your favourite cross stitch books. From fairies to wizards and floral throws to family samplers you'll love your free book. Plus there's an exclusive competition, behind the scenes at David&Charles and special book offers – get your copy now!

I've just been looking at some different websites and noticed that many have a section for Epals. We've featured penpals in our club section of the magazine for more years than I care to think about and they've always been really popular - but is everything going to change now with people going online?

Email is a quicker way of communicating but personally I still like to receive post. Isn't being able to see someone's hand writing part of their personality? I had three penals from Slovenia a couple of years ago and we used to write really long letters to each other, and include pictures and little presents, which was lovely. I used to get really excited when I saw I had a new letter.

We've all just come back from a stitching trade show where we were given a sneak preview of all the exciting new products that will be coming your way in 2007.

There is some gorgeous new kits coming out and the key this year seems to be colour.

One design that really caught my eye was of a Geisha, which I think look gorgeous anyway, but this one was stitched on a lovely apricot colour fabric, which just made it stand out so much! Look out for this design in our news pages in the next few issues, I think I'll definitely have to feature it so you can all share the beauty.

I've never really thought about how much the colour of fabric you stitch on to can influence a design dramatically - do you have a favourite colour to stitch on to?

Cross Stitcher issue 184 is on sale now.

The March issue is packed with fresh ideas from Joan Elliott's gorgeous Renaissance lady, finished of beautifully with beads to Michael Powell's Pots of Flowers design and Ellen Maurer Stroh's floral basket.

If you're looking for the perfect gift for Mother's Day you can choose from a pretty in pink sampler, complete with ribbons and buttons or Margaret Sherry's Mum's favourite Sayings sampler that's sure to make your mum giggle.

It's always nice to learn a new skill and Zoe Patching's blackwork butterflies are the perfect incentive to get you started on blackwork. As she shows you how to stitch them in classic black threads or for a modern effect using DMC's Color Variations, you won't want to miss it.

If that's not enough there's a selection of flok art motifs, button cards, an unmissable guide to the best scissors and much more...

PLUS! You'll receive Cross Stitcher's biggest ever kit absolutely free. With not one but two cute kitten designs to stitch you'll be spoilt for choice. You can get to work on it straight away as all materials are included and there's even a double aperture card to mount the designs in.

Enjoy!