We're celebrating all things tropical this month with our bright and super-exotic July issue. This little turtle keyring is one of our favourites from the issue (isn't he cute!) - so much so, we asked designer Fiona Crouch to create another colourway exclusively for our website visitors! Click here to download your extra turtle and stitch yourself a new travel companion for the summer... 

When the sun comes out to play, it's a perfect excuse to get outside and enjoy a bit of a summer break with family and friends. To get you in the spirit (whatever the weather!) we've taken inspiration from around the globe to create our July issue.

Felicity Hall's tropical birds (left) look like they've flown in from a desert Island. Look at their colourful feathers!

Talking of exotic, Lucie Heaton has crossed the Indian Ocean to take inspiration from rich African fabrics to create a stunning elephant gift set (below, right).

Plus, your free gift this month includes everything you need to stitch a trio of oh-so-bright flower cards! CrossStitcher's July issue - on sale now.

This November will see the eagerly awaited Dr Who 50th anniversary special light-up millions of TV sets across the globe and we can hardly believe it!

As we wait for the worlds most infamous Doctor to hang-up his sonic screwdriver, we'll be reminiscing over our favourite episodes and the talented actors that brought this iconic series to life. Our fave? Matt Smith, obviously.

He'll be making his final appearence in the anniversary episode (Saturday 23rd Nov, BBC One) but here's a FREE Matt Smith cross stitch pattern to keep you occupied until then.

Time Lords and cross stitch? Who'd have though it.

With a heritage of needle-making spanning over 300 years, the expertise at John James Needles has been handed down from generation to generation and is highly regarded within the stitching industry - and within the CrossStitcher team.

Now they've launched The Crafters Collection, a set of easy-to-identify wallets containing every needle you'd ever need to own! Cleverly labelled in sweet illustrated packages (average £1.49 for 10+ needles), we think they're absolutely superb value for money.

Last month we showcased their Quilting & Patchwork, Cross Stitch & Bead Embroidery and Delux Knitters. This month, we're taking a closer look at their Crewel, Quilting, Beading and Childrens needle packs...

It's fair to say that here at CrossStitcher HQ, we've got a weak spot for cakes and biscuits. (There's always a box of treats in the office to munch between deadlines!) So, you can imagine how excited we were about transforming Scottish textile designer Gillian Kyle's iconic Tunnock's Teacake design into a calorie-free cross stitch pattern!

In our June issue you'll find the pattern and all the making-up instructions for making a statement bag - just like Gillian's printed beauties. Don't miss it, grab yours from our online shop today.

Our seaside and summer-themed June issue has hit the shelves, bringing some sunshine to you regardless of the weather! This issue we've got some fabulous giveaways on offer, including charts and kits from Heritage Crafts, Bothy Threads, and Mouseloft, and Chiltern Craft & Design Show tickets.

To enter any of our giveaways, simply click on the links below:

Chiltern Craft & Design tickets

Elegance Lady kits from Heritage Crafts

Little Dog kits from Mouseloft

Summer scene kits from Bothy Threads

The closing date is 5 June, so don't miss out!

With a heritage of needle-making spanning over 300 years, the expertise at John James Needles has been handed down from generation to generation and is highly regarded within the stitching industry - and within the CrossStitcher team.

Now they've launched The Crafters Collection, a set of easy-to-identify wallets containing every needle you'd ever need to own! Cleverly labelled in sweet illustrated packages (average £1.49 for 10+ needles), we think they're superb value for money.

Last month we showcased their Crewel, Beading, Cross Stitch and Easy Thread sets. This month, we're taking a closer look at their Quilting & Patchwork, Cross Stitch & Bead Embroidery and Delux Knitters. Click read more to see them in detail...

This Saturday (4th May), heaps of comic book fans all over the world will be indulging their passion by collecting a special-edition books from participating Free Comic Book Day retailers. Sine it's birth in 2002, more than 2000 outlets in over 30 countries have given away more than 12 million special-edition comic books. Wow. That's a lot of superheros to keep up with!

Get crafty and join the celebration with our trio of cross stitched comic words, stitched directly onto plastic canvas and made into statement badges. Download the Pow! pattern here and find Boom! and Wow! in our June issue (266), on sale 10th May...

Here’s a nifty idea! Why not cross stitch some butterflies to create your own 3D wall art? The secret behind this quirky idea involves using perforated paper and foam pads to make your stitched motifs really stand out! We've framed our collection of four winged beauties in an old frame backed with a scrap of patterned wallpaper to give it a vintage feel.

Find Sarah Cookland's full set of over 20 designs in our May issue (265) or download this extra butterfly today. A single motif like this would make a lovely 3D birthday card. Go on, get creative and give it a go...