It's officially the holiday season and we're in the mood for a bit of an adventure - in stitching that is. We’re channelling rebellion, variety and the unexpected with our TOP 3 cross stitch books of the month.

Dip your toes into these less-than-ordinary hard backs for some stitching inspiration that’s right on the cutting (and stitching!) edge of contemporary needlework. Go on, we dare you…

If you’re based in the north-west of the UK, here's the perfect opportunity to stock up on end-of-summer craft supplies and start planning your Autumn projects.

The Creative Crafts Show will be hitting Manchester Central from 30 August til 1 September, and promises to be the perfect place to source all those unusual and hard-to-find craft supplies. There will also be plenty of workshops taking place, giving you the chance to learn a variety of new techniques in everything from embroidery to scrapbooking.

Regular admission prices are £7.95 adults and £6.95 concessions, but you can save £1.50 by booking in advance at www.sccshows.co.uk using the discount code FTCSR. You will also receive a half price catalogue voucher, and be entered into a prize draw to win up to £300 worth of craft vouchers. Plus, if you’ve got a group of friends all keen to go, then buy six tickets and get your seventh free.

Here at CrossStitcher, we love nothing more than receiving (and stitching) cards that are 100% handmade with love.

With that in mind, we've created Handmade Cards, a jam-packed bookazine that full of cross-stitched cards for you to stitch, send and enjoy!

With over 200 designs from 20 different designers, you’ll be spoilt for choice! There are cards for lots of different occasions, so you’ll never be without inspiration.

There’s something for everyone, from the cross-stitch connoisseur to the total novice, so you’re bound to find something you love! With easy step-by-step instructions, you really can’t go wrong.

There’s even an exclusive interview with Papercraft inspirations' creative editor and super-talented card designer Angela Poole.

Handmade Cards is available from WHSmiths and online at My Favourite Magazine, for just £9.99.

Send some much-needed sunshine with Jane Prutton's striking set of tropical beach cards this summer.

We love the clashy blue and range thread shades, they remind us of beautiful Hawaiian fabric prints.

You'll find these four designs (left) on page 83 of our latest issue, but to get you started here's two additional designs you can download for FREE!

Find more bright and breezy beach-inspired designs in our August issue, on sale now.

With nations from across the globe coming together in sporting harmony for this years Olympic games, we think it's only right we share the sporting glory by stitching up some miniature world flags to celebrate. We've designed this set of miniature flags from across the world... can you spot yours?

* Download this FREE selection of 19 world flags to start your collection.
You'll find the other 21 designs (shown above) in CrossStitcher issue 255 - on sale until 7th August...

It might not be beaming rays of sunshine outside but according to the calendar, Summer has officially arrived. In our August issue, we've rounded up an extra special selection of bright and irresistible designs to kick-start the summer.

With July bookmarked as the wedding season, we've come up with some ingenious (and easy) ways to stitch-up some scrumptious treats to make your day that extra bit special. Plus, your FREE giant banner chart and cotton ribbon means you certainly won't be short on stitching inspiration...
August issue (255) - on sale now!

We've got an extra special competition for you in this month's issue of CrossStitcher. Ten lucky winners will receive a bumper set of three cross stitch kits from anchor - the pretty floral basket, tranquil harbour scene and summery cottage view.

Each prize is worth worth £100 and contains all the materials you need to complete the kits - a real treat! All you need to do is click on the link below and answer this question: Which kit is included in the prize? A) Floral Fancy B) Floral Basket or C) Floral Park

Anchor Kits Competition

Crossword Competition

Stitchers can never have too many threads in their stash – especially when they're as lovely as this gorgeous selection from Madeira!

You can receive this bumper thread pack, worth £44.60, FREE when you subscribe to CrossStitcher today.

Being a member has other benefits too – you'll save 28% on the shop price, receive delivery direct to your door at no extra cost, and gain exclusive access to our online subscriber-only area, Craft Circle, offering extra content, exclusive offers and exciting competitions.

Order online today, or call 0844 848 2852, quoting order code CSRW1F. Lines are open 8am-7.30pm weekdays, 8am-4pm Saturdays.

Hurry! Offer ends 31 October 2012

Who wants a free pattern? Those of you on Twitter should look at following Jacinta Lodge, aka @stitchalicious. As well as being an amazing textile and embroidery artist, she is also generous enough to tweet free patterns to her followers every Tuesday.

“I’m based in Germany so I’m in a weird time zone for most tweeting stitchers, who need to be US-based, and I miss out on a lot of the interactive stitchy fun,” she tells us. “This is my way of trying to redress that. Plus, I wanted to see if there was something more that could be done with stitching and Twitter than just telling people ‘working on XYZ right now!’”

Send someone a bright and cheery sentiment with one of Durene Jones funky greetings cards in CrossStitcher issue 254.

Not only are they bold enough to get you in the mood for summer but they also cover a variety of occasions so you'll always be able to whip-up a perfect greetings card, even if its at the last minute!

You could stitch one for a new graduate receiving their exam results, or for a friend celebrating a big birthday with a garden party this summer? Just pick your brightest threads and get started.

* Download additional LOVE and BEST FRIENDS cards today and find the other four designs (left) on page 35 of our latest issue.

CrossStitcher issue 254 is on sale until 11th July and now available to buy online.