I've done a lot of cross stitching, though I must admit to getting bored of stitching cross after cross after cross (with the odd bit of back stitch for variation).

Have any cross stitchers ever thought about branching out a little? Maybe investigating other forms of embroidery?

For anyone interested, This (http://inaminuteago.com/embroidery/embroiderygallery.html) is one of my favourite embroidery sites, and Stitch (http://www.embroiderersguild.com/stitch/) is one of the magazines I buy regularly.

I've always fancied doing one of those embroidery tablecloths. The ones where the pattern is already on it and you sew over it. I'm sure my mother used to do them and it would make a nice keepsake. I have seen them in the market in town.

Have you seen anything in particular you fancy doing Hecate?

I've always fancied doing one of those embroidery tablecloths. The ones where the pattern is already on it and you sew over it. I'm sure my mother used to do them and it would make a nice keepsake. I have seen them in the market in town.

Have you seen anything in particular you fancy doing Hecate?
I know the sort of thing you mean. Many free-hand embroidery kits come with the design pre-printed on the fabric, and those which don't generally have a transfer of some description. Crewel work, for example, is rather popular at the moment; I've got this (http://www.amazon.co.uk/New-Crewel-Exquisite-Contemporary-Embroidery/dp/157990680X/sr=8-5/qid=1167510093/ref=sr_1_5/202-2386308-6078247?ie=UTF8&s=books) book on my Amazon wish list.

I'm completing a City and Guilds in Stumpwork at the moment, for which I'm working on embroidered dragonflies using hand-painted silk organza, beads and silk threads. I've only just finished the wings, so at the moment they look like dragonflies after the cats have had hold of them :lol: .

You certainly try a lot of crafts Hecate! I need somewhere to keep all my craft things really badly. On top of the piano and down the side of the settee in carrier bags is not very convenient :rant: I might have to look around for a smallish mahogony cabinet to keep everything in :)

You certainly try a lot of crafts Hecate! I need somewhere to keep all my craft things really badly. On top of the piano and down the side of the settee in carrier bags is not very convenient :rant: I might have to look around for a smallish mahogony cabinet to keep everything in :)
I use four of those large plastic stacking drawer units from Asda (two lots of two stacked to make two tall units with eight drawers), plus a cupboard in the study. The former aren't very pretty, but they're cheapish and functional (the drawers are very deep and can be easily removed from the unit). I still manage to have a desk piled high with craft-related clutter though. It's definitely time for a Spring clean.

Noooooo you can't spring clean craft things, unless of course spring clean means moving them all somewhere else instead of throwing away :hihi: I don't really have any space left in my living room just yet as all my animals are inside for the winter so my organisation will have to wait till spring ;)

I've done loads of cross stitch, and I've also done tapestry in various forms. There's quite a nice range of cushion covers that use tapestry wool, but still cross stitch, to give a nice chunky texture.
I've also got some amazing kits from the USA, where the design is part printed, part cross stitch, using lots of different stitches and using different numbers of threads, to give great variety.
I think the only stitching technique that I've not really done much in is long stitch - I don't really like the look of it much.

what about Hardanger?

I've done a little Hardanger work, but not a lot - I've never been that impressed with the results.. I've also done quite a bit of blackwork.

what about Hardanger?
I haven't done any Hardanger as such, though I've done some Casalguidi embroidery recently whose background stitches have some similarity to Hardanger.

oh this thread is giving me too many ideas :D i havent tried any of those

A nice form of embroidery to try are the Rowandean embroideries. The finished pictures look very complicated but in fact are relatively easy to do. They produce both small and large kits and are well worth trying (also addictive when you've done one!)

Anne

A nice form of embroidery to try are the Rowandean embroideries. The finished pictures look very complicated but in fact are relatively easy to do. They produce both small and large kits and are well worth trying (also addictive when you've done one!)

Anne

Do you know of a site that sells them so we can have a look?

www.rowandean.com

This is the link for Rowandean embroideries. If you click on catalogue 2007 all the kits are listed in size categories. I would suggest starting with a small one and they aren't difficult but very effective. The instructions in each pack are very clear and there are plenty of threads if you make a mistake.

Anne

Thx for the link :thumbsup: They look really good, I like the cat ones! I am sure i've seem this before, a picture in a hospital or somewhere i'm sure it was :confused:

So how many of these have you done yourself Annemeg?

So Hecate, have you found something you want to try yet?

I went to a needle craft show at the Birmingham NEC last year and I was looking for an alternative to cross stitch, but which had a similar style.

I attended a workshop and had a go at blackwork. The technique is like backstitch on a cross stitch picture. It was very enjoyable and theraputic, the finished effect is stunning, and when alternating between cross stitch and black work I find I never get bored of the same thing.

I do Black work along side my cross stitch , i did try some long stitch and really enjoyed it .
I am not sure how to do free hand stuff though

I think blackwork looks really good, never tried it myself yet though.

I have done 3 victorian ladies , they look really good at my mums in her dining room lol

I love cross stitch and think I am one of the rare people that enjoy doing the backstitch element of it which led me into taking up Blackwork too. I've also dabbled in Bargello work which grows really quickly. I've also tried a couple of latch hook kits

You have kept yourself busy :) Do you have a favourite theme or designer that you stitch?

For Quick stitches, I love designs by the likes of Lizzie Kate, Waxing Moon and Bent Creek, but for larger projects I love wildlife pictures, mainly safari animals etc