17
Apr
2017
A question about : The Crafty (Magazine) Review Thread!
Welcome to this review thread. a place to review and talk about your favourite crafty magazine. 
Over on the Cross Stitch Cafe thread, we often share our thoughts on the latest stitchy magazine offerings. Looking back these posts are invaluable at reminding us what was published but these posts do tend to get lost amongst the general chit chat so I thought they would be worthy of their very own thread!
This thread isn't limited to just cross stitch magazines - instead all crafty magazines plus kits/charts and the latest gadgets ! Welcome!
Best answers:
- Looking forward to getting my first magazine so that I can post a review.
- Good luck with all of this. I only get Cross Stitch Collection - never done a review before. So will give it an attempt when I get my next copy.
sweetcarer
PS Might do a review of my magnifier later - I do like the Homemaker magazine. I picked up last month's copy and it was full of great ideas including how to upcycle a Lloyd Loom chair and how to cover a pouffe with different fabric. I did buy this month's issue and I have yet to read it!
- Thanks for starting this thread FE I get World of Cross Stitch, Cross Stitch Crazy and Cross Stitch Card Shop, I will be back when my next one arrives
- Cross Stitch Crazy was waiting for me this evening. I do feel sad as this is the last issue of my subscription
Initial thoughts....
Nothing jumps out from the cover. I do like the Margaret Sherry kit that is offered as the subscriber gift (see Welcome page) This is apparently exclusive to Crazy. Fast forward to next month pages and yep, the free kit/gift is a Margaret Sherry themed chart book. Typical.
Free kit
Penguin Card Kit
I'm not keen on this. The penguin cards are sweet and will come in handy for my xmas card stash but I don't think I will be stitching the Merry Xmas message on the aida supplied. I'm not keen on the charting of the Merry Christmas - it doesn't look right.
Gingerbread chart
This had me scratching my head as to what exactly it was? I'm sorry but I would rather spend 60 hours stitching something else. I really don't get this design.
Sweet Sprit, Joan Elliott Sugarplum fairy
This is sweet but there is too much sparkle in the design for me.
to be continued - oh great thread. I don't subscribe to full price magazines (can't afford them) but often get an introductory offer (3 for Ј3 kind of thing) and then cancel the direct debit. I am currently waiting for craftseller to arrive, I don't sell anything but hoping it will have some nice things to make inside. I will report back.
- Cross Stitch Crazy - Issue 183 / Christmas 2013
Price: Ј4.99
Free Gift 1 - Penguin Cards
The cards seem okay but they aren't really designed to display cross stitch on them, and the pastelly colour threads aren't very Christmassy.
Free Gift 2 - Gingerbread Cottage Chart
Very pink and girly. Not something I would stitch, I have seen Gingerbread houses I like better but it's pretty cute.
Sugarplum Fairy - Joan Elliot
A fairy in a red/green dress carrying a little Christmas tree. I always love Joan Elliots designs. I will certainly hold on to this one, but not for this year.
Page 15 - There is a beautiful 'Mary and child' Christmas stitch which has been sent in by a reader. It's not normally something I would stitch but it really caught my eye. I might have a google for it - if anyone recognises it please help point me in the right direction
Cross Stitch Quickie
Monkey holding presents - this is a definite for me, I have the first 6 charted and stitched up already for my DS2
Celebstitch - Martin Freeman
I'm never keen on these, I don't think they are detailed enough, some can be pretty hit-or-miss
50 Classic Toy Gift Ideas
Some lovely old fashioned Christmas designs here, great for Victorian-style cards
Elliot Wreath
Two elephants cuddling inside a Christmas wreath
Very cute but I would never stitch it, too much foliage I would get bored
Craft Xtra
There are two angels here. The top one is one I would probably stitch for a card. The bottom one is the STRANGEST looking Angel I have ever seen!
Crazy for....Christmas Birds
Various realistic birds - Swan, Robin, Duck, Dove, Hen, Penguin, Turkey etc. In all honesty, if I send someone a Christmas card with just a duck or a hen on it they might think I have finally gone a bit mental
Christmas Floral ABC
Letters with mistletoe/snowdrops/holly etc in the background
Nice enough but I don't 'do' florals I like the idea about stitching a name on aida and wrapping round a plant pot
Festive Table set
Wreaths in green/pink/purple shades. I like the shades but wouldn't stitch these. There is the added fact that we barely sat down for 2 mins at Christmas last year and my MIL knocked over a glass of wine. If I had stitched the table stuff I think I may have cried Something like that would be 'display only' in my house
Cake toppers
Robin/ reindeer/tree/snowflake. I don't like these, they are very plain and not something that interests me.
Heart Sampler
Two angels flying over a snowy scene within a heart with the words 'Let your heart be glad at christmas'. Well first off, I would be stitching that on cream fabric to save a heck of a lot of backstitch (Lazy - moi?) I also feel that the detail in the stitched piece isn't very clear so I would change the backstitch to a darker shade of grey.
Owl Decorations
Cartoon Owls mounted on felt background. Cute but not something I would stitch at all.
Festive Wishes
Various Christmas card designs. There is definitely acouple here which will make my stitch list, I'm doing a lot of cards at the moment
Challenge Lucie
One of my favourite designers. Charts for: Moon bear / French & british flags / brownie and rainbow / tudor rose / karate / pigeonhole.
Nothing there for me, but hopefully the people who requested them like them
Next Month: I hate looking ahead because if I see something I like I know I have to wait a month for it and I am so impatient There is an elves workshop which looks cute, and an angel ABC. - Iammumtoone - Louise meant to say Monkey holding presents. She's stitching the whole series.
I will add me comments to Louises in a different colour. - My comments are below Louise's, NOW IN A BLUE.
Quote: - Had a nightmare trying to amend louise's post. Will try to use Son's laptop later, I'm using a tablet, and see if I can make the post readable. Spent half an hour faffing round and all I've achieved is a pounding headache.
- Hi,
I took out a subscription to Cross Stitch Crazy and yesterday I received my first issue, the one Ailsb and Louise have reviewed.
I have to say I quite like the sugarplum fairy by Joan Elliott () although I have so many other Christmas themed kits and charts that I don't think I will get to this one for a looooooong time if ever
Nothing else really stands out for me but I quite like the Christmas Floral Alphabet and might use that for something. Plus the Elliott Wreath is very cute.
Coxy - Great idea for a thread. Hope we can keep it going
Quote: - The World Of Cross Stitching Issue 209 Ј4.99
FREE GIFT - Chart booklet and Purple/Silver metallicthreads.
Lots of Christmas designs. I don't like the baubles (even though the designer is one of my favourites) The ABC is quite nice, as are the patterned snowflakes. To be honest, if I was to do any of these I would probably change the colour scheme.
CARROLLING CATS - Margaret Sherry
Two cats with a song sheet under a lamp. Cute, but since it has BOBS there is no way it will make my list.
LETTERS PAGE - I sent in a picture of my coaster cardswhich they were going to use, doesn't look like I was in time for this issue.
YULETIDE WELCOME - Durene Jones
Blue front door, snowman on one side holding a robin,Topiary Christmas tree and a little cat on the other, surrounded by the words 'Welcome all at christmas'
I do like this actually, not sure if I would ever get round to stitching it, but it's lovely and friendly
BEST BUYS PAGE - I always admire tablecloths like the ones shown but I could never trust my family enough to actually use one. I swear, one spill and I would cry! There is an article with tips for table stitching on page 64.
NATIVITY CARDS - Jenny Barton
Cute and colourful cartoon style nativity designs. Very childlike designs, quite appealing but I don't think I will end up making any.
ASK THE EXPERTS - There is a good tip on how to get fabric back into shape after washing (basically pinning it in place when wet)
I love the design of the periodic table which is advertised, but don't have anyone I could stitch it for L
STOCKING TOPPERS - Joan Elliot
4 different designs for the top of a stocking. Jolly snowmen, penguins, angels or a Scandinavian style red/white one. Could be used as pictures in their own right, I like them (would never make a stocking though)
CRAFT XTRA - SNOWY GOOSE
Goose with a ribbon round its' neck and a weird border oft riangles and hearts. Not keen on this at all.
DESIGN LIBRARY - WINTER WONDERLAND - Rhona Norrie
Not a designer I have noticed before, but there are some good card sized designs here. They vary from polar bears and penguins to carol singers and little winter scenes. There is maybe half a dozen which will make my list.
12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS TREE - Helen Brindley
One each of the '12 days' items displayed on a metallic gold backstitched tree. This is different, and very effective looking. It doesn't look like it would take too long to stitch either.
CHRISTMAS PUPPY - Debra Page
Puppy under the Christmas tree, surrounded by baubles and parcels. It's a cute design but there is no way I would ever stitch this, I wouldn't have the patience.
CRACKERS ABC - Lisa Reakes
Very bright and festive, can't really see me using it for anything though.
SCANDI SAMPER - Karen Brittan
Sampler with house, trees reindeer and snowflakes alld one in 3 shades of red and some white. Scandinavian style seems very popular this year. Unfortunately my colour scheme is blue and silver so I won't bestitching it
ROVING REPORTER -Interesting article on someone who stitches for the magazine. The one (and most important) thing it didn't discuss was how much money can be earned!
CUPCAKE OF THE MONTH - Durene Jones
This is a santa one this time. Pleeeease let these finish their run soon! So sick of cupcakes! That said, this is one of the better ones.
NEXT MONTH - Hedgehog decorations, Wreath cards, Kitty ina santa hat (cute!), Reindeer cushion, oriental lady, and tatty teddy - Hello everyone,
Thought I would review my clip on magnifier that hubby bought me to help me when stitching on smaller fabrics - ie the 36hpi I am using to do the learning sampler (see cross stitch cafe).
The item -
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ILLUMINATE...item2eca890f86
Cost Ј8 including shipping.
Positives - It is good as you can clip it onto anything.
- So light I hardly feel it on the hoop.
- It takes normal batteries - AAA.
- No big amount of heat from the LEDs.
- The lens is not big - but ample for me
- It doesn't have a cover - don't want the sun burning through the lens and starting a small fire
- Not reviewing WOXS Issue 209 just yet - have lots of thoughts... just need to get them done in print....
but where (scratches head) in the magazine is the NOEL design and the snowman featured (see pics on front cover next to Margaret Sherry)?
Negatives
All in all I am happy with it and helps so much with my stitching.
Kind wishes to all
sweetcarer
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