Tuesday 31 December 2013

My 5 stitching New Years Resolutions

My 5 stitching New Years Resolutions


1. Put away my pins.

Sounds like common sense right? But the amount of times I have left a pin someplace and found it days later with my foot is just a few times too often. My housemate brought me pin cushion as a Christmas gift and I wonder if this was a little hint.

2. Finish an unfinished project.

If you ask a room full of stitchers who has an unfinished project they are not currently working on most people will say yes. There have been tales of kids getting their birth samplers for their 18th birthday, stitchers with boxes full of half finished kits or the wedding present stitch finished for a couples ruby wedding anniversary. So take a look through your projects now the Christmas present rush is over and we still have many long cold nights ahead and see if theres anything which can be finished.
I have a few birthday cards I did not finish in time for the recipients birthday but if I get them finished I will be able to send them this year. (and they won't suspect it was supposed to be last years card)

3. Have a crafty clear out.

This is actually very hard for some crafters, you just never know if you will need a particular piece of ribbon, a lovely set of beads or just the right thread for an occasion. So perhaps start by looking for items you think you may never use. I will be starting with my fairly large magazine collection. If its likely not to be used its going to be swapped with my stitching friends or donated to some beginning stitchers I know (like my adorable niece who will just love some new kits to try out)
Of course once the space has been cleared it leaves a little more room in your stash for items you will definitely use (or ones you just pick up throughout the year)

4. Make my cards for the year early

Every year I always end up rushing my birthday cards, Christmas cards and other greetings, often stitching until midnight the day before it needs to be sent. However this year I have decided it should be different. Since Christmas kits are often on sale in January I am going to snap up a few now and stitch them while the nights are still cold so they are all ready to send later in the year. It is also handy to have some spare cards for other occasions too so there is no need to rush. Making them in advance does not mean you cannot still make lovely individual cards for the very special people in your life it just means you have more time to do them.

5. Teach someone else to stitch

Many stitchers remember fondly the person who taught them to stitch. The person with enough kindness and patience to help thread needles, show how to interpret patterns and share a little of their stash. So why not pass it on? Is there someone near you who watches eagerly as you sew? Or someone looking for a new hobby? Even if there is nobody near you who wants to learn you can always share your knowledge on online forums or even show your stitching friends a new technique you have learned. Stitching is an art, a skill and a valuable hobby so why not pass it on?


I would love to hear from other stitchers out there. What are your new years resolutions? Are you going to have a clear out or delve into a unfinished project or two?

For more crafty musings here are some links:

Using paint for cross stitch design
Tips on Teaching children to cross stitch
Cross stitch kit review: Camper vans by Fido Stitch Studio
Things to consider when choosing a cross stitch design
Upcycling worn out Christmas baubles

For the Buzy Bobbins Index page Click here.

Friday 27 December 2013

Happy new year - Whole stitches only Alphabet in a single colour

Happy new year - Whole stitches only Alphabet in a single colour



This is a cross stitch alphabet which uses whole stitches only and only one colour. Though you are welcome to mix up the colours a bit or add a different colour into the white spaces but thats up to all you fabulously creative stitchers.
I drew this originally to help design a large Happy New Year sign including big chunky letters which could also be added to bunting should a matching set be required. I have a friend who needs to stitch for every occasion and wanted to forfill her request with something very simple so she wouldn't be stitching all the way into January.


For more original and free to use cross stitched alphabets here are some links:

Blue and green alphabet sampler
Fancy alphabet cross stitch design
Big bold cross stitch alphabet
Easter egg alphabet
Meme caption alphabet
Big backstitch alphabet
Retro styled half and half alphabet
Pumpkin themed Halloween Alphabet
Large bubble Alphabet
Simple thick block cross stitch alphabet with whole stitches only

For the Buzy Bobbins Index page Click here.

Tuesday 17 December 2013

Christmas Bauble themed motif cross stitch designs

Christmas Bauble themed motif cross stitch designs



This is a collection of christmassy decorated bauble designs. These can be used for small and easy card designs or for Christmas decorations for your tree.
If you stitch these designs try making them on plastic canvas or backing them with a matching piece of coloured felt and ribbon to hang them on the tree. Or as a funky twist to the classic Christmas card make them as a decoration and hang them on the card so your lucky friend or family member can have a card and a decoration all in one.

If you don't have much time (sewing Christmas cards until the last posting date are you?) why not take just the small motifs inside each bauble for each card. When coupled with a simple Christmassy stamp, sticker, glitter or cut card shape it can make a very quick cross stitched card.
I definitely want to stitch the present and the candy cane on my cards since I am also running out of time. :)

For more Christmas cross stitch designs here are some links:
Christmas stocking maze
Gingerbread people
Colourful Christmas Crackers
Christmas bauble maze
Cute advent calendar motifs
Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse - card and bookmark design.
Pengiun in a Christmas hat
Making friends - Santas Elf making a snowman
Fur topped stocking Christmas card design.
Sprouts! Just say no! Christmas cross stitch design for sprout haters!
Wavy Christmas tree - Simple Christmas card cross stitch design
Christmas Angel playing a trumpet cross stitch design
Simple cross stitched Christmas gift tag designs

Alphabets

Blue and green alphabet sampler
Fancy alphabet cross stitch design
Big bold cross stitch alphabet
Easter egg alphabet
Meme caption alphabet
Big backstitch alphabet
Retro styled half and half alphabet

Other patterns
Geometric black and purple cross stitch design
Rainbow coloured Geometric pattern
Pretty circle of Butterflies and Flowers

Motif collections
Valentines motif collection
Daffodil Spring/ Easter card designs
Cinema themed motif collection
Cute Easter cards with bunnies
Tattoo style dragons

For the Buzy Bobbins Index page Click here.

Thursday 12 December 2013

Where are the thread numbers?

Hi all. Just a little post.

I had a few of my friends mention that it would be very useful to put some thread numbers on my designs. This is a great idea so I will be working back through my posts to add thread numbers when I can.

The reason I didn't put thread numbers on before is that tyhe program I use to draw is very very old and the thread numbers are out of date. Some of my friends got very confused when I accidentally gave them very incorrect thread numbers. But I have been given a very nice thread colour chart which should help estimate some numbers.

Anyway happy stitching to you all. I'll update items on the blog as and when I can. (I have over 150 posts it may take a little while)

Edit: Turns out the Anchor thread numbers are actually in date so this should make it lots easier to add more thread numbers.

Gingerbread people cross stitch designs

Gingerbread people cross stitch designs

Here are some designs of Gingerbread people for my cross stitching friends.
These may make great Christmas Cards or even when stitched on plastic canvas something a little different to hang as a Christmas tree decoration.

Each one of these Gingerbread characters is using (almost) the same outline, on the bear I just added a little pair of ears on top. So why not use this plain outline and design your very own Gingerbread character, a fun game can be to allow your children to decoate their own real life cookies then transpher the sketch to your very personal christmas decorations.

Happy designing and happy stitching. I can't believe this is my first almost Christmassy type post. I had better get started on my cards for my family. Is anyone prepared for Christmas yet? I'll be stitching until Midnight on Christmas eve I just know it.

For more Christmas themed designs here are some links:
Christmas stocking maze
Christmas bauble collection
Colourful Christmas Crackers
Christmas bauble maze
Cute advent calendar motifs
Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse - card and bookmark design.
Pengiun in a Christmas hat
Making friends - Santas Elf making a snowman
Fur topped stocking Christmas card design.
Sprouts! Just say no! Christmas cross stitch design for sprout haters!
Wavy Christmas tree - Simple Christmas card cross stitch design
Christmas Angel playing a trumpet cross stitch design
Simple cross stitched Christmas gift tag designs

For more cards and Motifs here are some links
Valentines motif collection
Daffodil Spring/ Easter card designs
Cinema themed motif collection
Cute Easter cards with bunnies
Tattoo style dragons

Why not check out these Alphabet links too if you want to use these designs as part of a card or larger decoration.
Blue and green alphabet sampler
Fancy alphabet cross stitch design
Big bold cross stitch alphabet
Easter egg alphabet
Meme caption alphabet
Big backstitch alphabet
Retro styled half and half alphabet

For the Buzy Bobbins Index page Click here.

Saturday 7 December 2013

Princess Bubblegum at 13 years old - Adventure Time cross stitch design

Princess Bubblegum at 13 years old - Adventure Time cross stitch design




Colour Used in these areas: DMC Number Anchor Number
Black Outlines 310 403
Light Pink Skin tone, swirls and dots on dress 818 48
Pink Hair 604 55
Dark Pink Dress 956 54
Purple Ribbons on dress 917 88
Light blue Gem on crown 3756 1037
Yellow Crown 973 297

This design was drawn originally with Anchor colours in my cross stitch design program. Use Anchor threads to get the closest match to the picture. I used a conversion chart to get the DMC numbers.

Please let me know if any colours are off and I will amend them in the chart.

As many fans of Adventure Time will know Princess Bubblegum is not 13 for a long time in the series. In fact she appears to be 18/19 before and after the unfortuate accident (in the episode 'Mortal Recoil') which made her loose a portion of her gum and need to be returned to a younger age with what was left.
*spoiler alert*
However it is heavily implied that Princess Bubblegum is actually far far older than she looks for example in 'The Vault' Princess bubblegum is seen to be an adult while Finn is experiencing a flashback of one of his past lives meaning she was an adult before Finn was even born. Also its not confirmed but I heartily expect that the pink goo seen at the very end of the episode 'Simon and Marcy' set almost 1000 years ago may have been the beginnings of Princess Bubblegum or another candy person. Particularly as the creatures that Simon fights off look remarkably like the zombie candy people and could have been a very early stage of their development before they became nice.

But anyhow I don't think I need any more of a reason to try and cross stitch Princess Bubblegum at all. I think my next picture of her will have to be when she is at her normal 19 years old.

Adventure Time Cross stitch designs
Adventure time with Finn and Jake - Fist bump
Beemo dancing
Adventure time with Fionna and Cake
Marceline the Vampire Queen playing Bass
Finn and Lady Rainicorn
Flame Princess (cute)
Lumpy Space Princess

This is a fan art picture. Adventure time and all characters belong to Frederator Studios and Cartoon Network Studios.

For the Buzy Bobbins Index page Click here.

Sunday 1 December 2013

Plum from Bravest Warriors cross stitch design

Plum from Bravest Warriors cross stitch design



Colour
Used in these areas:
DMC Number
Anchor Number
Black
Outlines
310
403
White
Eyes
5200
1
Blue
Skin tone
3072
847
Dark blue
Shading on skin
932
1033
Light Purple
Front of hair, top of skirt, cheeks and T-shirt
3688
66
Purple
Bottom of skirt
3687
970
Dark Purple
Back section of hair
550
101

This design was drawn originally with Anchor colours in my cross stitch design program. Use Anchor threads to get the closest match to the picture. I used a conversion chart to get the DMC numbers.

Please let me know if any colours are off and I will amend them in the chart.   

This is Plum from the Bravest Warriors. Plum is not a regular character at all and so far I have only seen her in one episode but I liked the way she looked so had to draw a picture of her to go with my doodle of Beth.
I should really get around to drawing the other characters from the show but hey I started with the ladies as usual.

Bravest Warriors is designed by Pendleton Ward who is the person who also designed Adventure time. So thats why there is a very noticable similarity between the two shows. However Bravest warriors is more grown up having slightly more adult humor and themes which may not be covered in Adventure time.

Bravest Warriors can be found on the Cartoon Hangover channel on Youtube.com

Bravest warriors is produced by Frederator Studios and Cartoon Hangover. This is fan art and I claim no rights to the characters.

Links to more Bravest Warriors designs will be posted here as I draw them.

For the Buzy Bobbins Index page Click here.