CrossStitcher

Designed by: Susan Penny Stitch count: 42 high x 42 wide Design size: 8x8cm (3⅛x3⅛in) Stitch time: 9 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Make a… decoration Step 1 TAKE 12.5x12.5cm (5x5in) of white 14 count aida. Complete the stitching for the top of the strawberry hanger following the chart and working in the centre of the aida. Step 2 TURN the sides of the aida over and onto the wrong side of the stitching, leaving two blank squares around the design at the front. Finger press the folds in place. Step 3 TAKE 20x14cm (8x5½in) of red felt. Go to the CrossStitcher Digital Downloads Group on Facebook (bit.ly/3HTh6ZJ) and find the templates for this project in Files. Use the template to cut out the pieces of felt for your decoration – one large backing piece and…

WE HAVEN’T QUITE unpacked everything from our big house move last year, otherwise we would be able to show off our collection of royal mugs and plates, although we have managed to find a few for you to see. We do like a souvenir – it’s lovely to have something to mark an event. Of course, this means we couldn’t leave June’s special event unmarked! We hope you approve of our special portrait of Her Majesty to celebrate an incredible 70 years as our Queen. Maria Diaz was inspired by an early photograph to create our souvenir, with a beautifully ornate frame – platinum-coloured, naturally. A sprinkling of beads makes this a project to indulge in and treasure – take a peek on page 18. Plus, if you are planning some…

Bold, bright & beautiful Give your home a bold makeover, cross stitch style, with one of Anette Eriksson’s contemporary Scandi Bloom designs. Available in 12 different colour combinations, you can easily coordinate it with your home decor. They are quick to stitch up as they are worked in half cross stitch on hessian with a finished size of 43x43cm. Each kit includes threads, needle, chart, easy instructions and tutorials for how to stitch on hessian and details on how to make a cushion cover, if that’s how you’d like to use your design. To find out more, visit www.anetteeriksson.com. CORNISH DELIGHT WHETHER YOU have a trip planned to Cornwall this summer or not, get into the Cornish holiday vibe with this cuteMullion Cove kit from Emma Horan’s Cornwall Collection. This bright and modern…

“We have dedicated Facebook and Instagram accounts – we love the interaction with our customers, it makes us feel like one big family.”“We also have a sweet little kitchen area, where we can make our own lunch and plenty of cups of tea throughout the day.” “Last year we moved from a very cosy, pretty home office which we adored, to a rather larger office site with a warehouse – we had simply outgrown our wooden cabin. Luckily we found offices nearby, with the added bonus of a large warehouse space. We have decorated the office space with lots of lovely clean white furniture, with pink accessories and have displayed lots of our stitched pieces around the space to make it feel more homely and pretty. “We have several different rooms at…

CROWNS LOVE OUR jubilee sampler on page 18? We’ve found more royally crafty ideas that will be the crowning glory of your home! WHO Jan Constantine has created this Platinum Jubilee Crown And Heart Wreath Cushion worked in wool felt which would look great in your craft room! www.janconstantine.com WHAT Stitch up this regal ‘London Crown’ design to fit a 5in hoop. The kit includes an alphabet font so you can personalise it as you wish. www.notonthehighstreet.com/stitchkits HOW Dream of kings, queens and fairy tales with this Little Brier Rose 100% cotton fabric that features beautiful fairies, dragons, crowns, woodlands and florals with Antique Gold Sparkle throughout! www.etsy.com/uk/shop/stitchesngiggles4U…

Hullo! In this series we’ve spoken about slowing down, pausing small moments, and noticing little uplifting things. But let’s look at something big that sits above all of that: perception and choice. Have you noticed that when you’re in a good mood, busy traffic doesn’t annoy you as much or your threads tangling together isn’t quite as frustrating? And it’s the same in reverse – when your mood is less sunny, someone cutting in front of you can become a personal attack and a grumpy greeting from a co-worker gets your back up. This overarching idea of positive perception helps influence us daily. In the same way that we’re told in air safety demonstrations to put our own air mask on before assisting others, to best be able to revel in…