WIPocalypse May (just!)

I know it's a tiny bit late but here's my WIPocalypse update for May!

Let's start with QS Clara!  I've done pretty well, I've now completed the black outline and have started on the colouring in.

April

May

May

I had to start with her face, those eyes are lovely!

Next is QS Mystic Garden.  I've not made much headway from last time, but there was some progress.

April

May

It's slow but steady, but I'm enjoying it and will be picking it up again tomorrow as the next page is due out!

My last update is on Pyramid 4.  Again, not masses of progress, but definite steps in the right direction!

April

May

I was thinking of stitching the brown border of the pyramid first then doing the detail in the middle, however, stitching brown is very dull!  Next time it comes around, I may well be abandoning that idea!

It's been all HAED stitching so far this month, although I have spent the last few days stitching a Hello Kitty quilt square for charity!

I'm looking forward to catching up on everyone's blog in the next couple of days and I'll try to comment on as many as possible!

Yiota's Xstitch review

I know it's IHSW this weekend I'll be posting an update about that tomorrow, however I thought I'd share with you a bit of information about a new company that I've come across - Yiota's Xstitch (www.yiotas-xstitch.com).  This isn't a company that I'd heard of until recently so thought I'd share my thoughts with you as I know there is always some trepidation about trying a new company.

The website is lovely and colourful, easy to navigate to find something specific or just to browse through, with a varied selection of kits and charts in modern and traditional styles.

As I'm a fan of fantasy, I chose this design based on the artwork of Erin Ewer: 

The kit arrived within a few days in a small package that easily fit through the door but was well protected. 

Provided in the kit was 16ct white Aida (you could choose from 14ct/16ct/28ct fabric), needle, chart, instructions and all the thread needed to complete the project.

The thread used in these kits is Madeira, whilst not as widely used as DMC, it is a very high quality thread (not like the awful stuff you get in the free cover kits from magazines) and has more of a shine than Anchor and a similar to feel to DMC.  It comes already wound onto bobbins for ease of use, clearly marked.

The chart itself is in black and white and comes on A3 sheets, using large, very clear and easy to read symbols.

As some of you regularly stitch HAED designs, I would say that a number of these charts and kits just won't have the level of detail you would be used to seeing so may not appeal to you.  As it doesn't have any backstitch and uses just whole stitches, there's no reason someone who knows the basics couldn't jump straight in, however, the size of this kit might be a little intimidating for a beginner.  I do think it would make a great project for those who have completed a few small designs and are looking for something a little more challenging. 

Personally, I thought it was one of the best kits I've come across for a very reasonable price!  I hope that this has been useful for you and it's definitely worth having a look!

Honeymoon trip

It's been a month since my last post but I do have a good reason...we finally went on our honeymoon!  Although we got married last September, we had to wait until April for our trip to the Red Sea, visiting Jordan and Egypt.  As this blog is primarily about stitching, I don't want to bore you with too much detail and a ton of photo's but I will share a few!

Visiting Petra was one of the highlights of the trip and the first glimpse of the Treasury is something I will never forget!

The trip to Cairo was amazing and the Cairo Museum of Antiquities was amazing, I could have spent weeks in there as there was just so much to see.  Sadly you aren't allowed to take photographs in there as the lighting is very carefully controlled but seeing Tutankhamun's death mask took my breath away.

Photo taken from The Times website

Seeing how well preserved some of the mummified bodies were gave a very strange feeling that's not easily described, I guess kind of in awe and a deep sense of respect towards them.

The Pyramids and the Sphinx were stunning, although the experience wasn't as pleasant as it should have been due to the very aggressive nature (and number) of sellers and locals wanting money from you. I have to admit I wasn't prepared for it, also the fact that directly opposite the Sphinx there was a Pizza Hut also meant that these monuments didn't have quite the "awe factor" that Petra did!  However, they are the last remaining of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and I feel very fortunate that I have been able to see them in person!

I'm only going to post 1 picture of stitching, which was taken while I was away and is of Pyramid 4 (HAED) - Marchetti at the Pyramids!

I know I missed the WIPocalypse for April but I'll pick up again at the next one as there hasn't been a massive amount of stitching progress this month.

If any of you would like to see more photo's then feel free to contact me :)