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Editor's Letter
Welcome hilst I love Christmas (and of course, Christmas stitching!) I find it hard not to get carried away at this time of year. I’m my own worst enemy for getting tempted by too many adorable projects, when all my stitching time’s already carefully allocated out. I always try to factor time in to my planner to accomodate a ‘must-make’ project, spotted at short notice. (Like this stunning festive wreath adorning our cover! See page 10… Or the cute Furry Tales on page 18.) I’m such a sucker for, “Oh, I’ll just try and squeeze this one in!”. You can’t blame me with so many gorgeous ideas still here… I promise to try and stay on track with my festive stitching plans though, then I’m looking forward to a few non-Christmassy ideas in front of the holiday TV. A classy cushion (p86) as a fab new home gift come the New Year and the superglam Snow Queen (p56) by Shannon Wasilieff. What a stunner! Until next time,
Pick of the month
W
63
10 86
18 Editor The World of Cross Stitching
PS I can’t wait to introduce you… As we’ve waved byebye to team member Rachel, do join me in welcoming a new stitching pal, Leela. Meet her on page 14!
MUCH MORE THAN A MAGAZINE…
Meet �ome � our designers...
EMMA CONDGON Sing along with Emma’s newest project – it’s a classic song we’re sure you won’t be able to get out of your head!! Turn to page 63 for her fun Santa’s sack idea.
KEVIN SHEPHERD Say hi to Kevin, who’s created the beautiful Christmas wreath for us this month. His stylish illustration works so well in cross stitch so start today, on page 10!
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GAIL BUSSI Always with a flair for delicate designs, often with pretty country charm, Gail’s showcasing a sweet Christmas cottage (p78) – you’ll just love it!
APPS TO GO! Here at The World of Cross Stitching we’re proud to be online! Download our apps at the Apple newsstand, Google play, Zinio and on Amazon for Kindle Fire Join in daily chat on our Facebook group – go to www.facebook.com/ TheWorldofCrossStitching and click ‘like’ today! On Twitter? To catch all of our behind-the-scenes info, follow @WOXScrossstitch
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The World of Cross Stitching 3
In Your Issue
Contents YOUR FREE GIFT!
We bring you all the best projects, advice, news and offers for the month ahead!
Turn to page 9
Fall in love with Ralph Robin in your adorable Christmas Stitch Kit!
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4 The World of Cross Stitching
P�ojects 10 Holly jolly holidays Decorate with a beautiful wreath 18 Santa’s on his way! You’ll adore this Furry Tales family 27 Seasonal sweeties Get personal with a tasty ABC 40 Winter is coming! Show off this contemporary sampler 47 Design Library: Quick Makes Stitch up last-minute Xmas motifs! 56 A frosty fairytale Meet the stunning Snow Queen 63 Christmas sing a-long Get creative with Santa’s sack 70 Winter wonderland Make pretty all-occasion cards 78 Say it with stitches Share your love for the season 86 Arts and Crafts Create a monochrome cushion 92 Pet of the month Stitch a cute old English sheepdog
40
STITCH ALL THE BEST PARTS OF WINTER!
The World of Cross Stitching (ISSN 14601970) (USPS 015-630) is published 13 times a year (monthly, with a Christmas issue in November) by Immediate Media Bristol LTD, 2nd Floor, Tower House, Fairfax Street, Bristol BS1 3BN, UK. Distributed in the US by Circulation Specialists, LLC, 2 Corporate Drive, Suite 945, Shelton, CT 06484. Periodicals postage paid at Shelton, CT and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to The World of Cross Stitching, PO Box 37495, Boone, IA 50037-0495
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In Your Issue
97
NEW DESIGNS
56 27
CREATE PERSONALISED CANDY CANE IDEAS
Fun & advice 47 6 14 24 30 31 38
78
GET IN THE SPIRIT WITH A TRADITIONAL SAMPLER
67 75 82 84 90 94 96 98
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Meet our guests Say hello to this month’s panel Your letters Stitchy gossip & photos from you Best buys The latest products, kits & offers A very royal WIP Meet Diana & her 63-year WIP Ask the experts Our pros solve your queries Online news Click for the latest from the web Back issues Missed a copy? Order it today! Out & about Stitching events, charities & causes Crossword Win exclusive Furry Tales prizes British Craft Awards 2017 Vote for your cross stitch faves! Stockists Suppliers of everything in the mag Next month Sneak a look inside issue 250 How to stitch Beginners start here Ruth’s stitching world Catch up with our editor!
BRING THE GORGEOUS SNOW QUEEN HOME DESIGN LIBRARY: LAST-MINUTE MAKES
Win! See page 83 to enter & be lucky
OVER , OF PRIZES WILL BE WON!
The World of Cross Stitching 5
Be on the panel!
Reader Panel
Meet our guests
Get a sneak preview Appear in the magazine Receive a stitchy gift
Get to know this month’s reader panel, and look out for their favourite projects throughout the issue
Lindsey Huxley
Sammie Warwick
is a stock controller from Little Sutton Who’s your favourite designer? Painter, Thomas Kinkade. I’ve just completed his Sleeping Beauty piece. He really knows how to bring it to life. What’s your fave design? In issue 242, 'Follow Your Dreams' by Emma Congdon. It has a great message that means a lot. It is definitely on my to-stitch list. Three words that describe you? I’d say that I’m chatty, loyal, witty. If you could stitch with a celebrity, who’d it be? I’ve often thought Bradley Cooper would be a good stitcher! He’s been in some of my favourite movies. We would stitch and natter for hours on end.
is a RV park manager from Alabama, USA What has been your favourite recent design? I loved the birdhouses in issue 245. They are so bright and cheerful. How’d you start stitching? When I was 19, a work colleague was cross stitching in our company break room. I asked her what she was doing and she taught me how to cross stitch. I fell in love immediately and haven’t stopped stitching for the last 38 years! What is your idea of cross stitch heaven? Having my threads and fabric all organised and all the time in the world to sit back and stitch away.
“Cross stitching has helped me beyond words”
“I love to watch stitches become the finished product!”
We need you! To be on the panel, email readerpanel@cross-stitching. com – tell us your name, where you’re from and include a good-quality photo of yourself. Every panellist gets a preview of the magazine and a gift worth at least £30!
6 The World of Cross Stitching
Fern Blundell is a student from Luncarty, Perthshire What are you stitching? The DMC ‘Fabulous Forest’ friends from issue 243. I love working on it. What’s your stitching disaster? Once I was stitching in a skirt and I attached the ENTIRE cross stitch pattern to my skirt and had to unpick all of my handiwork! Who are your stitching pals? I sometimes stitch with my grandma who has a massive stash of threads and patterns. What’s been your proudest stitching moment? Probably when I completed my first cross stitch design when I was about nine-years-old. I was so happy with the result and proud of myself!
“Stitching is a great way to unwind after a busy day” Gift worth £30!
THANKS! This month’s panel members each get a bundle of Madeira goodies worth £30. It includes 25 thread packs plus a box of accessories filled with gold-plated needles, scissors and more!
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Free This Month
Your FREE gift!
How can you resist, adorable Ralph Robin out in the snow? Stitch and send one of your own today!
Inside your kit... To help sort your threads, here are the colours and number of lengths: White x2 Lilac x1 Dark red x1 Coral x1 Light coral x1 Grey x2 Red x1 Light sand x1 Green x1 Sand x1 Cream x1 Light grey x2 Brown x2 Emerald x1 Dark grey x2 Total: 20 lengths
Ralph Robin key Cross stitch in two strands Z white lilac dark red coral light coral grey red v light sand [ green sand n ; cream 3 light grey brown H C emerald Backstitch in one strand ––––– dark red ––––– dark grey French knots in two strands O dark grey s T q t j c
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STITCH COUNT 25 high x 30 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 4.5x5.5cm (1 x2in) This design was stitched using stranded cotton from your coverkit
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The World of Cross Stitching 9
Project Holiday Wreath
DESIGN BY KEVIN SHEPHERD
Holly jolly holidays Bring the outdoors in with this beautiful Christmas wreath that’s guaranteed to last for years to come
inding the perfect gift to stitch for a friend or family member can sometimes be tricky, especially when it comes to Christmas. We think we’ve found the solution with this classic wreath design. Its traditional feel is sure to suit any home, while the clever use of a simple yet timeless colour palette adds realistic depth and detail that anyone would be proud to put on show. Using 10 different shades of green, you’ll create layers of texture by stitching a selection of different foliage, intertwining fir tree branches and other seasonal leaves with contrasting blossoms and berries in bright, vibrant reds. Whole cross stitches and
F
Factb�
Add long stitch detail
Stitching Time Approx. 50 hours Type of Stitches Cross stitch, fractionals, half cross stitch, backstitch, long stitch Ease of Stitching Intermediate fractionals create the base of the design, while both backstitch and long stitch outline and define. With half stitches helping to lift the finished piece, this charming project is a joy to work from the first stitch to the last, making it a lovely way to brighten up those long winter evenings.
Meet the designer Kevin Shepherd “Christmas wreaths really celebrate the rich colours you’ll find in this season’s flora. From the dark waxy leaves of the holly bush to the bright red berries and flowers, I love drawing on nature’s inspiration for my illustrations.”
10 The World of Cross Stitching
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Holiday Wreath Project
CLASSIC CHRISTMAS DESIGN
Create an evergreen heirloom to ring in the festive season and add cheer to your holiday décor
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The World of Cross Stitching 11
Project Holiday Wreath 50
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