Subversive Cross Stitch review and giveaway!

If you agree, even a bit with the statement above, have I got a book for you!  I was super-pleased to receive a review copy of Subversive Cross Stitch: 50 F*cking Clever Designs for Your Sassy Side by Julie Jackson, the mastermind behind subversivecrossstitch.com. This book certainly contains some colorful language, so if that at all offends you, you should skip this one. But if you like to let some choice words fly, this book is for you. :)

Subversive Cross Stitch is one of those sites that requires no introduction - if you have a dry wit and an itch to cross stitch, you have probably found Julie's site already. This little book packs in an amazing 50 individual cross stitch patterns, including 17 brand new to the world designs.

Let's take a tour of the opening pages and peek at a few of my personal favorites, shall we?

I tried to keep this tour as safe-for-work as possible, but the Table of Contents has the full skinny on the patterns. For example, if words of the "f" persuasion are your adjective of choice - you are in luck, as I counted no less than 12 patterns which feature it. :)

I really love the helpful guide to Aida count and finished project size above - when I was a beginner, it was a tough detail for me to grasp.

And now, a quick peek at a few patterns I love:

Would it be too weird to have this in a baby's room? I'd do it. :)

Perfect for going-away parties. :)

To make the pattern pages more hilarious, don't miss the little quips under each stitched example - they're pretty awesome, too. It's really nice to see each pattern stitched up and beautifully framed, and there's a full DMC color list for each pattern.

This is a great book for any stitcher who loves colorful language and a well-placed sarcastic quip. The patterns are quick and straightforward enough to be perfect for someone who is new to cross stitch. There are also 4 simple alphabets at the back so you can further personalize your projects. Need I say? I love this book!

Giveaway time! This giveaway is US only - to win - please leave a comment on this post by 9 PM US CST, March 1. Let's keep it safe for work, but please tell us the letter your favorite curse word starts with. For instance, mine is, cough, "f." :)

Edit: Mar. 2, 2015 - We have our random winner - Laura likes a word that begins with A and will be receiving a free copy of Subversive Cross Stitch! Thanks, all!

Studio MME West Coast Love Book Review

I am lucky enough to review the latest e-book from Studio MME, West Coast Love. I have always been a huge fan of her patterns and her new e-book does not disappoint. Living in the Pacific Northwest this book has special meaning to me. The above pattern is one of the bridges from my hometown of Portland. From California and up the coast to Washington, Studio MME covers every monument that is important to us west coasters. Even though the book focuses on the west coast, you don't have to be from that area to enjoy it. The book, which can be purchased from her website, Studio MME, is filled with landmarks that everyone will recognize and a few that might surprise you. It is the perfect mix of history, geography and embroidery. 

One thing that I loved about the patterns in this book is that I was able to choose what format I wanted them in. I could print it out to trace, print it out to transfer and print out the color version for help with picking the best floss. She also offers a quick stitching lesson and how to finish your amazing project. This book is well worth the cash! 

Because Studio MME is so dang awesome (and she is-seriously, super duper nice and sweet!)she is offering a little sample from her book. This Steller's Jay is a perfect example of what you will find in her e-book. Fly over to her website and pick up your copy of West Coast Love. You can thank me later. 

*Thanks Megan for giving me a chance to review this e-book, it was amazing and so are you! 

Patterns: The Owl and the Pussycat

The Owl and the Pussycat hand sewing patterns by Tina D

Aww these are cute! I can't resist anything Owl and the Pussycat related! These cuties are from Little Hibou Shoppe, definitely check out the rest of the shop to, I particularly like how embroidery adds accents to the designs.

Blog overhaul FYI

Hello everybody, floresita here with an FYI that we will be doing a full blog overhaul today. I'll be mucking around with the template all day, so if things look different every time you click through, no worries, you're not going crazy!

All to say we'll have a nice new design soon, thanks to a shiny new template by Rylee Blake Design.

While I'm working, can you do me a favor and leave a comment on this post? We've had a few people have difficulty making comments in the past, and we want to be sure you can on our new template!

How about this? Tonight, I'll choose 1 random winner to celebrate our new template - and you'll receive the crafty book of your choice! Choose any book you like that is available on Amazon! Leave us a comment with the title of the crafty book you really really really want today, and thanks! :)

Edit: Sunday morning - winner time!

Natalie • 12 hours ago

I would really really really love a copy of Simply Retro by Camille Roskelley (it's been on my wishlist for a while!). Best of luck with the new blog design - looking forward to seeing the new look! Natalie x

We also have a winner in our Felt Wee Folk drawing, which ended on Friday:

littlepiglet46 . • 8 days ago
I have read her first book and would love to create these new characters, I love how all the tiny details come together to create a unique little person.

Thanks to all who entered!!!

Stitch Love preview!

Hi all! Recently the lovely Mollie Johanson of Wild Olive was kind enough to send me a copy of her new book Stitch Love: Sweet Creatures Big and Small.

It is pure adorable-ness.

Have a cup of coffee, tea, or the brew of your choice and take a quick peek at it with me this morning! :)

Even the dedication is wonderful.

How gorgeous is this butterfly project? You'll see beautiful photography like this throughout!

I haven't said eep! lately - but this pup is eep-worthy. :)

Furoshiki cloth? I don't know what that is. But I want to make one!

Possum, you are so much cuter than the critters that steal my cat's food.

Hello Yeti, I love you.

There are pages and pages of critters beautifully stitched by Mollie on linen - it's such a perfect way to get inspired!

Aww, shucks, thanks for the shout-out, Mollie!

In short, if you love cute, small projects that are quick to stitch, you'll be happy to have this little gem in your library. Thanks again Mollie, for the preview of Stitch Love: Sweet Creatures Big and Small and thanks all, for joining me! :)

Call for Volunteers!

Feeling Stitchy is an all-volunteer blog, and it’s time for a call for bloggers! We’re looking for some new ideas for the new year, and here are just a few of the possibilities that come to mind:

Do you love to craft and write reviews? Would you like to write reviews on your own favorite books and tools for our blog?

Do you love to create tutorials? Do you enjoy putting together roundup posts of craft-related content from the web?

Do you love Instagram? Would you like to represent us on Instagram and feature great photos from there?

Or, do you have a fabulous idea for a weekly, bi-weekly, monthly post, or series that will knock our socks off?

If you love our blog already, that’s extra points. We’re looking for the kind of posts you see here - nice, in-depth reviews, features, and tutorials by crafters, for crafters.

We’re a volunteer blog, so aside from occasional free books and patterns, you will not be paid, but if you love to craft, take photos, and blog, it will be a fun experience!

Please reply with ideas on what you’d like to post, your blog address and/or samples of your crafting, photography, and writing.

We have a limited number of slots available. I apologize in advance as I may not be able to reply to every inquiry, but please do try, we’d love to hear from you!

Please email me, floresita at: unafloresita@gmail.com Thanks all! :)

Minted: Gorgeous Paper Invitations

First of all, no jumping up and down - no one at Feeling Stitchy is getting married... yet. :) But I was contacted recently by the nice peeps at Minted to have a look at their Wedding offerings. Feeling Stitchy? Weddings? The two didn't seem to go together, until I saw their beautiful designs...

Is it just me, or wouldn't these invites look amazing with just the slightest thread embellishments, on maybe your most special invites?

How about going over a few lines in delicate white thread, or adding a french knot here or there, to give a tiny bit of added texture to an already lovely design...

I can definitely picture delicate knots and thin hash lines looking beautiful in white thread on these flowers:

And, how adorable would some thin black thread embellishment look here? :)

Embroidered embellishments aside, the Minted online editor is very easy to use, and you can mix and match fonts, font sizes, and nudge elements around.

Their bold, graphic designs give a custom-designed feel, and as a DIY-er I love being able to preview the finished design:

I'm a straight-up paper snob, so I'm thoroughly impressed by their explanation of paper weights and texture options. I also love all the different edge options and the simple square card options:

Minted also has some mouthwatering letterpress designs like this one - and again, being a paper snob, I am smitten by the lovely vintage look of them:

In short, I'm quite impressed by the gorgeous, graphic feel of Minted invites! And I was also impressed by the pages and pages of positive reviews they have on numerous sites, which was the main reason I chose to recommend them here.

Thank you to the nice folks at Minted for some lovely inspiration today!

~ This is a sponsored post, but the ideas and opinions I expressed here are completely my own. ~

Patterns: Miniature Needlepoint Rugs for Dolls Houses

Tiger skin rug - stitched by Karin Riper

Mongolian rug carpet cross stitch - stitched by Karin Riper

Karin has posted a number of interesting miniature dolls house rugs in the Embroidery Flickr pool and I was curious to find out more about the book the patterns came from - Miniature Needlepoint Rugs for Dolls Houses by Susan McBaine. As you can see from the cover it's an old book but it has been reprinted and is still available on Amazon and presumably elsewhere. I haven't seen a copy of the book myself but looking at the reviews I don't quite think it's a book for beginners, despite the use of the word 'easy' on the front cover. It looks tempting though, specially if you're a dolls house collector or knows someone who is and could do with a rug or two ....

Thank you Karin for posting such interesting pieces in the Flickr pool!

Felt Wee Folk - Review and Giveaway!

CT Pubishing | Amazon

I have the honor today to review the fabulous new book by Salley Mavor - Felt Wee Folk: New Adventures! I received a PDF copy of the book to review for the blog, and I couldn't be any more pleased to do so! I recommend a visit to Salley's blog to have a look at her amazing creations.

If you were already a fan of Salley’s previous book Felt Wee Folk: Enchanting Projects, you will recognize some of the previous characters. Many more doll patterns have been added in this book as well as additional step-by-step guidance.

This is a fabulous book! The detailed photos are helpful and clear. Her clothing and doll patterns have a charmingly hand-drawn quality. I highly suggest using wool felt, just as Salley does - it makes a world of difference when it comes to cutting fine shapes and tiny decorative edges. Sharp scissors are also a must.

More about the book - there are SO MANY patterns and ideas in this book - at 159 pages, there are 18 chapters of dolls and photos. Each chapter has a different doll theme - Blossom Fairies, a Dollhouse Family, Harvest Folk, Driftwood Clan, Woodland Folk, Royal Family, Nativity Scene, Winter Play, Hansel and Gretel, Sherwood Forest, Mary Had a Little Lamb, Nursery Rhymes, and Wedding Cake Toppers.

The wedding cake toppers are genius and sweet - how adorable would it be to create felt versions of a couple for their wedding cake or engagement party?

There are many sizes of dolls to make: 1 1/2 in., 2 in., 2 1/2 in., 3 in., 3 1/2 in., 4 in., 4 1/2 in. and "sturdy" versions of doll bodies that will take more bending and posing. There are also simpler projects for children, like a simple flower fairy and simple Wee Folk boy and girl doll - and these could be a great way to get started. Lastly, there's an adorable lamb pattern bedecked with oodles of French knots for the nursery rhyme scenes.

My personal favorites, and the patterns I chose to craft from were the Blossom Fairies, Harvest Folk, Woodland Folk, and Sherwood Forest:

  

Now, on to my crafting! I'd like to add the disclaimer that I am not excellent at any of the skills it takes to create the dolls - your real judgement of the book should come from the beautiful photos from the book above, and Salley's blog! :)

The most time-consuming part, and the one I initially enjoyed least, was bending and winding thread around the pipe cleaner bodies. But once I was on my third or fourth Wee Folk body, it made a bit more sense to me.

These projects involve a lot of different skills, but I think you can approach them from any level. Painting heads and faces, cutting felt, embroidering outfits, sewing, bending pipe cleaners, gluing on hair, etc.

I worked on the larger 4 in. size dolls - but even they were TINY. Such tiny projects require lots of patience and attention to detail. You will likely be frustrated in your first attempts, so I’d suggest planning to make a few Wee Folk rather than just one. Don't be surprised if the dolls take hours to make - my first doll took a good 6 hours to put together, and I worked together with my sister!

In terms of embroidery stitches, I used a variety of stitches and threads, but I most enjoyed the look of couched threads, crewel wool, a dash of metallic floss, and golden seed beads.

I tried the projects for kids - like the little acorn fairy below, with my 10 year old niece and had a lot of fun with it. The dolls were much smaller, but not having to wind thread around the bodies made it go faster, and not embroidering the outfits also made for more speed.

If you don’t have access to unfinished wooden beads for heads, but do have access to a tree with acorns, you could try what I did - use the entire acorn as a Wee Folk head! I can't take credit for this idea - it was my mom's stroke of genius while she was collecting acorn caps. :)

I washed and dried the acorns (freeze to kill critters - oops I left out that step) then hollowed out the bottoms with sharp scissors to make a hole for the pipe cleaner.

Then I painted the acorns with acrylic paints and decorated. The paint did not adhere quite as well to the acorns, and flaked off in tiny bits, so I'd suggest a second coat on yours.

I actually like the acorn heads a bit better - they look more organic and true to life as very few humans have perfectly round heads. You get a larger variety of face and head shapes, and best yet, for absolutely free! :)

I really had a lot of fun creating these tiny dolls, and as you can see, I could continue making them forever...

If you enjoy tiny, detailed projects that allow for lots of creativity and personal handiwork, I cannot recommend this book enough!

Giveaway time: The publisher has generously offered us 1 free copy of Felt Wee Folk: New Adventures to give away today! This giveaway is open to all of our readers, with 1 stipulation - U.S. winners will receive a print copy of the book, international readers will receive a PDF copy, as we did for this review.

To win, please leave a comment on this post by 5 PM US CST, Feb. 20, 2015. Tell us what your favorite part of making these dolls would be - embroidering the outfits, painting the faces, creating funky hairstyles, etc. I'll choose 1 random comment and announce the winner soon after!