My 'Cross Stitch Sampler Book' now on sale on my website

I'm now selling copies of my latest book the 'Cross Stitch Sampler Book' on my website, which is www.susanbates.co.uk

The book is available from the shop section of my website for £9.99 (plus postage).

The book features 15 different sampler designs on many different themes - take a look at my website for more details!

Crafty Buttons

I found this pattern on the internet a while ago for some cross stitch badges/ buttons - I can't remember where I found it, so I'm sorry that I can't credit you if they're your designs ;-(

They look like those Love Hearts sweets and are cute, in a kitschy kind of way!

Chart and threads etc..

I chose the 'Text Me' design but I changed the colours to my own colour sheme. I used DMC Stranded Cotton and stitched it onto 14 count white aida.

Once it was finished I used one of those metal buttons that you can cover to make it into a nice fabric button.

Ta da.... finished button below!

This is it on my bag. I actually gave it to my boyfriend as a present - he really liked it - I thought he might say it was too soppy, hahha! You can make it into a badge by just attaching it with a safety pin if you don't want it as a button :-)

Spring Flower Cards - Irises

A quick post - here's a pic of some cross stitch cards that I designed. They were featured in issue 89 of 'Cross Stitch Card Shop' magazine:

Close ups and below them the double paged spread of all six designs

My new 'Sampler Book'

I've got a new book coming out in a few weeks time - it's called a 'Cross Stitch Sampler Book'. It features 15 different designs which can be stitched as a whole sampler design, or you can pick out small motifs to stitch.

Front cover

Back cover

I've been working on this book for some time now, so it's great to see it finally finished and on sale soon!

New Facebook page..

Well I've finally got around to setting up a Facebook page about my embroidery designs... after much procrastination and faffing about! To have a look click on the link below:

http://www.facebook.com/susanbatesembroidery

Here's a screenshot of  some of the things that have featured on my page:

 

Designs for a new book...

I've been working on a new book which will contain 15 different cross-stitch sampler designs.
The motifs can be stitched as individual motifs, or you can stitch the whole design.

Here's one of the sets of designs from thebook, featuring flowers, birds, blossoms, treehouses and nests..

 

The book includes many different motifs and themes. It'll be on sale soon, hopefully!

Pacman cuteness!

 I found this chart on the internet for a Pacman design, helpfully already charted up! So I decided to stitch it up as a cross stitch design and make it into a little purse or maybe a make-up bag..

 It's stitched using 2 strands of stranded cotton on 14 count aida fabric.

This is how it looked stitched up and made into a little purse, cute! :-)

After I made this purse I made up my own design using the same motifs but adding in the 'game over' lettering and some scores. Below is the design stitched up. It's a tapestry made using wool, (Anchor wool I think), and stitched on 10 count tapestry canvas.

It looks wonky as that's what happens when you stitch it up. I'll block it to make it go back to it's proper rectangular shape. Then I'm going to make it into a pencil case, as it's larger than the previous purse.

I might get around to making a cushion design too eventually....something like this!