Cross Stitch Magazines

I have attempted, too many times, to stick to my resolution of not making any purchase of any craft magazines/books until I have finished a project, but I usually caved in within only 2 months. That’s the longest that I can stand without purchasing a craft magazine from my favourite Malaysian bookstores (Popular/Harris Bookstore & The Times Bookstore), especially cross stitch magazines such as Cross Stitch Crazy, Cross Stitcher, The World of Cross Stitching or the Card Shop.

Once, due to extreme hunger for cross stitch magazines, which I denied myself for 4 months, I ended up having 4 used cross stitch magazines and 2 new ones in a month! I have learned my lesson. No more ‘dieting’. The costs of this diet is really terrible.  After months of ‘fasting’ (so to speak) from buying cross stitch magazines, I binged.  I must admit, I am a hoarder.

From then on, there are no more pretenses.  I buy at least one cross stitch magazine per month. Being a Malaysian cross stitcher based in Kota Kinabalu, the choice of cross stitch magazines available is rather sparse actually. Nevertheless, I have collected quite a few throughout the years. Have a look at my current collection which I keep with their original plastic cover, to keep them from getting too dusty.

My Stack of Cross Stitch Magazines

Now, when am I going to find the time to stitch any of the patterns?  That’s why I made ‘My Cross Stitching Activity Plans 2013‘, to ensure that the magazines are not bought in vain.  So far, Binky & Chick is almost in the final stages.  Couldn’t complete it during the weekend – there goes my schedule! Busted!  I should have used a light blue fabric, it was difficult to stitch the ‘Blanc’ floss in the evening.  And there are so many fractional stitches….. (excuses, excuses, blah, blah …..)  Now I am doing the backstiches though Chick’s beak and Binky’s ears aren’t done yet.

Binky & Chick from The World of Cross Stitching Issue 186

See my floss organizer?  That’s a used Raya  ‘ang pow’ packet. Yup, I do recycle the Raya and Chinese New Year ‘ang pow‘ packets.  Raya packets are money given by Muslims celebrating Aidilfitri to children during the Aidilfitri celebration.  It’s a custom adapted from the Chinese tradition of handing out ang pows to children during the Chinese New Year. We call it Hari Raya Aidilfitri, hence the nickname, Raya.

I just punched the holes, write down the floss numbers and placed the floss accordingly.  Better still, I would also write down the Title of the Chart and also the source. The felt under the Raya packet is a leftover felt.  I use the felt to catch the leftover floss. I usually don’t throw away tiny leftover felts and yarn/thread/floss – I reuse them as stuffing for pincushion, etc.

Hope to finish Binky & Chick this week…

- Precious Crafts