Christmas Countdown #17: What Delilah Did

These Cindermice patterns by Sophie at What Delilah Did are so bright and wonderful. What a cute little gift they would make, or some time well-spent, teaching a beginner how to stitch!

Patterns: What Deliah Did's Cindermice stitch-along!

Sophie from What Delilah Did, in collaboration with Cloud Craft, has created the oh so charming Cindermice Stitch-Along. You can join in by purchasing kits from Cloud Craft (available to pre-order now, the kits start shipping 1st October) or you can buy the pattern only as a downloadable .pdf. You can stitch one, two or all three characters, just in time for Christmas! 

Patterns: some sad news - #VATMESS

Wave Goodbye by Nicole (Follow the White Bunny) - 

pattern available here until 30th December 2014

Hands up who's addicted to embroidery .pdfs? I am, there's nothing like a spot of instant pleasure, affordable art and anticipation (of the stitching you plan to do with the pattern), that a good embroidery .pdf can bring. So, I'm very sad to hear that some of my favourite designers have been badly affected by a change in European tax law, that comes in force at the beginning of next year, meaning that, if you're an European designer, selling digital products (such as .pdfs) will suddenly become a hell of a lot more complicated. You can read more about the change in law on this excellent post from What Delilah Did. 

Nobody has ever become rich from selling embroidery and craft .pdfs, in fact even before this some embroidery designers were shutting up shop, the new ruling makes it even more questionable whether selling embroidery .pdfs is worth it. Reading the recent crop of blog posts has been sad and frustrating, that bureaucracy meant to tackle tax avoidance in large multinationals, is instead going to stifle fledgling businesses. Nicole from Follow the White Bunny is no longer going to sell .pdfs from 31st December, however her shop will remain open. Carina from Polka and Bloom thinks she may have to put up her prices to counter the cost of the extra administration. Sami from Teasemade will also stop selling .pdf patterns on 31st December. Laura from Bugs and Fishes will be removing her .pdf patterns from her shop on 22nd December, as well as no longer accepting blog ads (also affected by the new rules), she will be looking for a VAT compliant reseller and selling her .pdfs that way. 

So, if you've been eyeing up that Follow the White Bunny .pdf that you never quite got round to buying (Nicole's latest pattern Wave Goodbye is particularly lovely), want to get in on the action on one of Carina's classes or pattern clubs before prices may rise (I love her new Stitchy Souvenirs pattern club) or fancy wanting to know how Laura makes one of her felt creations, or support any of the other talented European designers out there that are selling digital products, now is the time to do it. 

If anyone knows of any other European designers whose businesses have been negatively affected by this new ruling and I haven't mentioned them, please do leave a comment below.

Stitch the Halls Review and Very Special Giveaway!

Hello all! I'm reviewing Stitch the Halls by Sophie Simpson from What Delilah Did today, and we're also doing a very special giveaway!

This is an absolutely delightful book that I wouldn't hesitate to add to your library - the main focus of this book's projects is counted cross stitch and embroidery, but many of the projects could easily translate into freeform embroidery, as well. The book begins with a nice summary of counted embroidery basics - going over fabrics, thread, and frames, and how to read counted charts. There's also a helpful stitch directory of 11 counted stitches you can use in addition to the basic cross stitch.

Let's open it up and have a look, shall we?

As you can see, the watercolor illustrations by Ana Victoria Calderon are absolutely gorgeous, and you'll find them throughout.

The book's 12 projects are divided into 3 broad categories: Stylish and Chic - for sophisticates; Merry and Bright - for modernists; and Classic and Cosy - for traditionalists.

I am loving the Stylish and Chic section of the book - with muted shades and classic black and whites for a nice variation from the ordinary Christmas red and green:

The Merry and Bright section is just as modern and refreshing, however. I love how crisp and geometric the designs are, and the bright pops of color in the projects within:

Last up is the Cosy and Traditional section, and although there is a traditional selection of red and white, the patterns don't lose their clean, modernist take - and how adorable are those mini Christmas sweaters?!

What I love about these patterns is that there is plenty of room for creativity - they are fresh and modern while being classic and elegant - in short, not unlike What Delilah Did's signature style.

I chose one of the small Advent Tree designs to stitch up on for this review - it was a quick, delightful stitch - easy to follow, geometric, and striking. I used the Mountain Merino Wool from our previous giveaway, and the homespun quality of the wool added a great deal to this, I think:

So, on to our giveaway! I call this a very special giveaway because in addition to the review copy which we were kindly sent - we have been offered 3 copies of the book to give away to our readers! 3 copies! You have 3 times the chances to win this gorgeous book, just in time to do a bit of Holiday stitching.

To win a copy of Stitch the Halls!: 12 Decorations to Make for Christmas, simply leave a comment on this post by Sunday, October 26, 9 PM US CST, and tell us, which section of the book appeals to you most, and what do you think you might make?

Patterns: Mini Folk Letters

What Delilah Folk Letter stitched by Laura Mason

I've admired What Delilah Did's work forever (have you seen her new book? it's brilliant!), I particularly like her large letters, which look like they'd take ages to stitch. So good news for the short on time / less experienced cross stitcher, Sophie from What Delilah Did has now released a series of smaller letters, yay! I think these would make great quick(ish) personalised gifts, for you know, that holiday season beginning with C that's getting just that little bit closer ......

Some favourites of 2012

L to R, top to bottom

1. Kindersquad by SeptemberHouse
2. The Crown by What Delilah Did
3. Tattooed Ladies by Sew Lovely
4. Do Small Things with Great Love by Nana Company
5. Elsa Mora

2012 has been a fantastic year for embroidery, I can't wait to see what 2013 brings! Happy New Year everyone!

Patterns: Monarch Love

Rosie & Bear: Queen for 60 years by Bustle & Sew

This month marks the beginning of the Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Helen from Bustle & Sew is creating a special commemorative quilt, creating this central block plus blocks showing all the countries of the Commonwealth plus a special friendship block to commemorate the friendship between Great Britain and the US during the Queen's reign. You can find out how to get hold of the pattern for the above block plus how to get hold of the rest of the block patterns here.

The Crown by What Delilah Did

If cross stitch is more your thing, how about this gorgeous crown from What Delilah did? As Delilah writes on her blog, she stitched this having watched a lot of The Tudors but she dedicates the design to the Queen considering that it's her Diamond Jubilee year. You can find the pattern here.

Cross Cross Cross Dot Dot Dot

These dotted butterflies are part of the Power Animal series designed by Amy (aka GirlFlamant). I absolutely love each and every pattern of that series! All animal silhouettes have their own pattern and include a fleur-de-lis owl and an houndstooth patterned Jackalope.  I'm about to start stitching a tartan Loch Ness monster! Find all Power animals (and other patterns as well) in her Etsy shop.

If you have not tried Counted Cross Stitch before (I'm very much a newbie myself) do check out the wonderful (and free!) downloadable Cross Stitch guides by Sophie of What Delilah Did. And don't forget to have a look in her shop with many gorgeous kits and patterns as well!

What Delilah Did - FS reader discount!

Sophie has just designed a line of cross-stitch patterns for her shop, What Delilah Did. She was also sweet enough to set up a special discount code for readers of Feeling Stitchy - 10% off any order from her shop! So if you've been itching to purchase any of her lovely creations, maybe you should pop on over and have a look. Thanks Sophie!

Visit Her Store

How to get the discount:
To get the discount, just quote "FEELINGSTITCHY" (all in caps with no spaces) in the discount code box when you check out. This discount code will be valid for the next 7 days. Shop listings are in British Pounds, but people can shop from anywhere in the world (just like Etsy for example) - Paypal will just convert the currency when the payment goes through.

Patterns: The Bee

What Delilah Did has recently opened her own pattern shop and I love her bee design. This looks quite complex but I can imagine the feeling of satisfaction once this is stitched up. It looks amazing in gold and as lovely as this photo is, I bet it doesn't do the gold thread justice.

For further insect love check out this vintage pattern in Flickr's Hoop Love Vintage Transfer pool.