I would like to do my Mum something in cross stitch, framed ,for her birthday but am a complete novice

[pollycazalet]

Can anyone recommend a good website for me to have a look at simple but lovely things? Any tips for me?

Thanks in advance!

Cross-stitch is a major MAJOR hobby of mine! Have you done any before? When is your Mum's birthday? It's a lovely hobby but takes a great deal of time and concentration. I can put you in the direction of some excellent places to buy kits, at different levels....

ooooh thanks whispy. her birthday is next month.

I really want to make her something this year - she has everything she needs and want to surprise her.

I am a COMPLETE novice (although I can sew a bit and am not completely cackhanded).

Next month? Crikey...you'd best make a start on something now! What do you want to do...picture-wise? There's an excellent company called Readicut....if you look them up they do loads of kits. I'd go for something fairly small cos it can take weeks to do although it obviously depends on how much spare time you have. You can also get loads of much cheaper kits from eBay. I know of a couple of excellent sellers on there.

I'm currently doing a picture of a woodland scene with a badger, hedgehog, rabbit, mice and squirrel...its so pretty but so hard! I also use a daylight bulb so I can stitch during the evenings and not struggle with a normal light.

Where abouts are you? There's always Hobbycraft (they do online too) - they have some great stores around and always loads of kits in there too.

Let me know what you decide!

whispy would something like this one be super tricky for a beginner? (It looks it)

Perhaps I should start working on it for Christmas!

www.readicut.co.uk/src/2FK/recno/8/Victorian-Sampler-Counted-Cross-Stitch-Kit-PRC5183/

I'd say that'd be pretty hard if you've not really done much x-stitch before.

What pictures does she like? Why not look at tapestries? They are so much easier...you don't have to count your stitches - you simply stitch over the coloured canvas.

Ok

That sampler's the kind of thing I like though.

Is this for you or for your Mum?!!!!!!!

ahem

For her. But she would like the first one. TBH she'd like anything I made (in the same way I like my kids' creative efforts!)

She likes flowers and stuff.

There's a lovely garden sampler on there...RC8810 - put in sampler on the search bit and its in the 2nd row down plus its got a bit of money off on it atm.

This is not good...I'm looking for me now!

There's a nice Lillyput Lane one on there too and you get a freebie kit with it. It's on page 2 of the sampler section.

at teddies. That one's a bit cutesy for her.

Sorry I've given you an excuse to browse

Look at the Lilliputs!

What about this for a beginner?

[http://www.crossstitchuk.com/P/Cross-Stitch-Anchor-Sampler-Home-Sweet-Home(10840).htm]

drat I can't get that link to work.

Hang on! I'm looking!

Is it the one on the beige fabric?

yes, home sweet home one

Yes it is...its cat no. 10840 and its lovely. Nice and bright, loads of detail and on a lovely coloured background - always nice to stitch on a coloured aida rather than boring old white! Yes, I would definitely go for it...its very pretty.

Now get on and order it and I want weekly updates on your stitching!!!!

Hint....when you get it...fold the chart into four and the fabric - then pin-point the very centre of the chart and same with the fabric and start stitching there. That way it will be central. Also use a pencil to cross off the stitches you have done on the chart...that way if there is any over-stitching to do (backstitch for outlining) you will be able to see it still on the chart. Put the fabric on a frame or in a hoop - keeps it straight. Don't do any if you're tired - you make loads of mistakes then and try to stitch in natural daylight.

Good luck with it! Nice choice.

Plus its Anchor which is always a good make and their threads are lovely.

Right - you're on whispy.

Any probs...let me know. I'd love to know how you get on with it....you'll enjoy it. Email is [email protected] - atleast that way if this thread disappears in the meantime you can get hold of me. x