Show's over
| Apologies for the slight lateness of this newsletter but we've just returned unscathed from 2 of the major stitching shows of the year - Stitch & Craft 2011 at Olympia and Sewing for Pleasure at the NEC in Birmingham. It was fantastic to meet so many stitchers, and particularly great to meet existing Stitchtastic customers who came back to say hi, to look at the kits they were working on already finished, or simply to have a browse for their next project. As for me, I'm ready for a rest and a bit of stitching myself, I have hardly had any stitching time over the last couple of months whilst in show-mode, so over the next few days I want to finish the Vauxhall Corsa I've been stitching since Christmas and make a start on my next project, which I think will be a Mini. However, there's the small matter of spring cleaning first! If you'd like to see my Vauxhall Corsa when it's finished, have a look at our facebook page,www.facebook.com/Stitchtastic. It will also be in next month's newsletter, hopefully! |  It's a feat of engineering, fitting everything onto our stand at Sewing for Pleasure. |
New Formula 1 Season
Another delayed event this year (probably a little more popular than our newsletter but you never know!) is the beginning of the Formula 1 season. Did you get up for the first race? We did, before going to Sewing for Pleasure at the NEC. And what's more, after an alarm / changing the clocks fiasco, we ended up getting up at 4am instead of 6am! Oh, well, at least we didn't miss the race! If you enjoy the racing, why not have a stitch whilst watching? Especially good for the slightly more straighforward races, or if someone at home is a bigger fan than you and you are forced to watch it, a Formula 1 stitch could be a fantastic addition to your memorabilia or just a colourful way to pass Sundays until November! We have number of Formula 1 designs, here are just a few. For the full range, have a look at http://www.stitchtastic.com/catalog/cars_f1.aspx . First of all, a design that splits people right down the middle - our McLaren Hamilton / Button design. Whenever I show this to customers at shows, they are always very definite as to whether they would want to stitch Lewis Hamilton or Jenson Button. I like both myself! Whether you have a definite preference or whether you're happy to stitch either as a present for a fan, you'll find this a really straightforward stitch, plenty of blocky areas to stitch in front of the TV but some challenging bits to for when you want to use your brain a bit more. The Hamilton / Button design costs £29.95 plus £2 p+p. It measures 13.8" by 9.1" and uses 12 DMC colours. Next, a blast from the past with a car from one of the larger than life team principals of the last 20 years or so - an F1 Jordan car. Eddie Jordan always brightens up any race day and his car is certainly as bright as they come! Measuring 20.6" by 8", this design uses 13 colours and is very effective when finished. It also costs £29.95 +£2 p+p. One of our biggest designs is another McLaren Car, measuring 15.3" by 10.6" this is stitched on 18 count aida and uses 19 colours. This comes from approximately the Alonso McLaren era and will certainly delight any serious F1 enthusiast. The kit costs £35.95 plus £2 p+p. Finally, one for the younger enthusiast, a more general F1 car based around the Ferrari design, the Pole Position design always goes down a treat with kids / nieces and nephews / grandchildren - the list goes on. The design uses 21 DMC colours and measures 14.3" by 9.2" when stitched on 14 count aida. It also costs £35.95 plus £2 p+p. |  Lewis - stitched!  Stitch Jenson for his second McLaren season.  The distinctive livery of the old Jordan team.  An authentic, detailed McLaren stitch.  Pole Position - where all drivers would like to be! |
Stitchtastic Stitchers - calling all men!
| A plea this month - we'd love to feature some stitchtastic designs stitched by our male stitchers. We always to chat to a large number of male stitchers at the stitching shows, so we know you're out there - get stitching and sending! One of our current male stitchers is Harry from Norway, he and his wife Joey have featured in previous newsletters and we're very grateful for all their hard work. Harry has even appeared in his local newspaper in Norway showing off some of our designs. Unfortunately it was in Norwegian so I'm not entirely sure what it said! The pictures looked great though. Here's a picture of the London Black Cab Taxi that Harry stitched. At least, I think it was Harry, Joey, sorry if this one was actually you! |  Harry's fantastic stitched Black Cab Taxi. |
Stitching show review
Yes, I know I've mentioned the shows already, but I had to mention the strangest experience that happened during Sewing for Pleasure, I wonder if any of you who visited were taken aback by this too? |  I didn't expect Stormtroopers to be stitchers!  Some say........he loves to cross stitch! |
Next Month
Next month we will pay tribute to a fantastic group of people through the medium of stitch - the heroes of the emergency services. Fire engines and police cars here we come! We'd like to feature those male stitchers too, so please send in your pics. See you then! |  |
Questions or comments? E-mail me at sarah@stitchtastic.com or call +44 (0) 114 2353958
Until next time
Sarah
Designer