Crossstitchforum - A FREE forum for Cross Stitchers

In Canada the Spring Equinox occurred just yesterday. I think that is cause for celebration. How about an exchange of either a bookmark or greeting card among members? They are both quick to stitch, have a wide variety of patterns to choose from, lay flat for ease in mailing, and above all are absolutely lovely to receive. If you are interested, please let me know. Sign up will continue to April 21, with the understanding that your finished piece will be mailed no later than June 5th, enough time to be delivered before it is officially summer. You are also agreeing to upload a picture of your received piece into the exchange thread.

It would be nice if we kept to a colorful spring theme. A card should be left blank so that it may be used by the recipient as s/he wishes. No preferences will be taken - let's all be absolutely delighted to have a stitched piece from a fellow forum member. Please indicate your interest in participating by giving your name, the country you live in, and mailing availability. I will sort out who will be mailing to whom once I have a better understanding of the level of interest. Hoping to hear from you!

Mailing List:

Serinde; Scotland SENT RECEIVED
Meganap; US SENT RECEIVED
kevona (Donna); UK SENT RECEIVED
fccs (Debby); US SENT RECEIVED
Squirrel (Sally); Australia SENT RECEIVED
Linda Rose; Canada SENT RECEIVED
wendywombat; France SENT RECEIVED
KristyReed1982 (Kristy; US) SENT RECEIVED
poppy (Hélène); UK SENT RECEIVED
rcperryls (Carole); US SENT RECEIVED
mags; UK SENT RECEIVED
lillybit; New Zealand SENT RECEIVED

What a lovely idea! Count me in.

Serinde, Scotland, will post anywhere

Count me in

I'm in the uk and happy to post anywhere

Welcome Serinde and kevona (Donna)! Nice to have you participating.

A great idea I will give it some thought although spring is still many months away.

Me Too!

Wendywombat in SW France

Post anywhere.

I'd rather have a bookmark than card and I shall make bookmark.

Squirrel wrote:A great idea I will give it some thought although spring is still many months away.

Sally,

I was wondering who might reply as you have. While you have indeed experienced an Equinox of a different kind, I hope it won't hinder you from joining in the fun. There is something very special about receiving a stitched piece from a fellow forum member, perhaps one from the other hemisphere! I hope you will let me add you to the list.

Linda

wendywombat wrote: Me Too!

Wendywombat in SW France

Post anywhere.

I'd rather have a bookmark than card and I shall make bookmark.

Welcome aboard, Wendywombat! Thanks for joining the group.

I can do a bookmark. Count me in too. In the US and will send anywhere.

Carole

Great to have you with the group, Carole!

Linda

Linda Rose wrote:

Squirrel wrote:A great idea I will give it some thought although spring is still many months away.

Sally,

I hope you will let me add you to the list.

Linda

Squirrel, (SallY) Australia Anywhere.

Okay, I'm in (smacking myself for committing to yet another project ). I'll post anywhere.

Great decision, Sally; delighted to have you participate! And welcome to Debby as well. Looks to be the beginnings of a great group -Canada, US, Europe and Australia all represented so far. Who else has had a peek that hasn't yet added their name?

[quote="fccs"]Okay, I'm in (smacking myself for committing to yet another project ). I'll post anywhere.[/quote

I am almost to the middle of a Bell Pull I am hoping to get to France through the very early summer. The wording on the piece needs to be translated to French then
graphed then stitched. I started this so that I could get a break -you know - actually accomplish something! A bookmark is doable, gives the satisfaction of something finished. But best of all, anticipating and then receiving the mystery envelope. We will not be sorry we signed up.

The only thing, which is stopping me is that I do not know how to sew very well. Could someone, please, explain to me how to make a cross-stitch bookmark? I would really like to join you all!

poppy wrote:The only thing, which is stopping me is that I do not know how to sew very well. Could someone, please, explain to me how to make a cross-stitch bookmark? I would really like to join you all!

Hélène,

There are a variety of pre-finished bookmark pieces available, some with lace edges, some plainer, that would require no sewing at all. Some varieties are seen at the following link, but can also be found at many large department stores with a well stocked craft department.

http://www.joann.com/lace-edged-aida-bo ... 30555.html" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

If you would prefer a mix of the two, using Ribband fabric, there is an excellent tutorial here:

https://www.creativepoppypatterns.com/i ... torial.pdf" target="_blank" target="_blank


I often use pre-finished lace bookmark fabric or cross stitch a lace of my own onto my finished cross stitched bookmark. While I have backed the bookmark at times, I rather prefer the 'airyness' of an unbacked piece. I think it shows off the stitching better.

Have a look at the links provided and even check out this forum's Tops and Tricks for some finishing ideas.

http://crossstitchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17792" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Hopefully you will find something that you are comfortable with and join our group. We would love to have you!

Linda

Thank you, Linda, what you sent is very helpful.
It does seem so logical once I know how!!!
I would love to join. I am in the UK and I can send anywhere.

I had never heard of special materials or ribbon for making bookmarks. So I just used normal Aida, and sewed a straight line around, then fringed the edges. I would think a bit of glue would work too.

This was a gift for someone who sent me a box of books.



(Sorry, can't figure out spoilers.)

EDIT: Forgot to say, I put a piece of felt behind to protect the stitches. And though I sew around, you could probably use a little bit of craft glue.

poppy wrote:Thank you, Linda, what you sent is very helpful.
It does seem so logical once I know how!!!
I would love to join. I am in the UK and I can send anywhere.

Great! Welcome!

Roland wrote:I had never heard of special materials or ribbon for making bookmarks. So I just used normal Aida, and sewed a straight line around, then fringed the edges. I would think a bit of glue would work too.

This was a gift for someone who sent me a box of books.



(Sorry, can't figure out spoilers.)

EDIT: Forgot to say, I put a piece of felt behind to protect the stitches. And though I sew around, you could probably use a little bit of craft glue.

Thanks, Roland. It is very helpful to remember these tips. There are always creative ways to finish that make a bookmark a do-able project for all of us. Will you be joining us for the exchange?