Adjustable Needlework Frame

One of the best buys in my crafty chest. I bought this adjustable frame on ebay and it easily changes size to fit small pieces and large pieces. I use this almost exclusively now and just use the old wooden rod tapestry frames for really large pieces. 

This is a good website I found that compares the various frames and hoops available. Discusses the pros and cons of each type of frame and what they might best be suitable for.

http://www.siestaframes.com/acatalog/info/Choosing_a_Needlecraft_Frame.htm

Wombat Xstitch

Wombat Cross Stitch

The wombat started in a snowed-in hotel in Tasmania is finished. Needs to be framed, or finished off properly in some way of course, but for now it's joining the pile of other just about finished pieces in my chest of crafty things. 

Semco Innovations Wombat Cross Stitch Kit 6016.4543

Anchor Threads

16ct Aida

Japanese House

The miniature Japanese house I was inspired to finish while looking at beautiful woodwork in Tasmania has finally been finished. I didn't cut any of the pieces, it was bought on ebay with pre-cut pieces, so it was more like assembling a jigsaw (another of my passions), with some additional varnishing, sanding and glueing. Here's a pic with a lego ninja (ninjago) so you can see how big/small it is. I also plan to add some rice paper to the windows and door so I guess it isn't 100% completely finished yet, but it's very close.

This picture doesn't show the stain/varnish particularly well, I used a Cabot's Stain & Varnish in Red Mahogany Satin which is a really beautiful reddish brown. I have plenty left so now I'm wondering what I can use it on in a more authentic wood working project. A shelf of some kind to hold my japanese house and kokeshi dolls would be nice. Time to draw up some plans :P

XStitch your Iphone

Stitchable Iphone cover

Spotted this trawling the interwebs and it almost makes me wish I'd bought an Iphone. Although with some plastic canvas, I could probably do the same for my Droid. I've been thinking of making a laptop case with some plastic canvas and tapestry skills, I've got several pieces I want to finish before I start anything new, but when I do, I'll post the plans up here.

Seahorse Cross Stitch Bookmark

Another item I finished off while snowed in during my recent Tasmania visit. This came in a kit that even included a sticky backing card that says 'This bookmark belongs to _____', which is why it's finished. Stitch away, sticker on the back, fray the ends - voilà. Easy to make gift, this one didn't even include any back stitching, just pure cross stitch all the way.

Seahorse Cross Stitch Bookmark
Semco Innovation Kit No. 6015.5078
16ct Aida
#24 Tapestry needle
Stranded Cotton
Chart & Instructions
Sticky Backing Card
Finished size - 5x18cm

Cross Stitch Mini Loop - beetle

Ladybird

Korbond beetle (010003)

Home from Tassie, safe and sound. Here's the mini ladybird I stitched away while snowed in at Great Lakes Hotel. The kit comes with a coloured hoop to finish it off. True to form I haven't quite done that yet, but I did just get home and I have managed to finish off the seahorse bookmark completely - see next post.

Tasmania crafts

I'm currently travelling around Tassie and have seen some amazing arts and craftsmanship, mostly in woodworking, painting and photography but also incredible bridge building over 100 years old.

I've purchased a small block of Blackheart Sassafras and another of Myrtle to give to a wood-turning hobbyist back home.

Blackheart Sassafras

It's inspiring me to finish off the miniature Japanese building I've been putting together too. So far the pieces have been stained and varnished, I just need to put it all together. I'm making that the first thing on my crafty todo list when I get back home.

Some places to visit to see some incredible craftsmanship:

Salamanca Place in Hobart. Full of little galleries and shops, and Saturdays the host of Salamanca Markets, even more stalls of crafty bits and pieces.
http://www.salamanca.com.au/fascination/index.htm
The Spindle Tree is a cute knitting store. http://www.spindletree.com.au/
Handmark Gallery. http://www.handmarkgallery.com/

The Wooden Boat Centre on the Huon River. Handcrafted wooden boats and a school to teach others how.
http://www.woodenboatcentre.com/

The Wall in the Wilderness. Haven't seen this yet, may not with the snow piling up around but it looks incredible.
http://www.thewalltasmania.com/

Hopefully I'll head up to Launceston and see this place before I fly out:
http://designcentre.com.au/

I'm currently snowed in but it's giving me plenty of time to work on some cross stitch I brought with me. Already finished a seahorse bookmark and a ladybird miniature, now working on a small wombat, pictures to follow when I get home.