GREEN GODDESS
We’re enchanted by this bright
and beautiful nature spirit. The
mystical Garden Fairy chart by
Shannon Christine Designs is
available as a PDF for £7.08 from
http://www.creativepoppypatterns.comSAY IT WITH FLOWERS
Durene Jones’ gossamer-winged
cutie has us all believing in
Tinkerbell and her magical kin.
This Fairy Among the Flowers
chart costs £4.80 from at http://www.
durenejcrossstitch.etsy.comSPELLBOUND
There’s magic in every stitch of
this bluebell-loving sprite. The
Fairies: Stardust kit is available
from Bothy Threads for £27.49. To
buy, visit http://www.bothythreads.com
or call 01900 828 844.3 of the best... Fab fairies
Sprinkle a little fairy dust
with these magical designs!Safety first!
Q
My nieces are six
and eight and loveto stitch. Could you
suggest some colourful,
child-friendly scissors that
I can get for them, Angels?
Tammy Haigh, via email
A
Giving the kids
their own
scissors is a great idea,
Tammy – having their
own supplies will make
them feel so grown up! Of
course, as you already
point out, the scissors need to be
safe for children. Choose some that
are easy to grip, have rounded
ends and – if possible – come with
a holder to safely store them when
they’re not in use. And, as I’m sure
you know, never leave children on
their own with scissors! Hobbycraft
stocks Hemline Kids’ Scissors for
£3, which have rounded ends and
soft-grip handles. To buy, visit
http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk or call
0330 026 1400. We also
like Fiskars’ Kid Animal
Scissors, which little
ones can win on page- They have chunky,
bright handles in the
shape of a ladybird, bee,
panda or fish. They’re
suitable for right- and left-handed
users, and are designed for kids
aged five and up. Buy them from
http://www.sewessential.co.uk for £2.99
or call 01283 210 422.
In with the old
Q
Angels, while I was helping
to clean my aunt’s house,
I came across an old, unframed
sampler that was caked in dust and
all sorts of grime. Is it worth trying
to clean this project – or should
I just chuck it in the bin?
Eileen McGregor, DurhamA
Don’t throw it away, Eileen.
Tr y these tips first! Lightly
vacuum the sampler to remove any
surface dust or musty smells. Use
a directional nozzle covered with
fabric – stockings are ideal – to
protect the stitching. Get rid of
persistent mustiness by sprinkling
bicarbonate of soda onto the fabric
and vacuuming it off after a couple
of minutes. For more ingrained dirt,hand-wash in cold water using
a mild detergent to minimise the
chance of any colour runs. Rinse
and lay flat on a clean towel to dry,
rather than wringing out. Iron on
a cool setting, using a protective
sheet over the top. For stubborn
stains, discuss your problem with
an upholstery dry-cleaner to see if
they can help. If all this talk of
samplers makes you want to stitch
your own, check out Historical
Sampler Company’s collection of
traditional and modern designs at
http://www.historicalsamplercompany.
co.uk, or give them a call at
01268 711 918.Special effects
Q
I’ve tried using variegated
threads, but my finished
piece looked a little bit of a mess.
Could you tell me the right way to
use this thread, Angels?
Susan Morton, via emailA
There’s no right or wrong
way to use variegated
thread, Susan. You just need toSend your stitching problems to Crazy’s Angels and watch them leap into action!
Crazy’s
Angels
T Help to protect your
stitching by displaying it
away from direct sunlightS Scissors with
rounded ends are
safer for kids to use