Linda's Review Of Flowers and Hummingbird Cross-Stitch Kit - Dimensions The Gold Collection Petites

This winter proved to be a particularly productive season for me as far as my cross-stitch creations were concerned as I was able to finish 5 of the cross-stitch kits I had previously purchased.   In total I spent 200 hours creating my  5 cross-stitch pictures but it was well worth it.  That amounts to a few hours a day over 70 days or so.  Enough to cover the winter season.

The cross-stitch kit I just finished was a counted cross-stitch kit from Dimensions The Gold Collection Petites entitled Flowers and Hummingbird. Like the other Dimensions Gold Collection kits I had bought the Dimensions Needlecrafts Counted Cross Stitch, Flowers & Hummingbird kit included the pattern, pre-sorted cotton thread, 18 count ivory cotton Aida, needle and instructions.

The Flowers and Hummingbird pattern uses full counted cross-stitch, half cross-stitch and outline stitching for emphasis and depth and this detailing really makes the picture stand out. The design of this cross-stitch gives the finished picture a 3 dimensional aspect with the half cross stitch and outlining being used for artistic effect.

Linda's Review of Covered Bridge - Mill Hill Buttons & Bows Cross-Stitch Kit #MH14-2201

I know that I've told you many, many times that I absolutely LOVE the Fall season. There's just something about it that really inspires me and I find that when I'm looking at crafts to make I generally gravitate towards those relating to the Fall season. So, it should come as no surprise that I chose to make a Fall themed cross-stitch with my Winter creations. Instead of a house the Covered Bridge - Cross Stitch Kit had a wonderful picture of a covered bridge. Certainly one you'd expect to see in New England.

Like the other Mill Hill  - Buttons & Beads Series patterns I had bought the Covered Bridge kit included the pattern, embroidery thread, perforated paper, beads,  hay bundle button, 2 needles and instructions.

The Covered Bridge pattern uses full counted cross-stitch and outline stitching as well as beads and buttons for emphasis and depth. The pattern also calls for certain areas of the perforated paper to be left untouched as the background.  In this case they were leaving sections of the dark blue perforated paper background untouched.

Linda's Review of Winter Woods - Mill Hill Buttons & Beads Cross-Stitch Kit #MH14-1303

One of the cross-stitch I had bought for creating this winter was a little different than some of the others I had completed. Usually I'm drawn to cross-stitch pictures of houses.  This one was a picture of a red cardinal sitting on the limb of a birch tree surrounded by other birch trees and large snowflakes. It was really pretty so I decided to try it.

Like the other Mill Hill  - Buttons & Beads Series patterns I had bought the Winter Woods  kit included the pattern, embroidery thread, perforated paper, beads, red cardinal button, 2 needles and instructions.

The Winter Woods  pattern uses full counted cross-stitch and outline stitching as well as beads and buttons for emphasis and depth. The pattern also calls for certain areas of the perforated paper to be left untouched as the background.  In this case they were leaving sections of the blue perforated paper background untouched.

Linda's Review of Mill Hill Buttons & Beads Home For Christmas Cross-Stitch Kit #MH14-1301

When trying to decide on which small cross-stitch kits I wanted to buy for this winter I saw a charming cross-stitch Christmas picture kit that had an adorable terrier in it.  So, of course, I just had to buy it and was anxious to make it.

Like the other Mill Hill  - Buttons & Beads Series patterns I had bought the Home for Christmas - Cross Stitch Kit included the pattern, embroidery thread, perforated paper, beads, terrier button, 2 needles and instructions.

The Home For Christmas pattern uses full counted cross-stitch and outline stitching as well as beads and buttons for emphasis and depth. The pattern also calls for certain areas of the perforated paper to be left untouched as the background.

I, once again, decided to frame my finished cross-stitch picture in a 5" by 5" white shadow box frame that is 1 1/2" deep and can stand on it's own (like the picture above) or with its back picture stand (like the picture below) as I've been really happy with the way all my other cross-stitch shadowbox pictures have come out.