Currently | March 2019

It's been more than three months since I last wrote a currently post about the little things I've been doing and enjoying lately, so I think it's a good time for a catch up. If you want to know what I've been reading, watching, listening to, and more lately, keep reading to find out!

Let's start with what I've been reading...

Reading

One of my New Year's resolutions is to read more this year, and in January I set myself the goal of finishing twenty-five books before the year is through. I thought I'd be realistic instead of setting the number too high, but I may have underestimated myself because I'm already on my seventh book of the year! I finished five books (and began a sixth) in January alone! I didn't do so well in February, only managing two books, as I had a busier month and spent half of it with a cold.

In January, I read Bird Box by Josh Malerman (which has to be one of the best books I've ever read), VOX by Christina Dalcher, The Next Person You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom, A House at the Bottom of a Lake by Josh Malerman, and The First Phone Call From Heaven by Mitch Albom. I also read a few chapters of The Martian by Andy Weir, but I wasn't in the right mood for it so I put it aside to read The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker. I've now moved on to the third book in The Extinction Trials trilogy- The Extinction Trials: Rebel by S.M. Wilson, which I've been looking forward to since I finished the second book in the series last year.  It's like the Hunger Games meets Jurassic Park, and even though it's a young adult series, I'm really enjoying it so far- but, then, I've always been a sucker for dystopian fiction.

Before Christmas, I also read Desert Flowers by Paul Pen, and some of the stories and poems from A Literary Christmas. I didn't have much time or energy for reading in December so I never finished it, but it's one of those books you can pull out every Christmas and read again and again, so I'll definitely return to it in December.

Overall, I've read some amazing books over the last few months, so I'll do my best to write some mini reviews of them all soon... That is, if anyone would be interested?

Watching

With all the reading I've been doing, I haven't watched a lot of new shows or movies so far this year, but I did make time to watch Bird Box on Netflix after I finished the book in January. I enjoyed it, but nowhere near as much as I loved the book. I didn't like how much they'd changed the storyline, and kept comparing the two in my head. Don't get me wrong, it was a brilliant film, but I think I would have appreciated it a lot more if I hadn't read the book first. It's a thousand times better than the film, and you guys need to read it! I loved it so much it's become one of my all time favourite reads!

Concert Going

During the first week of February, I managed to have some fun away from home for the first time since last Easter, and went to see Boyzone live again in Cardiff and Brighton with my sister. It didn't exactly go to plan after the first show, but both shows were amazing, and I had so much fun. I'm always happiest at concerts and it was exactly what I needed to put a smile back on my face again after a rough few months. For a couple of days, I was almost able to feel like the old me again, pre chronic pain and chronic illness, and that feeling alone was priceless. I'll be writing a separate post about our trip soon.

Listening

Since I went to see Boyzone live, I've mostly just been listening to their last three albums on repeat like a total fangirl, with a little bit of Linkin Park thrown in for good measure. In my last currently post, I said I wasn't loving their new album or their new sound, but I gave it another listen a month or so ago, and now I can't stop playing it. It turns out I love it, and there are actually some really great songs on it.  I don't know how I didn't hear it the first time.

Stitching

I've gone back to cross stitching my colourful mandala cross stitch from The World in Stitches. after setting it aside for a couple of months to work on Christmas craft projects at the end of last year. I've just finished stitching all the colourful bits, and now I just have a shed load of black edging to do to complete it. There's still a lot of stitching to do, but I'm really pleased with how well it's turned out so far.

Playing

I began playing Animal Crossing New Leaf the day after Boxing Day after my younger sister gave me a copy for my 2DS for Christmas, and I haven't been able to stop playing it since. I mean, I do put it down every once in a while so I can do other stuff like sleep and eat, but I've been playing it almost every day since I started. It's so addictive! I don't even want to know how many hours I've lost to this game so far this year! It's a social simulation game where you create and maintain your own town and interact with other characters. You plant trees and flowers, install amenities, build a house and collect furniture to decorate it with, dig for fossils, fish and dive for sea creatures, catch bugs, collect fruit and art, donate things you find to a museum, buy outfits, go island hopping, play time trials... the list goes on. I used to tease my sister for being addicted to it, but now it's got me, too. I'd definitely recommend it to you guys... but only if you don't mind losing five or six hours a day to it, because once you start playing, you won't be able to stop!

Loving

my new Instax mini camera, which one of my sisters gave me for Christmas. It's been years since I last owned an instant camera or even printed off any photos, so I've been enjoying the novelty of having a printed photo in my hands after taking each one. The quality of the photos doesn't compete with today's digital photos, but I actually like the simple, primitive look the Instax gives; it reminds me of the quality of photos we took in the nineties. It was a simpler time, but those days were the best. I'm still getting to grips with it, but I'm loving this camera, and how pretty it is. I've just bought some pastel-bordered film, so I'm looking forward to snapping lots of colourful photos with it this spring.

Enjoying

The sunshine we've been treated to here in Oxfordshire this week. We've had flawless blue skies and sunshine over the last few days, and it's actually been warm. From Monday to Wednesday, it actually got up to 21'C!! In February! You wouldn't think there was snow on the ground three weeks ago. Apparently it was the hottest February on record. It's crazy but I'm definitely not complaining after months of dreary grey skies, dark evenings, and freezing cold temperatures. I wasn't able to go out in it, but it was gorgeous and great to have some decent daylight for taking blog photos, too. It feels like spring is finally on the way.

Looking

forward to spring, sunny days, light mornings and evenings, warm weather, blossom and magnolias on the trees, spring flowers, pastel colours, Easter, more light for blog photos... all of it. I couldn't be happier that it's the first day of spring today; I'm so over winter!

Wanting

All the books, all the gig tickets, more concert adventures, some new dresses, approximately 8232019 new brooches, some rainbow-coloured film for my Instax camera... lotsa stuff.

Needing

A hair cut, a holiday, some new clothes, a life, a new pair of ballet pumps, some more concert adventures, more hours in the day, a solution for my tachycardia, and to learn photo editing so I can blog more efficiently and stop wanting to pull my hair out on a daily basis.

Wishing

I'm feeling really sentimental at the moment, so I wish had a time machine so I could go back and relive my trip to New York, and a whole bunch of concert adventures I enjoyed with friends in the months before I developed chronic pain in 2011. Those were the best times, and some of the last happy memories I have from before I got sick. It was probably the best year ever, until it also became the worst year of my life that September. I miss those days.

Buying

I haven't had many spare pennies to spend lately, but I was finally able to do a little book haul a couple of weeks ago, and treated myself to six new books to read. (Missing from the photo is An Ocean of Minutes by Thea Lim). I may have also acquired two more Erstwilder brooches, and picked up a full size purple OPI nail polish called 'Berry Fairy Fun' to replace the mini bottle I got in my Advent calendar and have almost used up. The nail colour is amazing.

And that, in a nut shell, is what I've been up to lately (minus all the boring chronic illness parts I'll go in to another time).

What about you? What have you been enjoying lately?

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The World In Stitches Modern Spectrum Mandala Cross Stitch Kit

A couple of Sundays ago, I finally completed the Spectrum Mandala cross stitch I began earlier in the year, and I'm so pleased with how well it turned out that I just had to blog about it.

This colourful cross stitch kit was from a small English brand called The World In Stitches, and it's the fifth or sixth of their kits I've cross stitched over the last year or so. It's the same pattern as the Spectral Mandala cross stitch I completed last summer, except that the colour spectrum is reversed, this time bleeding outwards from purple to red in ten different colours. 

I began working on this spectrum mandala in the new year, but it got neglected for a few months while I concentrated on some other crafts. I picked it up again in late June, and basically sewed the last three-quarters of it in just over a month. I think if I'd worked on it for an hour or so each day, it would've taken just two to three months to make from start to finish. It shouldn't have taken me eight months to make, that's for sure! I've been slacking.

While I abandoned it for a while, I had so much fun stitching the mandala and working with all of those vibrant, colourful threads. There was something really satisfying about watching my stitches come together and blend in to a rainbow, and turn in to a beautiful mandala. Colourful cross stitch projects are always the most fun! I was enjoying making it so much, I'm actually a little sad that I've finished it, but I'm looking forward to getting it framed, and having it hanging it on the wall.

The kit includes everything you need to create this beautiful cross stitch including 16 count white aida (fabric), pre-sorted DMC threads, two needles, full colour charts, and even a beginner's guide to cross stitching to help you get started if you're new to cross stitching. (All you need in addition is an embroidery hoop, a pair of embroidery scissors, and something to cross the chart off with as you go along, such as a pencil or a highlighter). Everything included in the kit is fantastic quality, including the paper the chart is printed on, which is amazing considering it's so reasonably priced. If you're tempted to buy one, and give it a try, I can assure you it's well worth a purchase.

I'd recommend this kit for intermediate and advanced cross stitchers who've had a little experience and already mastered the skill. In all honesty, it wouldn't be impossible for a beginner to stitch as it's broken down in to small colour-blocked shapes and the chart is easy to follow, but I think it would be a little overwhelming for a newbie because of the amount of stitching to do, and how intricate and complicated it looks. Unless you like a challenge, I'd definitely recommend starting with something a little smaller and simpler for your first go at cross stitching, like their geometric squares or heart kits, and working up to a bigger piece like this when you've mastered the basics. If you're confident with a needle and thread, however, I couldn't recommend this cross stitch kit to you more! I enjoyed it so much I stitched it twice!

You can find the Spectrum Mandala cross stitch kit from The World in Stitches on Amazon here and Etsy here, or if you prefer, you can purchase a PDF of the pattern separately on Etsy here.

Have you cross stitched or crafted anything lately?

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Hazel The Fox Cross Stitch Kit From The World In Stitches

Last month, I cross stitched another kit from The World In Stitches- a colourful little fox called Hazel.

No, I haven't gone mad and started giving names to cross stitched animals; the design is called Hazel The Fox, and she's a new addition to The World In Stitches' range of colourful cross stitch kits and patterns.

It's far more 'cutesy' than the designs I usually go for, but I've always loved foxes and I thought it was adorable, so I just couldn't resist snapping one up. She turned out to be a really fun project, what with all of those colourful threads to play with, and easy shapes to sew. I particularly enjoyed stitching her little rainbow tail! She only took me a week to make, which was refreshing after spending three months on the project before, and ideal if you want to make something quick and easy.

The kit is suitable for beginners and pros alike, and contains everything you need to make her, including 14 count white aida (fabric), pre-sorted DMC threads, a needle, full colour charts, and even a beginner's guide to cross stitching to help you get started. All you need is an embroidery hoop, embroidery scissors, and something to cross the chart off with and you're good to go.

Everything in the kit is fantastic quality, even down to the paper the charts and guides are printed on, so it's amazing value at just £9.99 from Amazon here and Etsy here, and well worth a purchase. You can also buy the pattern separately as a PDF from their Etsy here for just £2.50.

I really enjoyed making Hazel the Fox, and I'd happily recommend the kit for anybody who wants to learn how to cross stitch, or unwind with a fun and easy project. She'd also make the perfect Christmas gift for anybody who loves to cross stitch. If foxes aren't your thing, The World In Stitches have plenty of other beautiful designs, and you can shop their full range of cross stitch kits and patterns on Amazon here and Etsy here.

Have you cross stitched or crafted anything lately?

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The World In Stitches Spectral Mandala Cross Stitch Kit

At the beginning of May, I began cross stitching a colourful spectral mandala, and a couple of weeks ago I finally finished it! I'm really pleased with the end result after all that time and effort I put in to it, so I thought I'd give you guys a quick peek at the finished piece before it gets lost in my to-be-framed pile.

I bought the spectral mandala kit from an English company called The World In Stitches earlier in the year, along with three others, because I just couldn't resist the awesome colourful designs. Well, you know me and colour... I'm drawn in like a moth to a flame! Seriously, just look at all of those beautiful colours! So pretty.

The kit includes everything you need to make the mandala, including 16 count white aida, good quality, pre-sorted DMC threads, a needle, full-colour charts on good-quality paper, and a beginner's guide to cross stitching to help new cross stitchers get started. All that's needed is an embroidery hoop, scissors, and a pencil or highlighter to cross the chart off with, and you're good to go.

I began the project at the beginning of May, and it took me about three and a half months to complete, mostly by putting in an hour or two a day, with a few full afternoons thrown in for good measure. I assumed it was going to take a lot longer, so I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I made progress.

The design might look rather complicated, but it was actually really easy to sew as the design is broken up in to simple colour-blocked shapes in ten colours, and the chart is so easy to follow. All you do is concentrate on a small section at a time, and not the picture as a whole, and you'll be surprised how quickly it comes together.

I really enjoyed sewing this mandala, and actually found the repetition really therapeutic. I especially loved working with a whole rainbow of colourful threads- it's far more fun than working in neutrals!

My only bug bear was that the chart was printed on six sheets of A4 paper, so I had to stick pages together with double-sided tape to follow the chart accurately between pages, which was a pain in the backside. It would have been so much easier if the whole chart was printed on one piece of paper, even if that meant it had to be printed smaller, or a larger paper size had to be used. The pages are all numbered so it's easy to tell which part of the design is which, but it's so easy to make mistakes when the chart is split between pages, and I hated having to keep pausing to check I was in the right place every two seconds.

Thankfully, it was worth the extra effort. I really love the finished spectral mandala, and it's really going to brighten up the place when I eventually get around to framing it, and hanging it on the wall. 

Now I just need to get started on the Spectrum Mandala I purchased at the same time, which is the exact same design but with the colours in reverse. I'm working on some other projects at the moment, so I'll probably make a start on that one in the new year after I'm done with my Christmas kits.

Both the spectral mandala and spectrum mandala kits are priced at £17.49, and are available to buy on The World In Stitches' Etsy and Amazon shops. You can also buy the patterns separately for just £4.50 on Etsy here and here, or both kits together for £30.99 here.

 Have you crafted anything lately?

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The World In Stiches Geometric Squares Cross Stitch

A couple of weeks ago, I showed you the geometric heart cross stitch I recently made, and today I've got another finished project to share with you from the same brand.

This is the geometric squares cross stitch from The World In Stitches which I picked up on Amazon a couple of months ago after stumbling up on it when I was window shopping to kill some time. I thought the design was so eye-catching and fun that I bought it there and then, and got to work on it as soon as it arrived. And you know what? I'm so very glad I did!

The design is a square made up of lots of little geometric squares in a whole rainbow of colours, which is so simplistic, but undeniably eye-catching. It's so different to anything I've ever made before, but I think that was part of the charm; sometimes it's good to shake things up and try something different for a change.

It was an enjoyable little project because not only did I get to play with colourful threads again, but it was super easy to make and hardly required any effort. I barely even had to think.

It only took me about a week to make by sewing in one to two hour sittings, but it could be completed in two or three days if you sewed in several hour stints. It's ideal if you want to cross stitch without months of commitment, like many cross stitch patterns demand.

Due to its simplicity, it's the perfect kit for beginners and should be easy for anybody to have a crack at without difficulty. The kit even comes with a beginner's guide to cross-stitching to help you get started!

You'll find everything you need to make the geometric squares cross stitch in the kit- good quality white aida (fabric), DMC stranded pre-sorted threads, a needle, the pattern on thick good-quality paper, a beginner's guide to cross stitching, and even an image of what the finished design should look like. You'll just need to get your hands on an embroidery hoop, embroidery scissors, and something to cross the chart off with as you go along.

I'm really impressed with the kit because everything included is amazing quality, and it's excellent value for money at just £8.49. It's rare to find cross stitch kits of this quality for so little, so it's a real bargain. You can buy the geometric squares kit on Amazon here, and Etsy here. They also sell the pattern separately as a PDF on Etsy here, if you'd prefer to use your own supplies.

I'm really pleased with the finished cross stitch, and think it turned out really well. Not bad for a week's work, eh? It's going to look great on the wall when I eventually get round to framing it! Hopefully I'll see to that sooner rather than later! In the mean time, I've already moved on to another cross stitch kit from The World In Stitches because I'm so impressed with their kits. I'm now working on a big spectral mandala, and I'm sure it'll make its way on to the blog in a few months once I've completed it. You can see the first progress photo of it on my Instagram here.

Have you cross stitched or crafted anything lately? Let me know in the comments below.

The World In Stitches Geometric Heart Cross Stitch

If you read my cross stitch posts, you might remember those colourful modern cross stitch kits from The World In Stitches that I was raving about around a month or so ago. I'd picked up four new kits- two mandalas, a geometric heart, and a geometric square made up of lots of little geometric squares, and couldn't wait to get started.

Well, I've already completed the two geometric kits, and I've got the first one to show you today. (Technically, it's the second one I made, but it's the first one I have ready to share).

If you hadn't already guessed, this is the geometric heart, which is without a doubt one of the most fun and colourful cross stitches I've ever made. It was also one of the most enjoyable, because I got to play with a whole rainbow of coloured threads- and you guys all know how much I love to play with colour!

It was an easy little project to stitch because the entire design is made up simple colour-blocked triangles, and just a handful of single stitches. Once I got used to the sequence, I barely even needed to refer to the chart as I went along, and I actually found the simplicity and repetition really therapeutic.

It took me just over a week to finish it by putting in an hour or two at a time, along with a couple of five or six hour stints where I sewed rainbow triangles for hours on end. If I'd stepped up my game and dedicated more time in each sitting, it could've easily been made in just a few days, so it's a great short-term project if you want to cross stitch something without months or years of commitment.

I'm so pleased with how well my attempt turned out. I  love the end result,and how bold and colourful it is; it's so different to anything I've ever made before, and I definitely need to make more designs like it in the future. I still need to get it framed, but it's going to look great on the wall when I do, brightening up the room with that explosion of colour.

The kit includes almost everything you need to make the geometric heart- thick 14 count white aida, beautiful pre-sorted DMC threads, a needle, a colourful and easy to follow chart printed on thick, good quality paper, an image of what the completed cross stitch will look like, and even a beginner's guide to cross stitching to help you get started. You'll just need to get your hands on an embroidery hoop, embroidery scissors, and something to cross the chart off with as you go along. The entire kit is fantastic quality down to the paper the information is printed on, and I'm personally impressed given it's small price tag of just £8.49. It's amazing value for money!

If you're thinking of giving this cross stitch kit a go, I honestly couldn't recommend it to you more. It's perfect for beginners and pros alike, and the pattern is even simple enough for anyone who has never cross stitched a stitch before in their life to follow easily. I promise you'll quickly get the hang of it, and you'll enjoy making it!

You can find the geometric heart cross stitch kit over on The World In Stitches' Amazon and Etsy stores, along with lots of other gorgeous cross stitch kits and patterns.

I'll be back to show you the finished geometric squares cross stitch really soon.

Have you crossed stitched anything lately? Are there any other craft projects you've been making?

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The World In Stitches Colourful Geometric Cross Stitch Kits

A couple of weeks ago, I stumbled up on the most incredible range of colourful modern cross stitch kits when I was window-shopping on Amazon, which had me squealing at the laptop screen in excitement. Yeah, I don't get out much... 

The colourful, geometric designs are exactly the style I've been wanting to try doing freehand for several years now, but have never got around to doing, so I was excited to find such an awesome range of affordable kits online, and snapped two of them up almost immediately. I ended up being so impressed with them on delivery, that I ordered two others on my wish list straight away, and fully intend to return for more of them once I've made the ones I bought.

I'll of course be blogging the finished projects once I've made them, but I wanted to give you guys my first impressions of them now because it's going to take me months to make them all, and they're just too good to keep to myself.

The kits are from an English brand called 'The World In Stitches', who make original handmade modern cross stitch kits and patterns that are suitable for both beginners and cross stitch pros alike. They currently sell a variety of different designs, from geometric patterns and mandalas, to folk and scandi, and I think they're all absolutely gorgeous.

It was so difficult to narrow down my favourites, but I purchased the Geometric Heart and Geometric Squares kits on my first order, and then went back for the Spectrum Mandala and Spectral Mandala kits after the first two arrived because I was so impressed with the quality and the amazing colourful designs.

The designs are all so colourful, fun, vibrant, and eye-catching, and a world apart from the traditional and often frumpy cross stitch designs usually marketed at the older lady. I'm sure you'll agree, there's nothing frumpy or old-fashioned about these kits! I think lot of people are still under the impression that cross-stitching is still a dull, old-fashioned craft for dowdy old ladies and nothing more, but I hope these kits will prove that cross stitching doesn't have to be like that at all. It can be fun and modern and fashionable, and an enjoyable hobby for people of all ages- because it is. Sure, there are plenty of traditional kits out there only your Granny would want to sew, but there are heaps of modern kits out there for stylish younger crafters to enjoy, too. The choice of designs and styles out there is actually insane, and there's something out there for everybody.

Everything included in the kits are of fantastic quality- the aida, the threads, the needle, even the instructions.

They include thick, 14 count white aida.

The threads are DMC stranded cotton, which are basically the best quality embroidery threads you can get, and they're so brightly-coloured that they're going to be so fun to sew with.

The chart and instructions are printed in colour on high-quality, thick paper. They're nice and large, and very clearly colour coded, so they're very easy to follow and decipher, which is exactly what you want from a cross stitch chart.

The threads are also pre-sorted, which makes life easier- although it's unlikely you'll have difficulty matching up the correct colour threads to the symbols with these kits, since the rainbow colours are easily distinguishable.

Each kit also includes a clear and detailed beginner's guide to cross stitching with colour photographs to help you get started, so even beginners can make these awesome kits without much difficulty. 

The kits include almost everything you need to make them (aida, threads, needle, chart, beginner's guide); you'll just need to get your hands on an embroidery hoop, embroidery scissors, and a pencil or highlighter to mark the chart with as you go along. I usually use coloured pencils to cross mine off because I find it easier to see where I am when I'm stitching, although that works best on black and white charts.

I'm extremely impressed with the quality of all four of my kits, particularly because they are so inexpensive. The kits start from around £8.49, which is very reasonable for a cross stitch kit of this quality, and great value for money. The geometric heart and squares were both £8.49, and the mandalas, which are much larger in size were £17.49 each. They also sell some patterns separately for just a few quid each on Etsy.

I couldn't be happier with the four kits I bought. and I honestly couldn't recommend them to you more. They're some of the best cross stitch kits I've ever seen. If you're thinking of learning how to cross stitch or are a cross-stitcher looking for some new projects to make, give some of these kits a try! I promise you won't regret it!

You can find The World in Stitches on Amazon and Etsy.

Do you cross stitch in your spare time? Do you do any other crafts?