Tuesday 17 January 2012

A cross stitch kit review :)

Hi every one :)
I was asked at the weekend by Yiota if I would kindly review one of her cross stitch kits.......

so grab a cuppa and sit back and enjoy :)

after a few emails back and forth and having a really good drool and looking through all of the choices on her site  www.yiotas-xstitch.com 
I finally decided after much deliberating  on... Landscape window in stained glass .....
Her site is really easy to navigate and has lots of choices for those who are just starting out and also for the advanced stitcher .... including cards and biscornus too :)

The kit arrived very quickly and beautifully packed in a stiff card-boarded envelope clearly stating do not  bend on the front .....
I opened it with great excitement and pulled out the clear plastic sleeve keeping all the kit together and loved how all the threads were pre wound onto large bobbins and clearly marked with the colour.

Yiota uses Maderia threads but does give a DMC option that won't be quite the same as the original charted version ....  a needle was carefully popped into the Aida that is provided with the kit ..... which  was cut to a generous size to accommodate the size of the chart I had chosen and to be able to frame it afterwards :) I was pleasantly surprised how nice the fabric felt (being a even weave and linen snob ...lol.... I wouldn't have objected to using it )

The chart was spread over two sheets of A3 which is a perfect size for me with clear and strongly printed symbols which is a definite added bonus too as well as centre marks .
There was an instruction sheet included with very helpful hints and tips for those just starting out :) 
In fact it is the perfect way to receive a kit ... you can start it straight away with minimum fuss ....  and that is what I did ....except I did change the fabric for  a 28 count even weave in the same colour ...
I spread the chart out on my stitching table and set off with the  first colour required for the middle of the chart and stitched a wee bit .... well you can't review a kit without starting it now, can you ..lol 

I certainly will be going back to purchase another kit  soon that I have my eye on..... as its my birthday very soon ;)
I certainly would recommend any one to use Yiota if they were looking for a special cross stitch kit for the speed of service and also ease of usage and the clear detailed charts that you receive  along with the all important wound bobbins :)

soooo I shall show you the photos now 

safely 
packaged

encased in the plastic sleeve
look at all those lovely colours on the aida
with the needle safely into the fabric

Landscape window with the sun streaming through
rather apt I thought ..lol

clear instructions and brilliant chart sheets :)



started stitching

added a wee bit of colour :)

Thank you Yiota for giving me the opportunity to review and stitch this lovely kit and I will be showing progress through out the next few months  sooo watch this space :)
take care and happy stitching :)
love mouse xxxxx

37 comments:

Margaret said...

You picked a beautiful kit! Nice review!

Thoeria said...

Lovely choice and thanks for the informative review, or should I say thanks so much for further enabling me :-) Must say I am entranced by those bobbins :) Will definitely be visiting the site to have a peak!

Unknown said...

What a lovely piece you picked and of course you can't review the kit without trying it out lol. Looking forward to seeing more on this, now I'm off for a looksie to see what I can perhaps find..but of course I don't need anything..wink wink

Nancy said...

You chose a lovely kit! Very nice review covering all the important qualities we stitchers look for!

Kaisievic said...

Gorgeous design and a great review - it certainly makes me want to check our Yiota's designs.

cheers, Kaye xoxox

Lesleyanne said...

A lovely design you chose and a great review.

Michelle said...

Lovely design Mouse. I have also been asked to review one of her kits just waiting on its arrival now. Lovely progress x

Tricia T said...

How pretty it will be! I've seen other reviews, but no one actually started it. I look forward to seeing your progress!!

Mary Ann said...

Great review, and your choice is going to be a very pretty finish!

Nicola said...

I enjoyed your review which was well written and informative. I like how the threads are pre wound, this is a big plus for me. There is nothing worse than receiving a Kit and you have to sort out the threads and decide which colours they are when there are several close shades.

Sarah said...

Lovely review and what a beautiful choice of kit! Looking forward to seeing more of this stitched up

Laurie in Iowa said...

Lovely kit and lovely review. Good job.

Peggy Lee said...

Very nice choice and you would make an excellent sales rep!

Do you have a goal of when you want this one finished?

Minnie said...

Beautiful choice and I think I'll go take look too.

Ziggyeor said...

Ohh that's very pretty (no new patterns, no new patterns)

Can't wait to see this continue.
Thanks for commenting on my blog.

Daniela said...

a beautiful choice and a great review. I will have to take a look at their site.

cucki said...

very lovely review and great kit..have fun xx

Mylene said...

A great review and a lovely design you've chosen!

Cath said...

A lovely kit . Can't wait to see your progress. X

Shari said...

great review & it will be fun to watch your progress!!! thanks for helping us!

DJ said...

Oh, Mouse, what a lovely pattern! Your description makes me want to run to her site and order! LOL In fact I did take a peek and was amazed at what she has to offer! Can't wait to see progress on this one. Sorry I didn't visit the other day and comment, life has a way of getting out of control around here. Love the pictures of Bentely though, he looks like a sweetie! *Hugs*

Kathy said...

Oh Mouse, that is a stunning pattern. And your review of it is just perfect. You have made a nice start too.

I am catching up and had missed Sunday's post. Love the piece you are doing on the gingham fabric. That is going to look fab with the red. And I just love the photos of adorable Bentley. He is just too cute. Pretty soon he will see the camera and start posing away. I know Rory does. :)

Rita said...

Enjoy this one!

Christine said...

Great start on what looks like a lovely kit

Ali said...

Oooh luckt lady - enjoy!! It looks lovely xx (thanks for your advice - would I just find sticky mount board at hobbycraft??)

Meari said...

I like how the Madiera thread was wound on bobbins. I'm looking forward to seeing your progress!

Julie said...

Great review. Nice kit.

Krista said...

Beautiful choice, Mouse, the colors are just gorgeous!

Unknown said...

thanks so much for your review! I am so glad you like the kit.

SheilasEmbroidery said...

A lovely design, how does the Madeira thread compare with DMC? I've only used it occasionally.

mdgtjulie said...

That's going to be lovely, Mouse. I can't wait to see it progress. I think you've thought of everything for your review.

Joysze said...

Great review, Mousie. :D I was looking at that one too. Guess we both liked the stained glass stuff. Nice start! :D

Angela said...

Wonderful review Mouse! I look forward to watching your progress :)

TinaTx said...

Great review!
How nice that the floss is pre-sorted and numbered. Bummer that it comes with Aida (I would have swapped that out too)Will be watching for updates!

Glenna said...

What a lovely review--thoughtful, thorough and fun. And it's a very pretty design!

The mouse house--I picture you living in a colorful mushroom full of beautiful cross stitch!

You asked about the abbreviation--I think AVAS? That would be au ver a soie, which is french silk floss similar to NPI (Needlepoint Inc Silk), both in cost (here about $4/skein which is about 7x the cost of DMC cotton skeins) and quality. Gloriana threads are about twice as expensive, although I think the skeins may be larger. I love using silk, so it helps that I work in a needlework shop and get an employee discount!

Carin said...

She has indeed beautiful kits but when she ask me to stitch one kit for her I had to say no, because I don't like to stitch patterns that are all full of stitches LOL
Hope you enjoy stitching the beautiful window !!

Anne said...

Oooh! I have seen her patterns popping up here and there. I'm really loving the Klimt patterns! The stained glass you chose is gorgeous. I would switch the fabric to a higher count evenweave too! Can't wait to see more of your stitching my dear!!