Saturday, March 31, 2012

Day 30: Two Hours

Lark Books sent me a copy of their new Two-Hour Cross-Stitch: Flowers to review. I thought that in addition to reading through it and comparing it to Two-Hour Cross-Stitch and Two-Hour Country Cross-Stitch (books I already own), I should test it out. Do these patterns really take two hours?

And the answer to that is, yes. I stitched this tulip in an hour and a half. (Note: the book says the patterns will take between one and three hours.) I'm thinking of using it to make a measuring tape cover.

The 300 designs by Trice Boerens, the woman who designed the original Two-Hour Cross-Stitch book, offer quite a variety of small motifs that a person could use to make sewing smalls or fill out a sampler. The designs are grouped into the categories Deco, Traditional, Formal, Fantasy, and Monograms and Messages. The tulip I stitched is in the "traditional" category, but I am not sure I can offer distinctions between the first three categories. The fantasy category seems to have flowers with faces, children, and fairies. The last category has a fabulous set of floral numbers which would be great on a birthday card.Maybe it's the nature of what you can stitch in two hours, or maybe it's a function of the color choices, but  these three books have a similar sensibility.

The patterns are color only with no symbols. Also, the centers of the patterns are not marked. But you know how to count.

These books were great for me when I was young and all my friends were getting married. Shower gifts often consisted of placemats and some napkins that I had stitched. Or placemats I had stitched and matching napkins. So that is another way to use these patterns.

You can win a copy of Two Hour Cross Stitch: Flowers. Just leave a comment. (Leave your email if it is not in your Blogger profile.) Drawing on April 4.

17 comments:

Linda said...

Oh wow. I would love to be entered in your giveaway.

Thank you, Linda

Laura said...

Now this is trippy - I have that book on hold at the library (it says it was shipped 2 days ago) - I am glad to read a review of it! Thank you for having the contest as I would like to be entered into it as well.

Laura

ljmcd7 @ gmail.com

Daffycat said...

Cute motifs! That would be a great book to have for magnetic needleminders. Enter me please!

Sun City Stitcher said...

I love quick cross stitch for emergencies and such.

Amy said...

I would love to be entered in this fantastic drawing! I can think of all kinds of things I could use this for, and, I think I would love to try my hand and creating my own sampler!
Thanks,
Amy from Oklahoma

Adrienne Martini said...

Here I am, leaving a comment.

Lelia said...

The flowers look so pretty! Please include my name in your drawing ; )

Mary said...

Really - the placemat/napkin idea is brilliant! Please consider me in your generous giveaway!

Thank yu,

Mary in MN

m_kaeding@hotmail.com

Christine said...

Thanks -I would love to be included in your giveaway. Cute for quick gifts!

Christine

Raychill Canuck said...

What a great idea to stitch small designs on napkins and placemats. I'm sure my mom would love a set of placemats - must ask her what her favourite flower is.

StitchyDon said...

I would love to be entered!! The book looks like a great way to fill up larger designs!!!

Donloufree@yahoo.com

CalamityJr said...

What a great design book to have on hand. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Anna I would love a chance at your giveaway.. The book looks like it has alot of good stitching designs. Thanks!

barbara said...

It's interesting to hear that it's really possible to stitch the in the allotted time. I always seem to take longer to stitch than anyone else. :P I'm not entering the giveaway (which is wonderfully generous of you) but just popping up to say I appreciate your review. :)

Thoeria said...

I'm pleased to see that the title reflects reality :) Though I know that if it took you under 2 hours I'll probably slog along for 4!

Kathy K said...

2-hour cross stitch?? Very cool!

MelissaD said...

Please enter me in your giveaway. I'm a long time stitcher and try to stitch every day and am always looking for design ideas and inspirations.
thanks for having this giveaway!