Leanne Prain is the co-author of Yarn Bombing, and Hoopla – the art of unexpected embroidery is her latest book. In a nutshell, it’s terrific.

At 400 pages this is a book that will not only fill you with ideas and inspiration but will also improve your bicep strength. It is a veritable who’s who of contemporary stitchery, featuring interviews and projects with many familiar names including Rosa Martyn, Betsy Greer, Jenny Hart, Eliot BK, Ellen Schinderman, Liz Kueneke, Johnny Murder, Penny Nickels… I could go on.

The book has ten chapters covering all manner of subjects, from tools and materials to freeform work and so much more. There’s a section called Stitching Resources that features an interview with some wiseacre called Mr X Stitch, but don’t let that put you off!

The book is filled with great projects for you to try, covering most of your essential stitch types. There are plenty of quirky designs and clever ideas to keep you busy. What is great is that Leanne has interviewed many of the project creators, so you can get to know them and then enjoy their work.

Hoopla  is a great book. Packed with great stuff, big pictures and brilliant ideas. Published by Arsenal Pulp Press, it’s a must have for stitchy fans.

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Competition Time! Win a signed copy of PUSH Stitchery!

I like this book too much to give it away, so instead you have the chance to win a signed copy of PUSH Stitchery!

It couldn’t be easier – tell us your favourite story about an item you’ve stitched for someone. 

The closing date for entries is Saturday 7th January, when a winner will be chosen by the random number generator and we will post the result.

Good luck!

Megan Eckman aka Studio MME is a fantastic illustrator who has just launched a range of embroidery patterns based on some of her work.

I love her designs – they have an nostalgic style and elegance and yet the patterns don’t look too hard to handle.

Megan is offering one lucky commenter a chance to win one of her patterns, and it’s a breeze to enter!

All you have to do is visit her illustration page and then comment below, saying which illustration you think should be her next pattern. Simple!

The closing date for entries is Friday 7th October, when a winner will be chosen by the random number generator and we will post the result. Please include your email address when leaving a comment, so we can contact you after! Kthxbai!

Holy mackerel, it’s a Fifth Friday! And that means it’s another Fifth Friday Festival of Fabulousness! Awesome!

So what have we got lined up for you this time?

We introduce you to the patterns of StudioMME, with a chance to win one of their cool, new embroidery kits.

We’ve got two book reviews for you:

• The new book from Sweat Shop, the ultra cool craft cafe deep in the heart of Paris!
• The book that affirms embroidery’s place as the contemporary art form of choice – PUSH: Stitchery!

You will have a chance to win a copy of these books – the copy of PUSH: Stitchery will be signed with a special message from everyone’s favourite wiseacre, Mr X Stitch!

As well as having a new book in stores, we’ve also got a cool new cross stitch product for you to get stuck into! We think you’ll love it!

And we’re launching another swap on our Flickr super-group, the Phat Quarter!

What a big bag of awesome! Let’s crack on with it!

Ed Hardy is known as the “godfather of modern tattoos” for his artistic sophistication, depth and experimentation. His work adorns a broad range of products including t-shirts, sleepwear, energy drink, car accessories and more. And now he is entering the world of cross stitch.

While tattoo art and embroidery have been bed-fellows for quite a while, this is the first book of tattoo cross stitch design to be produced and I approached this book with high expectations. First impressions count and the book delivers – it’s one cool stitchery book, and I know plenty of people who should have this in their collection just in principle.

The book contains 30 traditional tattoo designs that have been translated into cross stitch patterns – skulls, tigers, roses, anchors – you name it, the book has got it. The thing that struck me with the patterns is the use of colour – it really echoes that old-school tattoo vibe and the colour blending is quite detailed.

Alas, I think this level of detail proves problematic with the patterns as it necessitates them being pretty big. While you could stitch them on high count fabrics, it would still involve a lot of stitching, meaning that this book is not necessarily for beginners. None of the patterns are particularly complicated, but some of the designs would be a real test of your commitment.

A redeeming feature is the gallery of original images at the back of the book. This is a great resource as it gives you the raw materials to try out different stitched versions of the same products, or even to get the thing stuck on your arm I guess.

I struggle with this book – I had high hopes when I heard about it, and while the patterns are a very faithful translation of Ed Hardy designs, it doesn’t feel like they’ve been translated by someone with an intimate knowledge of cross stitch. Had I overseen this project I think I may have chosen different designs or reworked them to simplify them a bit.

If you like tattoos and you like cross stitch, you will like this book. It delivers exactly what it says on the cover and the gallery of designs is an asset. However the size of the patterns is problematic and I suspect this book proves that while tattoos and embroidery work well together, the marriage of tattoos and the pixelated format of cross stitch ain’t quite so rosy.

If you’re in the UK, why not buy it from Amazon via our book store?

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Competition Time! Win a copy of Love Kills Slowly!

We have one copy of the book for you to win and it’s a breeze to do so!

Tell us a story about one of your tattoos. if you haven’t got a tattoo tell us a story about something else!

The closing date for entries is Friday 5th August, when a winner will be chosen by the random number generator and we will post the result.

The crew that brought you Zombie Felties are back with a new collection of soft toys for you to stitch – steampunk style!

This book contains the patterns for eight terrific characters that vary in difficulty. I still haven’t decided on who my favourite is, but Fathomless Tilt is slightly in the lead.

Some characters are more detailed that others but if you created all of them I think you would have practiced a wide range of skills along the way. I like Tompion Zeitgeist, but maybe he is brainwashing me…

Clear instructions and an introduction section will help you get started. Each character comes with detailed pattern guides, instructions and plenty of illustrations; all in all Steampunk Softies is a well-designed project book.

This a great book for crafters – you can create some quite charming characters, and then go foraging for new metal gizmos to create your own with!

If you’re in the UK, why not buy it from Amazon via our book store?

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Competition Time! Win a copy of Steampunk Softies!

We have one copy of the book for you to win and it’s a doddle to do so!

The Steampunk Softies characters have got some great names – Minerva Dupine (above), Ferris Scapula and many more!

What would your Steampunk name be?

The closing date for entries is Friday 5th August, when a winner will be chosen by the random number generator and we will post the result.

We had three book competitions in the FFFoF last week, tied in with reviews of those books, and it’s time to announce the winners! With the help of the Random Number Generator we plucked winners from the comments left on each of the posts.

First up was Big Little Felt Universe by Jeanette Lim!

Congrats to Gemma for being chosen! I look forward to hearing about the freaky looking headpiece!

Next up, Make a Monster by Fiona Goble!

Nice one Kristin! I hope you enjoy making lots of your own monsters from this book!

Don’t forget, if you’re a UK resident, we’ve got a discount code if you want to buy the book! Visit New Holland Publishers and use the discount code XSTITCH to claim a 20% discount and free postage and packing! The code is valid until 1st September 2011!

And finally, Sew Eco by Ruth Singer!

A top idea from Jessie there – thanks for all your eco ideas. Check the comments on the post to see some other top tips!

Thanks to everyone who took part, I’ll be in touch with the winners very soon!

Monsters eh? Sometimes scary, sometimes not-so-scary, always popular. If you’ve got little monsters in your household, Fiona Goble’s new book, Make a Monster: Over 15 Easy-to-make Fleecie Toys You’ll Love to Sew, will help you tame them.

Fiona’s book contains the patterns for 15 different monsters for you to try and they seem like quite a friendly bunch. The designs vary in difficulty as you progress through the book; each monster comes with a full set of instructions and there are templates at the back of the book to give you everything you need.

The monsters are very characterful and charming; there’s bound to be someone that takes your fancy and with Fiona’s clear and thorough instructions you should have no problem in creating your own creatures at all. There are plenty of tops tips peppered throughout the book and you’ll enjoy making these beasts your own!

Make a Monster is published by New Holland Publishers and available from all good retailers.

If you are a UK resident you can use the discount code XSTITCH to claim a 20% discount and free postage and packing if you buy the book from New Holland! Awesome!*

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Competition Time – Win this book!

We have one copy of the book for you to win and it’s easy peasy to do so!

It’s a two part contest:

1. Add your details to our mailing list**
2. Tell us who your favourite monster is and why!

The closing date for entries is Friday 6th May, when a winner will be chosen by the random number generator and we will post the result.

*Offer ends 1st September 2011

**We promise we won’t be evil with your information, we just want to be able to share Mr X Stitch news with you and pick your brains from time to time.

I’ve been a fan of Sophie, aka WhatDelilahDid, for ages; her stitched pieces have a real elegance to them. So I was thrilled when Sophie contacted me about her new cross stitch kit store!

There are six kits to choose from in the first series, and the monochrome nature of the designs makes them ideal presents for people new to stitchery! If you like what you see in the store, you can enter the special promotional code “MRXSTITCH” to receive a 10% discount on your entire purchase*!

How cool is that?!

But wait! It gets better!

One lucky commenter on this post will win the WhatDelilahDid kit of their choice!

Just leave us a comment below telling us a joke, or suggesting someone we should interview on Stitching n Junk, the world’s best stitching podcast! The closing date for entries is Friday 7th January, when a winner will be chosen by the random number generator and we will post the result.

*Terms and conditions apply – this offer expires at midnight on Thursday 6th January.

Hi everybody! Remember when I told you all about needle felter extraordinare Moxie‘s new book, I Felt Awesome? Remember how you pulled at your hair and wept with longing for a copy, but you didn’t get yourself one yet because you were buying presents for everybody else in your life? Well, here’s your chance to get a copy direct from Moxie herself! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

*Cheers! Fanfare!*

Yes, our own Moxie has generously offered to give away a copy of her book AND a mini-kit from her store, Hi-Fiber. Exciting!

All you need to do to enter is leave a comment on this post by the end of the day on Friday, January 7th. A winner will be selected at random thanks to Random Number Generator and announced that weekend.

Want to comment, but not sure what to say? That’s okay. it happens to the best of us. Why don’t you just tell us what you’d like to needle felt if you had infinite wool and needles at your disposable, or who you’d like us to interview on an upcoming episode of Stitching n Junk, or just say hi! Good luck!

Hi everybody! This time last week we announced that we were giving away a copy of Zombie Cross Stitch. We asked you to comment with suggestions for TV shows, movies or books that would benefit from the addition of zombies or other horror elements. We got some excellent responses! Zombie Smurfs. Golden Girls Eat Miami Beach. Punky Brewcula. You should really go check out the original post and read through them.

We used Random.org to choose the winner, so without further ado:

The lucky winner is #55, who is:

Becky! Yay! Congrats! Drop me a line at beefranck@mrxstitch.com and I’ll set you up with your prize.

Thanks so much to everyone for participating with so many fun comments, and stay tuned for more giveaway goodness in the future!