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Thursday 9 June 2016

Warning - This Post Contains Explosives!

As promised in my previous post here are some photos of my exploding book as inspired by Anna the Stitch Bitch.






And here's how you make one:

1. Take some squares of thick paper and fold them in quarters and one diagonal


2. Stick them together so the corner squares overlap


3. Cut up some patterned paper into squares just a little smaller than the quarters of the original squares


4. Stick some of the patterned squares onto the plain paper


5. Cut the rest of the patterned squares in half and stick the triangles on either side of the folded parts

(feet shown for scale)

6. Stick your cross stitched pieces onto the flat squares


7. The whole book, simply attach a front and back cover and some ribbon ties

Obviously they are not full instructions but if you Google "Exploding Book" you will find several tutorials in words and pictures or on YouTube depending which you prefer.

The designs in the book are by Just Nan, her Moon Riders and Crow Jackers minis.

This week I have continued with Little Snap Dragon by Kustom Krafts:

stitched on 32 count Murano Evening Sky by Crafty Kitten

I focused on his tail this week.

I also completed Just Nan's My Fair Ladybug and now my little brass ladybird charm has arrived I can attach that, scrapbook it and show you later.  I started another Just Nan small, this one is Beehive Violets:

stitched on 28 count evenweave

The whole centre of that piece will have a honeycomb stitched in gold metallic and a bee charm added so I'm leaving that until last.

Finally I received a lovely parcel earlier this week.  I was expecting my ladybird charm (and one or two other things to justify postage) so I wasn't surprised when the postman delivered a padded envelope.  But it was yellow, not white like SewandSo's usual envelopes.  And franked US with a customs slip.  Once I opened it I found a present from Susan Yellow Flower Meadow; some L*K charts she offered to me (which I had forgotten about), another cute 3D Nutmeg Cottage chart, some gorgeous purple linen and an awesome Hallowe'en sampler from Primitive Needle!


40 count Zweigart linen

And a floppy parcel wrapped in pretty tissue paper.  What could be inside?  Some more fabric?  A project bag?  Or half a shop of DMC?  Look at all these lovelies!  They are all the DMC needed for the Chatelaine Gardens of London which I intend to purchase for my Special Birthday!


Thank you Susan!  You are awesome!





32 comments:

D1-D2 said...

I love the exploding book! It's an excellent idea for all those small finishes.

A lovely gift from Susan :)

Unknown said...

Love the exploding box as a way of displaying small stitched pieces. Beautiful stitching on your other pieces. What a wonderful surprise gift.

Annie said...

The exploding book is such a cool idea and you did a marvelous job on it! So much fun!

gominam said...

I knew that book is gonna explode with lovely surprises, that's so neat! Your friend is so sweet, she knows how to make your day. Enjoy the awesome goodies:)

CalamityJr said...

You've been busy! Lovely stitching, and the exploding book is so much fun. Susan sent a wonderful assortment of goodies, but I think the threads for your special birthday project are especially thoughtful. I know you'll enjoy everything in her package!

Kerryp77 said...

The book looks stunning, it's so clever. The parcel from Susan is amazing. Lucky you x

Jacqueline Morris said...

Wow!! You are so creative, your exploding book is brilliant... Never seen one before so it was a real treat. Great stitching going on.. Your always stitching such great designs, I will enjoy your progress 😊
Wow!! Wonderful gifts, love that fabric! Cannot wait to see what you stitch on that!
Happy smiles 😊

KimM said...

Love the exploding book. Great post!
xxx

Heather said...

What a great gift! Lovely exploding book it's so cool!

gracie said...

Oh no, now you have me wanting to make one of these!

Linda said...

Love your exploding book Jo. Lovely stitching and what an awesome gift.

Linda

Bea said...

Fascinated by the exploding book - what a great way to show off your smalls.

And a wonderful parcel with lovely surprises.

Barb said...

That exploding book is a wonderful idea!! The dragon is growing and what a great package you received!

Preeti said...

It exploded so beautifully :) I like the idea and I guess I can ask my daughter to help as she is very good at paper folding. Great progress on your WIPs and that is a lovely gift from Susan.

Christine said...

That book is SO cool, I love the combination of creativity and maths.
Fabulous gift from Susan

Mii Stitch said...

We have been warned, this was indeed an explosive post ;)
The book looks fantastic!! A great idea for your spooky finishes!
Wow, Susan has been a real gem with her parcel!! Especially the DMC, these are so expensive in UK. Enjoy :)

Vickie said...

Wow! I keep going back to figure that book out! Really, really neat Jo!
Susan gave you a FANTASTIC gift!

Tiffstitch said...

Okay, I think I need to make one now that I see how you managed to get all your cross-stitch in it. Thank you for the inspiration and what awesome post!!

Mini said...

Wow the exploding book is amazing. Looks like a lot of work.
Love how you used it for your smalls.
Susan is officially your floss fairy i guess ..ha ha

Susan said...

What a great idea. I've made exploding books for baby and birthday gifts but never thought to use it for needlework display!!

Loretta @ Stitching the Night Away said...

adding exploding to my list of must-do craftiness....

Beth in IL said...

Love the exploding book. Wonder if I could use my Mill Hill bead kits in one?

Sheryl said...

Love your exploding book, great idea and so generous of Susan.

Justine said...

What a generous gift from Susan! So very kind of her. You have no excuse now not to start your Chatelaine!
Love the cute exploding book.

Brigitte said...

Oh my, Jo, this book is just gorgeous. And you inserted some stitched pieces too, a great addition. As far as I remember Nikki's book was just with paper (but I might be wrong). So far I have only seen leporello books.
This gift package from Susan is such a wonderful treat. Particularly all those DMCs that she sent. DMC hauls are my favourite supplies. I just love the sight of lots and lots of DMCs on a heap.

Lili said...

The exploding book is gorgeous! The halloween stitching is great too! :)
Beautiful gift! The colour fabric is amazing! I also have 2 of those beautiful gifts designs(one of them is a UFO ...)
Your dragon is adorable!
Happy Sunday!

The Knitting Cross Stitcher said...

What a briilliant book,lovely to see how you made it.
Little Dragon is looking great.You received a lovely gift,the fabric is gorgeous.

Stitching Noni said...

Love that book.... :o) that really would make a lovely little gift for all occasions.
Love your dragon - he is so sweet... and growing each time I see him!
Susan's early birthday gift must have been a wonderful surprise... look at all those pretties! Looking forward to seeing you start London now!
Hugs xx

Sarah in Stitches said...

That exploding book is awesome! Such a great finishing idea. Lovely progress, and enjoy those delicious goodies! :D

Leonore Winterer said...

I love the exploding book, what a great way to finish those smalls! And wow, look at those awesome presents you got! I love getting presents, and you posting about it is almost as good as getting one myself ^_^

Julie said...

Fabulous surprise gift from Susan
Love that exploding book, very clever.

Anna van Schurman said...

Fantastic! I love the way you decorated the pages. Mine still needs a lot of work!