Title: Gameboy Advance Micro Console Date Completed: June 2018 Design: Lord Libidan Count: 14 Canvas: Plastic Colours: 4 Game: Nintendo Gameboy Advance
The best place to start with this project is how it came about. I had created a Nintendo N64 Micro Console Cross Stitch and had intended to create a classic Gameboy in the same scale (which I later did), however instead created the Gameboy Color Micro Console Cross Stitch as it was more visually interesting. However my memory of the Gameboy was firmly set on the Gameboy Advance.
This new challenge was actually more interesting that it sounds, as along with creating a smaller Gameboy, a Gameboy on a different orientation, and a Gameboy with shoulder buttons, I also had to create smaller games that would still play the larger variants. Choosing the launch purple, I created something that works well, but not perfectly. In future I think an additional ‘step’ on the back will allow you to get Gameboy Advance games out easier.
Title: Gameboy Color Micro Console Date Completed: June 2018 Design: Lord Libidan Count: 14 Canvas: Plastic Colours: 8 Game: Nintendo Gameboy, Pokemon Red, Pokemon Blue, Pokemon Yellow, Harvest Moon
I had this project on the back burner since my Nintendo N64 Micro Console Cross Stitch back in June of 2017. In that time I’ve been working on my largest ever project, but also stitching some secret projects. By now I can say that I create cross stitch patterns for the Xstitch Mag, which has taken up some time, but also two books, and a third and fourth book proposal, which I can say a little more about in the coming weeks. However, with the newest Xstitch Mag project done, it was announced that the next issue was goign to be a ‘mixtape’ issue. In short, this meant I could stitch anythign I wanted, so long as it fit in the mag. I threw this idea back in the mix along with a Micro Cassette Keychain Cross Stitch.
My initial idea was to copy the size requirements of the micro Nintendo N64 console I stitched, but make a classic gameboy. Whilst I did go onto make a Classic Gameboy Micro Console Cross Stitch as part of the project, I initially shelved the idea, instead going for a Gameboy Color, as it looked a little more interesting.
Picking the launch color, lime green, I created a micro Gameboy color, with a slot at the back for games to go in and out. In addition I created a cartridge of Harvest Moon 2 (my favorite Gameboy game) and Pokemon Blue, Pokemon Red and Pokemon Yellow.
Title: Gameboy Micro Console Date Completed: June 2018 Design: Lord Libidan Count: 14 Canvas: Plastic Colours: 3 Game: Nintendo Gameboy
I had originally set out to create a classic Gameboy in the scale of my Nintendo N64 Micro Console Cross Stitch a year ago, and although I had ditched the idea in order to create the Gameboy Color Micro Console Cross Stitch at the start of this project, it just didn’t seem right to leave the classic Gameboy out. This design is actually the same as the Gameboy color, with a wider and longer body, and as a result is still able to play the Gameboy games I created.
Finding gifts for the people in your life that like things outside of your normal is hard, and so we’ve put together 7 awesome gift ideas for cross stitchers.
The great thing about needle keeps, other than how cheap they are, is the awesome volume of different designs. Pick something their interested in, and BOOM! You’ve got yourself a super personalised gift for under a fiver! They can even become a bit of a hobby in themselves; I have a charizard, a cup of tea, the cake design you see here and a book. I would look on Etsy first as they have a whole wealth of handmade ones.
How about something a little more practical? These ThreadCutterz are an awesome alternative to scissors, which sits on your finger like a ring, meaning no more swapping out to go for a pair of scissors. Just for an added bonus they can be taken on international plane flights too!
I know, I just said about replacing scissors, but in reality, a lot of cross stitchers like a good pair of scissors. In fact, I’m a believer that you always need another pair of scissors. You can choose practical scissors, fancy scissors, or even super colorful ones. We’ve even got a guide for finding the best cross stitch scissors if you’re not sure what type to get.
One of the best gifts I’ve ever recived is a thread shade card. They simply show you how all the colors look, and how they sit together. DMC (the most common thread company) do a version with thread samples ($20)including the new DMC threads, which is far superior. We have a copy of the DMC shade card on our site to see at any time, however we know from experience that there is nothing like the real thing. A steal at $20 too.
What about a gift that keeps giving? There are loads of cross stitch magazines out there, including a whole raft of modern, traditional, kid friendly and international ones. The great thing however is it keeps being delivered month after month! They’re fantastic for giving you patterns, inspirations, fiding out about new products and a lot give away free gifts too! Prices vary, $20-$60 a year.
As a cross stitcher I know too well that there is a super warm fuzzy feeling that comes from owning a full set of cross stitch threads. Now this might seem like a big cost, $200 or more for DMC. However just a pack of threads, such as metallics or the new coloris range are an awesome way to bring a bit of flair into someone’s cross stitch for a really reasonable price. As a bonus, they come in nice gift boxes too! It’s also worth noting that there is a cheaper brand of threads which are surprisingly good, and can cost as little as $40 for the whole set!
How about something slightly more expensive? A time comes for every cross stitcher when they want to make their own patterns, and whilst you can do this online, they all have their limitations. As a result you often see a cross stitch pattern creation program on the wish list of many cross stitchers. You can choose from frankly hundreds of them, with prices ranging from $20 to over $200, however the ever popular WinStitch or PCstitch are the best bets, for $50. You can find a comparison of cross stitch programs here.
I write and I make patterns for the XStitch Magazine and found myself writing a companion piece before, such as my blog on when cross stitch almost made it to space. However in the newest issue, we talk about green. My post focused on the weird relationship we have with green, in both love and hate, thanks to ink prices, sour emotions and the green of nature. I had planned to cross stitch something within the theme using glow-in-the-dark thread, as I knew it came in green. But then I though:
Why are glow-in-the-dark threads green?
Let’s start by looking at the facts; glow in the dark thread is green. You can see a few awesome glow-in-the-dark stitches elsewhere on my website, its green. But does it have to be? No. In fact, there are loads of threads out there that are glow-in-the-dark and not green, take these Kreinik ones for example: There are two reasons for the green glow. Science, and physcology.
Science – The reason the glow comes, or the phosphorescent if you want to get fancy, is mostly down to zinc sulfide. Unlike other glowing chemicals, zinc is non-harmful to humans, and fairly stable. Zinc sulfide, is green. Now, you can add it to other chemicals to make it different colors, hence Kreinik’s threads, however the combining reduces the phosphorescent effect heavily.
Physcology – People expect it to be green. Originally green was used as a haunted and eery color thanks to halloween, being represented in alien blood, slime or zombies, and so when glow-in-the-dark colors came into fashion, green seemed the obvious choice. Since then, you naturally associate the color in your head when thinking of glow-in-the-dark, so when its different; you don’t like it as much. Turns out people, just like it that way.
Let’s face it, you’ve used metallics at some point, but you’ve not touched it in a LONG time, right? Simply put, speciality threads are hard to use. But they don’t have to be. With a few simple changes to the way you work, metallics suddenly become super easy and a fantastic way to make your projects more interesting. We spoke to a few major players using metallic threads, including kreinik threads to see what they suggest.
Pick the right thread
If you’ve picked up a metallic thread from the shelf, you’ve either picked up a thick thread (like DMCs metallics) or a super thin blending thread. Neither are useful. In face DMCs metallics are so thick they can only be used on 10/12 count and not 14. Instead look to get a thin braid specifically designed for set count aida. Different thread weights. Kreinik Very Fine #4 Braid, Fine #8 Braid, Blending Filament combined with floss, just floss. Source: Kreinik Threads
Remove the curls
Metallics knot. A lot. So so much… But there is a good reason! As they’re held on the spool the metal parts stiffen into the shape, meaning when you pull it off, there are curls. We tend to want to straighten the thread with twists of the needle, which leads to more knots. BUT if you dampen a small sponge (make up sponges work well) and pull the thread you’ll find it straights right out. No more knots!
Source: Kreinik Threads
Don’t seperate the threads
This is SUPER important with other speciality threads such as glow in the dark threads, where the threads are actually made up differently, meaning you might strip the threads apart. If you’ve picked the right thread, as per above, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Don’t stitch 2 over 2
OK, so I know I keep going on about picking the right thread, but if you’ve picked the right thread; stick with it. That means you shouldn’t split the thread apart, and you shouldn’t combine the threads together to make a ‘double thread’. Metallics are made to be used as one thread only.
Make the thread ‘slide’
There are parts of the cross stitch world that simply haven’t come to terms with the closure of thread heaven. Simply put, the stuff make working with metallics a breeze in itself, however they are no more. But that doesn’t mean other alternatives don’t work. I personally wouldn’t use the likes of beewax for cotton threads as it clumps up, but metallics slide so easy its crazy. Even better news? Bees wax is super easy to get hold of.
Slow down (and calm down)
Finally, with one simple thing you can improve any metallic stitching session; remember metallics aren’t like cotton threads. They’re different in pretty much every way, and whilst they kinda look the same, so long as you take your time, any problems are easily fixed.
Title: Pokemon Mini Map Date Completed: May 2018 Design: Lord Libidan Count: 14 Canvas: Plastic Colours: 5 Game: Pokemon
Its really no secret that I love Pokemon, and I love maps. I even devoted a whole post to the best cross stitch maps. And honestly, about half of them were Pokemon. However, I wrote that blog after my own Pokemon map cross stitch, and whilst that map was created by me using 15 different reference images, these in game maps of regions stitched up by strangenessisconserved weren’t some of them. Pokemon region maps by strangenessisconserved Weirdly, the maps in game don’t match up to what we know about the Pokemon world, especially the Kanto and Johto regions (top left and right on the image above). So I decided to combine the images to create an in-style in game Pokemon map of Kanto and Johto.
You can see below how my two Pokemon maps compare:
You may have been cross stitching for some time, however like all hobbies, there are always things we don’t know. Here are 10 things you didn’t know about cross stitch.
1 – A samurai once brought cross stitch to Japan without knowing it
We’re big fans of Japan here at Lord Libidan, however a recent story we went into looked at how one samurai accidently brought cross stitch to Japan, all due to a runny nose. Hitomezashi sashiko
2 – Pattern books are super old
It might seem surprising to modern cross stitchers, but the very first cross stitch pattern books were sold as far back at the 14th century. The oldest surviving one is from 1545AD.
3 – Cross stitch is actually an emulation of Berlin wool work
What!?! I hear you cry. When cross stitches were first brought to the world, the was no set structure. However Berlin wool work, similar to needlepoint today, structured the design by using something similar to aida. The English thought this looked more attractive and stopped using linen, and started using aida to make their own Berlin wool work type designs.
4 – Cross stitch have been found on fabric dating all the way back to the 6th Century
Whilst we look at older embroidery in our history of cross stitch, the first cross stitches ever found were from the 6th Century!
5 – Cross stitch is the oldest form of embroidery and can be found all over the world
On that note, cross stitch is world wide. So much so that even without the internet, cross stitch was the oldest embroidery technique that was found around the globe.
6 – The largest cross stitch in the world is oer 9 million stitches
Think thats big? In our post about the world record breaking cross stitch we see a cross stitch project with over 97 million cross stitches.
7 – While most folk embroidery is no longer popular, cross stitch is heavily used in Palestinian dressmaking
Traditionally, before cross stitch became samplers, it was used in traditional folk dress. However, modern Palestinian dressmaking still uses cross stitch heavily!
8 – Cross Stitch crossed social class boundaries
Don’t think that cross stitch jumped from folk to fancy samplers though. Cross stitch has been created from the poorest to richest parts of society. In world war 2 prisoners of war stitched, the 18th century it was fancy samplers, in the 80s it was mine workers. Cross stitch is for everyone. Sampler by Major Alexis Casdagli (source: V&A website)
9 – Most modern patterns cross stitch an object, but Assisi embroidery the stitches are reversed
In traditional Assisi embroidery, cross stitches are used, but instead of stitching an object or sampler, the background is stitch instead.
I’ve always loved maps. Bit of a cartophile. However, it looks like I’m not alone, as there are a wealth of awesome cross stitch maps out there just begging for some limelight!
Stardew Valely
The reason I started looking into cross stitch maps was this. Not only is Stardew Valley an awesome game map, but Bunia has recreated the in-game map into a fantastic micro scale map with all the details of the original and more. Just to take it one step further, she also offered the pattern for free!
Zelda
Jumping back a step though, sometimes video game maps are awesome on there own. In my mind however, Zelda’s Ocarina of Time map was a little sparse on details. BUT, it looked great from above. This cross stitcher thought so too and make a cracking recreation. But lest we forget the awesome Zelda map Servotron created that has been recreated by this stitcher:
Mario
Whilst we’re on the topic of video game maps, lets talk about the weirdly shaped ones. Mario has always had great maps, but this third world map stitch by cross stitch ninja is frankly jaw dropping. The weird shape, the fact that is has a massive III lake, and the deserty finish make it one of my all time favorite maps.
Game Of Thrones
But sometimes, video games and other things combine. Like this Game of Thrones Mario mashup cross stitch map, which not only having a nice nod to both worlds, but has a shocking amount of accuracy too. Credit to MonkeeCatcher (the stitcher) and titan413 (the designer). But as one of the most watched TV shows in history, its no surprise that the original map got some love too. This design by Randomly Generated reminds me of the book map sooo much.
Pokemon
But where would a Lord Libidan post be without a bit of Pokemon? Now, its no secret that I’ve created my own Pokemon maps in the past: And loads of other people, like merichan27 and KDstitching have too: However, my out and out favorite cross stitch maps? They have to be these stellar mini maps by StrangenessIsConservative. Not only are they super cute, and based on in game sprites most people would have looked over, but they are the only images of the cross stitch world that exist in the Pokemon universe. AND the patterns are avalible for free!
We’re not shy of showing off some awesome pop culture cross stitch on Lord Libidan before, however what about the times when pop culture shows off cross stitch? Here are some awesome examples of when TV shows, games and movies show off cross stitch!
Bioshock
The Bioshock games have a simple premis; the world was too complicated, so people went off to found a better city. In the third instalment of the game, gone were the art deco statues and famous artworks, and in came the simple world of cross stitch. What not a lot of people know however is that the game is filled with cross stitches, including in the lighthouse at the end of the game.
The Simpsons
Marge Simpson, one of our celebrities who cross stitch, is actually an accomplished cross stitcher. In Hello Gutter, Hello Fadder Marge creates a series of samplers for Lenny.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
A more modern TV show, Brooklyn has a character that cross stitches. She’s even called a ‘stitch skipper’…
Fargo
Whilst a lot of people know Fargo as the TV shows, which used knitting in its promotional posters, had a movie forerunner. And that forerunner had it poster made from (you guessed it) cross stitch. Know of any other times cross stitch was used in pop culture? Drop us a line!
I write and I make patterns for the 
