We’ve challenged three designers to use only the materials given to them to create a stitcher's birthday card. Read on to see how they got on…

THE CHALLENGE

• White 14 count aida fabric

• Seven shades of stranded cotton (shown above)

THE RULES

• Create a birthday card

• The design should be no larger than 50 x 30 stitches

• Only the threads above and sewing embellishments can be used

• Be creative as possible!

Happy Birthday to us! CrossStitcher is 400 issues old – can you believe it? As part of our celebrations, we asked our designers this month to come up with a birthday card for stitchers. Our designers could only use the seven shades of stranded cotton stipulated, and also had to add a little sewing embellishment or two. Take a look at their brilliant results below – we’ve featured a chart for each one so you can stitch your favourite! We hope this will inspire you to join in too – turn the page to see what our challenge will be for November – we’ve listed everything you need to take part.