Seaside Life Nautical Plastic Canvas Cross Stitch Kit by Crafting Spark 210CS

Stitch Seaside Life, a set of four plastic canvas cross stitch motifs by Crafting Spark: a white lighthouse, a seahorse, a blue whale and a striped lighthouse cottage on sea-blue tags.

A little stitcher's folklore: sailors used to say a lighthouse is a promise kept: as long as its lamp turns, someone is keeping watch over the coast. Plastic canvas works like a tiny grid: every hole is clear, so the stitches are easy to count and a stray one is easy to fix.

Why this kit: four small motifs give you a finished piece at almost every sitting, so the project never drags; the plastic canvas keeps its shape, so there is no hoop, no ironing and no framing, just trim around each design; and two charts, one with the backstitch outlines and one without, keep the counting clear and easy to follow.

Kit includes: white 14-count plastic canvas, 100% cotton embroidery floss sorted on a numbered card, a needle, and two black-and-white charts, one with backstitch and one without. Stitches used: full cross stitches plus backstitch outlines. Not included: scissors and ribbon or cord for hanging.

Find the centre of each motif on the chart and on the canvas, then match each symbol to its numbered floss and work full cross stitches over one square of canvas. Add the backstitch outlines last. When a motif is finished, cut around it, leaving one empty square of canvas as a border so the edge stays strong, and thread a ribbon through the top to hang it.

Finished size: each motif measures about 9×13 cm (3.4×5.1 in). The four pieces can become ornaments, gift tags, magnets or bag charms. They look lovely in a beach house, a bathroom or a hallway, and make a thoughtful gift for sailors, beach lovers and coastal-home friends.