Do you keep records of your finishes? We are so lucky to have so many record-keeping tools at our disposal to record our accomplishments. So if you do, what recording methods do you use? What do you think is important to record when you've finished a design?
For years I used a program called CrossMagic to keep track of my stitching patterns, projects that I've started (and finished), floss and silk threads. Unfortunately the owner of this program hasn't made any updates so it doesn't work on my newest laptop. For now I managed to upload the pattern and project data to Excel so I can keep it up there until I can maybe build a new database for me to use. This final part could take awhile. I've taken a beginning SQL class online but that was a year ago and since I haven't really used it a lot I've probably forgotten most of it. I figure I can get a good book to help me remember and get it all worked out.
Showing posts with label SBQ answer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SBQ answer. Show all posts
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
SBQ
It's been awhile since I posted an answer to the SBQ, but thought I'd try and get back into the swing of things with this one.
How do you balance your stitching time with your other obligations
such as work, household chores, etc.?
Balance? What is this balance you speak of? Here's the thing. My stitching, and my knitting and other hobby time, is what I do to relax. So, when I have a few minutes, or when I'm feeling that I need to sit down and relax and just be, then I pull out stitching, or knitting, and work on that. The other thing is I don't like to just sit and do "nothing". If I'm sitting down I'm either reading, stitching or knitting, if I'm not eating. That means I almost never just sit and watch TV. If I'm watching TV, then I'm doing something else, usually stitching, or knitting. So, I guess I don't think of stitching time as something I need to balance, it just happens.
How do you balance your stitching time with your other obligations
such as work, household chores, etc.?
Balance? What is this balance you speak of? Here's the thing. My stitching, and my knitting and other hobby time, is what I do to relax. So, when I have a few minutes, or when I'm feeling that I need to sit down and relax and just be, then I pull out stitching, or knitting, and work on that. The other thing is I don't like to just sit and do "nothing". If I'm sitting down I'm either reading, stitching or knitting, if I'm not eating. That means I almost never just sit and watch TV. If I'm watching TV, then I'm doing something else, usually stitching, or knitting. So, I guess I don't think of stitching time as something I need to balance, it just happens.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
SBQ time
It's that time again, when you find out more about the way I stitch. This week's SBQ is very interesting.
How do you handle blended threads? Do you kit the blends up before you start a piece, or do you grab what colors you need and blend when the need arises? If you kit up the blends beforehand, how do you store them? Do you have another option for blends to share?
First, I try to avoid blended threads if possible. Not that I don't think that they serve a purpose, but I just hate to deal with them. That being said, in my pile of UFO/WIPs I have plenty of items that use blended threads. The one I'm working on semi-currently is Misty Morning Vineyard. Specifically the peacock uses blended threads.
My normal modus operandi is to blend as needed. That way I don't get it all tangled and I don't have much leftover when I'm done that I won't use. If I have some left over after working within an area and I know I'm going to need it again, I'll store the left-overs in a small bag with a label telling me what blend it is.
In doing the peacock I decided to work the body in over 1. That meant that I had to strip my silk threads and reply them to get the blended portion. It's a bit time consuming, but the result is, I must say, magnificent and worth the extra time and effort.
How do you handle blended threads? Do you kit the blends up before you start a piece, or do you grab what colors you need and blend when the need arises? If you kit up the blends beforehand, how do you store them? Do you have another option for blends to share?
First, I try to avoid blended threads if possible. Not that I don't think that they serve a purpose, but I just hate to deal with them. That being said, in my pile of UFO/WIPs I have plenty of items that use blended threads. The one I'm working on semi-currently is Misty Morning Vineyard. Specifically the peacock uses blended threads.
My normal modus operandi is to blend as needed. That way I don't get it all tangled and I don't have much leftover when I'm done that I won't use. If I have some left over after working within an area and I know I'm going to need it again, I'll store the left-overs in a small bag with a label telling me what blend it is.In doing the peacock I decided to work the body in over 1. That meant that I had to strip my silk threads and reply them to get the blended portion. It's a bit time consuming, but the result is, I must say, magnificent and worth the extra time and effort.
Friday, April 11, 2008
SBQ time
I don't know how many of you enjoy these questions and answers, but sometimes I find them interesting reading. Oh, and it gives me something to blog about without thinking, an extra bonus some weeks.
What is the most complicated piece you've ever completed?
The most complicated piece I ever worked on may have been Rae Iverson's Things That Go Bump in the Night Etui. There are some very interesting stitches on this piece as a whole and I have to say I loved working on it. I also have to admit that I didn't put it together. I was too scared. I had my DF Vicky B. do that, and she did an amazing job.
That's all 4 sides. The top has a little needlework and the bottom I stitched my name, the date I actually finished and where I lived at the time. Each of the bugs has different stitches to create their bodies. It really is the coolest piece I think I've ever done.
The most complicated finishing piece I did was last year. The stitching wasn't particularly hard, but the finishing about kicked both myself and DF Heather. All Year Squared, or as we called it "cubie", was not the easiest thing to put together. Mainly because it's so very small. Very small. But we managed and I felt a sense of accomplishment.
Perhaps the most difficult item was not a single item, but a series of items I stitched with 3 other very special ladies. DF's Heather, Jill and Judy joined me in stitching a total of 4 samplers in a round robin fashion. We each started our samplers, and then the others had 2 different opportunites to stitch bands on them before they returned home. Since all of us, except for Jill and I who had worked together, met through Rae Iverson's classes, we decided to use motifs from her many designs to create our bands. You could also include something you'd designed on your own, but only DF Heather and I tried our hands at that. The hard part was deciding what went best with each of the different samplers. Each one came out so differently. Heather was kind enough to keep track of everything on her personal site and you can see our masterpieces in all their glory here. This is also my most prized piece of needlework. A few years ago we got a call that we had to evacuate due to a forest fire that was near our house. We had 30 minutes to gather what we wanted to take with us and pack it in our vehicles and get out. There were 2 things I grabbed off the walls, the last picture take of my maternal grandfather when we went into the Navy in WW2 and my Friends RR. In fact, those were the first two things I put in my truck. Interesting what we realize is important to us when we're forced to choose. I figured all the rest could be restitched, but this piece couldn't. It is as special to me as the women who helped to create it. I don't live near any of them anymore, but it is a daily reminder of their friendship.
This weekend I had some fun times and managed to stitch a little. Pictures soon.
What is the most complicated piece you've ever completed?
The most complicated piece I ever worked on may have been Rae Iverson's Things That Go Bump in the Night Etui. There are some very interesting stitches on this piece as a whole and I have to say I loved working on it. I also have to admit that I didn't put it together. I was too scared. I had my DF Vicky B. do that, and she did an amazing job.
That's all 4 sides. The top has a little needlework and the bottom I stitched my name, the date I actually finished and where I lived at the time. Each of the bugs has different stitches to create their bodies. It really is the coolest piece I think I've ever done.
The most complicated finishing piece I did was last year. The stitching wasn't particularly hard, but the finishing about kicked both myself and DF Heather. All Year Squared, or as we called it "cubie", was not the easiest thing to put together. Mainly because it's so very small. Very small. But we managed and I felt a sense of accomplishment.
Perhaps the most difficult item was not a single item, but a series of items I stitched with 3 other very special ladies. DF's Heather, Jill and Judy joined me in stitching a total of 4 samplers in a round robin fashion. We each started our samplers, and then the others had 2 different opportunites to stitch bands on them before they returned home. Since all of us, except for Jill and I who had worked together, met through Rae Iverson's classes, we decided to use motifs from her many designs to create our bands. You could also include something you'd designed on your own, but only DF Heather and I tried our hands at that. The hard part was deciding what went best with each of the different samplers. Each one came out so differently. Heather was kind enough to keep track of everything on her personal site and you can see our masterpieces in all their glory here. This is also my most prized piece of needlework. A few years ago we got a call that we had to evacuate due to a forest fire that was near our house. We had 30 minutes to gather what we wanted to take with us and pack it in our vehicles and get out. There were 2 things I grabbed off the walls, the last picture take of my maternal grandfather when we went into the Navy in WW2 and my Friends RR. In fact, those were the first two things I put in my truck. Interesting what we realize is important to us when we're forced to choose. I figured all the rest could be restitched, but this piece couldn't. It is as special to me as the women who helped to create it. I don't live near any of them anymore, but it is a daily reminder of their friendship.
This weekend I had some fun times and managed to stitch a little. Pictures soon.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
SBQ
This week's question is....
What items do you consider essential to your needlework that you keep
in your stitching bag?
Interesting question. I always have a pair of good embroidery scissors, with nice sharp points in case I'm doing cut work. Also a package of my favorite needles, gold John James petites, probably size 26 or 28. I also normally have a long beeding needle, just in case I want to add a little sparkle to something. I also usually have a laying tool that fits on my thumb. Last, I try to have one of my small tape measurer's in my case. I consider those the essentials. If I'm going to a class or traveling, I might add in some extra needles of different sizes as well as some ivory Nymo beading thread, oh and sometimes my lucky buckeye I got in class one time. Pretty much, that covers the things I have to have. Unless you count my cheater glasses if I think I'm going to be wearing my contacts when I want to stitch.
Hopefully tomorrow I'll have a picture of what I've accomplished on Misty Morning Vineyard (Martina Weber) since I started working on it last week. My goal is to give you a picture when I finished the arbor I've been working on. Truly I'm such a slow stitcher. I know a whole boatload of stitchers who would have been almost finished with the whole thing in the time it's taken me to do this arbor. In my defense, I was working on it while I wasn't feeling to great and I was clipping right along when I realized that I had totally misread part of the chart and had to "frog" a bunch of leaves. However that may be what I get for trying to stitch while watching Dancing With The Stars. Really, how can you count when you're faced with the proof that there must be a "shirt crisis" in L.A.? Not 1 but 2 men couldn't find a shirt to wear? Clearly, there is a shortage of shirts in that fair city. Wouldn't you have miscounted?
What items do you consider essential to your needlework that you keep
in your stitching bag?
Interesting question. I always have a pair of good embroidery scissors, with nice sharp points in case I'm doing cut work. Also a package of my favorite needles, gold John James petites, probably size 26 or 28. I also normally have a long beeding needle, just in case I want to add a little sparkle to something. I also usually have a laying tool that fits on my thumb. Last, I try to have one of my small tape measurer's in my case. I consider those the essentials. If I'm going to a class or traveling, I might add in some extra needles of different sizes as well as some ivory Nymo beading thread, oh and sometimes my lucky buckeye I got in class one time. Pretty much, that covers the things I have to have. Unless you count my cheater glasses if I think I'm going to be wearing my contacts when I want to stitch.
Hopefully tomorrow I'll have a picture of what I've accomplished on Misty Morning Vineyard (Martina Weber) since I started working on it last week. My goal is to give you a picture when I finished the arbor I've been working on. Truly I'm such a slow stitcher. I know a whole boatload of stitchers who would have been almost finished with the whole thing in the time it's taken me to do this arbor. In my defense, I was working on it while I wasn't feeling to great and I was clipping right along when I realized that I had totally misread part of the chart and had to "frog" a bunch of leaves. However that may be what I get for trying to stitch while watching Dancing With The Stars. Really, how can you count when you're faced with the proof that there must be a "shirt crisis" in L.A.? Not 1 but 2 men couldn't find a shirt to wear? Clearly, there is a shortage of shirts in that fair city. Wouldn't you have miscounted?
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Knitting Happy!
I know, it doesn't make a lot of sense, but stick with me a minute. You see, yesterday mom had an appointment with her podiatrist. I had a feeling we might be awhile since her big toe looked really nasty, and has for at least a few months. Since Saturday I frogged my "I Dreamed of Africa" socks, I needed something to work on that was portable. Also Saturday I picked up some Rowan Calm to make the Cecily Beanie. I wanted to make it because 1) it's really cute, and 2) I thought it would look adorable with some surface embroidery around the crown as opposed to the pom-poms they show it with. (I do like the buttons, but I have a further ulterior motive.) Oh, and 3) I'm teaching a class next month on embellishing and embroidering on your knitting and wanted this to show technique and ideas. So, I gathered my stuff and cast-on sitting in the doctor's office. By last night this is what it looked like.
By the end of the movie Wild Hogs, which I watched tonight since there is nothing new on TV and I didn't really want to hear a play by play of the Florida primary. (Yes, I did my civic duty and went and voted, but I really don't want to hear other people tell me what happened and what was said and what it all means. The whole 24 hours news thing sometimes really gets on my last nerve. Especially since they are all focused on the national stuff and of course have little to say about the part I really care about, the amendment to our state constitution.) So, with only reruns on the networks thanks to the continued writers strike, I was down to my last movie from Netflix. Thankfully it was just long enough for me to finish the knitting and...wait for it...the finishing. No, I didn't get it embroidered yet, but it's all put together ready for me to figure out what colors to use and what to stitch on it. I put it on, but my camera wasn't around, so no picture yet. I'll take one when I get the embroidery done.
I have to say that I'm very happy about this. I finished something. Which reminds me. On my SBQ answer I said I hadn't had a happy dance so far this year. No true. I have had one, I just can't show it to you since it's a surprise for my friend who's birthday was MUCH earlier this month and I don't have things all done to send her the package...but it's coming Jean...I promise!
So, now I'm off to crawl in bed and read and hopefully sleep. Tomorrow is another day and hopefully it will be even more productive then today was!
By the end of the movie Wild Hogs, which I watched tonight since there is nothing new on TV and I didn't really want to hear a play by play of the Florida primary. (Yes, I did my civic duty and went and voted, but I really don't want to hear other people tell me what happened and what was said and what it all means. The whole 24 hours news thing sometimes really gets on my last nerve. Especially since they are all focused on the national stuff and of course have little to say about the part I really care about, the amendment to our state constitution.) So, with only reruns on the networks thanks to the continued writers strike, I was down to my last movie from Netflix. Thankfully it was just long enough for me to finish the knitting and...wait for it...the finishing. No, I didn't get it embroidered yet, but it's all put together ready for me to figure out what colors to use and what to stitch on it. I put it on, but my camera wasn't around, so no picture yet. I'll take one when I get the embroidery done.I have to say that I'm very happy about this. I finished something. Which reminds me. On my SBQ answer I said I hadn't had a happy dance so far this year. No true. I have had one, I just can't show it to you since it's a surprise for my friend who's birthday was MUCH earlier this month and I don't have things all done to send her the package...but it's coming Jean...I promise!
So, now I'm off to crawl in bed and read and hopefully sleep. Tomorrow is another day and hopefully it will be even more productive then today was!
Saturday, January 26, 2008
This week's SBQ
It's kind of a depressing answer, but here goes...
Have you had a happy dance yet this year? If so, tell us about it! (Or just point to the entry that mentions it.) If not, when do you predict it will be?No happy dance in the stitching department yet this year. At the rate I've been stitching, which is very little, I have no idea what my first HD will be in 2008. Seriously, I haven't been stitching, it seems the mojo has left the building. Which is very strange as January is "Guilt-free" month. Seriously, you'd think I'd be starting things all over the place. I've certainly got plenty of stash to do a bang up job, and yet, I can't find my stitching mojo. I've tried, but every time I go to pick something up, it just isn't speaking to me. So I end up knitting. Oh well, at least I'm making progress on something.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
It's time for another SBQ
This week's SBQ question is:
What is your favorite past time while stitching? Do you just enjoy
silence, listen to music/audiobooks or do you "watch" TV/movies? Do
you have specific favorites you listen to/watch while stitching?
Usually I "watch" TV or a movie while stitching. If there's absolutely nothing on and I don't have a good DVD to watch, then I'll listen to an audiobook. I'm not one for silence for long stretches of time no matter what I'm doing. Even when reading a book I usually have some background noise on. My absolute favorite stitching time is when I'm with friends who also stitch, although I don't usually get as much stitching done during those times. I'd trade TV, movies and most anything else to hang out with them and stitch. I'm lucky to have finally found a group I enjoy stitching with that meet here and have also made a friend who shares my love of needlework and yarn close-by. I also have a larger group of friends who live much further away, as in and around Atlanta, who I try to get with at least once a year, sometimes more.
No real favorites on what to watch or listen to in books. Usually something I like and that's easy to follow since I do try to not make a ton of mistakes.
What is your favorite past time while stitching? Do you just enjoy
silence, listen to music/audiobooks or do you "watch" TV/movies? Do
you have specific favorites you listen to/watch while stitching?
Usually I "watch" TV or a movie while stitching. If there's absolutely nothing on and I don't have a good DVD to watch, then I'll listen to an audiobook. I'm not one for silence for long stretches of time no matter what I'm doing. Even when reading a book I usually have some background noise on. My absolute favorite stitching time is when I'm with friends who also stitch, although I don't usually get as much stitching done during those times. I'd trade TV, movies and most anything else to hang out with them and stitch. I'm lucky to have finally found a group I enjoy stitching with that meet here and have also made a friend who shares my love of needlework and yarn close-by. I also have a larger group of friends who live much further away, as in and around Atlanta, who I try to get with at least once a year, sometimes more.
No real favorites on what to watch or listen to in books. Usually something I like and that's easy to follow since I do try to not make a ton of mistakes.
Friday, January 11, 2008
SBQ and a family update.
This week's SBQ question is:
What was your favorite finish of 2007?
I guess Jasmine & Sapphires by Indigo Rose would be my favorite finish of 2007.
I haven't had it framed yet, but it's on my list to get done as soon as I have some extra cash laying around for the perfect frame, or I go back to Atlanta and find the perfect frame at the wonderful frame shop my DF Vicky took us to this summer.
In other news: Daddy's trip to the doctor's today yielded good news, actually great news. They took chest x-ray's and apparently the fluid that has been hanging around in his lungs (and here the doctor used some fancy medical term that I can't remember nor would I have any chance of spelling) is gone. That's right GONE!!! This is great news. In addition he said that the fluid around his heart is much less and that the heart looks much better, it's still enlarged, but the fluid around it is gone so he should be able to do more and feel better, which Daddy says is true. We really like this doctor, he's a very nice man, plus he trained at the Osteopathic school that my mother's childhood doctor helped to found. There's something to be said for a D.O., they take time to talk and listen and look. He always wants to see Daddy's ankles and was happy he had actual ankles and not "cankles". (Do you know what cankles are? That's what you get when your ankles are so swollen from fluid retention that they meet your calves. So a "well turned ankle" isn't just pretty, it's healthy. )
We didn't make it out in time to go to the used book store. Maybe tomorrow. If Daddy feels like it he's going to go with me to meet my youngest niece and her boyfriend to look at a house they are thinking of purchasing. (I'm not all for this idea of purchasing property with someone you don't have a legal relationship with - and yes, I mean married to here - but I will go look and let her know what I think.) Hopefully he'll feel like going, since he's been in and around construction for as many years as I've been alive, or close to that many at least. But if not, I'll go lend my knowledge base to the endeavor.
Final note is about the secret stitching. I was really excited tonight. I finished everything but about 1 1/2 sides of the border. Then I realized that one whole side of the border was off by 1 thread. ONE THREAD! How did I not notice this until now? By the time I figured out what was wrong it was too late to do much tonight. I've got enough floss, so I can just cut out what I've done and start over. Considering how fast that border went I think I should finish tomorrow some time. I'm planning on watching the Jaguars and the Patriot's game tomorrow night. I need something easy to work on. My plan is to have the secret stitching done by kick-off tomorrow at 8 PM (eastern) and be knitting on an easy felted bag I need to get done. Mindless knitting in a circle should be just the ticket to being able to watch the game and not go crazy, or eat the entire time. (Oh, and I'm rooting for the Jags since they are considered my hometown team. Plus I like the QB we have now.)
Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!
What was your favorite finish of 2007?
I guess Jasmine & Sapphires by Indigo Rose would be my favorite finish of 2007.
I haven't had it framed yet, but it's on my list to get done as soon as I have some extra cash laying around for the perfect frame, or I go back to Atlanta and find the perfect frame at the wonderful frame shop my DF Vicky took us to this summer.In other news: Daddy's trip to the doctor's today yielded good news, actually great news. They took chest x-ray's and apparently the fluid that has been hanging around in his lungs (and here the doctor used some fancy medical term that I can't remember nor would I have any chance of spelling) is gone. That's right GONE!!! This is great news. In addition he said that the fluid around his heart is much less and that the heart looks much better, it's still enlarged, but the fluid around it is gone so he should be able to do more and feel better, which Daddy says is true. We really like this doctor, he's a very nice man, plus he trained at the Osteopathic school that my mother's childhood doctor helped to found. There's something to be said for a D.O., they take time to talk and listen and look. He always wants to see Daddy's ankles and was happy he had actual ankles and not "cankles". (Do you know what cankles are? That's what you get when your ankles are so swollen from fluid retention that they meet your calves. So a "well turned ankle" isn't just pretty, it's healthy. )
We didn't make it out in time to go to the used book store. Maybe tomorrow. If Daddy feels like it he's going to go with me to meet my youngest niece and her boyfriend to look at a house they are thinking of purchasing. (I'm not all for this idea of purchasing property with someone you don't have a legal relationship with - and yes, I mean married to here - but I will go look and let her know what I think.) Hopefully he'll feel like going, since he's been in and around construction for as many years as I've been alive, or close to that many at least. But if not, I'll go lend my knowledge base to the endeavor.
Final note is about the secret stitching. I was really excited tonight. I finished everything but about 1 1/2 sides of the border. Then I realized that one whole side of the border was off by 1 thread. ONE THREAD! How did I not notice this until now? By the time I figured out what was wrong it was too late to do much tonight. I've got enough floss, so I can just cut out what I've done and start over. Considering how fast that border went I think I should finish tomorrow some time. I'm planning on watching the Jaguars and the Patriot's game tomorrow night. I need something easy to work on. My plan is to have the secret stitching done by kick-off tomorrow at 8 PM (eastern) and be knitting on an easy felted bag I need to get done. Mindless knitting in a circle should be just the ticket to being able to watch the game and not go crazy, or eat the entire time. (Oh, and I'm rooting for the Jags since they are considered my hometown team. Plus I like the QB we have now.)
Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!
Thursday, December 27, 2007
This week's SBQ
I never do these when I first get them and then things happen and sometimes I forget. I'd like to start doing them each week, so I'll start this week and see how 2008 goes.
This weeks question:
Did you receive any stitching-related gifts for the holidays?
Kind of. I got 2 "felted bunny kits" along with the felting block to make them. The kits were from two different friends who had found the perfect "T" gift. Then they discovered they'd both found the perfect gift, they decided to send them both to me and not be responsible for the consequences of having 2 bunnies in close proximity. LOL! That's the closest I came to stitching-related gifts this year.
This weeks question:
Did you receive any stitching-related gifts for the holidays?
Kind of. I got 2 "felted bunny kits" along with the felting block to make them. The kits were from two different friends who had found the perfect "T" gift. Then they discovered they'd both found the perfect gift, they decided to send them both to me and not be responsible for the consequences of having 2 bunnies in close proximity. LOL! That's the closest I came to stitching-related gifts this year.
Friday, November 9, 2007
SBQ
When you have to frog out stitches, do you reuse that thread or do you
start over with a new strand?
The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/11/sbq-recycling/
The answer depends on how much I had to frog, what stitch I frogged and the condition of the fiber after frogging. So, sometimes yes I reuse and other times no. (I think this is the shortest answer I've given to one of these.)
start over with a new strand?
The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.
The answer depends on how much I had to frog, what stitch I frogged and the condition of the fiber after frogging. So, sometimes yes I reuse and other times no. (I think this is the shortest answer I've given to one of these.)
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
SBQ
This week's SBQ is:
Do you railroad?
The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/10/sbq-working-on-the-railroad/
The simple answer is yes. But that's not always true. Sometimes I use what my mother calls a "nose picker", which by any other sane person would be called a laying tool. Specifically it's a laying tool that fits on your finger so it's easier to hold and use. When I use a laying tool, I don't railroad because, well I don't have to since I use the laying tool to accomplish the same thing. Sometimes I only railroad the top leg of the cross stitch, other times, both legs.
Short and sweet today since I haven't felt good all day. Woke up with a nasty pain in my right shoulder. So far it has refused to go away even with alternating heat and cold and taking some ibuprofen. Off to see if some sleep will help.
Do you railroad?
The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.
The simple answer is yes. But that's not always true. Sometimes I use what my mother calls a "nose picker", which by any other sane person would be called a laying tool. Specifically it's a laying tool that fits on your finger so it's easier to hold and use. When I use a laying tool, I don't railroad because, well I don't have to since I use the laying tool to accomplish the same thing. Sometimes I only railroad the top leg of the cross stitch, other times, both legs.
Short and sweet today since I haven't felt good all day. Woke up with a nasty pain in my right shoulder. So far it has refused to go away even with alternating heat and cold and taking some ibuprofen. Off to see if some sleep will help.
Friday, October 12, 2007
SBQ for this week
I thought I'd leave this with you while I'm gone to ASG over the weekend. I promise to return next week with at least some sort of report and some pictures. I thought it was an interesting question, but I'm not sure my answer is all that interesting.
This week's SBQ was suggested by Ternezia (ok, this may actually have been last week's question but hey, I'm trying to catch up.)
(http://loreleicrafts.wordpress.com/ ) and is:
What for you means to achieve mastery as a stitcher?
I used to think it would be to becoming proficient in a certain number of stitches. Then I learned a lot of stitches and found out there were things like pulled thread work, drawn thread work, blackwork, goldwork, Hardanger and other such wonderful things. So then I thought it would be learning how to do all those things and mastering them. Well, I've taken classes in each of these types of stitching and I'm not sure I've achieved mastery as a stitcher. I think that there are some stitches and some forms of stitching that I do pretty well. Not to mention some I actually like to do, even though others cringe at the thought of that particular stitch. (And here I'm thinking about a certain person and a certain stitch that will remain nameless...Judy...) I also thing to be thought of as mastering stitching you'd have to at least once design something that you stitch. Part of mastering is the ability to take what you know and put it in practice. In a way I have done this when I participated with my DFs Jill, Judy & Heather in a round robin several years ago. (You can see all four of the pieces here.) So, I guess in a way I don't think I'll ever achieve mastery. I think what I've managed to do, and what I'm currently satisfied with, is mastering those areas of stitching which I enjoy.
See I knew that was going to be convoluted and probably not make sense.
This week's SBQ was suggested by Ternezia (ok, this may actually have been last week's question but hey, I'm trying to catch up.)
(http://loreleicraft
What for you means to achieve mastery as a stitcher?
I used to think it would be to becoming proficient in a certain number of stitches. Then I learned a lot of stitches and found out there were things like pulled thread work, drawn thread work, blackwork, goldwork, Hardanger and other such wonderful things. So then I thought it would be learning how to do all those things and mastering them. Well, I've taken classes in each of these types of stitching and I'm not sure I've achieved mastery as a stitcher. I think that there are some stitches and some forms of stitching that I do pretty well. Not to mention some I actually like to do, even though others cringe at the thought of that particular stitch. (And here I'm thinking about a certain person and a certain stitch that will remain nameless...Judy...) I also thing to be thought of as mastering stitching you'd have to at least once design something that you stitch. Part of mastering is the ability to take what you know and put it in practice. In a way I have done this when I participated with my DFs Jill, Judy & Heather in a round robin several years ago. (You can see all four of the pieces here.) So, I guess in a way I don't think I'll ever achieve mastery. I think what I've managed to do, and what I'm currently satisfied with, is mastering those areas of stitching which I enjoy.
See I knew that was going to be convoluted and probably not make sense.
Friday, October 5, 2007
SBQ
This week's SBQ was suggested by Jennifer and is:
What are your favorite online stitching supply sources?
I love, love, LOVE this question because it lets me tell you all about some places that you may or may not know about in the stitching world.
1. Needlecraft Corner - Drema is amazing! I've never gotten to visit her store, but I have made a promise to myself that if I'm ever in the Baltimore area I'm so there. You have to call to order, but believe me you'll love talking to whoever answers. And if it's Drema you'll find yourself having a friendly conversation and getting all the lovely stitching pretties you want. Plus she always has something on sale that you need. Oh, and don't forget to sign up for her birthday club.
2. The Silver Needle - Another great brick & mortar store that has a wonderful online presence as well. I have ordered from them in the past and have always been happy with their service.
3. Attic Needlework - in Mesa, AZ. This is one store I've actually been to, and let me just say it was worth the trip! WOW! The walls were full of great designs and the staff was fantastic. I've never ordered from them over the phone or online, but have a friend that has and had great service. They have a newsletter that's great.
4. European Cross Stitch - I haven't ordered from here in awhile, but it's another great site and I've always had great service from them. They carry a lot of the hard to find European designers, as the name implies.
5. Hand Dyed Fibers (a.k.a. Vicki Clayton) - I discovered VC several years ago and love her silks. Love the prices too.
6. Moss Creek Designs - I love all things Rae Iverson, so this is the site where you too can browse her beautiful designs. Rae and Ron, her wonderful husband, run their business from their home. They also have a lovely event twice a year called "A Stitchers' Gathering". I haven't missed a fall one yet. Rae invites two other teachers to join her and for the weekend stitchers from all over get together to learn, talk, eat, oh and we even stitch on occasion. In fact, the fall event is coming up weekend after next. (I'm actually counting the days until it's time to get on the plane and leave.) Take a look at her designs and the events. I recommend it all. I know, her designs look hard, but believe me, her instructions are some of the best you'll ever see. The only other designer that even comes close to having instructions as good as Rae's is....
7. Ellen Chester of With My Needle - and you should check out her site too. It has wonderful goodies on it as well.
There's plenty of others, but I need to stop and get to bed. Had a hard day today. Migraine that wouldn't play nicely and go away. Hopefully it's been banished though. Finally got out of bed this evening around 5-ish and made some dinner. Then sat in front of the TV and knitted on my Lynton sweater. Which reminds me....I finished the back last night and cast on the 2 front sides. So that's what I worked on this evening. I'm hoping to feel like going to Tallahassee tomorrow for the football game. If so, I'll be taking the sweater to work on in the car since the friend I'm going with offered to drive. YEAH! It looks like I just might make my goal of being able to wear it at ASG in 13 days.
What are your favorite online stitching supply sources?
I love, love, LOVE this question because it lets me tell you all about some places that you may or may not know about in the stitching world.
1. Needlecraft Corner - Drema is amazing! I've never gotten to visit her store, but I have made a promise to myself that if I'm ever in the Baltimore area I'm so there. You have to call to order, but believe me you'll love talking to whoever answers. And if it's Drema you'll find yourself having a friendly conversation and getting all the lovely stitching pretties you want. Plus she always has something on sale that you need. Oh, and don't forget to sign up for her birthday club.
2. The Silver Needle - Another great brick & mortar store that has a wonderful online presence as well. I have ordered from them in the past and have always been happy with their service.
3. Attic Needlework - in Mesa, AZ. This is one store I've actually been to, and let me just say it was worth the trip! WOW! The walls were full of great designs and the staff was fantastic. I've never ordered from them over the phone or online, but have a friend that has and had great service. They have a newsletter that's great.
4. European Cross Stitch - I haven't ordered from here in awhile, but it's another great site and I've always had great service from them. They carry a lot of the hard to find European designers, as the name implies.
5. Hand Dyed Fibers (a.k.a. Vicki Clayton) - I discovered VC several years ago and love her silks. Love the prices too.
6. Moss Creek Designs - I love all things Rae Iverson, so this is the site where you too can browse her beautiful designs. Rae and Ron, her wonderful husband, run their business from their home. They also have a lovely event twice a year called "A Stitchers' Gathering". I haven't missed a fall one yet. Rae invites two other teachers to join her and for the weekend stitchers from all over get together to learn, talk, eat, oh and we even stitch on occasion. In fact, the fall event is coming up weekend after next. (I'm actually counting the days until it's time to get on the plane and leave.) Take a look at her designs and the events. I recommend it all. I know, her designs look hard, but believe me, her instructions are some of the best you'll ever see. The only other designer that even comes close to having instructions as good as Rae's is....
7. Ellen Chester of With My Needle - and you should check out her site too. It has wonderful goodies on it as well.
There's plenty of others, but I need to stop and get to bed. Had a hard day today. Migraine that wouldn't play nicely and go away. Hopefully it's been banished though. Finally got out of bed this evening around 5-ish and made some dinner. Then sat in front of the TV and knitted on my Lynton sweater. Which reminds me....I finished the back last night and cast on the 2 front sides. So that's what I worked on this evening. I'm hoping to feel like going to Tallahassee tomorrow for the football game. If so, I'll be taking the sweater to work on in the car since the friend I'm going with offered to drive. YEAH! It looks like I just might make my goal of being able to wear it at ASG in 13 days.
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