I've only got three days to finish the afghan, which is my last goal for May. I haven't even taken it out of the bag in ages. Maybe I'll work on that tonight. Or maybe this will be another time I don't finish the afghan by the time I had hoped. I had sort of planned to do some sewing over the holiday weekend. We'll see.
I haven't had much of a chance to stitch since last weekend. My father-in-law and his girlfriend were visiting us, and we have had to do a lot of sight-seeing. I did get some stitching done on the hour long drive to San Juan Capistrano which the girlfriend kept calling "San Capistrano" even after she saw the signs. Because she's English, I would have accepted "Jew-in" (as in the pronounciation for Lord Byron's "Don Juan") but she skipped it all together. There certainly was a lot I couldn't explain about her. Now, friends from grad school are here for a visit while others are taking off in a few days or weeks (different people) for the summer and for good, respectively, so there are lots of people we need to visit with which takes away from my stitching time.
I got a bit further on the Rolly Poly Santa. I will have some new pictures up next week. Promise.
Friday, May 28, 2004
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
Stitcher's Five: Finishing
1. How many have you framed on the wall?
Two: a Merry Cox out of JCS and "Sumer is a-coming in" by Moss Creek. I also have two seasonal Mill Hill pieces that come out at Halloween and Christmas. There are lots more framed pieces at my mother's house.
2. How many do you have finished in other ways?
Lots of ornaments finished in pillow style or with felt backing, a pillow, flat folds, a no sew method taught online by Elegant Stitch
3. What was the most expenisve finishing? Prolly a hundred fifty dollars for a framed piece given as a wedding gift.
4. Have you finished anything yourself?
Dozens of ornaments, a pin cushion, the Eiffel Tower clock, the aforementioned class pieces where I learned a finishing technique.
5. Describe your favourite finished piece. I like them all, don't I?
Of course, there is a dangerously tall pile that needs finishing. When I'm back at home, with a completed afghan, then I'll get on that. I'll do some pillow-style ornaments, a couple of flat folds, and a few wall hangings. I will also finish the patriotic acorn as a no-sew standup, Elegant Stitch style.
I have a terrific framer in Amherst, NH Casual Cat which is nice but I'm in L.A. I just hand the piece to Cindy and it comes back perfect--the right mat(s), the right frame, the right job in back. Oh, and a family discount because my dad has been a terrific customer from the very beginning. One time, I noticed a thread had come loose under the glass, and she took the whole job apart so that I could put it right. She's wonderful. If you live nearby you should check out the shop because she's got great taste and great gifts. In L.A., I take pieces to Canterbury Art Shoppe in Westchester for framing. Because there's no family discount here, I usually just get a frame put on. Stretching costs enough.
Two: a Merry Cox out of JCS and "Sumer is a-coming in" by Moss Creek. I also have two seasonal Mill Hill pieces that come out at Halloween and Christmas. There are lots more framed pieces at my mother's house.
2. How many do you have finished in other ways?
Lots of ornaments finished in pillow style or with felt backing, a pillow, flat folds, a no sew method taught online by Elegant Stitch
3. What was the most expenisve finishing? Prolly a hundred fifty dollars for a framed piece given as a wedding gift.
4. Have you finished anything yourself?
Dozens of ornaments, a pin cushion, the Eiffel Tower clock, the aforementioned class pieces where I learned a finishing technique.
5. Describe your favourite finished piece. I like them all, don't I?
Of course, there is a dangerously tall pile that needs finishing. When I'm back at home, with a completed afghan, then I'll get on that. I'll do some pillow-style ornaments, a couple of flat folds, and a few wall hangings. I will also finish the patriotic acorn as a no-sew standup, Elegant Stitch style.
I have a terrific framer in Amherst, NH Casual Cat which is nice but I'm in L.A. I just hand the piece to Cindy and it comes back perfect--the right mat(s), the right frame, the right job in back. Oh, and a family discount because my dad has been a terrific customer from the very beginning. One time, I noticed a thread had come loose under the glass, and she took the whole job apart so that I could put it right. She's wonderful. If you live nearby you should check out the shop because she's got great taste and great gifts. In L.A., I take pieces to Canterbury Art Shoppe in Westchester for framing. Because there's no family discount here, I usually just get a frame put on. Stretching costs enough.
Friday, May 21, 2004
Two Finishes!
I've been off work for the past couple of days--our offices are being moved for major renovation over the summer. So far they are 2 days behind schedule. I'm hoping not to be there for the grand re-opening of our offices (I need a new job!) but I'm seriously doubting that we'll be back in place on Aug 15. In fact, I forsee a future of students lining up to ask questions while boxes are being unpacked.
All this has given me an opportunity to sit and stitch. I know I should drag out the afghan, but I feel FREE! as I stitch on the UFO pile. And it is shrinking. I finished Twisted Threads Fa La La Ornament and a CA Wells ornament from a class I took at least 5 years ago. It needed *9* palestrina knots. Nine! And that took five years? I'm making good progress on the eighteen in-progress pieces. I've taken some new pictures that I will put up as soon as my computer is unpacked and in the new tiny office that I'll be sharing like a freakin' dorm room. (Oh boy, I need a new job!) I'm working hard on the Roly Poly Santa and Professor Fizzby's Freebee. If I finish both of those, it will be back to the afghan because I didn't bring any other projects with me. Of course I could go home and get more, but I think I can control myself.
Speaking of controlling myself, yesterday, I spent my time off getting a manicure and pedicure, getting the car washed and oiled, and I felt so virtuous for having done the latter that I treated myself to a stop at the LNS. There, I got a Tacky BOB, a little cd jewel case that holds beads with its tacky interior; some magnets, to replace those lost in the great bag debacle; A Murderous Yarn, by Monica Ferris; Be Thee Mine by Chessie and Me and Thistle Clock and Sampler by M Designs. My LNS proprietor is selling her business and I thought everything was 20% off but it was just the charts. There are a couple of other things I'll pick up when more stuff is on sale--like the Meadowlark fabric so I can restitch Hearts and Flowers.
Kunni, I've put the link to the Stitcher's Five Memes at the bottom of my page. That's where the questions come from!
All this has given me an opportunity to sit and stitch. I know I should drag out the afghan, but I feel FREE! as I stitch on the UFO pile. And it is shrinking. I finished Twisted Threads Fa La La Ornament and a CA Wells ornament from a class I took at least 5 years ago. It needed *9* palestrina knots. Nine! And that took five years? I'm making good progress on the eighteen in-progress pieces. I've taken some new pictures that I will put up as soon as my computer is unpacked and in the new tiny office that I'll be sharing like a freakin' dorm room. (Oh boy, I need a new job!) I'm working hard on the Roly Poly Santa and Professor Fizzby's Freebee. If I finish both of those, it will be back to the afghan because I didn't bring any other projects with me. Of course I could go home and get more, but I think I can control myself.
Speaking of controlling myself, yesterday, I spent my time off getting a manicure and pedicure, getting the car washed and oiled, and I felt so virtuous for having done the latter that I treated myself to a stop at the LNS. There, I got a Tacky BOB, a little cd jewel case that holds beads with its tacky interior; some magnets, to replace those lost in the great bag debacle; A Murderous Yarn, by Monica Ferris; Be Thee Mine by Chessie and Me and Thistle Clock and Sampler by M Designs. My LNS proprietor is selling her business and I thought everything was 20% off but it was just the charts. There are a couple of other things I'll pick up when more stuff is on sale--like the Meadowlark fabric so I can restitch Hearts and Flowers.
Kunni, I've put the link to the Stitcher's Five Memes at the bottom of my page. That's where the questions come from!
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
Women who Kill in Cross-stitch
You may remember (see August 27th post) that I created a surface embroidery piece featuring Lizzie Borden (which I am still trying to get a picture of) a few years ago. Well, Kunni B. sent me to this website. I love it! (Of course, I am the woman who wrote a whole dissertation about women who kill.) I think it's got to be on the wishlist. The whole site has cute* different stuff on it. Check it out, dude.
* Did you ever think you'd live to see the day that something with Lizzie Borden and some bloody dead people would be described as cute?
* Did you ever think you'd live to see the day that something with Lizzie Borden and some bloody dead people would be described as cute?
Monday, May 17, 2004
Stitcher's Five: Wishlist
1. Do you keep a wishlist?
Yes, at Wishlist.com
2. If so how many items are on it?
13 stitch-related items—8 more are general craft items.
3. Name three of those items.
Nostalgic Needle, Whimsy Bag
Canterbury Designs, Plantation Sampler
Lilybet Designs, Lady Gray
4. Do you let other people see it?
I will when it’s buying season.
5. How often do you add to it?
Whenever I see something that grabs me, and I check out Silver Needle and Elegant Stitch weekly.
I have to be pretty selective about what I put on a wish list. First, I am still trying to get rid of a bunch of stuff. I think Americans may be in a race to collect the most stuff. Why should we? I'm going to try to focus on using what I have. (If you never hear from me again, the capitalists have come to take me away.) Secondly, because my family considers me "hard to buy for," my entire wish-list gets bought up between my birthday in October and Christmas. It doesn't matter who buys the stuff for you: it's still collected stuff that fills the closets and the space under the bed. I suppose I should have a third thing to be grammatically accurate, but I can't think of one.
Yes, at Wishlist.com
2. If so how many items are on it?
13 stitch-related items—8 more are general craft items.
3. Name three of those items.
Nostalgic Needle, Whimsy Bag
Canterbury Designs, Plantation Sampler
Lilybet Designs, Lady Gray
4. Do you let other people see it?
I will when it’s buying season.
5. How often do you add to it?
Whenever I see something that grabs me, and I check out Silver Needle and Elegant Stitch weekly.
I have to be pretty selective about what I put on a wish list. First, I am still trying to get rid of a bunch of stuff. I think Americans may be in a race to collect the most stuff. Why should we? I'm going to try to focus on using what I have. (If you never hear from me again, the capitalists have come to take me away.) Secondly, because my family considers me "hard to buy for," my entire wish-list gets bought up between my birthday in October and Christmas. It doesn't matter who buys the stuff for you: it's still collected stuff that fills the closets and the space under the bed. I suppose I should have a third thing to be grammatically accurate, but I can't think of one.
Thursday, May 13, 2004
The Six Week Mark
This is the sixth week since I left my stitching stuff on the plane. It wasn't at home sitting in the mailbox prettily when I checked yesterday. It's really gone. I hope it ended up in the trash because I would hate for it to be with a stitcher that is so unethical she didn't turn it in to lost and found. (Or is that too much like wanting the baby cut in half?)
I can replace everything. I've made a start on it. I am bummed about the do-lolly though; it was one of the originals. I've found that there is something different about how they feel in the hand. I'll need to get a project bag and a new magnet. I'll have to talk to the Dude, though, about redoing the sampler I was making for him. I'm not sure I can bring myself to do it. (If you've lost a project, how have you dealt with its replacement?) It was so close to done, but it was perfect for him in its way... amy!, you can go ahead and send that Clover cutter you offered.
Speaking of Clover cutters, did anyone else see that paranoid article about how to take your stitching on the plane by Martha Beth Lewis in the most recent JCS? I mean, really! She suggests taking only one small, tapestry needle, and preparing oneself to give it up, if called upon to do so. She tells us that Clover cutters are not permitted under Homeland Security regulations. How many times have I taken mine cross country? amy!--how many times have you--and flying out of Boston!? How far are we from 9/11 that the regulation of needlework still concerns us? And, ladies, she warns against metal knitting needles of unusual size--just one pair! (I'm not much of a knitter, so I do have some metals, and I have brought on more than one set.) In the summer of 2002, I brought scissors through the security checkpoint in London Heathrow. It was an accident, and I didn't use them on the plane, but no one even noticed the tiny stork scissors (because I could have taken down an airbus with those). As usual, her article goes on and on in miniscule detail about a subject that has ceased to concern the majority of is. But it is anal in its accuracy, so it must be good.
I can replace everything. I've made a start on it. I am bummed about the do-lolly though; it was one of the originals. I've found that there is something different about how they feel in the hand. I'll need to get a project bag and a new magnet. I'll have to talk to the Dude, though, about redoing the sampler I was making for him. I'm not sure I can bring myself to do it. (If you've lost a project, how have you dealt with its replacement?) It was so close to done, but it was perfect for him in its way... amy!, you can go ahead and send that Clover cutter you offered.
Speaking of Clover cutters, did anyone else see that paranoid article about how to take your stitching on the plane by Martha Beth Lewis in the most recent JCS? I mean, really! She suggests taking only one small, tapestry needle, and preparing oneself to give it up, if called upon to do so. She tells us that Clover cutters are not permitted under Homeland Security regulations. How many times have I taken mine cross country? amy!--how many times have you--and flying out of Boston!? How far are we from 9/11 that the regulation of needlework still concerns us? And, ladies, she warns against metal knitting needles of unusual size--just one pair! (I'm not much of a knitter, so I do have some metals, and I have brought on more than one set.) In the summer of 2002, I brought scissors through the security checkpoint in London Heathrow. It was an accident, and I didn't use them on the plane, but no one even noticed the tiny stork scissors (because I could have taken down an airbus with those). As usual, her article goes on and on in miniscule detail about a subject that has ceased to concern the majority of is. But it is anal in its accuracy, so it must be good.
Monday, May 10, 2004
Stitcher's Five: Beading
1. Which type of beads do you prefer Mill Hill, Delica or other brand? Mill Hill
2. Why? I wouldn't say it's a preference so much as it is what is available in the places I go.
3. What do you use to stitch beads on with? Beading needle and floss.
4. When to bead...as you go or at the end? At the end.
5. Do you bead only with cross stitch or do you use them on their own? Both.
I'm sure there are lots of people who are finding this all completely fascinating, but I'd be much more interested in questions that asked us to really think about what we're doing and why we're doing it. Lest you think I'm just bitching, I have suggested some questions. Either we'll get to them or we won't. Either I'll keep answering these rather uninteresting questions or I won't. Either you'll keep reading here, or you won't.
2. Why? I wouldn't say it's a preference so much as it is what is available in the places I go.
3. What do you use to stitch beads on with? Beading needle and floss.
4. When to bead...as you go or at the end? At the end.
5. Do you bead only with cross stitch or do you use them on their own? Both.
I'm sure there are lots of people who are finding this all completely fascinating, but I'd be much more interested in questions that asked us to really think about what we're doing and why we're doing it. Lest you think I'm just bitching, I have suggested some questions. Either we'll get to them or we won't. Either I'll keep answering these rather uninteresting questions or I won't. Either you'll keep reading here, or you won't.
Friday, May 07, 2004
Hands of Creeping Crud
I stopped by Pearl last night to pick up some foam core board to finish the Eiffel Tower clock. I've got new photos of it up as well as two shots of what I'm working on: Professor Fizzby's Freebee and Cross-Eyed Cricket's Patriotic Acorn Silver Needle style. I have to say that it's good to know that mere cretins are finding work, since the Pearl Arts and Crafts on Pico and La Cienega seems to be entirely staffed by them. I'm not sure they could work less efficiently or more slowly. But enough about them, you want to know what's wrong with my hands!
Every stitcher battles dry skin at some point in her stitching career, and I'm in the throes of it. The skin on the outside of my index finger leading down to the inside of the thumb is flecked with little circles of dryness. I know it is because I stitch in-hand. It doesn't help that I get up every hour to wash my hands either, even though I am using mosturizing soap! During the day--when I'm working, not stitching--I try to use hand cream as much as possible. I even splashed my keyboard with Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream this morning. Oh, I've got the hands of a Norwegian fisherman all right. "Just a dab" doesn't seem to be doing much for me. I've also tried "Gloves in a Bottle" from the not-so-local needlework shop; it feels nice, but doesn't cure what ails me. Neither has the "Zim's Crack Cream." (Not for that kind of crack, silly.) It has a lovely scent, and as a result of my using it, my neighbor and mother have both bought it. Finally, that stuff in the moo-cow bottle has done nada except make the Dude accuse me of smelling like a cow. He's a city boy; he's hardly laid eyes on a cow, let alone smelled one. So I am left poorer, and with dry hands. If you've got the cure, let us in on the secret!
Every stitcher battles dry skin at some point in her stitching career, and I'm in the throes of it. The skin on the outside of my index finger leading down to the inside of the thumb is flecked with little circles of dryness. I know it is because I stitch in-hand. It doesn't help that I get up every hour to wash my hands either, even though I am using mosturizing soap! During the day--when I'm working, not stitching--I try to use hand cream as much as possible. I even splashed my keyboard with Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream this morning. Oh, I've got the hands of a Norwegian fisherman all right. "Just a dab" doesn't seem to be doing much for me. I've also tried "Gloves in a Bottle" from the not-so-local needlework shop; it feels nice, but doesn't cure what ails me. Neither has the "Zim's Crack Cream." (Not for that kind of crack, silly.) It has a lovely scent, and as a result of my using it, my neighbor and mother have both bought it. Finally, that stuff in the moo-cow bottle has done nada except make the Dude accuse me of smelling like a cow. He's a city boy; he's hardly laid eyes on a cow, let alone smelled one. So I am left poorer, and with dry hands. If you've got the cure, let us in on the secret!
Thursday, May 06, 2004
Fine Lines
Fellow blogger, designer and teacher, The Embroideress was featured in Fine Lines this quarter. I own some of her blackwork designs (although they remain unstitched), but I didn't know much more about her except that she lives round these parts. I found her teaching philosophy to be intriguing and sensible--teaching technique rather than "a project." I agree that teachers are doing stitchers a disservice with the usual approach but they're also doing themselves a disservice. I haven't taken a class in a very long time because I haven't really liked any of the projects that are offered. Why should I spend a load of money on a project that I could do without a teacher? The only real reason I would do it would be to spend time with stitching friends. But if someone were going to show me a technique, and perhaps send me off to make a piece of my own, that would intrigue me.
Wednesday, May 05, 2004
What I'm Up To
That afghan is the only project left on my list of things to do for May. But I haven't been stitching it. I don't feel like I'm being bad, though, because I am working on things in that towering UFO pile. I've worked a bit on the patriotic acorn from the Silver Needle weekend--which I am changing to look like a firecracker and giving to my grandmother who loves red, white and blue for her June 5th birthday. (Red, white, and blue acorn? What is up with that?) Last night, I picked up the Professor Fizzby Freebee. It was impossible to tell up from down so I puzzled over it for a while. I worked my way out to the edge to the border which I am flying through. I think I am going to allow myself to work on the small projects on my rotation schedule for a while. I'll be going to Marina del Rey to housesit for three weeks starting May 10 and between the cool ocean breezes and the central air conditioning, I should find it easier to work on the afghan while I'm there. I'll get back to that soon enough. For now, I'll be ahead of the game if I can keep to this mantra: "no new starts."
Tuesday, May 04, 2004
Stitcher's Five: Specialty Threads
1.)Which is your favourite brand of speciality thread? Rainbow Gallery’s Very Velvet. Silk ‘n Ivory might be a close second.
2)Why? It’s so soft and tactile. But I’m the only one allowed to touch it!
3)How many other brands of thread do you have in your stash? About a dozen.
4.) How do you store your threads? This is really bad. I’ve got some in a box and others in a bag. The DMC is either on bobbins in boxes or else in the DMC millennium chest. The rayon floss is all stored in the bottom of the chest in the section that doesn’t have the “beds” for each skein because it’s too slippery to put anywhere else.
5.) How confident do you feel at substituting between thread types and colours compared to what the chart calls for? Very confident. I do it all the time. I’ve got a great eye for color, but I have no problem recognizing when I’ve made a mistake!
This meme brings up something I’ve been working on since I bought my first specialty thread (anything other than monochromatic 6-ply cotton floss). How to store it? The box I had it all in was fine until the explosion of fibers used by designers. When it was just a couple dozen Weeks Dye Works and Sampler Threads and the odd Caron Watercolor, I was fine. Then I had to buy bobbins of Rainbow Gallery Threads…then silks…then, well, you know the drill. The only thing I have ever seen that I thought was a cute way to store it was in The Stitchery eons ago. It was a metal “sculpture”—I think it may have been in the shape of a sewing machine on top—with a series of hooks hanging down from it. The floss was hung on the hooks and the whole piece was hung on the wall. That’s not a very good description. The only problem with that, of course, is dust. I can hardly turn on a vacuum; I can just imagine vacuuming my floss! I’m not keen on Floss-Away bags not only for the expense, but also because then the floss just ends up slippery. (Try piling up a bunch of bags.) I suppose the best thing would be another chest full of those little floss beds. Heaven knows what to do with the Rainbow Gallery bobbins.
2)Why? It’s so soft and tactile. But I’m the only one allowed to touch it!
3)How many other brands of thread do you have in your stash? About a dozen.
4.) How do you store your threads? This is really bad. I’ve got some in a box and others in a bag. The DMC is either on bobbins in boxes or else in the DMC millennium chest. The rayon floss is all stored in the bottom of the chest in the section that doesn’t have the “beds” for each skein because it’s too slippery to put anywhere else.
5.) How confident do you feel at substituting between thread types and colours compared to what the chart calls for? Very confident. I do it all the time. I’ve got a great eye for color, but I have no problem recognizing when I’ve made a mistake!
This meme brings up something I’ve been working on since I bought my first specialty thread (anything other than monochromatic 6-ply cotton floss). How to store it? The box I had it all in was fine until the explosion of fibers used by designers. When it was just a couple dozen Weeks Dye Works and Sampler Threads and the odd Caron Watercolor, I was fine. Then I had to buy bobbins of Rainbow Gallery Threads…then silks…then, well, you know the drill. The only thing I have ever seen that I thought was a cute way to store it was in The Stitchery eons ago. It was a metal “sculpture”—I think it may have been in the shape of a sewing machine on top—with a series of hooks hanging down from it. The floss was hung on the hooks and the whole piece was hung on the wall. That’s not a very good description. The only problem with that, of course, is dust. I can hardly turn on a vacuum; I can just imagine vacuuming my floss! I’m not keen on Floss-Away bags not only for the expense, but also because then the floss just ends up slippery. (Try piling up a bunch of bags.) I suppose the best thing would be another chest full of those little floss beds. Heaven knows what to do with the Rainbow Gallery bobbins.
Monday, May 03, 2004
Goal and You Shall Achieve
I know the title makes no sense. Goal's not a verb. But you can see what I was trying to get at and forgive me. You can forgive me because I have been keeping my lunatic pedantic grammarian ravings to myself.
I have achieved nearly three of the four goals I have set for this month, and it's only the 3rd! I began and completed the Eiffel Tower wedding present. I have the clock that I will insert it into, but I need some foam core board. I was just too sick to get off the couch this weekend. Next, I stitched the Bent Creek "You are My Sunshine" birth sampler up to the point where I need the kid's information. The fetus shall be expelled on or about June 5th, and I will be ready! And if you want to check out the pictures of these items, you will see that I have sorted things out so that I can post pictures again! I also went ahead and stitched the Tooth Fairy pocket pillow from Pine Mountain Designs. And my nieces don't even have a loose tooth in sight! It feels good to have had so many quick finishes, and I think it may spur me on to finish the afghan. I've just got two squares to backstitch. Unfortunately, it was a bazillion degrees here this weekend, and I had no desire to sit with all that acrylic in my lap. It's tough when you have to choose between a/c and tv.
I have achieved nearly three of the four goals I have set for this month, and it's only the 3rd! I began and completed the Eiffel Tower wedding present. I have the clock that I will insert it into, but I need some foam core board. I was just too sick to get off the couch this weekend. Next, I stitched the Bent Creek "You are My Sunshine" birth sampler up to the point where I need the kid's information. The fetus shall be expelled on or about June 5th, and I will be ready! And if you want to check out the pictures of these items, you will see that I have sorted things out so that I can post pictures again! I also went ahead and stitched the Tooth Fairy pocket pillow from Pine Mountain Designs. And my nieces don't even have a loose tooth in sight! It feels good to have had so many quick finishes, and I think it may spur me on to finish the afghan. I've just got two squares to backstitch. Unfortunately, it was a bazillion degrees here this weekend, and I had no desire to sit with all that acrylic in my lap. It's tough when you have to choose between a/c and tv.
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