Haul!

To start my next anniversary present, I needed a few flosses. I headed to Strawberry Sampler to pick them up. And of course a few non-floss things jumped into my basket. Those included Heart in Hand Today Forever (a future anniversary sampler) and a few of the flosses I will need to start that one; Plum Street Samplers A Hundred Ways (the Jane Austen quote) (another future anniversary sampler!); and Plum Street Samplers Woolemina (you know how I love sheep); and two olive buttons for Amy Bruecken patterns because they were a quarter each. I couldn't resist that price! I don't even know if I need them!

They didn't have one of the flosses I needed so I headed to the internet where I found more things I absolutely needed. That little Mill Hill polar bear was on sale as was Merry Two, so I picked those up. And then I saw Heart in Hand's Always You (you can't really see it in the photo), and I had to buy everything for that one! And I have a third future anniversary sampler to add to the pile.

Y'all, I might be back in this thing!

A Small Haul

On Saturday, I headed out to procure the last of the perle cotton threads that I need for the stocking. Of course, while I was at Strawberry Sampler, some other nonessential items jumped into the proverbial cart. As you can see from the photo, I found my new Cozzolino Santas--Pirates of the Caribbean Santas. Although I do choose to stitch on these from time to time, I have about 30 Santas waiting for me. This is one of the projects that is on my list for retirement. The good news is that I am buying the kits while I have income!

I saw the Teresa Kogut sheep, For Ewe, in a shop newsletter, and I liked it enough in person to purchase it. But I do have a fondness for sheep that belies my semi-suburban upbringing. Sometimes I don't buy primitive patterns because I think they are too simple, but there is something about the way this sheep is peeking out from the side of the pattern that slays me.

I have been looking for the Prairie Schooler New World Sampler since I stitched on it as part of a round robin back in 2006. Okay, I'll admit I wasn't thrilled with it when I first saw it, but I fell in love with that crazy whale! I'm glad that some of these PS patterns are being re-released.

My last purchase isn't shown in this photo, but will feature in an upcoming blog post. Stay tuned!

Failing So Soon?

Day Two. I spent this evening working on the Silent Auction with my co-conspirator Nicole. (Yes, it's true.) I'm digging back to the list of blogging topics I created for the NaBloPoMo project two years ago. I'm going with Number 63, "Review a Recent Purchase."

This year, I joined The Silver Needle's exclusive "A Little Help from My Friends Stitching Circle." You've probably already seen some people stitching their pieces, but I'm just collecting them (for now). I have to admit that when they sent me an email telling me that my item had shipped, I was completely perplexed. Already forgot I had ordered it. I'm blaming age; my brain is mush.

I loved Paulette's fraktur folk art sampler. That's a style that's big around these parts. And there's nothing I don't love about the checkered wings.

I'm also a fan of the Cross-Eyed Cricket penny flowers sampler. They also included a photo of another way you could stitch this--all pennies surrounding an initial. And I'm going to have to do it that way too. I really love this one, even though it's not my usual colors.

But frankly, these are two of my favorite designers, so it has been a bit of a gimme so far. Let's see how the next three hold up.

I don't have to tell you that this is also day two of me not stitching. My plan for this month has gone to hell in a handbasket! The good news is I have a stitching retreat this weekend. If I can just make it through the next two days.

Frogs for Sale

First, thank you so much for your kind words about the craft room clean up. It's always nice to have hard work recognized! Grazie mille .

Because you were interested, I'm happy to keep those few cents eBay takes and sell these here. I was going to put them on eBay as a lot. I'd prefer not to have to make up eight invoices and eight boxes, etc. Most of the "Buy it Now" prices seem to be about $5-8 for the clear glass frogs and a little higher for the metals. I'd be really happy if someone took them all for $3 each. We can work something out. I'll charge actual shipping costs; my local post office doesn't let me ship for more than it should cost (always pushing first class over flat rate).

Gold metal and green metal. SOLD!

These are very heavy.

Large (about 4.5") and flatter. SOLD!

Small (3") with a higher dome. There are actually three of this type. SOLD!

I also have some old Sampler and Antique quarterly magazines if someone is interested. Back issues cost  $7. I can do $3 each. Or you can make me an offer for all of them: Fall and Winter 2002 and a complete set from 2003. SOLD!

Piecework: I would prefer to sell one year lots. I looked up the prices on these and they are crazy, ranging from $5-$24 each. But for you, special price, one year (six issues) $18. I have complete years from 2000-2010. I also have May/June, July/August, September/October, and November/December 1999.

Notes

Just Nan, Owl Winder Pocket

Note 1: This one is mostly for me. Market finds: Freshness in the Air, Homespun Elegance; Sadie Stuart Spring Flower, Samsarah; Minerva's Mouse, Just Nan.

Note 2: For you: I have about 30 people signed up to send cards for Maggie. I did have trouble reaching Trish, the cross-stitching gardener from NC. If you could e-mail me, I'll send the address. CinDC has volunteered her stamping friends to make some cards. But we're still short of the goal of 89. If you want to help, shoot me an e-mail, or leave a comment--make sure you're reachable.

Note 3: The end of the month is approaching and my list of goals is languishing. I have not completed one of the goals. Only five more days. (I'm blaming the job search, which is a pretty good distraction.)

Bidding War

I probably shouldn't tell you this, but Stitch in Peace is liquidating the Needle Case's inventory. I've already got one prize package winging its way to me. Just stay out of my auctions! ;)

New New New

I have, despite Stella's protestations*, been knitting. I am working on a bag I bought the pattern for at the sheep and wool festival I attended in 2007. You may notice in that stash photo that I bought a pattern for flowers to put on the bag. But not *the* pattern for camellias which is pictured on the pattern (and sold separately). I ordered the camellias two days ago because I had no idea I bought the roses pattern in 2007. Sigh. Let this be a lesson. Don't buy things if you're going to wait three years to stitch them. (Hahahahahahaha!)

In fact, here's some stash I recently purchased to put on the back burner.

Mill Hill/Sticks, Ho Ho Santa * Primitive Needle, The Dampy Sod * Just Nan, Owl Winder Pocket (and owl winder) * Just Nan, Tricky Tweets * JABC "Just Fun" Strawberry Pin Cushion Kit (felt)

They've been cluttering up the craft table waiting to be entered into the database. I just entered them, and I saw so many things I want to do! I have mostly been stitching from the WIP pile this year. I've been extra diligent. I've finished four pieces and will likely finish at least six by year's end. I wanna do something new! I think next month I'll do it.

That's settled. Thanks for the love for the magazine review. A couple of people suggested that all the creativity may have been in the Halloween issue and the Christmas preview. I bought the Halloween issue sight unseen. (I needed to order it and pay on that day to get a discount.) I was not nearly as head over heels for that one as many others seem to be. In fact, I only like the monsterbubbles ornie (I sense a theme) and Plum Street's Halloween Greetings. As for the ornament preview, I liked all the ornaments in the preview better than the ones that were submitted for the ornament issue. I still don't love them all--still don't love Erica Michael's finishing--but the Mosey 'N Me, Fresh Threads, and Glory Bee ornaments stand out as being much better. (Maybe the Mosey 'N Me is a photography problem?) Maybe Lelia is right. They all look better stitched and photographed on the blogs. So get to work. You have 75 ornaments to stitch so I can choose which ones I'll do.

*She barks at the knitting. Even after I let her sniff it thoroughly.

Back to Reality

I refused to watch the news while we were away, hoping rather than expecting* that the global economy might improve. I feel horrible that I was galavanting cavalierly while things were breaking down, but I guess I was contributing to the economy. And let me tell you, with the price of food in Bermuda, contribute we did.

We had a fabulous time! Fabulous! If you ever have a chance to go there, go. It's a beautiful subtropical island, but there was plenty to entertain the dude, who sits on the beach like an old man, in his shirt and hat with a towel on his legs. In the shade. (He's not that pale; his arms are tan.) (Though looking at that photo, his legs sure are pale.) We went to the caves, the zoo and aquarium, the World Heritage site of St. George's, the Dockyard, and the Swizzle Inn (turns out I prefer a Dark and Stormy). And yes, we got ourselves to the beach.

I got two cross-stitch patterns while we were in Saint George's. One is a map of the country with each parish in a different color. You'll see that this year because I am stitching it for the dude for Christmas. The other is a moongate, like the one seen here. Only without the adorable (relaxed) couple here.

If it is any consolation, I'm back to being totally stressed.

*Back in the days before vacation, I went to a lecture by Penn Law and Wharton professors. They clearly didn't seem to think the bailout was a good idea nor that it would work, and I wasn't that surprised based on my own research (knowing I was going to cover this event.)

It's in the Mail

Things have been coming to and leaving from the mailbox chez Van Schurman; according to due date/purchase date:

The Fair and Square squares I sent to Melita.

CCN's ornament from the JCS Ornament Preview Issue.

Warning: DO NOT cut the fabric to the size they tell you to. You will cry.

The lovely and fabulous F&S squares Melita sent to me after I said, "You can't go wrong with sheep!" And you can't.

The Secret Stitching Project #1 for bestpal's birthday. That's the Silver Needle's JBW exclusive "I Love to Shop..." finished as a little shopping bag for when we go to camp. Secret Stitching project #2 was for DD whose birthday coincided with our trip to Orlando. Imagine--because I forgot to photograph it--the same bag stitched with GAST Cranberry threads and with a blotchy red fabric. Black interior, a last minute substitution because I bought fabric with direction for the lining, and too little at that. But it turns out I like the black better.

I got my copy of the JCS Halloween issue from Vonna. Thanks, Vonna. I can't wait to stitch the monsterbubbles bat and the La D Da feet.

I also received some grab bags from the Silver Needle: a Rainbow Gallery threads bag containing 2 cards of cashmere, 3 cards of silk ribbon, 2 cards of angora, 4 cards of very velvet, 3 cards of rainbow tweed, 4 cards of splendor silk, a card of silk pearl and one of hi-lights; a Thread Gatherer and Caron threads bag containing two skeins of impressions, 2 skeins of shepherd's wool, 4 skeins of sheep's silk, 2 skeins of shepherd's silk and 2 silk 'n colors; and a fabric bag with lots of bits of fabric, perfect for stitching up some of those aforementioned ornaments. Wait, what grab bags? Well you should sign up for their newsletter and then you'd know about these things.

I'm almost ready for the trip to Maine! We're leaving again tomorrow night. But this time, we'll have internet access.

Monsterbubbles

At camp, one of our new friends was stitching up monsterbubbles' Eiffel Tower Christmas ornament from the (most recent?) JCO issue, which, let me tell you, was gorgeously bright. And, when I arrived home my order from monsterbubbles had arrived. Happy coincidence.

Sometime last month, I got an e-newsletter from monsterbubbles saying that her new book was available and if you bought it from her, she'd sign it. The deal also offered free shipping and a free chart for spending a certain amount. Well, how could I pass that up? I love "Don't." ("Don't let's ask for the moon, we've got the stars." Edgar can name that in one.) I know I keep saying this, but maybe that will be the dude's anniversary present. I got Merry and Bright and one of the patterns for screen as a gift. Because she sent the order out kind of late, she sent along an extra pattern, "Simplify," which may be impossible at this point.

I know you are dying to know what is in Stitch Graffiti besides that striped heart on the cover and Heather Holland-Daly's autograph. There are many of the designer's offbeat phrase designs, including "Imagine Peace," "Relish the Night," and "On a Bad Day, there's Lipstick." She has a little section called "tattoos" to stitch on clothing--to try out before you ink your skin, as it were. The final section offers ideas about decorating with stitches. Her goal, and this is one she expresses on her website too, is to bring new stitchers into the fold by showing them how cool cross-stitch can be. So the book is a little on the "hip" side. For example, there are suggestions for music to listen to while you stitch. No offense to Heather, but they're the suggestions of a 40-year old. I don't know how that's going to play with the kids. What I do like about the book and what I do think will play with the kids is the freedom she espouses. She explains how to make floss and fabric substitutions and what the substitutions mean for the design. The patterns are planned for mesh bags, flyswatters, clothing, and screen--not just evenweaves and linen. I think the book taps into the DIY nature of the way the kids are crafting these days. I hope it works. You will definitely see a design or two from this book here in the future.

And, don't stay up too late blogging tonight, okay?

Camp Wannasew

Now with more wine coolers and beer...

My trip to Tulsa, which started painfully early on Thursday morning--my cab arrived at 4:15 for a 6:05 flight--is over much too soon. I was in denial until I stepped off the plane in Philadelphia, and even today my hands reject typing and long for the feel of fabric.

When bestpal and I first went to camp in 2003, I didn't even think we'd make it through the whole weekend. (I used to have a fear of the south.) I never imagined I'd still be attending, especially not "by myself." I've made new friends, so I can hardly say I'm going by myself when bestpal doesn't come along. Our original group of six dwindled to only two this year, but I think we may have managed not to alienate everyone we met to make new friends.

If last year's camp motto was "it's all about freedom," this year's started out as "that's part of the charm." We decided that the seemingly inevitable missing flosses and people getting lost on the way to Amish dinner was going to be a fun part of the camp experience. And then? No missing flosses. No lost campers. Not to say that camp was not fun. There was booze! There was raucous laughter! There was nude pillow fighting! (Not really.) Camp was down to 18, but let me tell you how much quieter it was in the halls while we were trying to sleep. Now if 18 people can manage to speak quietly in the bathrooms and not let their doors slam, what is it about the other 20 people who can't manage it? Let them stay home, I say.

Our projects were great! We got to choose a Quaker inspired sampler (Quaker Virtues or Quaker Christmas) and a whole skein of Belle Soie silk (is that redundant?) to design our own set of stitching smalls including a scissor fob, biscornu, and a scissor case. Maybe this year's theme should have been it's all about freedom. I chose "blue heaven" which is sort of periwinkle. You can see the results below. I didn't finish any projects this year but I'm really happy with what I have so far. This is a first. I think I was shooting my mouth too much. But there were new people to hear my boring old stories. The other project was Lizzie*Kate's limited edition kit, My Country. We got both a Silver Needle version (fuzzy fibers, large count fabric) and the original kit. I'm thinking of doing the latter for my cousin's kid as a birth sampler. Our helpful input was heeded and next year spring campers won't be making anything Easter or patriotic. Yay! I have only kept one of each; I usually give the finished Easter projects to my sister and the patriotic to my grandmother; they both appreciate them more than I do. My grandmother will just have to suck it up.

My choices for fob (acorn, monogram), biscornu, and the beginnings of her scissor case.

I bought a ton of stash. Way more than I planned, but I still spent less than the entry fee for a national chess tournament.

Not pictured: fabrics, flosses. It was the fabrics that put me over the edge.

Our goody bags were full of freebie charts, flosses, cookies, and Vera Bradley. I'm not a fan of chintz but I was really excited because we got a pair of VB slippers. I needed new slippers, and the pattern (Kensington) is attractive.

I worked on Hillside Samplings Threadkeeper on the plane and on Thursday night. Here's what it looked like before.

I finished Rose Bunnie by Liberty Street Designs on the plane. Stitched on the called-for linen with substitutions (GAST Harvest Basket for the bunny, Weeks Carrot for the carrot, and white whisper for the tail).

I had been thinking that we might want to do something different next year--it's our sixth camp in Tulsa and it's more difficult to get to Tulsa from PHL (I was up and down three times both ways). But I had so much fun this year, I can't wait for spring!

Goodies

What do you mean there was a 25% off sale where the shop owner got her orders delivered within the week? That's right! My order from One Star's Light--complete with extra goodies sealed with sealing wax--arrived today. And now Puff the Magic Dragon is running through my head.

I got some petite needles, Ink Circles Sea Stars, and, as an excuse to buy some Crescent Colors Belle Soie, a couple of French Country charts from JBW. And it's here already! I didn't have to wait for decades just because she had a sale.

Thanks for your understanding about my aborted rant and sage marital advice. My mom was full of advice for us girls as we went out into the dating world: "Never marry with intent to change [him]" and "All men are assh*les; you have to find the man that's the amount of assh*le that you can live with." Now you know why I didn't marry until I was 34 and Sissy (38) remains unwed. She also used to say--with much regret--"You don't just marry the man, you marry the whole damn family." Fortunately for her, his family didn't appeal to him all that much either (of course, there was the family business to deal with). Fortunately for me, I'm treated very well by my in-laws. (Each of the dude's aunts likes to tell me secretly that the dude is her favorite.) So I really should be able to behave better, but, sadly, I am a horrible person.

Sale

Another sale at the Needlecase. Here's the e-mail:

**DMC and ANCHOR floss at 20 cents per skein
**DMC Pearl Cotton Skeins ... just 55 cents per skein
**DMC Pearl Cotton Balls ... just $1.00 per ball
**Kreinik Blending Filament ... 70 cents
**Kreinik #4 Braid ... $1.25
**Kreinik #8 Braid ... $1.65
**Kreinik #12 and #1 ... $1.95
**MILL HILL BEADS ... 55 cents per package
**Any in stock EWE & EYE & FRIENDS CROSS STITCH CHARTS are 1/2 OFF ORIGINALPRICE.
**AND any in stock EWE & EYE & FRIENDS KITS are $12

Save some beads for me...I need to get home and check to see what I need!

Shopping Spree!

Where do I begin? I had three, count 'em 3, gift certificates to the Silver Needle. And I spent 'em.

• Medeiros Needlecraft Design "Counting Sheep Basket" (punchneedle)
• Fancy Work "Lavender Rose Sweetbag" (must check to see if this is a dup--and put my chart database on google)
• Finger Work, "Whale Hunting"
• Plum Street Samplers, "Dead Man's Chess" (for the dude!)
• La-D-Da, "Sweet Dreams" (for the SIL's bebe; shouldn't it be born already?)
• Workbasket, "Bunny Attitude"
• Artful Offerings, "Oh No! More Snow!" (punchneedle)
• Raise the Roof, "Off the Deep End" saw this done up and it is fabulous!
• Nostalgic Needle, "Mermaid Tapestry"
• Sisters and Best Friends, "Five O'clock" (for my cousin)
• flosses for a few projects
• Weeks Wool, Angel Hair herringbone (to make an ipod cozy)

We got giant grab bags one night. None of us kept all of the charts, rejects got passed around and around, and I think they all went home with someone. These were the keepers that I found:

• Erica Michaels, "Signs of Summer"
• 4 My Boys "Autumn Square" (a pumpkin!)
• Mosey 'n Me "The Flowers"
• La-D-Da "My Spotted Pony" (for my littlest niece)

And some freebies:

• Prairie Schooler, Rain
• Glendon Place, Eggcellent Easter Scene
• Drawn Thread, First Snow
• SamSarah, A Posy Heart
• Little House Needleworks, Summer House
  

Should I quit my job just to stitch?

Four accessories I can live without

1. Laying tool. I use my needle. Just stroke the fibers with that.
2. Needle emery. My fingers take the finish off of needles, so there's no sense in this. I can only use each needle for a short amount of time.
3. Needle threader. Haven't you mastered the art of threading the needle without looking it in the eye? I keep telling you how to do it!
4. Project carriers. Oh, I have a beautiful purple one. Everything ends up in Ziploc bags anyway. They're cheaper if you stitch more than one project at a time.

I couldn't even make it to five. I guess most products are just must haves. The shopowners will be excited to hear it!

Top Five Accessories

1. Tacky bob. No better way to work with beads. Hands down the best gadget I own.
2. Do-lolly. Really, do I need to explain? Is there anyone who hasn't found the magic of getting those ends secured with this fabulouso (and cute) tool?
3. Booboo stick. I'd resisted spending money on this one. I thought I could manage without this. A friend bought me one. Woo-hoo. No more ripping out stitches for hours. Cut, brush, start again. What a time-saver. And if you never make another mistake, you can always use it to clean bottles.
4. Needle park magnets. If I don't have magnets on my projects, I end up putting my needle in my clothes. Either just above my right breast or in my right pant leg. This has led to having cashiers and other strangers make casual remarks and waking up with scratches because I slept with a needle on my pant leg. D'oh.
5. Q-snaps. I hate hoops. They leave horrible impressions that aren't so easy to get out of fabric. The fabric does not need to be tight as a drum for your stitches to lay properly. Usually I stitch in hand, but if the fabric is too large, I have to use q-snaps. They were invented for quilting, so if you're a quilter and a stitcher, you have twice as many reason to buy them.

What about you? What's your favorite stitching accessory?

And thanks for all your comments lately. I feel so popular!

If You Don't Buy it, They'll Stop Making It

I've been reading how everyone is cutting back on acquiring new stash until they complete their 10/25/50 project challenge. This is crazy! Do you want your favorite stores to go out of business? Well let me tell you how lucky you are that I am still buying things!

I fell in love with Liberty Street's new design, In the Tall Flowers Sampler. I had a hard time finding the fabric that it calls for, so I contacted the maker. I noticed also that she did the fabric called for in Mermaids Singing. It is not the bright yellow that shows up in the picture on the Workbasket chart. (Has no one heard of color correction out there?) It's actually a lovely green. So I had to get some of that. And then while I was ordering, I figured I should also get the fabric for Rose Bunnie [sic] by Liberty Street. La Fern is a beautiful color, perfect for the bunny.

My mom also asked me to do a Mirabilia mermaid for her for her 65th birthday (2009). I figured I'd better get started. I chose Emerald Mermaid. I can't believe I'm doing one of these. I can't beleive my mother was so enamored of them.

Edited: When I added the picture, I realized I forgot about the celtic pumpkin by Sunflower Seed. I did need to replace those two pumpkin patterns that I stitched.

Worst. Photo. Ever.

On Saturday, when I finished the surprise present, I took two quick shots of it for the blog. Last night, before I uploaded the camera, I erased some of the extraneous pictures and, of course, the good one that I took of this project. So here's a crappy picture. At least you can see the tone on tone 40. I hope you get the idea. Great time! Happy Birtday to my best pal.

On this momentous day, I also swung by Fireside Stitchery to pick up some floss. The guy who works there remembered that I am a cross-stitcher (it's a needlepoint shop). He lures me into the back room to show me some Graziano linen. The distributor has discontinued it, and somehow it's ended up in the back of this guy's shop. It was lovely to touch. And half price: $35/yard instead of $70. So I had to get a yard of that. He starts showing me some of the other fabric he has--some tablecloth fabric, blue gingham... I tell him if he has the beige gingham, I'd take it. Of course he has 2/3 of a yard. He gave it to me for $20 (normally about $50 retail). He tried to show me the misto (linen/cotton fabric) but I had to draw the line. If you live in SE PA, however, get your buns to the store--he's selling this stuff to other stores and the mark up is going to be a bitch!

Now of course, my coffers overflow with giant fabric cuts--the yard of linen I ordered from Nordic Needle for the marquoir arrived on Saturday too...

Needlework Show

The Needlework Show is up again. There are more designers than ever exhibiting in this forum. And this year many more "big name" designers like Heart's Content, JBW Designs, M Designs, Liz Turner Diehl, and Homespun Elegance have joined the show.

Today's picture features Cherished Stitches' "Purple Passion." Isn't it gorgeous? Of the people I hadn't heard of before, I liked her stuff and Always Time to Stitch. Always Time to Stitch has "contemporary" punch needle. I probably wouldn't do it myself, but it's very fresh.

As usual, many of the designers have derivative designs. Very derivative. Some also have what I think of as bad art: the pieces are not quite in proportion or something. And there's a whole slew of stuff that you think "Why would I buy that? I could 'design' it myself!" To each her own, of course.

Go! Visit! You may end up with a door prize!

starts and finishes

This weekend, I finished the booga bag for the mil and the squiggles and splash scarf. I was worried that I might finish both while I was away from my stash, so I threw a couple of Sandy Cozzolino perforated paper Santa ornaments into the bag to keep myself amused. I finished the booga bag on the plane to Denver and the scarf on the way back to L.A. I did start one of the Santa ornaments—the unfortunate “Papa Navidad.” Don’t get me wrong, it’s cute, but does Santa Claus really wear a serape in Mexico? I have to say that I did not enjoy knitting with the squiggle. It doesn’t add very much and it is a huge PITA to work with. But you should also remember that I am an “advanced beginner” when it comes to knitting. YMMV. Tonight, I felt...if it gets below 85 degrees in my apartment. Why can't I afford to live at the beach in the "style" to which I've become accustomed?

I was putting away some stuff in my craft dresser (in the craft closet, two drawers are dedicated to cross-stitch: spent kits and UFOs.) I located several patterns that had ended up in there through no fault of their own. Three of them made the new “she’s a crazy woman” list: Trilogy’s Happy Bunny Bunny Day, Liberty Street’s Rose Bunnie (sic), and Birds of a Feather’s Scaredy Cat. The good news is that I only added 159 stitching hours to my list. I spent some time yesterday perusing the R&R Reproduction fabrics color chart to see if I had to stitch some of my pieces on their fabric. There are about half a dozen patterns that I have that call for various overdyed fabric, that I think can be stitched on antique white or summer khaki, without losing much. I am sticking with beach plum for "Chilly Willy and His Best Friend Nick"—and with the Alpine Green Tula for "Frost" and Highland Mist for "Upon a Pumpkin." As far as I can make out, however, light espresso, antique cotton, and candlelight can adequately be substituted. Wouldn’t I rather have more patterns and more threads? It’s moot right now because even given that I don’t plan on starting any of these projects in 2004, I do have the floss and fabric to do at least 11 of them. Buying more fabric can wait. ‘Til, like, March. Nevertheless, I ordered more fiber from Elegant Stitch. I really did need some of the Gentle Arts Sampler Threads for a Christmas gift project, even if I asked for more than I needed.