I am going through Mod R’s helpful emails of blog topics, and one of them mentioned questions about crafting projects. Here is the obligatory crafting tax.
What is this? It’s a mystery. Hehe. If you look in the close up above, you will see so many split stitches. Not the diagonal single strand one, but the split stitch where half of it is one color and the other half the other color and they are both going through the center of the square. I am hoping this will look pretty when the backstitching (outlining with darker thread) is in, but meanwhile I have never had to do so many split stitches ever. Ever.
I have switched to cross stitch from knitting for two reasons. One, it’s hot. Two, someone sent me this amazing bag for Christmas.
It didn’t come with a card, and nobody owned up to it. All my cross stitch stuffs fit in there perfectly, so it’s very portable, protected from pet hair, and easy to take on vacation.
I think it’s the colors for me. The brightly colored floss is so therapeutic somehow.
Several people asked me where I get the patterns. I bought one on Amazon as a kit, I made one out of an image, which was free for noncommercial use, and I bought this one off Etsy. Etsy is a good place for patterns. I am very enamored of this cross stitch pattern shop in particular: the Stitch Fairy Co.
I like this. That’s right, fear me, puny mortals.
I broke down and bought a pattern from a Chinese company. Unfortunately, while some Chinese cross stitch kit sellers are ethical, there are a few who are using copyrighted images without any compensation to the artist. They are stealing artwork.
I really wanted this kit, because it looks like a drawing of Kid 1, so I did a ton of research. This particular image is unique to this company – nobody else is using it, and Google wasn’t able to find it anywhere else in whole or in part. I ordered the kit and so we will see what happens.
If you are a particularly ambitious cross stitcher and want a challenge, there is always HAED. Heaven and Earth Designs. These are massive, full coverage charts.
I am not brave enough to attempt one of those. It would take years and I would get bored and abandon it. Mad respect to anyone who actually finishes one of these pieces.
And that concludes the crafting update. I would show you my craft room but it is empty except for the massive bags of yarn. That will be a separate post.
i like cross stitch as it is very portable. You don’t really need a hoop. Have fun!
Glad you’re able to craft!
I hope this is ok to put here but Gecko Rouge out of London also has some amazing, modern cross stitch patterns.
It is absolutely okay. I will add a link for you: https://www.geckorouge.co.uk/
Wow, the site has great kits. Wouldn’t it be fun to have a Kate and Curren (in his lion form) cross stitch project?
Cross stitch and needlepoint are keeping me sane in these uncertain times. The only drawback- harder to watch TV with subtitles while stitching.
Added my latest finish (local needlepoint shop with owner and her shop dog).
Thank you for the update. I agree, too hot to knit, so I’ve also been eyeing the embroidery I haven’t touched in YEARS. Maybe I should.
I had to stop crocheting for the summer because my hands sweat badly after a while. I keep looking at my sewing since I need to do that. However, by the time I get off work and rest, I don’t want to sew.
When I knitted, I also quit during the summer due to the sweaty hands. Even with acrylic yarn it’s not cooling on the hands. 🙂
have you ever tried pixel stitch? https://www.pixel-stitch.net/ I don’t do cross stitch (jsut normal embroidery) but I find it really helpful for finding the colours
Claire, Thank you for this suggestion. I have several pictures I would love to turn into cross stitch patterns. Your suggestion is genius ????
I have a cross-stitch project of three owls on a 7 by 12 inch canvas. It has been 3 weeks since I last touched it. I would love to continue it but for the life of me I can’t seem to find the interest to do it right now. Maybe because I need new glasses and I can’t find the time to go out for a new one. Makes my eyes and head hurt when I squint because the aida cloth has small holes.
I also tried the diamond painting thing. Well, if sewing is hard on the eyes, that is just worse. Felt like I would go cross-eyed permanently.
If you want to cross stitch but have trouble with holes, there is a basically forgotten craft of embroidery on plastic canvas. The holes are much larger and the resulting project is a bit stiffer, really good for tissue boxes, bookmarks, etc.
I cannot do diamond painting either.
I broke down and got a light with magnifier – it really does make a difference in seeing well to do cross-stitch. (Also some reading glasses, but another issue) I was able to finish one of the large (pre-printed) full coverage cross-stitch kits with it. The quality of thread in them is not as nice, but the pre-printed canvas is more relaxing than counting.
Have you tried Thread Heaven ( I think that’s the name) on your floss? My sister, who stitches 6 to 8 hours a day, told me about it. I think it’s bee’s wax, all you do is run your thread over it. It really cut down on tangling and fraying for me.
Just a suggestion: would a standing magnifying glass help with seeing the small aida cloth holes?
I have a similar problem but discovered tapestry cross stitch cushions, loads of patterns but I do like the disney ones. Canvas holes much bigger than aida so I can see them!
You could try punch needle! The tool finds the hole.
I had a craving for cross stitch months ago. Wait. Possibly a couple of years ago. Anyway, I bought a couple of patterns, fully understanding that I would quickly get bored and set the project aside for months or years at a time, but filling in spaces with little x‘s was so satisfying and just what my brain needed for stress relief at that moment. I also bought a needlepoint pillow thing that is basically giant cross stitch but the „fabric“ is printed so no counting needed. That one is about 80% done and has only been abandoned for a few months a couple of times. But those huge beautiful cross-stitch paintings are far beyond my attention span…
Very cool! Cross stitching is something I’d like to pick up someday
My seriously nearsighted sister used to do the Marbeck angels on high-count fabric. (Most of them are hanging on my walls…) Then she had cataract surgery, and now her vision is too good for the tiny stuff.
Many years back I did a few Lyndisfarne Discworld cross-stitches and I still have Errol framed and in pride of place.
Currently I’m crocheting a granny square baby blanket having just discovered the joys of crochet ????
Yay another crochet person! When I started (back in the days of no internet, just books to learn), people were saying “oh, you should start with granny squares”. I got bored about half way through and didn’t finish. My mom crocheted an afghan for my brother using granny squares in variegated yarn in shades of red (there was no white mixed in it). The swirls are so beautiful.
I do my afghans in one piece.
One thing I want to pass on to you Donna: if you do decide to take the plunge and work an afghan in one piece, use the next hook up on the chain row. By using the larger hook, the chain row does not pull in as the afghan is getting larger. Once you get the number of stitches you want in the chain row (plus the number added on depending on the stitch you use), switch to the hook you plan to use in the afghan. I use to use the same hook for the entire afghan and wondered why the blanket looked like a vase. 😀
Thanks for the tip ????
I love granny squares – all the different motifs you can do are what interested me in the first place.
I’m doing lots of small squares in 3 colours (with some squares in all 3 colours as well) for this particular project but plan to build up to doing myself a big blanket of insane mixed styles and colour squares since no-one can tell me not to ????
Counted cross stitch has saved my sanity during tough times. Your backstitching will turn those quarter stitches into lovely shading by the time your done.
Is it a curling dragon?
Looks beautiful anyway, even half finished!
Sorry to have heard about the renovation – I hope you’re all making progress towards full liveability!
I adore cross stitching! I did one of the HAED for a friend…… It took me two years!! I did it on 18 count not 25 so it ended up being approx 3ft by 2 feet.
OMG never again! But, I still love doing “normal”(not monstrous) ones.
I listen to your audio books as I stitch and others.
Yours is very pretty!
“Careful or you will end up in my book.” Lol
I have a new co-worker. He is a chemist.. his name is Slater Payne. I keep thinking it sounds like a book character name. ????
Love that name ^^^^. We had a great contractor named Matt Slater, which also seems like a good character name (for a granite-willed guy).
+1
I used to knit a lot. I tried cross stitch but it wasn’t my thing. I have made a bunch of quilts. I really enjoyed that I used to do embroidery too. That was nice. I did all my pillow cases at one time. My aunt used to do that and I remember loving staying here when I was a kid with the lovely pillow cases.
I have a couple of trigger fingers now , among other hand and wrist things so I haven’t been crafting for a while. I have a ton of fabric that I love sitting in bins. Sigh
You should check out Sue Heitzman’s “The Melt Method”. Exercises to rehydrate connective tissues and there are exercises that helped me when I had hand and ankle issues. You can probably find the book at the library. Sue developed this method, after years of teaching exercise classes, and learning at seminars that all the other teachers were having constant pain also. It was interesting background information. Using her method saved me three years of twice monthly deep tissue massages!
Is cross stitching easy to learn? I crochet but like everyone else it gets too warm to do in the summer!
Second question… What do you do with the pattern when you’re done? The stuff I crochet usually gets donated as blankets to hospital, shelters, animal shelters etc. Since I have run out of family to give stuff too!
I was able to easily teach myself cross stitch. There are some more difficult patterns to do, but you can also find simple patterns for free or cheap on Etsy. Most of the patterns I buy also come with basic instructions. As for what to do with them when they’re done? I’ve framed a couple and the rest are wips (works in progress) ????
It is SUPER easy. The barrier for entry is very low. I gift patterns to friends, hang them as decor, or turn them into pillows.
I make lots of small things – teddy bears with different coloured blankets, flowers, little sayings with borders – and put them on cards and give them as gifts to new parents, friends for birthdays, even book marks. You can personalise them quite easily by adding names and speical dates.
You can also decorate pre-made wraps for babies with pictures of toys, mermaids, whatever you want.
My friend owns a book store called the blue dragon in Glenbrook in the Blue Mountains, so I made her a beautiful blue dragon and used metallic thread in different shades of blue. It looks fantastic if I do say so myself.
Thanks everyone I’m going to give it a try!
I can’t do any crafting at all. I completely lack the patience to even try!
I am so awed by people who can knit, cross stitch etc…
One of my aunts is amazing at cross stitch and crocheting.
Love how the current project looks! Makes me think about taking up needle ad floss after three decades abstinence.
I haven’t tried cross-stitching yet, but I’ve been enjoying doing some simple embroidery from kits. I agree… such beautiful threads and so therapeutic!
I’ve been really enjoying Cross stitch since last year. It’s very transportable and let’s me keep my hands busy. Before, when I started to get bored I would turn to my phone. With cross stitch I can stitch and still listen to conversation and not be rude. It’s very nice.
I love cross stitch, but gave it up when I had surgery on my dominant hand. I have trouble holding a needle for very long. The last project I did, I managed to do it with no knots in the thread, either by accident or on purpose. For me, that is a challenge. When I retire, I might give it another go.
Thought this might be appropriate. I cross stitch. I can’t knit or crochet.
That is purely awesome. I only have the patience to stab something a few times, so it’s gardening (I prefer a garden fork to shovels for most applications) and, when necessary to feed myself, cooking.
????????????????
Why did I hear Kate when reading that? That’s awesome!
LOL that’s awesome!
Oh, I so wish there was a like button for this.
I used to do lots of cross stitch but struggle now that I have bifocals. Another form of embroidery that is fun is Hardanger. It is similar to long stitch but you cut parts of the Aida cloth and pull threads to make weaving. See pictures in the Wikipedia article here https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardanger_embroidery
When my first child was born, I made myself a promise to cross stitch him his own stocking for Christmas and that I would do that for any other children my husband and I have. He was a May baby, so I was certain it would be done before Christmas. Fast forward 2 years, I find out I’m pregnant with my second child, due in December, so I pick up my first son’s stocking and get it finished by October and then second son is born in December shortly before Christmas. It is now another 2 years later, I just gave birth a few weeks ago to my third child, a daughter this time, and I’m looking at the top of my desk where my second son’s cross stitch stocking is still a work in progress lol. I love cross stitching but I have to do it in bursts because for some reason doing a little bit every day means I lose interest and never finish. So now I need to finish my second son’s Christmas stocking and then start on my daughter’s and hers will probably be finished by the time she’s 2 lol.
Not to worry; she won’t really know what Christmas is (birthdays either, for that matter) until she’s at least three.
Don’t feel bad. I needlepointed Christmas stockings for my husband and kids. Started when I was pregnant with my oldest. I got 3 done over about 10 years. Mine is almost done, but I haven’t touched it in 3 years. I started my youngest son’s last october, its 1/4 done and I haven’t touched it in 5 months. And yes, my kids are 21, 19, and 17! I’m still planning to finish them, I swear!
That cross-stitch is lovely, even unfinished. All I know about that bag you got for Christmas is that it’s found its proper use.
I’m not worried about ending up in one of your books, since I apologized the one time I can recall offending you (I was having a bad month myself, or I wouldn’t have whined like I did – I am still sorry I said it). If I did end up in one of your books, I wouldn’t recognize myself – if there’s one thing I’ve learned in my life, it’s that I look a lot different from the inside.
Ooh so pretty. One of my childhood friends does some hand embroidery and I am in awe. She did part of the Amanda Gorman inauguration poem and I needed it on my wall immediately. So impressed with anyone who can do arts and crafts type things!
These are beautiful and intricate patterns: https://chatelaine.de/
Danger! New sources of craft stuff!
I switched to quilting after son #1 took all of my cross stich thread and made a tangled mess.
Oooh, yay! I LOVE cross-stitch because it is so satisfying, and I can set it down and come back to it without worry. The ability to transport it and work on it in this heat is definitely a bonus.
Have you seen Witchy Stitcher’s patterns? (https://www.thewitchystitcher.com) She creates spooky designs, and she just had a Cryptid SAL that was SO fun. This other designer has a ton of freebie designs you might like because you can customize them with whatever thread you’d like. I’m going to try variegated threads on the Weaver Band projects. They’re medieval text creature designs! (https://magicalquilts.blogspot.com/)
I have actually finished two of Theresa Wentzler’s designs. The first was the Castle (I went insane and decided to get a special add on that used metallics for the dragon and I filled in all the empty area with white cross stitches). It took me 5 years to finish. http://www.twdesignworks.com/Designs/cas.html The other was her Fruit Bell Pull, that only took about 3 years. http://www.twdesignworks.com/Designs/fb.html
I feel your pain on the half stitches! It’s why I switched to using linen over 2. My half stitches on aida aren’t very neat.
My WIP (26 years and counting) is a 2′ x 3′ Crossed Wing pattern called Flower Power. I went a bit rogue, did the butterflies over 1. Will not do that again….
The split stitches give you such nice shading.
The quote about putting someone in your book reminds me of the movie The Quiet Man, where the squire tells Petey “Write his name in your book. You got it? Now strike a line through it. There, that’s for him!” I’m sure John Wayne’s character was suitably chastened. That movie has some of the best lines.
I’ve been doing cross-stitch for years and I’ve bought a few of Heaven And Earth Designs because they’re just incredible (have you seen their dragons ?) but I haven’t found the courage to start one yet. As I am three or four years from retirement, I’m content with planning for them until then. Like you said, they need some time investment, probably a few thousand hours each…
Counted cross stitch can be fun. I have done textured cross stitch where sometimes you use a split stitch, sometimes 1 strand, sometimes 2 strands, sometimes 3 strands—you get the idea. It really looks impressive. Also, only you feel comfortable with counted cross stitch in the crafts store for something called “waste canvas”. It came in 10 ct and 12 ct when I did it. You cut out a section large enough to hold the entire pattern with some to spare and baste it to any article of clothing (think T-shirt) then work your pattern over the canvas. Once finished, dampen the material and then you can unravel the waste canvas by pulling out the strands one by one until the stiff canvas is gone and your T-shirt has a cross stitch design on it.
I have been doing ‘traditional’ embroidery using a variation on waste canvas (though have used that for cross-stitch). For darker colors, or thicker fabrics that are hard to transfer design, I copy (sometimes literally a photocopy with thicker paper, sometimes to tracing paper) a design/sketch to paper, baste it on and embroider through the paper. The paper helps stabilize stretchy fabric like baby onesies. For finer details, you have to take paper off and finish, but fun to use a variety of stitches, colors, etc. There is an outline of the basic shape you want to do, but more freedom in exactly how you outline and/or fill the design. Did one that used random scrap threads to make shooting stars with colorful tails.
OOPS! –bad typing–once you are comfortable with cross stitch, look in the crafts section for waste canvas
If I could be in your book, I’d want to be a villain, a hard to beat kick butt blind villain, with excellent hearing and precognition. (I’m visually impaired). Then I’d want a redemption arc.
I crossed stitched for years. After my husband died I gave it for some reason. Gave away hundreds of thread packets and all my materials. This is so pretty I might try again. I love the bag, does have a brand name?
I’m on sketches, because I saw a set of watercolor pencils I bought years ago lying in a crate unopened and forgotten along with an A5 sketchpad. I can only sketch during the day though (we don’t have great lighting) but the smaller increments are keeping me interested instead of one big binge which leaves me fed up
These colors look amazing!
Love the bag – seriously handy.
And…. Thanks so much for the links to the shops!!
Maybe someday I will get back around to this craft type again.
Have loved it many years. Now off for many years….
I love the Heaven and Earth Designs, they’re so beautiful and detailed. I’ve bought a few of the patterns but I haven’t started any of them yet. I have this one in process: https://www.123stitch.com/item/Cross-Eyed-Cricket-Master-the-Macabre-Cross-Stitch-Pattern/10-2097
but I’ve been working on it off and on for a couple if years now. I spend more time on my quilting and reading instead of cross stitching these days. I think it’s the eye strain, too small to see easily anymore and my attempt at bifocals did not go well.
I used to cross stitch till I became a quilter. I had a Thomas Kinkade project 99% finished that sat for 15 years. The first week of covid lockdown I decided to work on old projects and started with that one. It only took 45 minutes to finish. It was because of the metallic floss which drove me nuts. I also realized I needed a new bifocal prescription. Good news it is completed framed and on my wall going into my quilting studio. I don’t plan on doing anymore anytime soon. Too many quilt projects I would rather work on.
I started cross-stitching two years ago and I love it. I pick it up and put it down (I had a year off while writing a book), but it’s so meditative to cross-stitch while binging on some shows. I’ve not had a pattern with split stitches or backstitching, but maybe one day. First I need to finish my gigantic confetti-filled 16×20 piece.
I am a big fan of artist Chris Dunn. Some of his art is available for cross stitch here: https://www.painefreecrafts.com/product-category/designs/artist/chris-dunn/
The owl works, in cross stitch, or any other form, are probably my favorites, but I love the little mice scenes too. He has some free coloring sheets on his site that are wonderful, along with prints, postcards and the link to the aforementioned cross stitch patterns. https://www.chris-dunn.co.uk/shop
I believe he is currently working on the German covers for the Redwall series. They are really something to see. He posts some of the “work in progress” and final stuff here: https://redwall.fandom.com/wiki/Chris_Dunn
I’ve got “two left hands” as my family used to say, but I did recently watercolour a dinosaur to work out some stress and it made me so happy.
Meet Roar Roar. She’s a pretty girl who likes to jump in puddles.
That is awesome.
PS. I saw you fish Maria’s comment out of the pending. You are not supposed to be working.
I have studied the blue and pink design in the hoop from all angles and just can’t figure out what it is. Please tell us. Love the bag and the “Careful” one.
Painters come to mind.
My friend does the Tapestry cross stitch and has for over 20 years. The first I saw was an amazing peacock scene and the latest she showed me is a Good Omens Angel/Devil scene that’s… Mwah.
It is pretty involved at that level and not as easily portable… No throwing it into a bag with the frame.
The cross stitch is lovely! I just took an embroidery class which involved lots of color shading and split stitches and now have a new respect for what it takes.
Have you ever tried button making? It’s great for playing with colorful threads and making small projects that go well with other crafts. This is a youtube link to a weekly button challenge currently happening that shows the weird and wonderful variety of things people come up with when making buttons. Any video with week in the title is from the challenge. https://www.youtube.com/c/GinaBSilkworks
Chatelaine Designs by the late Martina Weber and Frosted Pumpkin Sitchery are me favorite cross-stitch designers.
I usually have a cross stitch project ongoing. The problem is that unlike knitting and crocheting, to a lesser extent, I can’t read and craft at the same time.
Project on bathroom door (tee-her)
Oops
I, in my mid-thirties and a knitter of 7 years, have in the past 2 months realized that I can knit while listening to an audio book. TV is a no-no for me because it is too stimulating. My brain’s wired differently.
Sometimes I still read on my kindle, but 4 of my friends are procreating this year and baby blankets don’t knit themselves. Work has been stressful, so the double-dose of escapism is welcome.
Thanks for the HAED site mentioned. I might get back into cross stitching. Cool patterns, to understate the obvious.
I just finished downloading a new pattern from etsy when I dropped by the blog, talk about perfect timing!
I found a clamp-on lighted magnifier lamp at a yard sale 20+ years ago. I was learning Hardanger at the time and the floor lamp one at the shop was $150! Anyway I cut a circle out of plywood, put 4 wheels on it, got a piece of pipe that the lamp end would fit in, screwed the pipe into a fitting I could screw to the plywood,slipped two 25 pound lifting weights over the pipe and then fitted upholstery fabric and stapled that down to make it look good. It works good but I should have made the plywood bigger and at least five wheels on it. When the magnifier extends it can be a little tippy but easily fixed. The base on the shop one had a large X and was about four feet tall.
I know what you mean about the colored threads being therapeutic. I used to cross stitch a lot. Not so much these days. But my fave patterns came from Mirabilia and Teresa Wentzler. They are ones who take time to finish, especially TW, but they are so beautiful.
Dear Ilona,
It was through you I realised that collecting yarn is a whole different hobby from actually using said yarn. Thank you for increasing my number of hobbies and decreasing my guilt!
Wow! That is beautiful and very complex. I tried cross stitch but learned to quilt instead. I like. A larger canvas is what I like.
Wow! What a lovely bag! I cross stitch too and use giant zip lock bags from Ikea.
I have never seen so many split stitches before!
Cross stitch and I never got along (I don’t enjoy being stabbed), but knitting I can do, crochet less so. It’s frustrating and soothing at the same time – the crafting paradox. I love the book cross stitch. I may have to do one that says “tradition is just peer pressure from dead people”.
Have you ever tried/seen sashiko Japanese embroidery? I find it very simplistic but very therapeutic.
https://shiboridragon.com/collections/pre-printed-sampler-kits
I love these kinds of posts – I always learn so many things and find new resources.
Thanks BDH!
My mom did cross stitch all the time. Her last one made was for my kids of Winnie the Pooh and I have it in my treasure chest for if the want it when they grow up. Someday maybe I will be brave enough to try it but so far all my mom’s talents missed me. She could sew, crochet, cook, sing soprano, etc. I can carry a tune and fix a hole or put on a button but that is it.
But, that being said. I know it probably isn’t but that top picture looks like a fancy toilet seat surrounded by flowers. I thought you might think it was funny.
Okay, so I just discovered your blogsite, and I am thrilled beyond measure! I adore your writing, and I am a stitcher. Have been for more years than I care to admit to. I agree with your assessment of HAED – terrifying. If you want even more terrifying, and awe inspiring, take a glance at Scarlet Quince and Golden Kite. It’s the same idea – full coverage – but done with the Great Masters. So lovely.
Thank you for your delightful writing (I listen to them while stitching!), and now for your fellowship in crafting!
“It would take years and I would get bored and abandon it.”
Kudos for self-awareness ???? – you just described almost every ambitious knitting/crochet project I’ve ever thought was a great idea (the baby blanket I started knitting for my nephew before he was born still isn’t done and he turns eight next month ????????).
I confess I looked at the HAED site and absolutely coveted a ridiculous number of those charts; then I repeated to myself what you said and reminded myself that I swore off cross-stitch after the last big/difficult (but not nearly as big or complicated) project I did, hahahaha. Because I have more hobbies than time and the number of WIPs languishing in various corners of my house is embarrassing. And I would get bored and abandon this, too.
I’m a cross-stitcher, too, and I know of people who won’t start a new project until they finish the one they’re doing. These are probably the same people who only have one book going at a time. These are not my people. If it’s not working for you (but you don’t want to completely abandon it), do something small. Perforated paper can be a good change of pace. You can turn it into cards, ornaments, small pictures, whatever. Mill Hill has some nice things (lots of beads since that’s their thing) and Brooke Nolan (Brookesbooks.com) has some very cute things–fairies/angels, witches, and lately she’s been doing literary characters–Little Women, Pride and Prejudice, The Wizard of Oz (12 figures), Alice in Wonderland (12 figures), and she’s working on Peter Pan.
My Covid project was a “stained glass” Fellowship of the Ring that I worked on obsessively for about a year and a half, but then I made a mistake at the base of Lothlorien (don’t you hate when that happens?), and lost my momentum. I will get back to it though, when my current reading binge cools off.
Nicely done! I decided to get into cross stitching after I saw a pattern I loved. Of course it was ridiculously difficult for a novice and I had no idea what I was doing. It literally took me over a year and a half to accomplish. Having to back track because you realize you messed up is the worst feeling in the world btw. My boyfriend gave me the idea to take a picture after every time I finished a portion and run it into a gif. In any case it turned out nice! The set I used is of Russian make. Riolis? I will admit it was very therapeutic but I might wait a while before I start another. I have a pattern waiting in the wings for me once I get to it. I also developed a weird love for needle minders.
That is a fabulous bag! It would be good for all sorts of crafty projects. I don’t think my google skills are up for the challenge of finding it.
I love the saying on your cross-stitch project about ending up in your book. This principle applies to my husband’s song writing, so I can relate so much. We once drove 20 miles with friends to eat at a Mexican restaurant that had an attached grocery store filled with specialty items for authentic Hispanic recipes. The door to the store was propped open with a stack of tubs containing lard. After a delicious meal and much laughing, we drove home and the 4 of us composed lyrics for a new song called “Praise the Lard” that is all about baking pies and quiche, and epicurean curiosity.
I cross-stitch but not much lately. When I was working on projects I was making Christmas ornaments. I found a book of patterns with cute designs. The ultimate shape is a Christmas stocking. You stitch the pattern, then glue it to a poster board shape loosely, then you put some fiberfill in to make them puffy. To finish, you glue a felt shape onto the back of the poster board. You can either give several as a present, or attach one to a present as a bonus.
When many of my friends were having kids, I made birth announcement pictures for their rooms. One of those was a major pain, because many of the colors were very close to each other. So much so that I could only work on it in sunlight. When it was completed though, it was really cool. Those colors made the toys in the design really looked 3 dimensional.
Thanks for the fun post! I’m just getting back into cross stitch myself. Like you, I think it’s the colors, portability, and fun patterns. I actually have you to thank for my renewed interest… I bought the “No ProbLlama” kit you did a few months ago (found it on Amazon). So colorful and fun! Thank you!!!
It’s easiest to do those quarter stitches on a fabric where you go over two threads for every stitch. Then you middle is easy. Unfortunately, your beautiful bag means you have to fight with them. Enjoy. I’m having cataract surgery in September and can’t wait to see close well enough again to get back to stitching.
Thank you, Ilona Andrews for the post. I laughed.
I had to update my posted warnings per legal beagles. So now I have: 1. No trespassing. 2. Beware of Dog. 3. Beware of bull 4. No exit.
however they are still arguing about if I need to post “smile for the camera” because are not true security cameras. Lawyers. No I decided not to ask what a true security camera is. Sigh ????
My sister was doing cross stitch a while ago. She was working with Mirabel ( ? ) designs. They are more involved than other patterns as they use beads as well as threads. She has several large hangings on her walls. She also had a program on her computer that converts images into patterns.if you can find it, you may like to try it
Beautiful handiwork
Cross-stitching has been my art for the last 18 years and is great while trapped in zoom class or zoom meetings. It is very soothing and makes personalized presents. I also love looking at all the DMC floss because of the colors. If you want to store all the pretty thread DMC sells a vintage chest with 5 drawers of 500 skeins. But it is sadly way out of my current price range as a grad student. https://www.dmc.com/us/vintage-wooden-chest-w500-skeins-9009158.html
Love all the WIP stories. My first x-stitch was a Garfield cartoon with “big, fat, hairy deal” in its thought bubble. My 38 year project is half done…banjo cloth with beige, ivory, cream, straw, etc as the main colors…I can only work on it for a short time before my eyes start to cross.
My 25 year project is a beautiful huge Romulan War Bird in black thread on red fabric(Star Trek is my third fav hobby after being a stalwart member of the BDH and stitching)…when finally finished it will have a polished metallic black frame.
I am currently jumping through small projects, both embroidery and x-stitch. I recently inherited 5 garbage bags of Mom’s thread projects and I am still trying to figure out where to go with those.
My love project will be a beautiful cursive scrip of my favorite swear word on beautifully colored blue swirly printed fabric and twinkly thread-I have every thing ready to go this winter for that one! My biggest problem is my job is fine hand detail work, requiring significant finger strength. My stitching is done in short bursts or on long weekends. But NEVER FEAR! All my WIP’s will one day be done…and beautiful…and framed…right?
When I am taking a break from quilting, I do cross-stitch too. I am a big fan of Mirabilia Designs. The patterns use different colors of floss to create the shading and saves the back stitching for faces and hands. So, at the end of all the cross-stitching, you are almost done rather than half done. They do take a while, but every single one is gorgeous.