There are some crafts that are popular today and some that seem to be very unpopular.
So, I was just wondering if anyone still does some of them.
I saw Macrame mentioned in the comments on a blog. I thought that went out in the 70s (or at least the early 80s).
Everyone knows that scrapbooking is in - BIG TIME! There are stores everywhere, thousands of websites, blogs and magazines dedicated to this craft.
Knitting has made a comeback with those bars offering knitting clubs (I heard of one in Sydney a while back) and guys are taking it up too.
I see cross stitch mentioned a few times (ok, so that's my thing and what this blog is mostly about), but you can't get that as much as when I started stitching 16 years ago.
Quilting is another popular one - magazines, quilting groups etc.
So, are there some crafts that you do that may not be so popular right now, or are you doing the popular ones?
I'd put a pol in this post, but I don't know how.
November 25, 2008
November 19, 2008
Starting new projects
I love starting new projects.
I hate starting new projects.
Starting a new project means I have finished the last one (usually) and am ready to move on to something else. It's a good thing. I love sorting the colours before I start, the feel of the threads as they run through my hand as I separate each colour from the others.
But I hate starting new projects because the centre of a counted cross stitch always seems to have about five different colours in the vicinity and each one only has a few stitches in that area. It makes it very hard to decide which colour to do, but the thing that bugs me the most is how to start and finish the thread for that section. Starting is ok if an even number of strands is used (ie. 2, 4, 6 - yes my current project uses 6 strands at once in some places), but when you have an odd number it can be very difficult if you aren't working in a straight line for several stitches.
Sweetheart's Gate is like this. Yet another Dimensions kit that I am doing. I love their pictures, but the stitching can be a challenge with their half crosses (easy to do, but you have to remember which way to stitch them), combined colours, and the use of different numbers of strands. In this one some colours need 1 strand, others 2, then some need 3, 4, 5 and 6. Six strands is a lot, even on 14 count aida cloth.
I'm not really complaining, because these pictures have so much depth, and really I think I have more Dimensions kits in my TBS (To Be Stitched) pile than any other brand.
But regardless of the company that the kit comes from, starting new projects can be a hassel.
I hate starting new projects.
Starting a new project means I have finished the last one (usually) and am ready to move on to something else. It's a good thing. I love sorting the colours before I start, the feel of the threads as they run through my hand as I separate each colour from the others.
But I hate starting new projects because the centre of a counted cross stitch always seems to have about five different colours in the vicinity and each one only has a few stitches in that area. It makes it very hard to decide which colour to do, but the thing that bugs me the most is how to start and finish the thread for that section. Starting is ok if an even number of strands is used (ie. 2, 4, 6 - yes my current project uses 6 strands at once in some places), but when you have an odd number it can be very difficult if you aren't working in a straight line for several stitches.
Sweetheart's Gate is like this. Yet another Dimensions kit that I am doing. I love their pictures, but the stitching can be a challenge with their half crosses (easy to do, but you have to remember which way to stitch them), combined colours, and the use of different numbers of strands. In this one some colours need 1 strand, others 2, then some need 3, 4, 5 and 6. Six strands is a lot, even on 14 count aida cloth.
I'm not really complaining, because these pictures have so much depth, and really I think I have more Dimensions kits in my TBS (To Be Stitched) pile than any other brand.
But regardless of the company that the kit comes from, starting new projects can be a hassel.
November 13, 2008
Soluble Waste Canvas
Have you ever used waste canvas?
If you have you will know that for stitching it's great, but when it comes to removing it after stitching it almost takes as long to remove the waste canvas as it did to stitch the project (depending on the size, of course).
Today I received an email from one of the cross stitch shops that I occasionally purchase from, and there at the top of the list of new products was this Soluble Waste Canvas from DMC.
If you have you will know that for stitching it's great, but when it comes to removing it after stitching it almost takes as long to remove the waste canvas as it did to stitch the project (depending on the size, of course).
Today I received an email from one of the cross stitch shops that I occasionally purchase from, and there at the top of the list of new products was this Soluble Waste Canvas from DMC.
The next project I do needing waste canvas I will definately give it a try if I can find some to buy.
Way to go DMC!!!
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