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.

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.

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!!!

Fancy Shoes

You probably don't know this, but I am one of the leaders of our weekly children's minstry on a Wednesday night at church. I have the pleasure (mostly) of working with our Grade 2 & 3 kids. At the start of this year we had a "launch" for the year's theme of 'Walking Like Jesus' and introducing our main Bible verse - "Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did." 1 John 2:6 (NIV).

Each of the leaders wore their favorite 'shoes' - some wore slippers, others wore flippers, each was different.

The photos above are the shoes I wore. No, they aren't my favorites, but they are a lot of fun.

I bought a pair of plain white shoes and decorated them with fabric paint, flowers and beads. Each thing on them represents something I love. The flowers, butterflies, and the hearts on the back because I love the kids. (Ok, so there were some squiggles and spirals and things too, but that was for colour and fun.)

So there you have it. Another non-cross sitch project.

Girl Reading

And there it is 'Girl Reading' (or 'Reading Girl' depending on who you ask) completed.

I chose this one originally because reading is something I do a lot of and this was a perfect way to combine two of my passions - cross stitch and reading.

Completion News

I'm very excited!

Last night I completed 'Girl Reading'!!

I was tired but only had a really small bit to go and just had to finish it. I started this on the 4th November 2007 and completed it on 26th October 2008. Just 9 days short of a year working on it.

Yahoo!!!

Now, like most of my other projects I have to get it framed.

Picture to come soon.

I have also decided that my next project will be a small one, and have chosen 'Beach Tranquility'. This one I can easily frame myself because the framing materials were included in the kit.

I just couldn't help myself!

I've wanted to do a Thomas Kincade counted cross stitch for sooooo long, but no one has had them in stock for ages.

Then today I got an email from VicStitch and they had 25% off everything in stock, but not only that, the email also said new in stock Thomas Kincade cross stitch and needlepoint kits.

Well, that was that. I clicked on the link straight away and there is was, Thomas Kincade - Lamplight Bridge - Counted Cross Stitch Kit. This was exactly the one that I wanted to do if I ever got the chance.

I told myself after the last cross stitch order that that was it for the year. No more until you finish a few more. But how could I resist? This was a dream come true. With the discount I paid less than the normal cost even after adding the postage charge.

I probably have enough kits to last me for the next 20 years at the rate that I currently do them. Every time I buy more I tell myself that this may be my only chance to get this kit and if I don't get it now I may never be able to.

I guess I really do have something to be thankful for when I think about still being single - I don't have to justify to someone else where I spend my money.

Stitching world ...

... I have not forgotten you.

I know, I didn't give any updates for the whole month of September, but my camera has not been seeing the light of day, even though I have thought of a few photos I could take.

Yes, I am still stitching "Girl Reading" or "Reading Girl" depending on who you ask. The progress bar has moved, just not as much as I would have liked.

Nothing done for a week though. I haven't felt like stitching. Actually I haven't felt like doing much of anything. Bronchitis is to blame for that. It's been coming on for a while, I think, but it really hit me last week. So much so that bed seemed like the best place to be most of the time, or on the couch, doing absolutely nothing, except dozing.

I just have the wisteria at the top of "Girl Reading" to go, plus the tiny bit of back stitch for her eye brows, and then I'm done.
I've nearly been stitching her for a year. Next month will mark the year since I started. Of course, I have started and finished other projects within that time.

Just so you know, my cousin loved the project I did for her son!

Happy Day

Another project Completed!

This one is in the Suzy's Zoo series.

It's really cute.

I started it on my holiday in July and finished it on Friday night (22nd August).

So now it's back to doing "Girl Reading"

Birthday Card for Amy

This is the birthday card that I made for Amy's 18th birthday.

I did promise that this blog wouldn't just be about cross stitch and so here is my first non-cross stitch post.

For this card I've used rub-ons, stickers, ink stamping. No brads, but it looks like I have for puting on the 'Birthday Wishes' tag.

Inside the card I also used my Brother P-Touch for a 'Happy Birthday'.

I hope she likes it.

Bear with Rattle & Rocking Horse

This is the "Bear with Rattle" that I have done for my cousin's second child. It is so cute.




And this is the "Rocking Horse" that I did for a friend. Also very cute. Ok, so I guess you're wondering why there is no date on this one. Well, that's because I couldn't fit it under the name and it didn't look right anywhere else. The pattern didn't actually have a specific spot for a name - that was my addition to it.


Both are now wrapped and ready to give when I see them.