Over-dyed SBQ

My answer to the SBQ:

Do you or have you stitched with over-dyed threads? (Weeks Dye Works, The Gentle Art Sampler Threads, Six Strand Sweets, etc.) If so, what is your opinion concerning them? If not, why not?

I have tried them but didn't think they were worth the extra cost. Also they don't suit my method of stitching. I use one strand folded in half and use the loop start. I find this much quicker and neater. Also I have been told that you are better not to wash the stitching once completed and I prefer to be able to wash items.

If I found a project that really would benefit from them I would try again.

I do like looking at them though - some of the colour variations are very pretty.

OK, as I am typing this I am gradually convincing myself that I should give them another try.

A Favourite Quote:
"Never test the depth of the water with both feet."

Another SBQ

My answer to the SBQ:

Do you do obligation or deadline-based stitching? Why or why not? If you do, do you tend to get in over your head and why?

I sometimes stitch quilt squares for special projects which have deadlines. I prefer not to sign up for things with deadlines though as I don't like the pressure. I do sometimes set myself goals but if anything crops up and I don't make the deadline I am not letting anyone down. Cross stitch is stress relief for me. After a hectic day I love just switching off and stitching, if it were deadline-based stitching it wouldn't be as relaxing for me.

A Favourite Quote:
"How come there’s always so much month left at the end of the money?"

Long Weekend

I am planning to have a stitching marathon from tonight until Monday evening. I have set some goals although I don't know how realistic they are; I will have to wait and see. They are to finish the Kustom Krafts baby lion and page two of HAED Tomboy; a lot of stitching. I am also going to have a Janet Evanovich 'Stephanie Plum' unabridged audio book marathon starting at book one 'One For The Money' while I am stitching. I wonder which book I will get to by Monday bedtime?

I will post progress photos of my stitching after the weekend.

My very short answer to the SBQ:

For those of you that stitch while riding in the car or on the train, how do you cope with the bumps and the motion? Do you have any tips for others?

I have never stitched outside of the house so don't have any tips. Really interesting answer - not!

A Favourite Quote:
"The only true gift is a portion of thyself…"
Emerson

Another Cross Stitch Update and Meme

As promised yesterday here is a picture of last week's progress on HAED "Tomboy":

I am now half-way through page 2. I hope to be able to finish page 2 next week. It would be good to be able to stitch a page in two weeks rather than the three weeks it took for page 1. I don't think I can keep this up though, but I should be able to save a week here and there bringing the completion date closer.

Here is what it should look like when finished:

To give an idea of size the sky is six pages of cross stitch chart and I have done the width of two pages. It should keep me out of trouble for a while!

Today's stitching meme:

1. Do you stitch every day?

I usually manage to stitch every day, only the odd day I can't.

2. How many hours can you get in on a weekday? A weekend day?

Normally I stitch for between one and two hours on an evening and maybe an extra hour on a weekend day.

3. What do you do while stitching?

I listen to my iRiver (similar to an iPod) - usually unabridged audio books but sometimes music.

4. Do you ever stay up late stitching?

I used to, but recently I have changed my routine so don't.

5. What is the latest you have ever stayed up to stitch?

I think the latest I have stayed up stitching was 6am. I was tired the next day!

A Favourite Quote:
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."

Show Your Backs

Todays stitching meme:

1. Are your backs neat or messy?

I used to keep my backs really neat, taking ages to get them right, then I came to the conclusion that it was taking time on something that is never shown (until now). With so much to stitch and so little stitching time it wasn't worth it. I still make sure there are no knots and ends are finished off properly. Also I use the loop start which helps with neatness. Now though I do take the thread from one stitch to another when it is a block away instead of finishing off and restarting, unless it is going behind an area that is going to be left unstitched.

2. Post a picture or two of your projects backsides.

How embarrasing! Do I really want to do this - oh well, this is a picture of the back of my current project HAED Tomboy:

I will be posting a picture of the front tomorrow - the excitement, can you wait?

A Favourite Quote:
"When life gives you crumbs… make cookies"

Fruitful Day

I managed to finish some jobs today so feel happier than yesterday. I also think I will be able to finish earlier so will hopefully get a bit more stitching done than I have been able to do so far this week. I am on an easy bit of Tomboy so should see good results tonight.

Todays stitching meme:

1. How many WIP's do you have?

I have started five projects, although I am focussing on two for now, HAED "Tomboy" (color) and Kustom Krafts "Baby Lion". I am also about to start a small project - Lizzie*Kate "Hello Spring" as I would like a spring coaster and think this will be ideal.

2. How many UFO's?

None - I made a point of finishing them all last year before starting anything new.

3. Do you prefer small, medium or large projects?

I like to do a mixture of sizes from napkin rings through to the Heaven and Earth Designs. I find doing smaller designs helps to keep me motivated for the large (and in the case of HAED extra large) projects.

4. Do you consider yourself a rotator or a OOAT'er?

I am a rotator, but at the moment I am concentrating on the two mentioned above (still rotating them every week). I used to stitch on one project at a time but find I need the change to keep motivated.

5. If all your projects were completed (magically) right now, what project(s) would you start next?

I would probably start another L&L (I am trying to stitch all the celtic ladies) and another HAED - not sure which one.

A Favourite Quote:
"The quality of life you experience will be directly related to the quality of the questions you ask."
... Dorothy Leeds

SBQ and Ramblings

First Today's SBQ:

Do you stitch "on the go?" (On the commute to and from work, during your lunch break, waiting for the kids, etc.) If so, do you have a specific "travel" project or do you just grab whatever you happen to be working on and take it with you?

I work from home so don't commute. I don't have a specific "travel" project as I rarely leave the house, but I usually have a small project set up to stitch so if I did need a project to take out I would grab that one. At the moment I have got Lizzie*Kate "Hello Spring" ready to stitch. My other WIP's would be too large to take out. Having my own business means I don't have regular hours, so my lunch break is just long enough to get something and eat it then back to work, no time for stitching.

Today has been a frustrating day. Everytime I went to do something I didn't have the one thing I needed to complete the task! Parcels didn't arrive that were supposed to, I was expecting some emails that never materialised etc. I have so many part-completed projects but nothing finished, at least when I do receive everything I should get a lot of things finished much quicker. There has also been a problem with WorldPay (who provide the payment option for the business), not having statements ready for customer payments.

I am going to get our evening meal (tea, dinner or whatever you call it) and then stitch and boy am I looking forward to it! Tomorrow is another day and hopefully everything will sort it self out then.

A Favourite Quote:
"Adversity causes some men to break, others to break records"
William A. Ward

Cross Stitch Progress

I managed to finish page eight of the baby lion, only one page to go! This is what it looks like now:

I am now back onto HAED "Tomboy" for this week. I am enjoying stitching this one.

Here is another stitching meme. I thought I would start at the beginning as I missed them and I think they are good ones.

1. How old were you when you started stitching?
I think I was 35 when I started stitching.

2. How many years have you been at it?
Around 6 years.

3. Self-taught or did someone teach you?
I taught myself the basics from a magazine and then gradually learnt more from the internet, books and magazines as well as experience. Also thinking things through and working out solutions.

4. What was your first project?
The first thing I stitched was a matching pair of napkin rings which can be seen here in my gallery

A Favourite Quote:
"Dear Lord, so far today I'm doing OK.
I haven't lost my temper, been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish or self-indulgent.
I haven't whined, complained, cursed or eaten any chocolate.
But I'll be getting out of bed in a minute,
I think I'll really need your help then!"

Snowdrops and Memes

I managed to finish the snowdrop coaster for my mum in time for her to collect yesterday. Here is a scan:

She was very pleased and I have been told it has been put to use already. Snowdrops remind mum of her dad and bring back happy memories for her, so when I saw the chart I had to stitch it for her.

It was also my first attempt at "couching". I was anxious when I first realised it needed a different stitch than I have tried as I usually don't enjoy doing any stitching except cross stitch; but it turned out to be really easy and I enjoyed doing it. It was an effective stitch for the stem.

I have just come across Memes and thought I would start to answer some in my blog. Here is a stitching one:

1. Have you ever tried dying your fabrics for stitching?
Not yet.

2. If so, how did it go, if not would you like to someday?
It is something I would love to try, I have loads of white aida all ready waiting. I am currently trying to find the right type of dye as the one that was recommended to me "RIT" doesn't seem available in the UK. If someone has any suggestions please get in touch.

A Favourite Quote:
"I will honour Christmas in My Heart
and keep it there all year long"
by Charles Dickens