November 26, 2008

Here is my new project: Silver Stitches by Charlotte's Web Needle-work, from the 2008 Just Cross Stitch Ornament Issue.

I'm sure you can tell why I was drawn to this particular one. If not, there were three things that lead me to choosing it:

Most importantly, everything I needed was in my stash. The projects I stitch for the remainder of this year have to all come from my stash. A skein of floss needed here and there is allowed, but no going out to kit something up until 2009. I substituted DMC Antique Effects E415 for the Light Effects E168 suggested by the designer, but can you tell? It's still a silver metallic at the top.

Secondly, it's EMBROIDERY (so-called "specialty") STITCHES!! I love doing different stitches rather than making x's all the time. I don't suggest this for someone who doesn't own the Kooler Encyclopedia of Needlework or the Cross Stitcher's Bible because there are *not* instructions to do each stitch, but I've done most of them in previous projects so I just look at the picture to see which one goes where.

Last, I love the colors in this! The muted, dusty purple (DMC 3743) and grey-green (DMC 927) with the white Perle cotton I substituted for the DMC Blanc are beautiful. I wasn't sure about the opalescent light blue fabric (28ct Crystal Aerial Lugana by Picture This Plus) but white just looked too bland. After seeing the skeins of floss on top of the fabric I was sold on it, though!

The first six bands and the top were completed before I went to sleep this morning. Something happened at dialysis and my temperature spiked and my head felt like it was going to explode. The headache went away after a dose of Tylenol but I didn't do any stitching at home because wasn't feeling myself for the rest of the night. I hope I'm well enough to go to my uncle's for dinner tomorrow afternoon.

Ready for today's freebie links? Here you go:

Biscornus anyone? This page has lots of biscornu patterns; just scroll down to the bottom. Before you get there, though, take note of the instructions for putting them together. It's not hard at all! Thanks to this site, I was empowered to do my very first, and second, biscornus. I've done the Mini Biscornu in both purple and red (the red was NOT for me!). So you get a bonus! Not just a chart, but instructions on finishing them!!
http://own-two-hands.livejournal.com/4186.html

Since I'm giving you one tutorial today, why not two? Here's a link to a scissor fob online class presented by the Caron Collection. I honestly don't see why you couldn't substitute any scissor fob pattern you want and just refer to the class for the finishing instructions.
http://www.fuzzycrawler.com/06aprfiles/06tinson_class2.html

Just for fun (and you might learn something about needlework, too!) check out The Lazy Wench. "What's a Lazy Wench? Any person who would rather embroider than do housework, go to the office, pull weeds or perform thankless chores in general. Lazy Wenches are crazy like foxes, with slightly off center but irrefutable logic." ~The Lazy Wench

Kasey, Chet, and I would like to wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving. Be thankful for your loved ones as you don't know if Tomorrow will ever come.