SBQ - Hand-dyeds

If you had to choose, would you rather spend money on overdyed floss or hand-dyed fabric?


I've got some of each, and I'd have to say I prefer to spend my $$ on hand-dyed floss. I can dye my own fabric to my liking on a per project basis. Dyeing floss is another thing entirely. With the exception of SSS (which I got a really GOOD deal on), I usually buy the hand-dyed floss on a as needed basis.

SBQ - Snips & Clips

What do you do to your thread clippings? Do you just scrap them or do you use them in something else?


I have an ORT jar that I put them in, as well as one of those over-the-arm pincushions with attached thread bag. When they get full, I just throw them away. For a while, I was sending them to a lady on one of the Yahoo groups (Don’t know what she did with them).

My Ort Jar
The Ort Bag
What's an ORT?

Ort: noun; a snippet or leftover bit of thread, usually resulting from a voracious addiction to handcrafted needlework.

What do *you* do with your orts?

SBQ - Magazines Galore

Do you currently subscribe to any stitching publications or have you in the past? (Either in print or online) If so, which ones?


In the 90's, I subscribed to several magazines:
- Leisure Arts
- Cross Stitch & Country Crafts
- For The Love of Cross Stitch

More recently, I've subscribed to:
- Stoney Creek
- Just Cross Stitch
- The Gift of Stitching

I save all my stitching subscriptions and whenever I've seen stitching magazines at thrift shops, garage sales, etc., I usually snatch them up cheap. Doing this, I've accumulated:
- Cross Country Stitching
- Cross Stitch Plus
- The Stitchery
- Cross Stitch Sampler
- Simply Cross Stitch
- The Cross Stitcher
- Cross Stitch & Needlework
- Celebrations
- Classic Cross Stitch

SBQ - The Balancing Act

How do you balance your stitching time with your other obligations such as work, household chores, etc.?


I really have no rhyme nor reason as to how I do things. I detest household chores so I'll do some and then do something else, such as stitch or home improvement/DIY projects. I stitch when the mood strikes, regardless of whether the house chores are done. As for work, I'm not allowed to stitch during work hours... LOL, one should be so lucky.

SBQ - Whatever Possessed Me

Do you ever get to a point working on a project that you've had for so long, you start to wonder what possessed you to start it in the first place?


LOL, Yes. I've wondered that when I look at my two really old UFO's that were started in the early 90's. At the time, it seemed like a good idea and being new to the craft I was excited about them. Now, they're just projects I'm determined to get done. Of course, they're BAPs!

Mime was a gift from my oldest brother. I don't even know if he remembers giving it to me. I found it a year or so ago while going through my stash.

Treasured Memories Quilt Afghan was started as a gift for a family member and is really an easy stitch, but it gets boring doing the same color in huge blocks.

Mime and Treasured Memories Quilt Afghan

SBQ 4/30/08 - Heirlooms

Do you have any pieces that you would liked passed on to future generations as family heirlooms?

Hopefully all of the things I've made that are still in my possession when I die will be passed on to other family members, and not donated to the local Goodwill/Salvation Army stores... or worse yet, thrown in the garbage.

Mostly, I'd hope that Japanese Garden will be passed on. It will be an awesome piece when it's finished. There's a pic in the sidebar.

SBQ: Blended Flavors

How do you handle blended threads? Do you kit the blends up before you start a piece, or do you grab what colors you need and blend when the need arises? If you kit up the blends beforehand, how do you store them? Do you have another option for blends to share?


I've only done one piece that had a LOT of blended threads. I started out blending them as I went, but that got old really fast not to mention it slowed down my stitching. So then I did up the blended colors in a small amount so I wouldn't end up wasting floss. I use cardboard bobbins, so I just put the blended colors on there with the numbers. Any little bit of left over blended threads were pulled apart and re-wound onto the appropriate bobbin. So I guess I did a combination!

Just The Essentials

What items do you consider essential to your needlework that you keep in your stitching bag?

"Essential" is such a personal and relative term, don't you think? In reality, the “essentials” are needle, floss, scissors, fabric, and chart. But, we all have items we *think* we need.

I have much, much more in my stitching bag. I actually have two “bags”. One is a messenger bag that I hardly take anywhere. I bought it for like $3 at the local Goodwill store several years ago.

I love the red lining on the inside. I has several compartments and pockets, which makes it useful for stitch stuff. I think it used to be an Amway bag. It stores my UFO’s, my floss containers, one of those fabric count rulers, and my little bag of gadgets that I might need. I bought this little clear bag at Walmart for $2.

It’s actually a cosmetic bag and it’s very sturdy. Great for stitchy gadgets! As you can see, I keep a lot of stuff in it...

The messenger bag sits on the floor by my sofa so at anytime I can grab it and go, or dig through and get what I need.

My other “bag” is a plastic expandable folder with a ziploc across the top. It’s supposed to be used to store papers, and I got it at Walmart for $2. I use this one quite often when I’m on the go... like all the trips I’ve made to the hospital for my Dad. I keep several smaller projects in it, along with my scissors on a fob and a needlebook. It’s kinda cheaply made and at the bottom where it expands has “air pockets”? where small things could fall out. I tried to find ones that didn’t have those openings, but no luck.

SBQ - Screening It?

When you stitch a pattern that you have downloaded do you print out the pattern or do you stitch directly from your computer screen?

I most definitely print it out so I can mark it up with my handy dandy highlighter as I stitch. I stare at a computer screen all day long at work, I certainly do not want to sit at home trying to stitch from one. Staring at a computer screen too long, fatigues my eyes. Besides... How would it look after I started marking up my screen? ;-)

SBQ - Finished, Now What?

After you stitch a pattern or kit, what do you do with it?


In two words: It depends. How’s that for an answer? LOL

Now for the long version:

If it’s chart or kit I know I won’t be stitching again, I will put it on my Stash for Sale blog. Which reminds me, I added some new things over the weekend and will be adding more soon.

If it’s something I think I may need in the future, I’ll keep it.

I’ve been involved in a few PIF’s (Pass It Forward), where a stitcher will stitch a chart and then offer it up to those who want to stitch it. A list is formed. When the chart arrives, you’re supposed to stitch it up right away and then Pass It Forward to the next person on the list. It’s rather fun to watch as various people get it stitched up.

SBQ - Abandonment

This SBQ was suggested by Kathryn and is: Are there other crafts that you have tried and abandoned? Why do you like stitching better?

Define "abandoned" LOL! Does it count as abandonment if I still have all the supplies for my various craft hobbies?

I’ve always been an arts and crafts type of person so I don’t feel that I’ve really abandoned any of them. It’s just that I don’t have enough time to do all of them on a consistent basis!

I’ve done scrapbooking, quilting, sewing, ceramics, embroidery, latch hook, knitting, crochet, and of course cross stitch. I don't really do embroidery anymore because I didn't enjoy it much. I don't do latch hook because there really isn't much challenge in it. (I do have a latch hook rug that's been worked on through out the years... maybe someday *someone* will finish it)

My plaque says it all... I got it last year from The Stitchery, (on clearance). I just looked the other day and saw they don't carry it anymore.

For me, stitching is relaxing. I have to concentrate on what I’m doing, which makes everything else go out of my mind – even if for a little while. It’s also portable. I can take small projects with me wherever I go, if I choose to. I also like seeing the image come to life on the blank canvas. Plus, there are so many fun things you can do with it as far as “finishing”.

SBQ - Starting Over

Do you have any projects that you have scrapped and started over? What made you start over from scratch?

Technically, no. But there's a project I want to start over. I just haven't done it yet. I have an old UFO that was a kit which with 18ct aida. I don't like the way it looks, so i want to start it over.

SBQ - Happy Dance

Have you had a happy dance yet this year? If so, tell us about it! (Or just point to the entry that mentions it.) If not, when do you predict it will be?

I'm debating whether to say I've had two Happy Dances. One for sure, which was Windows of Joy Ornament, details of which can be seen HERE.

Some consider it a Happy Dance when the stitching part is done, in which case I could count the second one: Pansy for Pam, which can be seen HERE. Personally, I don't count my projects as Happy Dances until they're "finished" into something. In this case, the tin topper.

SBQ - Starting The New Year Off Right

Are you starting something new to celebrate the New Year or participating in "Guilt Free January?" If so, what are you planning on starting?

I started my new year off by working on Mime, a 15+ year old UFO. I try to keep my stitching as guilt-free as possible by working on whatever I want, whenever I want. Otherwise, for me, it takes all the fun out of it.



Did you receive any stitching-related gifts for the holidays?

Technically, yes. As part of the 12 Days of Christmas exchange I did with my sister and niece, my niece got me a stamped kit with butterflies. Other than that, I didn't get anything stitchy-related.



What was your favorite finish of 2007?


I'd have to say my favorite finish is the Victorian Pansies Scissor Fob.

All my 2007 finishes can be seen HERE.

SBQ - Thread Prep

Today's SBQ was suggested by Nancy and is: "Do you do anything special to your threads before putting them throughyour fabric to make them more manageable?"

Does licking count? The ends, I mean... before putting it through the eye. LOL, OK I'm guessing that's not what Nancy was getting at. But hey, I had to ask!

To answer the question: No, I don't use anything. I tried Thread Heaven once and I didn't think it really helped. Sometimes when I'm using silk threads, I'll run them over a damp sponge.

Ripping & ReUsing

When you have to frog out stitches, do you reuse that thread or do you start over with a new strand?


If I unpick the mistake with a needle and the thread is long enough, I will reuse it. If I end up having to cut the erroneous threads, then they go into the ort jar.

Workin on the Railroad

Do you railroad?


Just what IS railroading?

a. The construction or operation of railroads.
b. Conviction without a fair trial or on trumped-up charges.
c. Specific stitching technique to get floss to lay flat.

The answer is.... All of the above! However, for purposes of the SBQ, the correct answer would be (c). Normally, I do not railroad. If I do, it's usually when I'm using blended threads.

Who's It For? - SBQ 10/19/07

What proportion of your stitching is for your own personal use versus gifts?

I actually went through all the items I've stitched over the years and figured out the percentage (analytical me!). 76% were gifts, and the following I've kept:

Bathtime Bear
Liberty Sampler
Little Seamstress
Magnolia
Stocking Ornie
Reindeer Ornie
All The Little Children
School Days
Starman the Snowkid Ornie
Love Scissor Fob
Stitchers Scissor Fob
Bees & Clover Scissor Fob
Wreath Ornie
Therapy Bookmark
Gingerbread House Ornie
Ascot Albert Ornie
Brass Hummingbird Bookmark
Je Brode Needlebook
Retreat Nametag
J is for Japanese Embroidery Needlebook
Cardinal Pinkeep
Biscornu
Victorian Pansies Scissor Fob
Dragon Pinkeep

SBQ - Humble Beginnings

How did you get started stitching? Was there a person that inspired you?

Two previous posts answer this question:
Set of Firsts
History...A Stitching Meme

SBQ - Proud Moments

Which project (finished or in progress) are you most proud of? Explain why.

I am most proud of "Freedom" by Stoney Creek. I did everything myself: stitching, lacing, mat cutting, and framing. It turned out beautifully and was a lot of work that went for a good cause: The Soldier Memorial Project. It can be seen HERE.