Cross Stitch Cafe 2012

JCS1

Chicky - off topic.

My understanding is that you have the right to request flexible working as a parent. But, the company can decline on the grounds of business needs.

If they won't consider 4 days/30 hours as part time, would working condensed hours be an option? I.e. full time hours but in 4 long days?

JCS1

shelly wrote: »

Louise. Still loving the Earth, very nice progress.


I have an update. I know it's only days since my first update but as it's a small design I have got it done, well nearly done, quicker than I anticipated. In real life the blue has come out really nicely, I'm really pleased with it.
All the full and half stitches are done, just the backstitching to go.



Not a very good pic as it's on a phone. I really must get hubby to show me how to get pics off the camera and onto my pc sometime

It's looking amazing - how did you find the hedgehog prickles? I seem to recall they are blended colours and quite randomly placed.

chickywiggle

JCS1 wrote: »

Chicky - off topic.

My understanding is that you have the right to request flexible working as a parent. But, the company can decline on the grounds of business needs.

If they won't consider 4 days/30 hours as part time, would working condensed hours be an option? I.e. full time hours but in 4 long days?

That's what I thought, at least in the job I'm in they accept I may be in late (perils of kids), they know I will be late in on Fridays (childminder day) and happily let me go early if there is staff to cover. I generally only need give 48 hours for a day off and less so for a few hours. I have it really good really, just a stinking attitude there at the mo.

they did say MAYBE 37h over 4 day then retracted it on the grounds they need someone 5 days a week. that's what made me REALLY cross. plus I'd be shattered working that + 1 hour travel each way.

Thanks also to everyone else.

the more I think about it the less I want it!! :mad:

Flat_Eric

JCS1 wrote: »

It's looking amazing - how did you find the hedgehog prickles? I seem to recall they are blended colours and quite randomly placed.

I have some of the old country companions kits and for the hedgehog prickles, they use two strands (of thread) but use two different colours. The newer hedgehog kits, I think just use the one colour. One of my first (largish) cross stitch efforts was a country companions design - its turned into a real mess and I keep meaning to start the project again!

MrsF49

Chicky - if they are like that during the interview, I would be hesitant about working for them as a degree of understanding and flexibility is a bare minimum for a good working relationship. Doesn't really sound like the job is worth the extra travelling and hassle given the slight increase in income.

JCS1 - thank you again and I wondered which supplier you picked on ebay? MrF asked me what I wanted for our fast approaching 4th wedding anniversary and I couldn't think of anything but these may well fit the bill!


Husband still festering at home and baby still grumpy but a few more stitches managed - am still in awe of Louise's pace. Think you should be entered in the Olympics, Louise!

flowerofscotland

chickywiggle wrote: »

Hi all,

.


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very off topic bit about interviews


what would you have done??

end of off topic.

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Off topic response
Sorry to hear you have been upset by your recent experience.
Employers have to consider requests for flexible working but don't have to agree to them.
Like a lot of things in business interviews are a bit of a farce really where everyone pretends that the job and the company is the most important thing in life. I was always told that you should never use the questions section to ask about benefits e.g. holidays, sick scheme etc. Save these for when you are offered the job and ask questions about the job and/or the company. It would have been potential discrimination if they had asked you about childcare arrangements but as you brought it up they can't be criticised for taking it into account.
It's a tough job market out there at the moment and employers can be very "picky" - in the last round of recruitment we did everyone who was offered a job had a degree and these were admin roles! But I have also worked in recruitment during periods of "full employment" where employees walk out without giving notice knowing there are plenty of other jobs available.

But perhaps more importantly less than £10 a week for an extra day's working (and travel expenses) just doesn't seem worth it.

I would chalk this up to experience and carry on looking for something else more suitable and worthwhile

flowerofscotland

Louise - Earth looks even more stunning now that you can see the curve

blue eyed girl Cross Stitch Gold is mainly large projects but for £5 probably worth trying as there are usually a few smaller projects as well. I've just taken out one of these trial subs and was impressed with the first issue

Shelly = the Country Companions looks lovely and the slide in blue looks perfect. I did some of these designs over 20 years ago when I first took up cross stitching again but I haven't done any for quite a while. They are obviously very popular to be still in production for such a long time. I did one with a red postbox (and Ed), one with a wheelbarrow of flowers and my favourite was 4 of the animals on a bench with one of them reading to the others. I gave this to my Mum and she still has it on display

Soulie - well done on keeping track so well. I make a note in a stitching diary (the one that comes free with WOCS each year) what piece I have stitched on but don't attempt to calculate the time spent

FlatEric - After your description of the magazine I found myself drawn into WHS yesterday afternoon and somehow a copy of Cross Stitch Collection found its way into my hand ........
Haven't bought it for quite a while and was impressed. The cushion is lovely and quite unusual. It does appear to be only xs and bs but will IMHO look much better on evenweave than aida. With a design area of 39 x 41cm a 50 x 50 piece would be quite tight and you couldn't finish it the way they have shown. But you could make a cushion with a fabric border as the fabric can be stitched close to the design.

Mrsf49 - hope things improve on both the sickness and stitching fronts soon

Right - off to the dentist - ugh !

Hope everyone has a good idea with some quality stitching time

lancs-lady_2

Louise - your earth is looking amazing. Wish I could stitch half as fast as you!

That got me to thinking, once I finish my Winter Angel, I have a choice of the pink rose kit from Hong Kong, Autumn Angel, or some designs of Paul Horton I bought off Ebay. I really like them, they remind me a little of Lowry who I absolutely love. Here is the link to his website if anyone wants to have a look.

http://www.paulhorton.co.uk/art/the-art-of-the-storyteller/

I've printed off a load of the charts, but I NEED to finish Winter Angel first or I've got no chance!

They look very simple designs and looking at the charts, the person who made the charts has limited the colours to about 20, so should be quite quick and easy, although I may re-design them with more colours I just don't know yet.

Anyway I'm going off on one here, and what I originally wanted to ask, was partly in relation to Louise's gorgeous earth design. How do you decide what to stitch next? Do you just browse Ebay until something catches your eye? I'm notorious for decision making and dither about until I decide I really like something and then its too late!

I really have no idea what I want to stitch next, apart from giving the Paul Horton designs a go. I just wondered where everyone got their inspiration from really.

I do love the Celtic Ladies designs, but after doing two of the L&L Angels, I think I would like to try something else. I love Wolves and love Beautiful Dreamer that is currently being stitched, maybe I should go down that road.... ah someone please make up my mind for me!

lancs-lady_2

Sorry a couple of things I forgot to say in the post above.

If anyone would like a heads up on any of the Paul Horton designs, I will compile a list of which ones I have. Be warned though, they are generally about 10 pages per chart!

Another thing I forgot to say was, is anyone near Sunderland, Tyne and Wear? I saw this on Ebay this morning and wished I was! I just love the little chest - I would have removed the pants and socks off the radiator before I took the piccie though lol.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HUGE-Cross-Stitch-Collection-Bundle-/290741069842?pt=UK_Crafts_CrossStitch_RL&hash=item43b184a812

maria_and_the_imps

morning everyone still dont feel very well and cant keep anything down apart from tea and cuppa soup dropped the kiddies at school this morning with the good intention of coming home and spending the day doing all the rainbows things i need to do because most of it is on the computer so i can sit and do it, ive been on here an hour and so far have checked my email, caught up with you all and played bingo. nothing like putting things of lol ! suppose i had better get on with it now though, i'll just make a quick cuppa!