Cross Stitch Cafe - stitching out of 2012 and into 2013...

shelly

caroline78 wrote: »

Hi Shelly.

The stuff we threw out yesterday really was junk...old cards, letters, bits of things...lol

I ebay everything, try it on ebay three times too and then my Dad takes it to a boot sale a few times and then charity shop...

Ah I see, I was thinking of the headphones and USB leads. You are already ahead of me then, ebaying and booting, nice to get money for stuff you thought was no good isn't it

caroline78

The headphones and USB leads we did throw out as they were off various phones and we didn't know which ones....

flowerofscotland

Laura16 wrote: »

My latest finish!


IMG_0100 by Laura546, on Flickr

Only problem is now choosing which one to do next...

I absolutely love this - the pony is so cute and the flowers so pretty. Was it a kit or a chart or a magazine design?

Can't wait to see what you choose to stitch next

flowerofscotland

tricksie wrote: »

We recently spent a couple of nights in Swindon, there is a big outlet centre there, which was great for Christmas shopping.



I have four of the plastic boxes with all my DMC threads on bobbins and then one more with any anchor left over from kits.

OT

I know you have already had lots of suggestions and I would have said the Cotswolds as one idea, the other being Chatsworth and the Peak District

flowerofscotland

winniepooh wrote: »

Hi everyone no stitching today as yet. Ive still got to order some new threads so project one is on hold for now. But ive just remembered a free kit that came with a magazine for a mothers day bookmark so I think I'll give it a wiz.

Do any of you buy cross stitch magazines?

Hobby magazines are a bit of an obsession with me and I have literally hundreds. Over the many years I have been stitching I have tried and subscribed to many different titles from the UK, US and Australia. I still think that Cross Stitcher is my favourite although I know a lot of people don't like the way it has changed. IMHO Cross Stitch Collection has the best selection of big projects but try them - the subscription trial offers are a great way to see which one suits your taste best.

World of Cross Stitching and Cross Stitch Crazy seem to be the most popular in the Cafe and I love it when members post reviews of the latest mag.

flowerofscotland

caroline78 wrote: »

Just popping on quick before we start cleaning. Went through my small stash last night, most of it were pieces I had already started, so I pulled out an Egyptian cushion front I started ages ago. It is a cross stitch done in wool and was one of a set of four. I already have the other three completed so am going to finish this one and get them made into cushions and give them to my brother. As they are so bulky it will empty one of my drawers completely.

I would ideally like to have one project on the go and one in reserve and not much stash at all. I used to buy things just because they were cheap, however I sold loads last year as I decided I would never do them.

I have also decided that even if I have started a project if I don't like it I am getting rid of it. No point in keeping all these WIP's if I know I am never going to do them.

What do you all think ? Would you throw out a project that you had already worked on for hours ?

I think that having a clear out and decluttering your stash is a great idea but I would never actually throw out a project that had been started. If I was sure that I would never want to complete it I would donate it to charity shop or try selling it on EB - a friend of mine was looking for an old chart and was delighted to buy a started version with all the threads. There are also various online places where you could ask other stitchers if they would like to have your unwanted items

sweetcarer

Good Morning Everyone!

BOBBIs_MUMMY wrote: »

Thank you all for taking time to reply and with your suggestions. I shall certainly keep an eye out for and invest in some star drops!! sadly no home bargains near me. Fingers crossed the stains will disappear

When I came accross this in the shed after being abanoded for about 2-3 years - the girls in the cafe encouraged me to wash it and give it a bash again.



So soap powder, bath and shower later - bath to scrub, shower to rinse. It turned out like this



Then with the encouragement of everyone I went on to complete it -



I didn't get all the rust stains out but got some out with lemon juice - the smaller ones - but the two big ones at top remain and I hope the hide in the mount or be a testiment - not to leave pins in projects in damp areas lol.

caroline78 wrote: »

Well today is yet another day of cleaning. While doing it yesterday we managed to throw out another three black bags of just junk. Hubby had 23 USB leads and 18 pairs of headphones which he insisted he needed...Managed to get him to throw out most of them...lol

You should try selling some of the leads or headphones. A few years back (some might remember) I had a house fire. I lost my phone plug and leads - so I was grateful to find on ebay someone just had them for sale and not the phone. When hubby moved over here he lost a lead to one of his systems and was able to pick one up - one mans junk is another mans treasure.

I have started part two of my purple work but would like to finish it on 31-03-13.

My mum and her sisters all received their snowdrops and all were quite moved by the gesture. I hope it bangs their heads together - there is still grumblings over my grandparents will.

Going to look out the aida for my hearts for Sandy Hook later - need to check the colours I have for the hearts their selves - need 3 of each colour group.

Been looking at prices of evenweave to do my big GB blackwork - thinking evenweave would show it off better and I could use it in my hoop better as it will be softer. I know this is a stupid question and I think I know the answer but instead of using 1.5m x 1m 14hpi aida I could use the same size in 28hpi as its exactly the same?

Off for a glass of water soon - treated myself to wee eccles cakes that were in the woopsies last night - cooked them a bit too long and burnt the tip of my tongue.

Keep well everyone - its a lovely day out - got my washing out - first of the year - so nice to get it out.

sweetcarer

flowerofscotland

winniepooh wrote: »

Im being nosey now but im wondering if you always do something with your finished cross stitch.

Its just ive got something planned with this one im doing now. Its being used as part of a baby quilt for a very good friend going through ivf.

But ive been looking round for a new project (which ive now found thanks to you guys) and its going in a frame on the wall.

BUT.....a have brought kits before just because I like them. I've got three in the wardrobe that either wouldn't suit our decor

I always intend to do something with finished pieces but I have almost run out of wall space and have no more room for cushions so I have a drawer full of finished pieces :eek:
My Dad asked for 2 of my bigger pieces (Mirabila designs) for his Christmas present so I found myself with some space and took 5 pieces to be framed in January. Here are 2 of them which are now hanging on the wall


Fairy Grandmother by stitchyfeather, on Flickr

Sorry about the angle but I couldn't get a photo without a reflection


Angel of Summer by stitchyfeather, on Flickr

flowerofscotland

Hello everyone and welcome to the newbies.

I've been AWOL for a while due to lots of work and family "stuff" so have only had time to pop in and skim read a few of the posts so if I miss mentioning anyone's update please forgive me - as always I love seeing what you have all been doing.

It's a lovely day here so have just spent 2 hours in the garden doing some general tidying up - it's still very wet and muddy but looks a bit better now and the spring bulbs are lovely

Soulie I do hope the chemo goes as well as can be expected and that you manage to fit in some stitching time to keep you relaxed and happy

mumto2boys Love the update

augustmummy sorry to hear of your struggles and hope your stitching helps

Maisie Bookmark sounds great - I think I remember seeing the design

Cornish Good luck with your project - I have only ever stitched one photo conversion chart (DH's motorbike) and there was a lot of confetti stitching.
I would start in the middle except when doing a band sampler type design to ensure that you don't run out of fabric.
I leave at least 3 inches all round a large design - sometimes more - so that the piece can be properly laced and mounted before framing. I think of my time being more valuable than a few inches of fabric

winniepooh When I am stitching a design I store the threads on a thread holder made from hole punched card (e.g. a cereal packet) I write the number of the thread and the symbol from the chart next to each hole. I think it may have been nmm who did a very professional laminated version for her big project
For long term storage of threads I am not a fan of bobbins although lots of members here love them. I can't stand the winding onto the bobbin and I'm not keen on the kinks the bobbins make but the system works well for a lot of people

stitcher Nice to see you again and hope you manage to get some stitching done now you are feeling better

BOBBIs_MUMMY

caroline78 wrote: »

Are the stains going to be covered by stitching, or perhaps by a mount when you have finished it. If so I would be tempted to just finish the kit and not worry about the marks....xx

Some may be covered by the mount the others won't be covered by anything, they are not major stains prob just from being in damp air. Will try and wash them out then resume on the kit I had long forgotten about!! Thanks again everyone for your time and suggestions been most helpful x:)