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

*Louise*

Flat_Eric wrote: »

Anyhow now time to test how long you have all been stitching :rotfl: Does anyone happen to have Cross Stitcher Magazine from June 2002? This issue contained a free tigger kit. this one

I'd be interested to know what colour thread the green coloured border is as this is the thread that is driving me potty! Although I've done the green border on the left, I'm thinking of colour matching or starting again as the thread quality is so poor. Is it possible that thread quality deteriorates over time? I only have the right border to do but I think I will be ready to throw it in the bin if the thread mishaps continue. I'm also thinking of digging out my winnie the pooh tigger threads before I continue with the other stitches.



Firstly do any of you use the loop method? I.e. one strand of thread folded in half - so you catch the thread when you pass the needle through? I sometimes use this method but do find that it doesn't always produce the neat start you want.

Now for my question....

Do you (a) secure both loose ends at the same time ? or b (as I have been doing recently) secure the thread for the existing stitches first and then secure the new thread a few stitches later? (perhaps when I'm going back to complete the cross)

I have a range of Disney threads, I will have a look tomorrow and see if there is a green shade they are likely to have used and I will see if it matches any DMC ones.

Yes, I always use the loop method when I can so no real need to secure the thread with new stitches.

I always secure one thread before starting another. That way I don't risk losing the tension while I try and stitch it under a new thread. Plus, it saves fiddling about as well.

And I alway remind myself......I'm the only one who is going to see the back The vast majority of my work is framed (eventually) As long as I don't have threads trailing across blank bits of fabric which could be seen from the front, it really doesn't matter.

sk00bie1

Flat_Eric wrote: »

Ok so now for another question that I often think about when I'm stitching.

Firstly do any of you use the loop method? I.e. one strand of thread folded in half - so you catch the thread when you pass the needle through? I sometimes use this method but do find that it doesn't always produce the neat start you want.

Now for my question....

Lets assume I've been stitching something and have run out of thread so need to load some more thread onto my needle (be it the same colour or a different colour - doesn't really matter). I have the last few stitches made using the remnants of the thread on my needle (you know seeing just how much you can stitch before you really really must rethread the needle...) so to keep things neat - when i start with the next few stitches, I need to stitch over what I have just stitched to secure the loose strand of thread. But when I start with a new length of thread obviously that needs to be secured too - hence my question Do you (a) secure both loose ends at the same time ? or b (as I have been doing recently) secure the thread for the existing stitches first and then secure the new thread a few stitches later? (perhaps when I'm going back to complete the cross)

I just wondered... I am really really trying to be as neat as possible and any tips for this would be welcome.

Flat Eric - I use the loop method when I'm working in small area with no other stitches nearby, otherwise I pass the needle under stitches that are already there. The only time I stitch over the end of thread is on the first stitches on a new design, or if I can't loop, i.e when using 3 strands not 2.

Flowerofscotland - Thank you for the link to the site with all those magazines, they're right up my street I think we've commented before on our similar taste

JSC1 - Big hugs from me too, am thinking of you.

I just popped on to post some piccies

I finished the Blackwork cats



And washed and ironed Imagine



Last night I finally decided on a design for the card exchange, and stitched it! Of course I can't post a pic but I really wish I could

And finally this evening I started the Christmas Angel



It seems to be going well so far, and the metallic thread it uses is so much easier to stitch with than other types :T

I've been having an NCIS marathon while stitching, it's so nice being able to stay up late and not having to go to work. :j:j:j

Am off out all day tomorrow though so won't get much stitching done. I saw some one mentioned the new Crossstitcher was out so I might try and get my hands on a copy, there are more Christmas designs in it!!!

blue_eyed_girl

sk00bie - love the cats and Imagine. Great progress with Angel - looking forward to your next update.

Have a good day everyone,

b_e_g

brednall

Sk00bie1 - I don't think Cross Stitcher is out until tomorrow then Cross Stitch Crazy on Thursday.

Thanks for the link to the pen Louise

Emma

maria_and_the_imps

Skoobie, the new cross sticher isn't out till tomorrow I have a reminder set on my phone !

Love the cats and imagine, good start on the angel

mrs-moneypenny

morning all, i hope everyone is well

blue_eyed_girl wrote: »

mrs.m - great work on the stocking. Hope LK will get back to you and say that there is no problem in selling the pieces for charity. (Fingers crossed).


Take care everyone,

b_e_g

i cant claim the stocking thats flowerof scotlands beautiful work.

sk00bie what beautiful work, the angel is coming along beautifully, cats are gorgeous and i love imagine

no email back yet from lizzie kate, ill let you know if iget a reply

itching to do some stitching but after virtually the whole day spent with mil yesterday i need to catch up on some cleaning and tidying first.

Flat_Eric

quick off topic question. Do any of you have a te$co credit card? letter dropped through my door yesterday offering me one.

I'm tempted as it means more clu%car% points but actually you don't seem to get that many extra? 5 for every £4 spent in Mr T (£4 minimum spend) and 1 for every £4 spent elsewhere.

I also don't like how the credit card suddenly becomes your clubcard ?

Oh and while I'm at it, anyone with Mr T Mobile? Have ordered a free sim as currently with virgin - pay £14 a month for 400 texts. never use that many and having been with them for ages (since feb 2006)- don't get any recognition or thanks - £10 per £100 top up you get with virgin expires after so long so you end up with well nothing as I don't change my phone very often and since buying a sim free phone from Ama$on - I could go with any network. Again tempted by Mr T for the clubcard points.

For info - I don't use my phone for internet or e-mail and very very rarely make calls. I could do a bundle for £10 a month - would get 200 texts for this but that doesn't seem enough. I'm just fed up that I have been with my current provider for so long - they take my money every month but I get nothing back. I do try to top up in Bo)ts or Mr T to get the points but sometimes I leave it too late and have to top up my debit card. I would like to keep the same number and guess this is easy enough to do but what happens I decide to move back to VirGin or another provider? Can I still keep the same number? Trouble is I am also of the opinion - if it ain't broke - don't fix it. £14 a month is managable. I wonder if I might spend more with another network?

Ailsb

Sk00bie - love the cats. Have to say that O really love what blackwork looks like and tend to enjoy stitching it, although large expenses of the same can become a bit boring, but sometimes feel the same about large sections of cross stitch if just one colour. Also, your angel is coming along great, I take it you would recommend the metallic taht you're using. could you remind me where you got it from and how much it cost please. Thanks.

Flateric - can't help with your questions sorry. I use a Barclaycard which gives me 1% cashback in February which we then use to have a few days away/out during Feb half term, This works well for us. As for phones I need to change mine but can't get my head around whats currently available. Pay £15 per month for 2gb internet, 300 calls to 3 and 300 texts/calls to other phones. Happy with us but would like new phone.

Off out to run errands, post office etc then hopefully back to do an hour or so on Charlie.

subtle_minx

Flat_Eric wrote: »

decide to move back to VirGin or another provider? Can I still keep the same number? Trouble is I am also of the opinion - if it ain't broke - don't fix it. £14 a month is managable. I wonder if I might spend more with another network?

have pm'd you lots of info regarding a network

Ailsb or others, let me know if you want the info too. didn't want to spam the forum with lots of ot text.

regards using o2 reception and PAYG.

shelly

Hi Ladies.

PAP. Very nice progress! It's lovely.

Skoobie. Love the blackwork cats, very nice. Imagine looks real good and nice start on your Christmas Angel.



FE. My answers to your questions....
I learnt about the loop method when I joined the Cafe and now I always use it every time I start a new thread.
When coming to the end of a thread I like to get as many stitches out of it as possible so find a needle threader invaluable (bought about a 100 from ebay for under £5 a long time ago) The threader also helps when you finish a thread and don't have much left. You put your needle through threads on the back, thread it using the threader, pull the needle through and voila! your thread is secured under stitches.
If I can't use the loop method because I'm using a leftover piece of thread just to do a few stitches then I admit to using a kind of knot to secure the end.
I usually secure the end of a thread before starting a new one. The only time I don't is when I can't, for instance if I have done a small area on it's own and I feel there aren't enough stitches to secure the end under. I'll pull the end through the front of the fabric and leave it there until I have done another area next to it.

We had a Mr T credit card for a while. The extra club points don't seem that much but for us they soon racked up as we rarely carry cash anymore so pretty much everything goes on a credit card. So while we didn't spend anymore than usual we saw a reward of club points.
Also the credit card has to become your club card in order to get the points in shops other than Mr T, but when using cash in a Mr T you can still use your seperate club card.

Both hubby and I are with T Mobile and have no problems. At the weekend we looked at other deals with a view to changing providers, not because of problems but I didn't realise my contract had ended and my bill this month had doubled! I looked at other deals before calling them but luckily they put me back on my brilliant deal so I stayed.
Anyway, 2 good deals I found were with 3 and giffgaff. I can't comment on either as a network but I have heard good things about giffgaff.

3 deal http://store.three.co.uk/view/searchTariff?deviceType=SIM_ONLY&priceplan=PAY_MONTHLY

giffgaff deals, there a couple that might interest you for £5 each http://giffgaff.com/goodybags.html