Stitching

Since I am on lifting and moving restrictions, I have had a lot of time to sit and stitch and surf the web. Percocet makes me slow with my stitching, and a little sleepy too. So I have surfed the web for cross stitch sites. I have found a "new" site that I like: all stitched up. When I look at a cross stitch site, I am looking for a couple of things. One is organization. I need to be able to search several different ways: by subject, by designer, by type (ie supplies, patterns, etc). The second thing I look for is current patterns. There are two major "markets" for cross stitch designers every year. A good site will update with new patterns after each market when designers release a bulk of their collection. (In case you wondered, a huge trend right now in stitching is silk thread on hand dyed linen.) Another thing I look for is easy ordering. I like to buy all my supplies from my local shop, but in case Wendy doesn't have it, knowing I can order from an easy, secure site is a good thing.

I like to stitch a variety of things. I like small, seasonal things that are cute. If it's a simple pattern, I like to stitch it on linen or use variegated floss. The variegated floss changes color as you stitch. It's just fun. For larger pieces that I will one day hang in my home, I like classic looking patterns. I do not like faeries or mermaids or angels with wings or anything mystical or fantasy. I also like to work with beads. I think they create a texture that floss alone cannot achieve, no matter how fancy the stitch.

One goal I have for my house this year is to finish at least half the attic to be my studio. I want to get a quilting table up there and have all my supplies organized. I also want drywall. We have plaster walls through the house, and hanging things is a pain. But if I have drywall in my studio, I could hang all my frames all year long and admire my work while I work.

Retreat!

A couple of years ago, my mom and I went on a cross stitch retreat. It was so much fun. We went to Vermont, which must be beautiful this time of year, all that snow, and stayed in the Woodstock Inn. We were joined by stitchers all over the country. Of the classes that were offered, we took two from JBW Designs (the designer, Judy, was featured in this months Just Cross Stitch magazine) and one from The Heart's Content. Judy and Maureen were both lovely women. Over 2 full days, we took 3 classes, shopped at the retreat store, listened to some beautiful mountain dulcimer music, and ate ourselves silly. We learned new stitches, and new ways to do our old stitches. And, as an added bonus, if you look at the pictures, you can clearly see that we are the thinnest (and cutest) women at the retreat :) We wanted to attend last year, but it didn't work out. I am dying to go this year, the 10th anniversary year, but I have a baby. How about next year? It won't be as big as the 10th anniversary year, but it will be as fun as 2005. Would anyone like to join me? How 'bout it, Mom?