Next Blog Hop - Needles and Pins

I think of all the needles I've lost.... maybe two. I have always used a nearby cushion or a magnet.

The reason behind that started with the first two I lost. One was the ever present, down the cushion of the couch but I was afraid to go get it... but the second one landed straight up in my beige carpet. Unluckily, my then 8 year old Shih Tzu Mabel stepped on it and went fairly deep into her paw and she really hurt herself. My husband never let me live it down.  It required vet removal which cost me tons of dollars so I decided that was it, I wasn't going to lay them down anymore while not in use.

I was redecorating my bedroom in 2009, I actually bought a fabric lounger that I can stick my needles into the armrest when I need a quick thread cut or something like that.

I was at my trade show last week and there was a three year old boy named Rain, very interested in my hoops, needles, different things and getting all up my stash of stuff. I had a red needle cushion of Chinese descent and he was like a moth to a flame. The pretty satin color and the "dolls" around the edge. Anyway, he reached for one of the needles and I took it out and gently pricked him on his finger so that he could see that it was sharp and learn to be careful. He of course screeched and ran away never to touch my things again. Alls well that ends well.

I find I wear my needles out. I have actually broken two needles and the eyes have given out on two others. The needles that I buy are very good quality but I just seem to be hard on my equipment I guess.

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Blog Hop

This is a very timely topic from STNA:

Eventually there comes a time when you’re not feeling well, whether it’s the flu or a cold or something else entirely. The question is, do you manage any stitching when you’re under the weather or does it just have to wait for better days?

Timely? Because I have had a sinus infection for 2 weeks. I finally went to the doctor on Friday and got some meds to nip it. Coincidentally, my dear 18 month old daughter Missy also has been plagued by fever and runny nose for several days! The problem is I have a stitching show in 4 days and no motivation to finish some small variegated designs to bring to showcase...

I have been stitching, but I have ZERO motivation to do blog posts, and enough energy to do about 30-40 stitches but my head begins to hurt, or the babe needs me. I have tried to pick it up everyday but there are at least 3 or 4 days where I just could not pick it up. 

I have been working on a 4 seasons thing that are kind of coming together, but they are only 6x6 in so they should be easy to pull off right? No. So far I have got 2/4 done, and the third one is not looking all that good. I will make sure I post the photos when I am done. Which is supposed to be before Saturday am! 

I am also looking to finish my Feb project for the 2013 Turkey Trot on BAP Attack, so here's hoping I get some motivation.

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Working on

This is what I have been working on for a few days. Getting ready for a tradeshow in 11 days!!!

Wednesday Wonders

Thinking about what kind of tools we need to review as a stitcher... there are always advice columns, blog/Facebook posts, but I think about where I get what I use. I like to use better quality items as I feel they last longer and will provide me with more uninterrupted hours of stitching. These are my basics:

Besides the obvious fantastic highlighters (Staedtler Textsurfer)  that will never smudge your copy, or pattern and can be photocopied again and again with the purple or the blue not blocking out the pattern photocpy after photocopy. These are available on Amazon, http://www.amazon.co.uk/Staedtler-364-WP8-Textsurfer-highlighter/dp/B000TKHB76/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1358367630&sr=1-1-catcorr

My precious short silver/gold plated stork scissors
http://www.leevalley.com/en/gifts/page.aspx?c=&p=46635&cat=4,104,53218&ap=4

My needle cushion that sharpens my needles every time I insert
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bright-Red-Satin-China-Pincushion/dp/B004E57NHA

Of course the Daylight lamp/magnifier combo is a good one
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Daylight-Lamps-DH159-Table-Lamp/dp/B00280QVOO/ref=sr_1_9?s=officeproduct&ie=UTF8&qid=1358368021&sr=1-9

Hoops - if you use them - right now I have been doing smaller pieces so I haven't been using my hoops, of course you never want to store a project in your hoop
http://www.abcstitch.com/optioncart/image.php?id=2242&ret=http://www.abcstitch.com/kits_php/search.php?page=2&keyword=hoop?page=2&keyword=hoop

Stand - this is the one my Father in law bought me for Christmas: http://www.michaels.com/Adjustable-Craft-Stand/nw0715,default,pd.html

Magnifier, if you don't want to invest int the lamp combo or you already have the lamp
http://www.amazon.co.uk/PURElite-3-1-Magnifying-Lamp/dp/B003UUCI8E/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=officeproduct&ie=UTF8&qid=1358367985&sr=1-1-fkmr0

But if were to go the extra mile, would would make my stitching easier? I am thinking about what I use that other stitchers may or may not. I found an app for my Iphone that tracks my thread stash. How many times have you been out and about and could go pick up some thread but you have no idea what colors you need? Instead of packing around the whole pattern, or making a list - I track my whole thread stash on this app:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/thread-tracker-117/id425883549?mt=8

I now have an inventory of thread in my stash that is not "allocated" to a specific pattern. Before I used this, I always seem to have a whole pile of baby blues, or a bunch of Christmas Red 666. That way if I am using the same color on two projects simultaneously, they each have their own container or allocation to the project and are not included in the stash. When I start something new, I go through my stash, update my tracker, and then head to the store. I have enough stuff to pack around and lose. The last thing I am going to let go is my phone. When I am finished a project - all the remaining thread goes into the "inventory" on my phone.

What are the best quality bits and bites you use? Give me some feedback...

Turtle Trot #1

And drum roll please! I have a finish to report....

Ok I cheated. I picked the smallest with the most progress to finish as my first WIP completion. But hey I did it, and it was done before Jan 13 which was "report in day" at BAP Attack.

I chose not to do the cursive on the bottom right as the pattern demands for two reasons, one, I feel it takes away from the Angel, and it takes up unnecessary fabric. On to my next 12. I also finished a Stitching the Night Away 2013 ornament pattern from the club,  which is crazy good. But I don't have the picture yet...

It took me three days, but I finally have some resolutions

Ok I have gone through the STNA Blog Hop#14 and I have come away with 3 more blogs I will follow, and  two more people I have emailed directly and I have made three stitching resolutions:

(1) That I will stitch a variety of subjects to send to a charity that turns cross stitched squares into quilts for the elderly and children (at a specific Ronald McDonald house) who need some love. I think I will have it coincide with (2) & (3) for http://worldofcharitystitching.blogspot.com/

(2) I have joined an ornament pattern club for 2103 so I have to stitch 12 ornaments which may overlap with resolution (1) stitchingthenightaway.com

(3) I have decided to follow BAP Attack's 2013 Turtle Trot, in which I have to take pictures of 13 of my unfinished pieces and see the progress every month on the 13th, for the remainder of the year.
http://bap-attack.blogspot.ca/p/2013-turtle-trot_31.html

After that I still have my show on Feb 9th to consider...out of my mind... I know Here are my 13...

DMC released a limited edition color today on facebook. Its #127 and its variegated....

Looking Back on 2012

2012, what do I say? Well 2012 marked the first trade show I attended as a vendor of Stitch by Rachel. I managed to showcase my hobby - in an effort to broaden my stitching community. That is the biggest gain to my "stash" I count the stitching cohorts as part of my stash. They are my inspiration and co-conspirators!

My biggest accomplishment in 2012 was not only the show, my social networking accomplishments but my UFOs in 80 days. I finished 8+1+1=10 projects out of the dozens I had on deck! I consider that an accomplishment. I organized my stash and can actually find everything I need and want!

I also have to share my first batch of successful ginger bread cookies I baked with my husband. An accomplishment to say the least because we are both still standing!

Visit all the blogs in this round of the Stitching the Night Away Stitching Blogger Blog Hop:
Find the instructions on how to participate in this round by clicking here.