Scroll Frame recommendations

I've been asked what I would recommend for scroll frame sizes (sidebars and rods) specifically for HAED patterns.  Here is what I feel would work best.  I personally use Lokscroll frames from Artisan Design.  I have tried other brands in the past but would never use any other brand now.  I'm sort of ashamed to admit that I have enough sidebars/rods to create 7 complete frames.  Actually, I guess what's worse is that all of them have WIPs on them right now.  ;-)

HAED patterns have quite a wide range of sizes.  However, most of their designs have a suggested fabric count of 25 stitches to the inch.  Knowing this will help determine what is going to work the best for your scroll frame.

First, let's address the sidebars:

Since I own a bunch of their patterns, I can tell you that the regular print patterns have 98 stitches from top to bottom per page (large print would be less).  Obviously, you're going to want to be able to stitch an entire page without rolling the fabric. 

I measured the sidebars on the two HAED patterns that I am stitching on 25ct. - one has 9" and the other has 11" sidebars.  The 9" is fine since it allows me to do the whole page plus have about a 2" clearance both top and bottom.  The only reason the other frame has 11" sidebars is because I had them available.  Based on my measurements, 8" sidebars would be ideal.  The 8" would leave you plenty of room and you wouldn't have any issues with reaching that distance.

Of the HAEDs that I am stitching only two of them are on 25ct.; four of them are on 28ct.; and one is on 40ct.  For the project on 40ct., I am using 8" sidebars and have enough room to stitch two pages top to bottom without rolling the fabric.

Now to the rods:

For Minis, Quick Stitches or Storykeeps, you're not going to need huge scroll rods.  I only own two Minis so I used the wider of the two (225 stitches) to figure how wide I would need the scroll rod to be.  Here's the math (ugh):  225 stitches ÷ 25count = 9inches.  Take the 9" and add 6" so that you'll have plenty of room for framing (3" per side), that gives you 15".  Now add 2" to get the length of the scroll rod (the length of the scroll rod is two inches longer than the size of the fabric it can hold).  That means you would need 17" scroll rods to accommodate 15" of fabric.

For HAED BAPs, you're definitely going to need very wide scroll rods.  I don't know what the widest HAED pattern is, but the widest one that I own is 625 stitches.  Here's the math for that:  625 ÷ 25 = 25" + 6" + 2" = 33" scroll rods.


Now for the exceptions to this math.  If you stitch on larger fabric than 25ct. such as 18ct or 22ct., you're going to need larger frame components.  If you stitch on smaller fabric, like 28ct., 32ct. or 40ct., the frame components can be smaller.  Since I tend to stitch BAPs, I have quite a few of the larger frame pieces.  Regardless of my fabric count, the material will fit on the larger frames.  I might have more space between the sides of my fabric and the sidebars or I might be able to have more than one page showing top to bottom.

Any questions?  Feel free to ask!

Happy Stitching!

Stacy.

Book Review: The Scrapbook Designer's Workbook

First, I should admit that I don't own this book (yet); I checked it out from my local library.

This is a great reference book for scrapbookers.  The photo illustrations are excellent!  Quite a few of the examples are shown in multiples as a visual explanations of what does or doesn't work in a layout.  The book is divided into sections:

• Introduction to Design
• Elements of Design
• Color
• Principles of Design

Each section is further broken down into specifics.  For example, the Elements of Design section covers:  Line, Shape & Space; Texture; Typography.

Pros: 

• The author obviously knows what she's talking about
• The book is hardcover ~and~ spiral-bound!  No worrying about losing your place!
• Beautifully photographed
• Every layout has source materials listed
• There is a two-page Sources listing at the back of the book
• Includes a Glossary of terms used
• Lots of great inspiration

Neutral:  Through no fault of the auther, some of the technology-related information is already out-dated.

Negatives:  Only the fact that I don't own my own copy!

Happy Scrapping!

Stacy

Almost like Christmas...

I got a box from Joann.com today!  Even though I knew what was inside, it was still fun to open and look at all the new goodies!

This order was for scrapbooking stuff.  I am making a dedicated effort (so far) to scrapbook the family photos that I got from my grandparents.  All the "stuff" is geared toward the heritage/vintage look.

Here's what I got:

• Un-Du
• Adhesive Backed Border Strips - Neutrals
• Cardstock Stack - Neutrals
• Clearly Stickers - Vintage
• Cardstock Stickers - Crowded Attic
• Die-Cuts, Elegance
• Glittered Die-Cuts, Elegance

The Glittered ones are a bit too much bling for my heritage album but I can definitely use them in any other album that I create.

Happy Stitching and Scrapbooking!

Stacy

WIP photo

Whew!  Tonight I finally finished the page and a half that I was doing on La Belle Dame Sans Merci from HAED.  This means that the top row of pages is now complete!  I'd do a happy dance, but it's late and I'm tired.  ;-)

Here's the picture (click on it for a larger version):

Tomorrow, I'll use my randomizer app to pick my next WIP.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Crafts of My Past & Present

I was just browsing the weekly sale at Herrschners, specifically the Hot Buys, and got a blast-from-the-past feeling.  I am amazed at how many of the different crafts that are on sale that I have tried.  I thought I'd share the crafts that I've done and see how many of you have at least attempted some of them. 

I've added a poll on the right side of the page.  I'd be thrilled to see your responses! 
Update:  For some reason, the poll never worked correctly so I removed it.

Here's my list:

• Latch Hook - never actually finished one in the past but just bought a small one that I'm going to do for DH for either his birthday or Christmas.
• Felt kits (not felted) - I made a felt Christmas ornament for DH a few years ago
• Sequin Art - I finished a horse head and one other though what it was escapes me now
• Mosaic Art - two Christmases ago, I did an eagle head for DH.  Last Christmas I bought him a kit to do for himself and he gave me a small one that he made for me.
• Doodle Art - this really brought back memories!  My sisters and I used to buy these at our local PayLess store (now Rite-Aid).  I remember doing the plain paper and the flocked (velvet) kind.
• Paint-by-Number - the only one that I know I did was of a puppy and kitten.  My grandmother had it  hanging at the end of the hall in her house.
• Stamped Cross Stitch/Stamped Embroidery - I've tried both of these.  To say that I stink at doing them would be an understatement.  I could never get the stitches to look neat.
• Plastic Canvas - I made a coaster set.  I have no idea where it went but I remember the coasters were bees.
• Découpage - had a kit when I was about 9.  My mom told me not to attempt it without help - I did anyway; made a mess; got in trouble; haven't attempted it since.
• Needlepoint - a couple of small ornaments.  Never had the urge to attempt anything larger though I do drool over some of the canvases - they are so lovely!
• Tatting - a couple of ornaments, a pair of earrings, and a bookmark.  I've mastered needle and shuttle tatting techniques but not well enough to be willing to do anything larger.
• Knitting - I can handle knit and purl but I'm not comfortable with it.  I did make a couple of scarves; a sweater; and an afghan
• Crochet - I can and will tackle anything crochet.  I used to love making afghans - now I'd much rather do thread crochet.  I've finished at least 40 afghans; a couple of sweaters; a few doilies; over 50 snowflakes (so far)
• Bobbin Lace - I bought the basic supplies and have the twist and cross movements down.
• Cross Stitch - I've been doing this for over 30 years and it's still my greatest passion!
• Quilting - I am self-taught.  I started my first quilt in 1995.  I've completed at least 9 quilts; have 1 that only needs binding; 1 being hand-quilted now; and at least 3 tops that need to be quilted.

Happy Stitching (or Crafting)

Stacy

I'm so proud of myself!

I know, I know, pride goeth before a fall.  ;-)

I am proud of myself though.  I've had PatternMaker (cross stitch) software for years and I'm good at using it but I'd never attempted one aspect of it before.  I have created my own font!  It's a back-stitch font.  Now, when I want to chart a saying, names, etc., all I have to do is type in the program!

Since I'm working on my own version of a Mother's Tree, this is going to be great!  I was inspired to do a Mother's Tree when I saw the one from Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum.  Her idea was great, but the font was definitely masculine and I couldn't bring myself to stitch it.

So far, I have the tree charted (my own) and now I can get to work on inputing the names and dates that I'll need.  If it looks as good as I'm anticipating, then I will eventually make the chart available for purchase.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Cross Stitch Magazines for sale

Over the weekend, DH bought a bunch of cross stitch magazines at a garage sale.  Do I have him well-trained, or what?

After looking through them all, I kept ones that had patterns I'd actually stitch.  A couple were missing pages so I double-checked them for possible things I'd do, then tossed them in the recycling bin.

The rest of them are posted for sale in my Etsy shop.  Hopefully, this way, they'll all find great homes with someone who will stitch items from them!

Here's the link to my shop:  XedStitches

Happy Stitching!

Stacy