Blog Hop #4 - Stitching Stereotypes

Do you experience the same assumption from society in general that just because you're being crafty, you're also driven by some unseen force to be in constant 1950's housewife mode? And then...who actually does the cooking and cleaning in the household?

Personally, I have never been accused of the 1950's housewife stereotype just because I'm a stitcher. I have had people assume that because I cross stitch, I also sew (as in clothing). I do sew but quilts, not clothes. I've also had people assume that I embroider - I don't, I stink at it! Anything stamped for embroidery, even cross stitch, is my mortal enemy. Since I have friends that can make stamped items that are gorgeous, I know that it's just me.

The other assumption that I've had to deal with is that since I cross stitch, I must want that simple kit of plastic canvas coasters that they never had time to open! I'm not a cross stitch snob (okay, maybe I am), but I prefer projects with some style or statement. I would much rather do a band sampler by The Victoria Sampler; an ornate piece by Teresa Wentzler or Mirabilia; or a pure art piece like those by Heaven and Earth Designs.

As to the cooking and cleaning, I'm no 1950's housewife but I do most of the cleaning with the exception of the dishes - my husband does most of them (we don't own a dishwasher). I'd say that we share the cooking.

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.

Rotating again

Well, the randomizer chose Heirloom Christmas Sampler for my rotation after Rapunzel (Dawe).  I made it through band 15.  With this one, my choice to stop and move on to another project is based on when I would need to roll the scroll frame.  If I can't do a band without scrolling, then I move on.

For my next project, the randomizer has chosen:  Rapunzel (Dawe).  Looks like these two projects are the randomizer's favorites!  I don't mind since I can definitely see progress on both of them.  The poor HCS hadn't seen any progress in years and now I've reached the half-way point on it!

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Rapunzel progress & Next WIP

Tonight I finished another page on Rapunzel (Dawe) from HAED.  I should mention the reason that I always specify (Dawe) after it.  HAED has more than one Rapunzel pattern and the one I am doing is by the artist Alexandra Dawe.

Here is the progress picture:

This means that I have 3 pages done now.  I've also printed the next page so that it's ready the next time this ends up in my rotation.

For the next project in my rotation, the randomizer has chosen:  Heirloom Christmas Sampler from the Victoria Sampler.  I am so glad that I remembered to purchase the one Caron Waterlilies color that I was missing - I needed it for the first band on this round of stitching.

I've already made progress on HCS tonight.  Bands 6 & 7 are both done!  Band 8 requires cutting the actual fabric so I thought I'd stop for the night and save the cutting for when I'm fully focused.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Crocheted Dishrags

I've been crocheting dishrags lately.  Mainly, because I have so much of that type of thread. 

These were made using Bernat® Handicrafter® Cotton.

This first one is a pattern from the back of the yarn label.

As you can see, it's basically a large granny square - about 11inches.

This is also a pattern from the back of the same label.

This one is the first pattern from this leaflet:


At the moment, I'm working on the second dishcloth in the leaflet.  I know I have enough yarn to do all of them and I just might!

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Giveaway!

This giveaway is closed.

Well, no one even came close!  The floss that I have the most is 800 and I have 27 skeins of it.

I'll definitely have a giveaway sometime in the near future and I promise that it'll be easier!

Now that I've cataloged all my floss, I thought I'd do a floss-related giveaway. 

What you have to do is Comment on this post with the DMC number of the floss you think I have the most of  and how many skeins of that color.  Now since DMC has 450+ solid colors, I will narrow it down for you.  I will mention that two of the color numbers that I'm going to list are original variegated because at least one of them made my top ten (in quantity).

Here are the updated colors to choose from:

Ecru · 321 · 517 · 666 · 677 · 738 · 800 · 895 · 913 · 938


Happy Stitching (and guessing)!

Stacy

New Stash

Yesterday, I received an order that I'd placed with 123Stitch.  Considering my recent posts on floss, I hate to admit that I bought more.  It was justified, though!  I either truly didn't have a color or I needed an extra to use in an existing project.  In total, I bought a dozen DMC and one skein of Caron Waterlilies.

I did order one pattern as well: Flower Power from the Crossed Wing Collection.

I'd been hearing about/looking at this pattern for years and finally broke down and got my own.

Happy Stitching!!

Stacy

Floss storage

Since I've already blogged about organizing my floss, I thought I'd show how I store it.

These are ArtBin Super Satchel Slim cases.  I got mine at JoAnn's.  The top five are my DMC; the bottom, larger case (thread case) is home to my Kreiniks.












Here's a view inside the first bin.  As you can see, I keep all my duplicates together and all the floss is in numerical order.  This case has numbers 48 - 372.

I got the plastic bobbins from JoAnn's as well.  I had been buying the small packages (20-28 per pkg) of bobbins for years then I finally broke down and bought 1,000 bobbins (only available online at joann.com).

Happy Stitching!

Stacy