Startitis

start-i-tis (n.): a medical condition, commonly found in stitchers (or other crafters), which causes the infected to begin new projects uncontrollably


Dear readers, it has happened. I have somehow contracted startitis. My husband would argue that I have been thus afflicted since I picked up cross stitching several months ago, but from having witnessed this malady among other stitchers, I know that this is not the case. Sure I have started a few projects, but I've also finished several (I even made a pillow!). And only one of the projects that I started was started just for fun, and not for a gift or other such purpose.

Then someone on the Cross Stitch Forum casually mentioned that the last week of August was going to be the new start SAL on the HAED forum (being the rare fifth week of the month). And then someone else mentioned that they would be starting this lovely piece. And then my inner stitcher said "Oh, I have that chart. I wasn't planning on starting it for a long while, seeing as I have this other HAED that needs to be done ASAP, but..."

And that's how I found myself at Hobby Lobby one night, still sweaty and red-faced from the gym, tossing large pieces of fabric and skeins of floss into my cart with reckless abandon (okay, not too reckless, since I was carefully checking my color list). Luckily, I still had some graduation money left over. Also, I picked up some more floss for another project that I need to start soon...shh!

I am hoping to learn how to manage my condition (there is currently no know cure for startitis) and not let it control my life. I am resolute that there will be no more unnecessary starts until at least three of my current gift projects are finished. Or until tomorrow, which ever comes first.

P.S. - After starting the above mentioned piece yesterday, I have discovered one of the many undesirable side effects of startitis. I now have a WIP that I do not want to put down, even though it has the lowest priority (almost negative priority, really) of all my WIPs and need-to-starts. After this weekend, I will have to put it out of sight, because right now every time I pass by my stand it calls out "COME WORK ON ME!!"

Escape

I can remember a time when I didn't identify as a reader, but it was a very long time ago. Plus, I wasn't that good at reading yet anyway.

Ever since I became a voracious reader, reading has always been a way for me to forget about my own problems and world for a while and read about lives that were more interesting than my own. This is in part because I worry far too much and need ways to get away from that. My worrying manifests itself physically as well, so I've always been grateful to have a way to relieve that stress.

As I've gotten older, reading has been able to soothe my soul less and less, unfortunately. I still get lost in good books, and books and reading are still one of my biggest comforts. But I find that the more challenges I face (especially those pesky "adult" problems), the harder it is for me to completely let them go, even if only for half an hour.

When I rediscovered cross stitch a few months ago, I had only planned on doing one project as a gift. However, I sort of fell into a mild (ok, maybe not mild) obsession with cross stitch and other needle crafts. Some of this is due to finally having a creative outlet (something I've been searching for awhile now), but I think a good chunk of that obsession came from the complete and utter relaxation/calmness I usually experience when stitching. This particular time in my life is very hectic. Everything is up in the air and big changes are coming. All of that is great, but a bit trying on my poor nerves (I'm definitely channeling Mrs. Bennet here).

Basically, all I want to do right now is stitch 24/7. It is just like me to find a new, time-consuming hobby right when my thesis is due.

A New Start

Last night I was able to get going on a new project. One of my cousins is getting married in August, so I had been looking for something to make for her. A lot of the wedding pieces out there are too cutesy or outdated for my tastes (and I believe hers), but when I saw the wedding sampler in the May/June 2013 issue of Just Cross Stitch, it was love at first sight.

This sampler is still fairly conservative, but the fact that it's monochromatic and somewhat more abstract in design makes it seem a bit more modern to me. I was a bit worried about whether or not she would like it, but I'm going with my gut and making it!

The sampler is stitched two over two on 28ct Amber. This is a bit darker than the fabric that the project called for, which was light mocha. I wanted the white to stand out more. It uses only Gloriana in Winter White. So far, I've loved stitching with the silks. They're so ... silky (kind of the best way to describe them).

I haven't decided if I want to post a picture of the what the finished product will look like or not. I think this may be a bit of a mystery, at least for those who don't have a copy of the magazine. :)

One very exciting aspect of this project is that it will be my first time attempting specialty stitches and beading. Hopefully it goes smoothly, as I only have about a month to complete it!

Have you ever made or bought a gift for someone when you weren't sure they would like it? How did it turn out?

P.S. - At the time of posting, I have already completed my first specialty stitch (albeit a very simple one). It's horizontal satin stitch (though it's vertical in the photo). I love cross stitching, but it was a lot of fun to try something new. I can't wait to get to the other specialty stitches. It may also motivate me to try hardanger sooner than I had planned.

Perfect isn't always perfect

I wanted to share a piece that's in my kitchen, though I didn't stitch it myself.

 

 

This used to be in my Nana Dana's kitchen, but when she repainted it a couple of years ago she didn't hang it back up. I saw it in the closet one day and claimed it for myself. After all, I am named after her, so it just make sense for me to inherit it. :)

As far as I can tell, this is done on 14ct Aida and only uses full cross stitch. I've always loved this piece for its colors and subject matter (I love to cook), but I'd never closely examined it before.

Of course, now I'm very much interested in examining stitching of any kind so I took a good, close look at it a couple of days ago.

I found at least one stitch that was left with only one leg of the X, and some other minor flaws like twisted thread and maybe even one or two stitches with the wrong leg on top.

Strangely, these flaws only made me love this piece more. Here is a piece that a very novice stitcher can find flaws in, and yet it is one of my most prized possessions. I still think it's beautiful.

These flaws represent not someone lacking skill, but someone who loved my grandmother and did her best to give her something that would be treasured.

I think it speaks to the meaning behind handmade gifts and what is important about making something for someone. You make it the best that you can and pour love into it, and that will make it more beautiful than the most perfectly crafted piece that isn't made with care.

This is probably not news to anyone else, but as someone who has only recently starting creating things, it gives some validation and purpose to the hours I spend stitching and creating (well, a purpose other than my own enjoyment!). :)

Happy stitching!

P.S. -  We say our name so that it rhymes with Nana, so like DAN-uh instead of DAY-na.

P.P.S. - Vodka tonics are my grandmother's mixed drink of choice, not mine. :)

Wilde About Oscar

Does anyone besides my sister-in-law and I get the title of this post? It was starting to seem like that when I was working on this project because everyone that saw it in progress (i.e. co-workers on my lunch break) had no idea who Oscar was or why anyone would be Wilde about him.

This was a project of many firsts for me: first time making my own chart, first time charting a custom font, first time making a pillow, first time finishing a project for a deadline (barely).
The stitching is done on 14ct Fiddler's cloth Aida, completely in black (DMC 310). If I knew what I was doing when it came to blogging and crafting, I would know what kind of cording and backing fabric I used, but alas, I do not.

I do know that my lovely Nana Dana (yes, we have the same name) came to the rescue and whipped up the pillow part in less than an hour. I did at least help cut out the pieces, figure out the construction, and pin the cord. If I had allowed myself more time than two hours to make the pillow, I would have learned how to use the sewing machine myself. We'll save that adventure for another day.

Nana Dana hard at work

There are no up-close pictures of the pillow because I had to hand sew the opening at the bottom early this morning and I had no idea what I was doing and it came out a bit wonky. Also, I stabbed myself with a needle (since I was using an actual sewing needle and not the blunt tapestry needles I'm used to) so a teensy weensy bit of my blood is also on the bottom, should anyone need it for DNA analysis. I am very proud of the back of the stitching, though to be fair, it was a simple pattern with one color and thus pretty easy to keep neat.

Back view of stitching

One part of this project I found particularly interesting was charting a new font (i.e. a font that didn't come pre-packaged with my charting software, though it has a plethora). I did my best to make elements of the font consistent across all the letters, and though there are few issues, I think the overall product looks good.

Lesson learned: When doing cross stitch or other fine needlework, it is best to keep in mind that most people viewing the final product will not be viewing it from 6 inches away, so all those things that look like huge horrible mistakes to you are much less apparent than they seem.

Now I want to re-read The Importance of Being Earnest...

Happy Father's Day! (And a Finished Finish)

I gave away my first stitched gift tonight, to my dad. I found a pattern collection of Celtic knot bookmarks not too long ago and thought this one would be perfect for my dad as his favorite color is green, just like me. :)

It was really fast to stitch; I did it in one Saturday. But of course I left the finishing until the eleventh hour, which probably wasn't a good idea since I had never done it before. But it actually turned out pretty well, I think. I had to sew the folds together on the back, which wasn't much fun. It was hard to get the tension right so the design stayed centered on the front. I also bent a couple needles.

This was just part of his Father's Day gift. I also gave him a Nike t-shirt, which sports (pun intended) a twist on a classic workout phrase. And since he previously inquired if he would be able to eat any of his presents, I thought I had better make him some cookies, which are the size of personal pan pizzas.

All in all, it was a great Father's day, especially when you take into account that I got to have ahi tuna nachos! 

The Quilts of Cape Cod (a.k.a. I am crazy)

I recently joined The Cross Stitch Forum as a way to learn about and share my new hobby with others. It's home to an incredible group of ladies and (a few) gents from all over the world, who collectively have an infinite amount of knowledge and love for cross stitch.

However, I must warn you. Should you join their ranks, you will soon be overcome with the sudden desire, nay - need, to start many new projects and acquire a great many supplies (better known as stash to cross stitchers).

This crazy project is a perfect example.

The Quilts of Cape Cod - Jane Wooster Scott

 

 

First, a bit of information. In the world of cross stitching, there is a wondrous and yet dangerous place called Heaven and Earth Designs (HAED, for short). They produce full-stitched cross stitch charts of artwork, which tend to be large and have lots of colors. I have to admit, I'm not personally crazy about most of the designs there. Nothing against all wizards and the countless faeries and dragons, but it's just generally not my thing. So I thought I wouldn't catch HAED fever, which has infected many a stitcher, causing them to buy more charts than they could stitch in five lifetimes and have more works in progress (WIPs) than seems reasonable. This was a good thing, as HAEDs can take years to complete.

Then I saw the Jane Wooster Scotts.

Jane Wooster Scott is an American folk artist who is quite popular. I love her paintings for their color and detail. Mark and I have a set of 10 puzzles featuring her paintings that I have worked umpteen times each. So as soon as I saw that HAED had her paintings as charts, I had no choice.

 

I would love to complete this piece for my grandmother (who we call Puck), who used to make beautiful quilts. I've already started and re-started this piece, but I will save that story for my first progress update.

I've also already found several more HAED designs that I would like to stitch. There should really be a vaccination for HAED fever.