SBQ Meme: Fabric or Floss?

This week's SBQ was suggested by Dawn and is:

If you had to choose, would you rather spend money on overdyed floss or hand-dyed fabric?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2008/08/sbq-fabric-and-floss/

ACK!!! What a tough question. Can’t I just have both??? { chuckle }

The first time I ever used overdyed floss was with Teresa Wentzler’s Dragon Needlebook. It was Dinky Dyes silk and I really loved the look and feel of the floss. I don’t collect it as a rule, since it’s expensive I only buy the exact amounts for what a project calls for.

As for hand dyed fabrics. I love looking at them but just can’t get myself to actually use a piece of it. I have 2 cuts of the stuff – one lt. blue, one lt. tea by True Colors.

Hummm….Well my choice would probably be the overdyed floss. I could always dye my own fabric using RIT® Brand Color Dye if I truly needed a piece for a project.

SBQ Meme: What Ort I To Do?

This week's SBQ was suggested by Outi and is:

What do you do to your thread clippings?
Do you just scrap them or do you use them in something else?


The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2008/08/sbq-and-blog-awards/

Funny enough, I saved a massive Ort pile o' bits and put them in a notch, in the old maple tree in our yard. Thinking that the local sparrows would use them as nest filler. Surprisingly enough they didn't touch them, nor did the squirrels who run wild all over the neighborhood. Maybe I should save up the next mass quantity for stuffing material for a pincushion biscornus.

SBQ Meme: Stitching Time Management

This week's SBQ from Renée is:

How do you balance your stitching time with your other obligations such as work, household chores, etc.?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2008/07/sbq-finding-balance/

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When I was working full time my evenings were filled with getting on-line and checking my e-mail, a couple of message forums and a very long list of RSS feeds. Those feeds included book authors & publishers, my SBQ & needlecraft friends, and Brick n’ Mortar needlecraft shops. I only had roughly 3 hours in the evenings for this and then it was time for bed. Household chores, book reading, and stitching was given over to the weekends.

Now that I am temporarily unemployed I can read, stitch, or cruise the internet as much as I like during the day. Finding work is a bit more of a problem. No one wants to hire you if you don’t have a reliable source of transportation – i.e. a car.

SBQ Meme: Stitching Magazines

This week's SBQ is:

Do you currently subscribe to any stitching publications or have you in the past? (Either in print or online) If so, which ones?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2008/06/sbq-stitching-pubs/

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No not now, but yes in the past.

I‘ve two magazines that I subscribed to in the past – Just Cross Stitch (1997) and Piecework/Needleworkers (2000 ?) magazine.

When JCS parted company with Teresa Wentzler I dropped my subscription. By that time the charts they offered were too cutesy. (FYI: To date I have yet to stitch any of those designs!) I mainly read JCS for the articles and looked for TW’s designs.

I really loved Needleworkers magazine unfortunately I only discovered it after it had been absorbed by Piecework. And when they dropped the Needleworkers half of the magazine I dropped my subscription.

Now days the only time I buy a magazine is if it has an interesting series of articles. The last one was in 2007, it was a 6 part series from JCS on how to make different types of knots and novel uses for them.

SBQ Meme: What The Heck was I Thinking????

This week's SBQ was suggested by Me!!! and is:

Do you ever get to a point working on a project that you've had for so long, you start to wonder what possessed you to start it in the first place?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2008/05/sbq-what-was-i-thinking/

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I asked this of myself back on April 15, and will gladly reiterate it here. Oh, and thanks Renée for using my question.

That’s what I’m feeling about christmas sampler. There must have been something about it I liked back in 2003 when I started it that drew my interest, but for the life of me I can’t remember what. Now I feel like it’s a chore to finish the beast. But finish it I will, then it will either get rolled up and put away never to see the light of day, or what’s more likely, it will get turned into a bell pull and only hauled out during December to be hung up on the wall after I give it to my mom. The funny thing is I don’t really care for poinsettias.

I guess like Renée says tastes change. Most of my WiPs are long term the oldest being Pegasus and Butterflies started back in 1999. The rest of them were started between 2001 and 2005. I swear I will finish them all ---- some day. [snicker]

SBQ Meme: Stitching Term or Acronym

This week's SBQ was suggested by Renée and is:

For seasoned stitchers: Define a stitching term or acronym for new stitchers.
For newbies: What stitching term or acronym would you like defined?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2008/05/sbq-stitch-speak/

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I can remember the first time I joined the stitching boards over at www.ezboard.com ( now www.yuku.com ) I was so bewildered by all the abbreviations used in the messages.

The one memorable one that always gave me a start when I read it in a header was:

SEX = Stash Enhancement eXpense ( or eXperience )
: Materials bought, gained in an exchange, won in an auction, etc.

Others that always gave me trouble trying to remember:

SABLE = Stash Acquisition Beyond Life Expectancy
: To know for sure, simply ask yourself this one simple question - If I quit buying anymore stash and stitched everything that is currently in my stash? If the answer is no, you have reached SABLE.

AFAIK = As Far As I Know
FWIW = For What It’s Worth
YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary ( your experience may differ from mine)

SBQ Meme: Family Heirlooms

This week's SBQ was suggested by Jennifer is:

Do you have any pieces that you would liked passed on to future generations as family heirlooms?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2008/04/sbq-heirlooms/

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My fantasy would be that everything I stitch gets passed along. That said, I doubt that any of them will become family heirlooms and will most likely end up in a yard sale long after I'm buried and gone. I'm not married and don't have any children, and by the looks of things I'm not going to have either in the near future. I do have 3 younger siblings,1 niece and 1 nephew so far, and they've all gotten wedding and birth announcements stitched by me. So hopefully some of them may appreciate my stitching after I'm gone and rat-pack away a few items.

SBQ Meme: Blended Threads

This week's SBQ was suggested by Christine and is:

How do you handle blended threads? Do you kit the blends up before you start a piece, or do you grab what colors you need and blend when the need arises? If you kit up the blends beforehand, how do you store them? Do you have another option for blends to share?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2008/04/sbq-blends/

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Like most stitchers I blend (tweed) as I go. I set up my LoRan small project cards so the 2 solid colors are on either side of the blended color. Example [ 378 – 378/379 – 379 ]. That means I pull 1 thread from each solid color, use the blend and place the unused piece in the middle hole to be worked later in the same project. I try to organize all my blended pairs this way on 1 – 2 project cards. That way I'm not duplicating solid colors on more than one card. When I'm finished with the project I either toss the blend or, if the length is still usable, separate the threads and return them to their respective plastic bobbins.

A hint for the LoRan cards: Write on the back and not the front of the cards, that way you can easily erase the pencil markings and use the cards again.

A New Face Lift, Sampler Progress, and the SBQ Meme: April 10, 2008

Well after four years I finally decided it was high time for a face lift. I got tired of seeing blue skies and fluffy clouds deciding to go for a green motif and earthy flowers, orchids to be specific. It took me roughly six hours to tweak the template just the way I wanted it, and for someone who know zip about style sheets I think it looks damn nice. There's just one catch - it only works in Internet Explorer. For some reason, I can't figure out why or how, the style sheets screw-up in Mozilla's FireFox.


On the stitching front I'm hard at work on Christmas Sampler 2003. I'm up though part three, the center flowers, and halfway through part four the band just below it. I should have a progress picture by Monday or Tuesday showing both parts completed. Then thank goddess I'll be in the home stretch with part five. I've decided to leave off the bottom row of diamonds, part six, as I feel it unbalances the length of the bell pull.


This week's SBQ was suggested by Jennifer and is:

What is the most complicated piece you've ever completed?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2008/04/sbq-complications/

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At this moment in time none. I consider Teresa Wentzler's Camelot Sampler the most time consuming if not actually complicated, as I'm still plugging away at it after 7 years. Most things I've done aren't actually complicated. Then I guess it all depends on your idea of what complicated is.

SBQ Meme: April 3, 2008

This week's SBQ was suggested by Terri and is:

What items do you consider essential to your needlework that you keep in your stitching bag?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2008/04/sbq-the-essentials/

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I have 2 navy blue DMC heavy-duty travel bags.

They have a 3 ring binder that holds stitchbow transparent inserts, my charts, & working copies. Then of course there's the fabric, plastic embroidery hoop, a package of size 28 tapestry needles, needle threader, scissors, laying tool (if needed), clear tape for getting rid of the fuzzies the frogs leave behind, 11 inch bookmark for cutting 18 inch lengths of floss, colored pencils and florescent pens for marking the working copies, magnets for holding the needles to the fabric, LoRan cards to hold the cut floss, stitchbows to hold the uncut skeins. Last but not least single wrapped life saver candies!!!

SBQ Meme: March 26, 2008

This week's SBQ is:

When you stitch a pattern that you have downloaded do you print out the pattern or do you stitch directly from your computer screen?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2008/03/sbq-downloads/

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Nope! There’s no way I can look at the computer screen and work on my scroll frame at the same time, which happens to be in another room. So I puzzle out if I can convert the file to a PDF and enlarge the chart through the Adobe Reader program and then print it out. Thankfully one of the places I buy downloadable charts – Patterns-Online.com - allows me to save them in that format.

But whether it’s a freebie or something I’ve purchased, I collect the charts downloaded and burn them on disk. It's much easier (and cheaper!) then to keep them in dozens of 3-ring binders and use up a couple of pounds of paper and printer ink.

SBQ Meme: March 5, 2008

This week's SBQ is recycled from January 4, 2005 and is:

After you stitch a pattern or kit, what do you do with it?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2008/03/sbq-recycling-questions/

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Being a packrat of grand proportions I save all charts, instructions, thread samples from kits (where necessary), and design cover sheets to clear sheet protectors and organize them in a "Projects Completed" 3" D-ring binder. In the hopes that one day some other family relative or future kid of my own takes an interest in needlework.

SBQ Meme: February 26, 2008

This week's SBQ was suggested by Rachel and is:

What is your cross stitch weakness? (i.e., What do you have to have when you see it, even if you are supposed to be on the Wagon?)

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2008/02/sbq-stitching-weaknesses/

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That’s an easy one. Anything designed by Teresa Wentzler. Even if I don’t stitch them all, I have this compelling need to collect her designs.

Miscellaneous Updates and the SBQ for Feb. 6th and 13th.

Well it looks like I’ve gone and fallen behind again with updating my Blog. The only new thing I have to report is, that after going back to work at my temp job in January and managing to work the entire month. I’ve now been laid-off at the first of February. It’s been two weeks now and no phone call, so I have a feeling I’m going to be off for the entire month. Hopefully no longer than that.

I hope everyone who’s married or has a Significant Other had a happy Valentine’s Day. For me the week came and went just like any other. No flowers, no card, no acknowledgement from anyone. Not having a boyfriend really sucks during certain times of the year. Anyway, I dare say I was temped to buy myself a single rose, then I gagged at the price they wanted. Maybe I’ll head out to Wal-Mart tomorrow and see if they have any potted miniature red rose bushes left, hopefully they’ll be on sale.

I’ve gotten tired of reading paranormal romances for the next few days, so I’ve decided to pull out and do the finish work on an old project TW’s Dragon Needle Case. I’ve finally stitched a back for it and now all I have to do is sew the front to the back, line the insides and sew in the felt pages. Maybe if I can muster a little enthusiasm I might put it together in the next week.

SBQ - February 6, 2008

This week's SBQ was suggested by Kathryn and is:

Are there other crafts that you have tried and abandoned?
Why do you like stitching better?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2008/02/sbq-other-crafts/

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Abandon seems like such a harsh word, I think I’ll say temporarily lost interest in. The crafts that came to mind when I read this question were crocheting and knitting.

My grandmother taught me the basics of crochet and I eventually inherited her steel hooks. The projects – a circular Pineapple Sunburst doily 15 inches across and various baby blankets for cousins, and a couple of queen size blankets for me and mom were the bulk of my interest. I moved on to knitting and taught myself the basics - making your standard knit 2, purl 2, winter scarf. From there I jumped in the deep end making a long sleeved, hooded, with pockets, Irish cable knit sweater. As I recall it had 3 different types of twisted cable designs and I made it without a single problem save one. It was too small for me. So I ended up giving it to my sister. Everyone oooh’d and aaah’d over it, and even my dad whined about making him a sweater. But my interest in knitting had petered out by then - that was over 20 years ago. Although, last year I had the urge to make myself a simple knit cap for winter. I bought myself a set of double ended needles and found a free chart on-line. Just like the last time it turned out perfect except for one thing - it was too small, again, so this time I ended up giving it to my mother. You’d think I’d learn by now.

Anyway, I can’t exactly say why I’ve settled on counted cross stitch. Maybe because it looks more like art work. Or maybe my packrat gene, which I inherited from my mother, leans more towards cross stitch charts, embroidery floss, and evenweave fabrics. In any case, I’m happy knowing that I’ll be leaving something of myself behind after I’m long gone.



SBQ - February 13, 2008

This week's SBQ was suggested by Loretta and is:

Do you have any projects that you have scrapped and started over?
What made you start over from scratch?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2008/02/sbq-starting-over/

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The only project I have ever scrapped and started over was Camelot Sampler by Teresa Wentzler. I had finished the center sword block and had gotten 75% of the Guinevere block done, when I decided I didn’t like the look of the over-one section of the face. It seemed too lumpy and contorted. That and I didn’t like the count and quality of the fabric that came with the kit. So I special ordered a half yard of 25ct. evenweave Lugana [Mushroom] and started over. It will be 7 years come this November ’08 and I’m still working away at it.

SBQ Meme: January 16, 2007

This week's SBQ was suggested by Outi and is:

What is your favorite past time while stitching? Do you just enjoy silence, listen to music/audiobooks or do you "watch" TV/movies? Do you have specific favorites you listen to/watch while stitching?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2008/01/sbq-favorite-pastime/

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I usually listen to music CDs or audio books when I stitch.

I tried watching TV and stitching, but would usually end up miscounting and being off by a square frogging what I just did. Or I’d wait for the commercial breaks and only managing 8 - 12 stitches per break so in reality I hardly got any sewing done at all.

Audio books can be a bit tricky too. Sometimes I get into listening to the narrator and have a tendency to stop stitching if it’s a brand new book.

No specific book favorites, just what every happens to be handy - Fantasy, Romance, etc. For music I prefer new age, classical, anything instrumental.

SBQ Meme: Favorite Finish

Today's SBQ was suggested by Renée and is:

What was your favorite finish of 2007?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2008/01/sbq-last-years-fav/

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It's not only my favorite but my only finish for 2007.

Name: To Love and Cherish
Type: Counted Cross Stitch
Finished Chart Size:
11" x 14" ( 27.9cm x 35.6cm ) on 28ct. Jubilee by Zweigart [Antique White]
Kit #: 023-0139
Designer/Publisher: Sandy Orton/© 2004 Janlynn Corp.
Finished: May 29, 2007

SBQ Meme: New Year Starts

Today's SBQ was suggested by Renée and is:

Are you starting something new to celebrate the New Year or participating in "Guilt Free January?" If so, what are you planning on starting?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2008/01/sbq-new-year-new-start/

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Sorry to say – not a blessed thing. I’m putting all my stitching out-of-sight for the next 9 months. So when I do get it out again I’m going to be r-e-a-l-l-y enthused to work on it.

SBQ Meme: Holiday Gifts... What ya get?

Today's SBQ was suggested by Renée and is:

Did you receive any stitching-related gifts for the holidays?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/12/sbq-holiday-gifts/

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Nope, no stitching related presents for me.

All I got was a card and some money from my sister, but it was enough for me to head straight to Hastings today and picked up My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon Anthology – edited by P.N. Elrod and Lynsay Sands' The Argeneau Series, all of them up through the latest - The Accidental Vampire. She's the latest on my list of newly discovered authors.

I've basically gone a little off the deep end in finding and buying books from new (to me anyway) authors. Here's the complete list so far.

Monica Ferris ……………. Mystery
Patricia Briggs …………… Paranormal-fantasy
Jim Butcher ……………... Paranormal-fantasy
Carole Nelson Douglas …. Paranormal-fantasy
P.N. Elrod ………………. Paranormal-fantasy
Tanya Huff …………….. Paranormal-fantasy
Elizabeth Amber 1 …....... Paranormal-romance (Erotica)
Amanda Ashley ............... Paranormal-romance
Alexandra Ivy .................. Paranormal-romance
Kathy Love ...................... Paranormal-romance
Katie MacAlister ............. Paranormal-romance (Humor)
Sharon Page .................... Paranormal-romance (Erotica)
Sara Reinke 2 .................. Paranormal-romance
Stephanie Rowe ……...... Paranormal-romance
Lynsay Sands 3 .............. Paranormal-romance (Humor)
Susan Sizemore .............. Paranormal-romance
Shiloh Walker 4 ............. Paranormal-romance (Erotica)

1: The Lords of Satyr Series
2: The Brethren Series
3: The Argeneau Series
4: The Hunters Series

And to think I started out with just reading Jim Butcher, Katie MacAlister, & Monica Ferris. Don’t however get me started on science fiction; big trekie fan here. I’ve got the original series, next generation, and all the spin-off series in my ancient paperback book collection. As well as the Babylon 5 series.

Later, Y’all……

SBQ Meme: Taming Your Threads

Today's SBQ was suggested by Nancy and is:

Do you do anything special to your threads before putting them through your fabric to make them more manageable?


The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/12/a-finished-row/

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I only use two methods to make my threads more manageable.
1) A make-up sponge and water. And 2) Thread Heaven.

I only use “Thread Heaven” on projects that are totally over-one in nature, like Teresa Wentzler’s the “12 Days of Christmas” ornaments. Other wise it’s just plain old water for me and spit on the ends – Yes, I’m a floss licker too.

Once Upon a Time Update & SBQ Meme – Catching Up

Well I finally managed to finish part 4 after many weeks of delay, plodding along, and being called back to work, just for a week. I discovered that Aion NeedleCrafts message board is now gone. So I’ve signed up on a different message board called “A Crafty Natter” in the hopes that I can generate interest in this stitch-along mystery. Well a week and a half went by and only 2 other people said they’d look at the chart, so I guess that’s a bust there. O well, guess I’ll just plod along by myself then.

Here's what it looks like so far....

Remember to click on the pictures for bigger images.

And now to catch up with the Stitching Blogger's Questions......

SBQ - November 8, 2007

This week's SBQ was suggested by Renée and is:

When you have to frog out stitches, do you reuse that thread or do you
start over with a new strand?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/11/sbq-recycling/

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You know I could have sworn I answered this same question before in the SBQ. But I can’t seem to find it in my blog archives. So…

It depends on how much I have to frog and what condition the floss is in once I have pulled out the stitches. Also if I find it immediately or if it’s found a section later. It also depends on if it’s back stitching or regular 2-strand stitching. If I don’t have to frog more than half a dozen stitches or so, I just trim the ends, re-thread my needle, and continue on unless the floss is too short or too frayed. If, on the other hand, it’s back stitching I’ll usually just snip it out and start over with new thread. If metallic thread is involved it’s a definite snip it out and start over with new thread.



SBQ - October 31, 2007

Today's SBQ was suggested by Ternezia and is:

If you were a cross stitch designer, what would your design style be?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/10/sbq-designing/

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Wow, tough call there. I’ve always loved Teresa Wentzler’s designs so Fantasy/Mythical would one, another would be a combo of Pagan/Wiccan/Celtic design styles. Celtic knot work has always fascinated me.




SBQ - October 24, 2007

This week's SBQ was suggested by Renée and is:

Do you railroad?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/10/sbq-working-on-the-railroad/

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YES! In fact I was doing it long before I knew that was the official technical term for it.




SBQ - October 17, 2007

This week's SBQ was suggested by Jennifer and is:

What proportion of your stitching is for your own personal use versus
gifts?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/10/sbq-gift-giving/

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For the last 15 years or so it seems I’ve been doing, for the most part, projects for family members. But as of this year I’m putting my foot down and “Just saying NO!”. I have to start thinking about myself for once, and sometimes I got the feeling that my stitching was more or less expected and not appreciated for the work and time I put in on it. So from now on I stitch just for me!

SBQ Meme: Stitching Mastery

This week's SBQ was suggested by Ternezia and is:

What for you means to achieve mastery as a stitcher?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/10/sbq-master-and-queenie/

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I guess for me, it would be to set myself a series of goals and achieve them. Some of those goals being…

* To finish Camelot Sampler by Teresa Wentzler, and get on with stitching all the designs I’ve collected of hers.
* To rein in my fear of cutting fabric so I could attempt my hand at hardanger.
* To discover as yet untried techniques of needlework and see if they’re to my liking.
* To stitch a design I created for myself, but have yet to see if it’s marketable.
And the biggest goal – to get my list of Works In Progress stitched and completed !!!!

SBQ Meme: On-line Stitching Shops

Today's SBQ was suggested by Jennifer and is:

What are your favorite online stitching supply sources?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/10/sbq-sources/

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NeedleworkShoppe which is a division of Herrschners, I shop at whenever DMC has a new line of floss fibers coming out. I’m impatient and can’t wait the 6 months it takes to see them in at my local Michaels store.

Patterns Online I use to get the latest Teresa Wentzler patterns. I was so glade she found this place for her designs until she’s found herself an on-demand printer so she can start publishing on her own again.

Being that money's a bit tight nowadays I like to keep my shopping down to four on-line shops. The first three are in the US and the fourth is in the UK.

Paw Prints Cross Stitch is good when you want to get your hands on new stuff from designer shows from the east coast. The same can be said for One - Two - Three Stitch! for shows on the west coast.

For fabric I go to Nordic Needle it’s nice in that they carry all the major fabric manufactures and quite a few specialty fabrics as well.

When I was collecting designs by Maria Van Scharrenburg I shopped at Sew and So I’ve never had any hassles with over seas card payments and the turnaround time for shipping is one week. For speed you can’t beat that! If it wasn’t for the ungodly high exchange rate I’d buy from them more often.

SBQ Meme: The Second Time Around????

Today's SBQ was suggested by Renée and is:

Would you ever stitch one of your BAPs a second time?
(This does not include starting over because of mistakes,
bad fabric, etc., rather stitching something from the first
stitch for a second time.)

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/09/sbq-seconds/

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I don’t know if you’d call it a BAP, but if I had the time and inclination I’d love to stitch “To Love And Cherish” by Sandy Orton again. For myself, if I ever got married. But since I haven’t had, nor can find, a boyfriend in the last 12 years I don’t think it’s going to happen.









On the Reading Front: I’ve finally finished Katie’s Adult Historical Romances. Now it’s on to the Aisling Grey series. Then I’ll have read every book she’s ever WRITTEN!!!!!

SBQ Meme of the Week

Today's SBQ was suggested by Jennifer and is:

How did you get started stitching?
Was there a person that inspired you?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/08/omg-sbq/

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It was my grandmother that got me interested. She like to hand embroider pillow cases with hot iron transfers and finish the edging in crochet work. She got me started with embroidering pillow cases and I even tried stamped cross stitch. I was 7 or 8 at the time and my interest didn’t last long. It was in 1983 when my interest was re-kindled and just out of comm. college when I bought my first counted cross stitch kit. It was worked on 14 count aida and was Gather Ye Rosebuds by Kathi Wagner. I simply followed the directions and taught myself.

SBQ Meme: Just One More Stitch....

Today's SBQ is from Renée and is:

Do you consider yourself a "floss miser?"

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/07/one-thousand/

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The answer to this question is – Yes, No, and Maybe.

If I’m stitching from a prepackaged kit - yes, I try my best to conserve the floss and not have much in the way of left over orts. I’m always panicked that I’ll run out of a certain high use color and I won’t be able to match it with the stock I have on-hand; considering that certain kit companies special dye their floss lots.

If I’m doing a chart with a lot of confetti stitching then yes, I’ll save the orts to finish up sections of the design.

If I’m using limited edition sampler threads like from “The Gentle Arts”, then that’s a definite yes.

If it’s plain old DMC or Anchor then no, unless you consider one - two inches left on the needle miserly.





Other news: I seem to have let my stitching slide this last week and a half. I got so caught up in reading about my favorite vamps in the Dark Ones series that I managed to polish off two books!!

"Bring Out Your Dead" in the Just One Sip anthology and
Even Vampires Get the Blues

I’m now at the lastest book in the series and I’m chomping at the preverbal bit wondering if Katie will have another Dark Ones book out this year. Who knew I’d fall so hard for vampire paranormal romances?!?! ;-)

SBQ Meme: Choices-Choices-Choices

Today's SBQ was suggested by Kathryn and is:

When you start a new work do you look for something small,
do you look for another huge project, or do you consider your UFOs?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/06/sbq-the-choices-we-make/

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When I start a new project size doesn’t matter, it’s the subject of the design that calls to me or not. That, in a nut shell, can be one big dilemma for me and why I have so many WiPs. I can’t seem to stitch fast enough before I get bored with a project and have the itch to start a new one. Which is why I try to keep to a rotational schedule.

That’s another reason I’m “On The Wagon”. Having 4 file folder drawers chocked full of kits that I’ve collected over the years I will not pull them out and fondle them until the list on my side bar is down to zero.

As I was mulling over the answer to this question it occurred to me that over the last ten years there was always some family member I was doing stitching for. Be it weddings, anniversaries, births, or birthdays, etc. Well no more! Someone else can do it! I’m finally going to stitch just for me!!! Which is why, now that I have all of my obligation stitching done I can finally concentrate on getting my WiPs finished. YEA!!!

Oh, and as for UFO’s - I have no urge to look at them. Thank goodness I only have one.

SBQ Meme: Storing Your Stuff & Other News

Today's SBQ was suggested Jennifer and is:

How do you store your WIPs and other projects that you have kitted up?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/06/sbq-storing-stuff/

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I have 3 types of project storage. The first is 2 gallon Ziploc plastic bags. Next I have 2 navy blue DMC heavy-duty travel bags. They have a 3 ring binder that holds stitchbow transparent inserts, my charts, working copies, plus fabric and supplies. The last one is a quilted scroll frame tote bag that I purchased from Nordic Needle.

Once the projects are kitted up in 2 gallon Ziploc plastic bags, they are stored beside my chair in a green file folder box. That way after they become WiPs it's easier to rotate them from the front of the box to the back. When we use to have an LNS I would use the different travel bags to drag my projects to the store for stitch-ins evenings & weekends.

Other News: I finally managed to get to Crafter’s Warehouse today and purchased a double mat (off-white linen/lt. purple), glass, and ordered a silver wood frame for “To Love and Cherish”. The frame order won’t go out until next Monday and the framer assured me that this particular company had a quick turn-around time and I should have the frame by the end of the week. I made sure not to leave my stitchery there, 1) because I don’t want anyone but me touching my work. And 2) they would have charged me a service fee for putting it together. Besides, I was already gagging at the $155.75 (us) I was putting out for just the framing materials; and I’m quite capable of putting the pieces together myself – for FREE!!

Well that's it for this blog blurb...

SBQ Meme: Most Challenging Project

Today's SBQ was suggested by Ish and is:

What has been your most challenging project and why?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/06/sbq-challenging-projects/

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I think my most challenging needlework project is still ahead of me. I would like to try hardanger and pulled thread work, but I have this innate fear of cutting wholes in evenweave fabric.

As far as projects, I have already done or still working on, each in their own way were a challenge. Though not so much in the difficulty of the chart, as was the fibers or techniques used. Two examples:

My first Teresa Wentzler ( Camelot Sampler ) was a challenge because it was the first time I switched over from working only with aida to 25 count evenweave fabric, using blended threads, and working in stitches over 1.



Pam Kellogg’s ( Autumn Mystery Sampler ) was the first time I used rayon floss and Kreinik gold braid. It was also my first mystery stitch-along project.



Right now my biggest challenge is to clear off all the WiPs I still have showing in my side bar and at least try to keep up with this blog. Even if it’s just answering the SBQ Memes.

SBQ Meme:Needles... 1-2-3 or more???

Today's SBQ was suggested Kathryn and is:

How many needles do you use during a project?
Have you ever loaded up a needle for every color?
Do you use a new needle for every project or recycle your favorite needle?


The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/05/sbq-needle-mania/

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1) At present I use two needles during a project.

2) Yes, but only once and it took me well over 4 hours to load up 48 needles. NEVER AGAIN!

3) I tend to recycle my needles until the eye bends to the point where it breaks. I purchase DMC brand when they’re on sale at Jo-Ann Fabrics. I’ve got 50+ each of size 24, 26, & 28 tapestry needles, they’re cheaply made and break often but I’ve got plenty to spare.

SBQ Meme Catch-Up: Exchanges & The Last Happy Dance

Seems I’ve fallen behind – O Well, here goes……

May 10, 2007 - Exchanges

This week’s SBQ was suggested by Ish and is:

How do you choose a project for an exchange?
Do you pick solely on what you know of the taste of the recipient or
are there other reasons you pick the piece you do?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/05/sbq-exchange-choices/

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Well this one’s simple enough to answer. I’ve never participated in an exchange. That might be changing though, as I'm tentatively going to join a Harry Potter Exchange over on EzBoard.com For this summer in timing with the release of book 7. Although I could chicken out at the last minute and drop out.

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May 16, 2007 - The Last Happy Dance

This week’s SBQ was suggested Juls and is:

If you could only stitch one more piece what would it be and why?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/05/sbq-last-call/

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WOW, as Renée states - a loaded question – indeed! And I too was in a quandary whether or not to answer it.
I have so many kits and leaflets, how in the world was I to decided? And then it came to me – who was the first designer that gave me this incurable stitching addiction in the first place? Why Teresa Wentzler of course! [grin]
And of the first 5 TW kits that I bought back in 1996 “Peacock Tapestry” was my jaw dropping favorite, and still is. In the now 12 years since its release I had always hoped to stitch it, but the hand drawn chart did cause me concern. So I waited, hoping that Leisure Arts would republish the chart in a computer generated layout (Like with “Camelot Sampler” my 2nd favorite). Which doesn’t seem to be coming into fruition. Anyway, since there isn’t a time limitation to this last piece scenario I choose “Peacock Tapestry” as my Last Happy Dance and plan a very lengthy stitching duration lasting a good few years. [grin]
What the hey, I started “Camelot Sampler” back in March 2001 and I’m still working on it!

SBQ Meme: WIPs and UFOs

Today's SBQ was suggested Kathryn and is:

How many WIPs do you have? How many UFOs do you have? When does a WIP become a UFO?

The permalink to this post is:

http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/05/sbq-wips-and-ufos/

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Works In Progress = 10
You can check them out on my sidebar.

UnFinished Object = 1
Dame a la Licorne L'ouie (Music Tapestry)

When does a WIP become a UFO?
Referring to the UFO above. When you basically discover that needlepoint really isn't your cup-of-tea, and you have little to no interest in working on it. That doesn't mean I'll get rid of it ( i.e. toss it out. ). It just means that one day when I run out of other kits and leaflets I'll work on it. { Yeah, right and pigs will fly. } Ha Ha - chortle - Ha Ha



P.S. On a side note - I went back to work today!! YEA!!!!
So Needlework gets moved to the weekends only.

SBQ Meme: On The Wagon

Today's SBQ was suggested Danielle and is:

Are you on "The Wagon?" If so, how long have you been on and how "serious" are you about it?
If not, have you considered it?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blondelibrarian.net/stitching/archives/2007/04/sbq-the-wagon/

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Well I suppose you could technically say I’m on “The Wagon”. I started sometime back in early 2005, but I don’t strictly adhere to a no-shop policy.

I’m not one who typically buys needlework stash for the sake of buying stash. Granted there were a couple of times on eBay when I fell off the wagon and bid on some Zweigart. They were at least a full yard of fabric, but colors were all dark. So help me I have no idea what I’m going to use them for. ( Now I steer clear of eBay when it comes to fabric. )

Anyway, I do allow myself to buy needed things like floss to finish an already started project. And I did make an exception last month when my local Hancock Fabrics store was closing and purchased a few things for 30% off. I have collected enough in the way of kits, leaflets, floss, & fabric over the last 10 years to never have to go looking for new stuff. Unless it’s a re-issued ( or new ) chart by Teresa Wentzler, that’s when I cave and pull out the credit card. If I do have one weakness it’s that I am a collector of Teresa’s charts/kits.

My “On the Wagon” goal for now is to clear off the 10 projects I have on my WiP sidebar list.
I consider myself serious enough to stay on "the wagon" for however long it takes to make my goal.

This Weeks SBQ Meme.....

Today's SBQ was suggested by Heather and is:

How do you decide which stitching blogs are worth repeat and/or regular viewings? Are there certain things you look for in particular? Are there things you wish there were more of ? Less of ? Is your blog a good example of what you like to read?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blondelibrarian.net/stitching/archives/2007/04/sbq-blog-criteria/

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Wow, this is a very good and very tough SBQ this week.

First off, I don’t have all that much time during the week to read many blogs. So I have to keep my blog viewing to those that have primarily the same stitching tastes as me, and the content of their blog is well over half counted cross stitch (show me your WiPs and finished pictures). I’m inspired by progress pictures and have discovered many new designers via blogs. Another Plus, the author must have an engaging writing style. I’m a big fan of spell checker, consistently poor grammar and sentence structure frustrates me. Non-native English speakers obviously have a little slack there.

I don’t want to see endless postings from "quiz farm" or "quiz galaxy" question mills. I don’t really care to hear about the weather, kids, cars, husband, or in-law problems. I don't mind a few posts where necessary ranting occurs. But constant bitching and "Oh woe is me" is a real turn-off and those blogs don’t get a second chance with my limited time.

I like an orderly and well structured blog page. Side frames for instance, I don’t mind seeing model pictures of the WiPs you’re working on as long as there’s a link to show me a sub-page or tag page so I can see more. I also like to see what books you’re reading, not just the name of the book. My big pet peeve is over doing it with blinkies, I feel …, clocks, and weather related banners etc. That stuff can really take forever to load and it gets really frustrating waiting for the page.

The one thing I try to do is read the replies to the SBQ, which is how I found some of the blogs that I now read. I have to say I like it when people comment on my blog, but that isn't a necessity.

"Is your blog a good example of what you like to read?" Well to paraphrase another blogger’s answer. I write for myself with no one in mind. My blog is a quick and easy way to keep track of the progress of my projects and new stash acquisitions (I knew my money was going somewhere), and the fact people choose to read and/or comment is just an added bonus.

And there you have it……

This Week's SBQ Meme.....

Thursday's SBQ was suggested by Cindy and is:

Do you have a system for organizing freebie charts in your stash? If so, what is it? Do you print out copies of all of the freebies that you find on the web ( that you think you might actually stitch ) or do you maintain electronic copies of them until you are ready to stitch them?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blondelibrarian.net/stitching/archives/2007/03/sbq-freebie-organization/

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With all the freebies I’ve found on the internet, I wouldn’t have enough printer paper or shelf space to keep them all. So I sort them by designer, or by category if the designer is unknown, and burn a copy to CD-R.

The only paper copies I have ( of these ) are the charts from Teresa Wentzler and a few others that I’ve purchased from www.oddsandinsonline.com and www.patternsonline.com.
When I do print them out, I still put them in protective sleeves and in three-ring binders. They’re my paper back-up in-case something happens to the CD-Rs.

I've also left a copy of the files on my hard drive as a secondary back-up in case something happens to the CD-Rs and the paper copies. Being a former computer programmer I'm big on redundancies.


As far as stitching them. Well I’ve scratched the surface and done some, but I’ve far too many to stitch them all. So I collect them in earnest knowing that they’ll be there in the future for me.

This Weeks SBQ Meme.....

Today's SBQ was suggested Danielle and is:

If you had $500 to spend on stitching-related items, what would you buy?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blondelibrarian.net/stitching/archives/2007/03/sbq-shopping-spree/

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Well the first thing that popped into my head was to buy one of every silk thread and ribbon product that Eterna Silk has for sale. But that wouldn’t work because I’d be short by a little over $1,500.00 so that's out. [Ha Ha]

I don’t need an OTT-LITE I have two, one table top model and one floor model. The living room chair I use to sit and stitch in is old and needs to be reupholstered, but it’s OK for now and I don’t feel like blowing my $500 on that.

I have enough kits, leaflets, and chart packs to last me for two lifetimes. The same goes for fabric and cotton floss, although not as much.

So I guess in the end, like a few others have mentioned it would have to be mounting and framing supplies. Foamcore, mats – I’d have the local craft store cut them, and frames - both metal and wood – which I’d order over the internet and put together myself saving a few $$$ instead of having the local craft store put it together. You see, I have at least 3 or 4 finished pieces rolled up and put away because I don’t have the money, or wall space to hang them.

This Weeks SBQ Meme.....

Today's SBQ was suggested by Renée and is:

Do you use your needle, a seam ripper, or something else when you have to frog stitches?
Why do you use the method that you do?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blondelibrarian.net/stitching/archives/2007/03/sbq-rip-rip/

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I have four main tools in my frogging arsenal:

Scotch brand Clear Tape
Cocobola Wood Handle Stiletto
Surgical Tweezers
Small Animal Necropsy Scissors



The stiletto I got from Nordic Needle, the tweezers were from a craft catalog, but they don’t sell them anymore. The scissors I got from my sister who works as a animal lab technician for the government. If you were interested in buying one your best bet would be to try a medical supply store. The only thing written on them is… ROBOZ stainless germany.

When frogging ( over 1 with 1 strand of floss ) on 25 count or greater evenweave it makes it quick and easy. No snagged threads that get pulled under the weave. No accidentally cut fabric. Plus the clear tape gets rid of any floss fuzz that may become stuck to the surrounding fabric.

The above is for major frogging mishaps. For frogging ( over 2 with 2 strands of floss ) a single color/chart symbol I use my tapestry needle. As long as the area isn’t too big and I haven’t moved on to other colors before I’ve noticed the error. In either case I don't try to save the thread, unless it's using 2 strands and what I'm frogging is under 8 inches of thread. Otherwise it looks frizzy and worn.

This Weeks SBQ Meme.....

Today's SBQ was suggested by Danielle and is:

Do you find yourself stitching faster when you are getting to the end of a design?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blondelibrarian.net/stitching/archives/2007/02/sbq-smoking-needles/

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Faster, no. The frogs would come out to play if I did that. I do however find myself -- if it’s on the weekend -- stitching to the wee hours of the morning in an attempt to finish a design. I wish I could do that during the week, but zero sleep is not conducive to a productive day at work. [Ha Ha]

This Weeks SBQ Meme.....

Today's SBQ was suggested by Kathryn and is:

What is the smallest count fabric you have ever used? Did you stitch over one?
Conversely, what is the largest count fabric you have ever used?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blondelibrarian.net/stitching/archives/2007/02/fabric-count/

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Let's see, the smallest count fabric I’ve ever worked on was 30 count Cream Murano. Which is rather funny in a way, because it’s also the smallest project I stitched. A 1 cm x 1 cm (3/8 in. X 3/8 in.) petit point (over 1) rose bud square for my “I Love Cross Stitch” watch.

I had purchased the watch from www.whimsicalwatches.com but was disappointed with the cheap looking background picture inside the watch, so I designed a new one using Adobe Photoshop. I repainted the charms and added a floss bundle and fabric square. If you look at the background chart, the rose bud just above the magnifier is the same stitched rose bud below. The watch itself is 1-1/2 inches in diameter



The largest I’ve used was an 18 count needlepoint canvas. I stitched “Canvas Sampler #3” a stitch-along project from the PBS TV show “Needle Arts Studio with Shay Pendray”.

Trying to do a band sampler on canvas is – to put it bluntly NASTY!! I was unimpressed with the results and one of these days I’ll re-stitch it using 28 count even weave fabric. Here’s a picture of it as you won’t see it in my finished projects pages. It’s size is roughly 7 in. X 11 in.




Edited 2/22 to add: OPPS!!! How could I have forgotten – I’ve used 14 count Aida. So technically that’s the largest count I’ve used. And it just happens to be what I’m using for Le Marquoir - Il était une fois ( Once Upon A Time ).

This Weeks SBQ Meme.....

Today's SBQ was suggested by Renée and is:

Do you like to buy "chartpacks" that include charms, buttons, and/or
beads or do you prefer to gather all materials yourself?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blondelibrarian.net/stitching/archives/2007/02/sbq-and-psn/

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For the most part, if the “accessories” are non-specialized where you can pick them up at any Jo-Ann Fabric or Michael’s store, then I prefer to pick them out myself.

I don’t have stitching “accessories” like buttons or charms in my stash nor do I have a real LNS available in a 100 mile driving radius. Therefore if I want to buy “specialty accessories”, I have to order them on-line. As a result, if the chart pack is a "must have" and it already has "specialty accessories" included it's very convenient for me. The only downside, like Renée says, is that these types of specialty chart packs are a little on the pricy side. Which means you won’t find many in my stash collection.

This Weeks SBQ Meme.....

Today's SBQ was suggested by Danielle and is:

Have you ever been to a stitching retreat?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blondelibrarian.net/stitching/archives/2007/02/stitching-retreats/

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Nope, but I sure would like to go on one. But I don't see how as there are no local needlework shops in my neck of the woods. And traveling to get to a retreat is out of the question, as I live on the west coast and the ones I'd be interested in are all on the central and east side of the U.S.

This Weeks SBQ Meme.....

Today's SBQ was suggested by Danielle and is:

What company produces your favorite hand-dyed fabric? Are there any companies whose hand-dyed fabric you do not like? If so, why?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blondelibrarian.net/stitching/archives/2007/01/favorite-fabric/

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Odd, but it's just occured to me that I've never used hand-dyed fabrics for any of my projects. I do have a couple of 28 count evenweave sponged pieces by True Colors Publishing & Design, 1 baby blue & 1 light tea. But the coloring is so muted I doubt I'll ever use them for anything. Maybe if I were to see the hand-dyed fabric in-person instead of over the internet, I'd be more inclined to take a chance and buy a fat quarter. But at the moment I can't afford it in any case.

This Weeks SBQ Meme.....

Today's SBQ was suggested by Renée and is:

Have you had a happy dance yet this year? If so, tell us about it! (Or just point to the entry that talks about it.) If not, when do you predict it will be?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blondelibrarian.net/stitching/archives/2007/01/first-2007-happy-dance/

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Alas, no big happy dance as yet. I have however finished part 3 of “Once Upon A Time…” (Le Marquoir - Il était une fois) and will post a picture this Saturday. I’m hoping to finish my sister’s “To Love and Cherish” before this June for her first year anniversary. Then I’ll be do’in the snoopy dance! ;-)

This Weeks SBQ Meme.....

The first SBQ of 2007 is from Renée:

Do you dream of running your own LNS/ONS? If so, tell us about your dream. If not, tell us about your cross stitch dream… maybe you dream of designing, dyeing your own floss or fabric, etc.

The permalink to this post is:
http://blondelibrarian.net/stitching/archives/2007/01/first-2007-sbq/

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I’ve never dreamed of owning one, but working in one - yes! I almost had the chance a couple of years ago. But the owner had to close up shop because one of her not so trustworthy employees was ordering merchandise via her merchant’s account and walking out the front door without paying for it.

It’s a damn shame too, because she was the first shop in the last 20 years to open an LNS here. Now I either have to drive over 200 miles round trip or order my stuff on-line.

As for designing, I’d love to give it a shot. But how does one go about getting it published? Then there’s the time issue. I never seem to have enough with the purchased kits I’m working on now. So it’s probably going to be one of those – when I retire – dreams.