Monday, February 25, 2013

Confession: I'm a X Stitch Snob!

I started Cross Stitching when I was in college in 1987.  There was a cross stitch store in the small city where I went to college, full of charts of teddy bears and hearts and 14 count aida in a rainbow of colors.  Should I have studied more and cross stitched less?    

Probably!  

After stitching for years on 14 count, I made the change to higher count linen.  I loved my new  stitching look and discarded all my left over 14 count cloth.   


Recently someone gifted me a piece of 18 count.  I was never a fan of 18 count, what was I going to do with it? 

 I had printed out Pamela's free chart "BELIEVE"  (found HERE at Our Pioneer Homestead)  
I used 3 strands of hand dyed floss, stitched over 2 threads and backed the pillow with felted wool.  By stitching this way, the design measures approximately 5 1/2" by 15".  This was a perfect use for the 18 count!  Thank you Pam.  

Back to my usual higher count linen for this Stacy Nash design - Netty's Sampler Pinkeep Drum.  

This one still needs a bath in coffee to darken it a little bit.  

October word play by With thy Needle and Thread stitched on 32 count linen.  
I used hand-dyed floss on this pillow too - floss from Victorian Motto Sampler Shop - HERE

Here's the confession part - 
1.  There aren't enough hours in the day for me to keep up with my blog friend Marly of Samplers and Santas.  
2.  Her post showing off her Prairie Schooler Santas (found HERE) still has me drooling.  You MUST click the link and see her wonderful tree.  
3.  I haven't stitched on 14 count in at least 15 years, remember I'm a cross stitch snob!   




Using the Father Christmas Chart and 14 count I stitched my first 8 Santa's.  

I actually enjoyed stitching on 14 count again.  I think it might have something to do with the fact that I need bifocals....  

The Santa's are now sitting in my UFO pile.  I've come to the conclusion I wouldn't know what to do if I didn't have a UFO pile!  
~Ann 



15 comments:

  1. I love the Fall pillow case! Oh my, you have patience!

    Goedele

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  2. Love this post, all of your stitching is beautiful.

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  3. I love all your sweet stitching and I am agree with you..so much to do and so little time..
    Big hugs x

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  4. I love all your stitched pieces!I am just starting out but I am enjoying it very much.Hugs,Jen

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  5. Hi Ann. The Santa's are awesome. So is the Stacy Nash. I just love her designs. You have a right to be a stitchen snob:) After all, isn't that what you got your degree in? Ha ha. -Steph-

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  6. i have found that i like 18 ct. fiddler when i can't get linen. denise

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  7. Between family and work and making your baskets, I don't know how you have any time to stitch! But you've got quite a bit done. They're perfect. When I found the little rabbits, I was surprised at how perfect those little stitches were on 18 count over on. It made me get out my old Aida! I can stitch on the 18, but not on 36 linen over two. SO much more enjoyable!

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  8. Hi Ann, your stitching is stunning, you do such wonderful work! That is one thing I want to learn to do one day! You are an inspiration. hugs, Lecia

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  9. Oh I wouldn't say that about you. You just have your preference and that's allowed. Cross stitch wigs my eyes out so I just buy other's for my pleasure.

    Carol

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  10. Oh my word, Ann! Wish I had a UFO pile like yours!! Awesome stitching - I quite like 18ct!
    Best wishes
    Christine

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  11. Ann ~
    Great projects! I prefer linen, but I don't use anything smaller than 28 or 30 count. Even with bi-focals and my Ott, I don't think I could do smaller.
    Don't feel bad. NO ONE can keep up with that stitchin' fool Marly :)
    Hugs,
    Lauren

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  12. Wow! You have been very busy! The Santas are amazing...a half million years ago, I did two or three of them. Hmm...wonder where they are now.??? Love the Halloween pillow!
    Robyn

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  13. Your cross stitch creations are wonderful, Ann...I used to cross stitch years ago and wish I had more time to take it up again...too many irons in the fire...sigh. I'll just have to drool over yours!

    Hugs,
    Linda

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  14. I too am a cross stitch snob. My cross stitch love affair started in grade school. In college I discovered cross stitch on woven linen an haven't looked back!

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Thank you for visiting my blog. I'm so happy to "meet" you through blog land. ~Ann