Fancy Floss
Rachel
Thus far in my cross stitch experience, I have only used DMC cotton
floss. The other floss (flower, watercolor, and rayon, etc...) looks so
pretty and I would like to use something different, but am slightly
intimidated. What would be an appropriate project with which to
experiment? Should I look for a chart which calls for exotic floss or
can I substitute?
Thank you for your help.
Rachel
who is ready to branch out
Lula
Good for you! It's a lot of fun to experiment with threads other than
cotton floss.
You can substitute any threads for appropriate parts of a design to
create different effects.
Rayon floss is wonderful thread for highlighting parts of designs. Areas
where you would like something shinier or brighter to stand out the
surrounding stitched areas of floss.
For example, the hair on a figure might be enhanced stitched with a
shiny rayon.
The top sides of leaves on a plant would create a nice contrast in rayon
floss against the more matte look of cotton floss for the shaded areas
of a plant not reflecting light.
The overdyed threads can give many effects from subtle shadings to major
contrasts for decorative specialty stitching.
Some of the more subtle overdyed threads will give you light and dark
tones in the same thread --- a green overdyed thread makes for great
foliage stitching!
If you are not sure how to use the threads, consider a pattern or even a
kit that contains these threads and use them as the pattern directs you
to. Once you get the hang of it from seeing how they look on the pattern
and gain more confidence, you'll be creating your own stitching special
effects with these fancy threads!
Check out the following web sites for ideas on using different threads.
These sites will give a lot of info on different threads and ideas to
get you going!
http://www.kreinik.com
http://www.caron-net.com/
http://stitching.com/needlenecessities/
http://www.rainbowgallery.com/
---
Lula from Wooly Dreams Design
http:home.earthlink.net/~woolydream/
Jegaudreau
Hi Rachel,
I had seen some of the Watercolors threads in the local
cross stitch store and bought several colors. The clerk
recommended several Sekas Ornament books to start out with
and they were great. The ornaments work up quickly, you
get a good feel for how the fibers will look in a small pattern,
and you get to see the results quickly. I liked them so much,
I ended up buying two more of the ornament books. Give it a try,
I think you'll enjoy working with the Watercolors.
June in PA
Teresa
Rachel wrote:
>
> Thus far in my cross stitch experience, I have only used DMC cotton
> floss. The other floss (flower, watercolor, and rayon, etc...) looks so
> pretty and I would like to use something different, but am slightly
> intimidated. What would be an appropriate project with which to
> experiment? Should I look for a chart which calls for exotic floss or
> can I substitute?
>
> Thank you for your help.
>
> Rachel
> who is ready to branch out
Dear Rachel:
A great way to begin to sue these fancy fibers is with the many Sekas
Watercolour charts. They are not difficult but give you both a feel for
the threads and also some exposure- with very good diagrams- to
specialty stitches.
Teresa/LadyDoc
Pat Gonzales
> Thus far in my cross stitch experience, I have only used DMC cotton
> floss. The other floss (flower, watercolor, and rayon, etc...) looks so
> pretty and I would like to use something different, but am slightly
> intimidated. What would be an appropriate project with which to
> experiment? Should I look for a chart which calls for exotic floss or
> can I substitute?
>
My first plunge into non-DMC/Anchor flosses is a band sampler by Charland
Designs (I think that's correct?), where I'm using Needle Necessities (?)
overdyed floss, Caron Watercolors and Caron Waterlilies, not to mention
perle cotton. :-) I just started the first band over Christmas, and it
looks lovely! It does have "regular" floss too, but uses the others in the
bands.
I recall using the (new at the time) DMC rayon floss a number of years ago,
for a Christmas design on black Aida, and it looked lovely but was a big
time pain to work with, so I abandoned it. I guess I will dig it back out
once I've been through some more stitching. :-)
Pat G.
X/USA-KY/-/-/-/- :-(/X/S/:-P~/L/G-/W+/D/M/B+/b/R?/S/K/E+/C?/J?/Richard Dean
Anderson,Anne McAllister & Dick Francis/cupcakes
NETBONNIE
In article <34A619...@earthlink.net>, Lula <wooly...@earthlink.net>
writes:
>Good for you! It's a lot of fun to
>experiment with threads other than
cotton floss.
You can substitute any
>threads for appropriate parts of a design to
create different
>effects.>
When I was in the stiching shop in Cape May this weekend, the shop owner and I
were talking about Needlepointers vs. Cross Stitchers. She commented that
Needlepointers are more likely to experiment and substitute floss (colors,
types etc). I was in the process of completely switching a chart around and
"creating" the effect I wanted with floss etc.
Her comment was that cross stitcher (that is people who mostly or initially
cross stitch as opposed to people who mostly or initially needlepoint) are more
likely to do a chart exactly as planned. She said she even had a lady who
asked if it was alright to change the name in a baby sampler chart because that
wasn't the name of the baby she was doing it for!
Well folks, I know we had a thread similar to this a while back but with so
many new people, I thought it would be fun to open it up again. Are you a XS or
NP and how do you feel about changes - floss color or fiber, design changes
etc.
Since I usually design my own needlepoint designs, I guess I don't think twice
about changing XS charts or colors.
Bonnie
(Bon-Bon)
Carol Ann Sunde
Well, I started out with needlepoint, some thirty years ago, and only tried
x-stitch on a whim. I far prefer cross stitch. Needlepoint canvases---good ones
anyway---- have become so expensive that I hesitate to experiment. But x stitch on
the other hand, because I only buy charts, have a huge inventory of threads, and
purchase fabric by the yard, if an experiment doesn't work out, I sometimes just
throw it over one shoulder and forget it. (I'm ashamed to admit this) My thrifty
grandmothers would be outraged. By the way, like everyone else (I think) I have
about a zillion projects lined up. If I could live to stitch everything I see I
want to stitch, would be about 2000 years old. Just saw Cathie Farr's fantasy
designs, and have a whole new wish list. Oh no. Somebody tell me how to stop
buying, it's compulsive. I even have 6 or 7 Miribilia designs, complete with
fabric, specialty threads, and beads waiting to go. Anyone want to be in my
will????? Would be good way to make sure it didn't go to waste.
Lula
That's the same comment I've heard from many shopowners across the
country and other needlework people in the business and also something
I've seen first hand.
Needlepointers are less bound by the so called "rules" of stitching.
As a group, people who mainly do needlepoint don't even bat an eye at
changing colors and threads to suit their canvases.
---
Lula from Wooly Dreams Design
NETBONNIE wrote:
>
the shop owner and I
> were talking about Needlepointers vs. Cross Stitchers. She commented that
> Needlepointers are more likely to experiment and substitute floss (colors,
> types etc). I was in the process of completely switching a chart around and
> "creating" the effect I wanted with floss etc.
> Her comment was that cross stitcher (that is people who mostly or initially
> cross stitch as opposed to people who mostly or initially needlepoint) are more
> likely to do a chart exactly as planned.
> Are you a XS or NP and how do you feel about changes - floss color or fiber, design changes
Bee Queen
I am a XS and usually don't change the pattern or fibers that are
originally called for. But I do have a habit of changing the background
color ie fabric color. My mind's eye always wants to put blue sky
behind birds flying or gray walls to the castle. Since I've been
reading the newsgroup, I have become more willing to change the colors
and fibers.
Of course, there are several pieces I wish I had changed during and
after stitching. And there is always the problem with the model
pictured not matching the finished project. I love MLI's Rose of
Sharon, but the photo made the blues in her dress look more tourquois.
Overall, I guess I'm still in the "I liked it the way I saw it why
change it" line. But I'm not usually trying to match a bedspread or
wedding theme. If I read much more, I'm sure I'll be headed into the
"change is great" line.
Bee Queen
X/USA/S/-/1D,8B/Z/XDPRHpBw/32-16 anything/D/
:-X~/H/M+/B++/b/R?/S/Kc/E/L&S/G/W-/-/-/
David Duchovny & Dillon McDermott/A. Christie/
dill pickles and boiled peanuts
NETBONNIE wrote:
>
> When I was in the stiching shop in Cape May this weekend, the shop owner and I
> were talking about Needlepointers vs. Cross Stitchers. She commented that
> Needlepointers are more likely to experiment and substitute floss (colors,
> types etc). I was in the process of completely switching a chart around and
> "creating" the effect I wanted with floss etc.
> Her comment was that cross stitcher (that is people who mostly or initially
> cross stitch as opposed to people who mostly or initially needlepoint) are more
> likely to do a chart exactly as planned. She said she even had a lady who
> asked if it was alright to change the name in a baby sampler chart because that
> wasn't the name of the baby she was doing it for!
>
> Well folks, I know we had a thread similar to this a while back but with so
> many new people, I thought it would be fun to open it up again. Are you a XS or
Bee Queen
Carol Ann Sunde wrote:
>
> Well, I started out with needlepoint, some thirty years ago, and only tried
> x-stitch on a whim. I far prefer cross stitch. Needlepoint canvases---good ones
> anyway---- have become so expensive that I hesitate to experiment. But x stitch on
> the other hand, because I only buy charts, have a huge inventory of threads, and
> purchase fabric by the yard, if an experiment doesn't work out, I sometimes just
> throw it over one shoulder and forget it. (I'm ashamed to admit this) My thrifty
> grandmothers would be outraged. By the way, like everyone else (I think) I have
> about a zillion projects lined up. If I could live to stitch everything I see I
> want to stitch, would be about 2000 years old. Just saw Cathie Farr's fantasy
> designs, and have a whole new wish list. Oh no. Somebody tell me how to stop
> buying, it's compulsive. I even have 6 or 7 Miribilia designs, complete with
> fabric, specialty threads, and beads waiting to go. Anyone want to be in my
> will????? Would be good way to make sure it didn't go to waste.
Me! Me! I volunteer to be in your will!!! My family has gone through
several deaths in the last few months. I have told my friends and
relatives that they have to bring all the bigger, nicer pieces I've done
and "loaned" them to the memorial/funeral services and display them
along side the flowers. After the service there will be a huge room
filled will my supplies. The takers are let loose and have to grab what
they want in 2 minutes flat. I figure it'll be a like mud wrestling
without the mud. As much as I own at 29, I figure by mid 80's (which
the recent deceased all made) I could outfit an entire store. :-) I'm
always looking for more stash! I have a funeral to make interesting.
Bee Queen
"Buzz-buzz a buzz-buzz, baby" John Belusi
Ali866
In article <19980106165...@ladder02.news.aol.com>, netb...@aol.com
(NETBONNIE) writes:
> Are you a XS or
NP and how do you feel about changes - floss color or fiber,
>design changes
etc.
I do both. I haven't done much experimenting lately, because I am trying to
build up my stash after having gone a stitching hiatus for about 10 years. I
have been known to change colors, though, and will probably get into changing
things around as I get more stash to plow through.
Ali ;-)
If it's tourist season, why can't we shoot them?
Gizmo 4 Me
>Are you a XS or
>NP and how do you feel about changes - floss color or fiber, design changes
>etc.
Bonnie,
I am a cross stitcher.
I constantly change designs! I also many times combine areas of one with
another, etc. Since I am a believer of "personalizing" items, I often try to
put something of myself, or, if it's a gift, whoever it's for, into the
pattern, also. For my grandchildren, I've done "Dustin's Room" added to a
re-arranged pattern, for example.
If there's an area I want high-lighted, I many times change to, or add,
metallic or nylon floss. I sometimes wish I was more creative so that I could
further enhance the original design.
Just some thoughts,
Carol D. in Colorado
Sherry
I mean I wasn't suppose to change fabric, floss and even the design itself?!?
LOL.
I have never followed anyone's designs completely. I like to make everything
I do a bit of me. I guess I'm just a bit of a rebel.
-Sherry
Currently in rotation: TW "Nigth"; TW "Castle"; Mirabilia "Sleeping Beauty";
Diana Thomas "New World Map"
Steve and Terri
NETBONNIE (netb...@aol.com) wrote:
:
: When I was in the stiching shop in Cape May this weekend, the shop owner and I
: were talking about Needlepointers vs. Cross Stitchers. She commented that
: Needlepointers are more likely to experiment and substitute floss (colors,
: types etc). I was in the process of completely switching a chart around and
: "creating" the effect I wanted with floss etc.
: Her comment was that cross stitcher (that is people who mostly or initially
: cross stitch as opposed to people who mostly or initially needlepoint) are more
: likely to do a chart exactly as planned. She said she even had a lady who
: asked if it was alright to change the name in a baby sampler chart because that
: wasn't the name of the baby she was doing it for!
I can understand why the shop owner might think this -- a lot of
needlepointers are used to picking out their own threads (assuming they
have a shop where the shop owner encourages this! :-D) Stitchers who
start with counted cross stitch are following charts that specify a
certain color of a certain thread, and they don't get practice picking out
suitable alternatives from the chart. (Unless they get a chart like some
of Thea Dueck's, where she'll provide guidelines for doing a piece in ecru
instead of white, and changing supporting colors to go with different main
colors.)
Perhaps the reason I'm not afraid to make all sorts of changes (some of
which work, and some of which don't :-P) is that I didn't start with
either NP or XS -- I started with surface embroidery, knitting, crochet,
sewing, etc., and was designing my own pieces when I was pretty young.
I don't think it's necessarily bad to stitch a chart as written -- I've
posted about just how perfect the star sapphire-colored linen is for
Mermaid of the Pearls, for example. I do different kinds of stitching for
different reasons, though. In the case of Mermaid of the Pearls, I'm
doing the piece because I know my daughter will love her and appreciate
how beautiful she is, so I'm not tempted to make many changes (although I
will admit to changing her hair color a little bit -- to make it closer to
DD's.) It's also therapeutic -- just working with form and color and
texture when I'm tired and stressed makes me feel better. I don't feel as
great an urge to create at times like that -- I want to just stitch
something beautiful.
Perhaps it would be nice if creative interpretation of charted designs
were more encouraged -- but there are people who don't want that. (There
are also plenty of needlepointers who would prefer to be handed the yarn
and the preprinted/painted canvas.) The stitching itself fills a need...
Terri
--
Terri Carl
ter...@neosoft.com
X/USA/H++/X4Y12/4C/XNHtD/0 & new F/:-X/L/G & G-/Wo/D or A, always
S/M/B/b-/R++++++++/S++/K-/E///R1B2/Harrison Ford (this week)/Carl Hiaasen
(this week)/ALWAYS chocolate
biig
I think this may be true. I'm a cross stitcher and rarely change
a colour or colours. This is because I only choose patterns that are
pleasing to my eye which means that the original colours are ones that
speak to me and no changes are necessary........Sharon
NETBONNIE wrote:
>
> In article <34A619...@earthlink.net>, Lula <wooly...@earthlink.net>
> writes:
>
> >Good for you! It's a lot of fun to
> >experiment with threads other than
> cotton floss.
> You can substitute any
> >threads for appropriate parts of a design to
> create different
> >effects.>
>
> When I was in the stiching shop in Cape May this weekend, the shop owner and I
> were talking about Needlepointers vs. Cross Stitchers. She commented that
> Needlepointers are more likely to experiment and substitute floss (colors,
> types etc). I was in the process of completely switching a chart around and
> "creating" the effect I wanted with floss etc.
> Her comment was that cross stitcher (that is people who mostly or initially
> cross stitch as opposed to people who mostly or initially needlepoint) are more
> likely to do a chart exactly as planned. She said she even had a lady who
> asked if it was alright to change the name in a baby sampler chart because that
> wasn't the name of the baby she was doing it for!
>
> Well folks, I know we had a thread similar to this a while back but with so
> many new people, I thought it would be fun to open it up again. Are you a XS or
> NP and how do you feel about changes - floss color or fiber, design changes
> etc.
>
Chris Braun
On 6 Jan 1998 20:28:18 GMT, ter...@neosoft.com (Steve and Terri)
wrote:
<snip>
>Stitchers who
>start with counted cross stitch are following charts that specify a
>certain color of a certain thread, and they don't get practice picking out
>suitable alternatives from the chart.
I had an interesting experience that got me past worrying about this
in a hurry. My second project -- after a cat kit from the Stitchery
-- was a baby sampler for a new nephew. I had begun reading RCTN and
figured out about evenweaves, buying charts rather than kits, etc.,
so I found a stitching shop and picked out the Permin "Simone" baby
sampler and a big piece of Jobelan to stitch it on. I then opened the
chart to pull the floss and discovered that there was no list of floss
colors in the chart -- nor in any of the other 2-3 copies of the chart
in the shop nor in the 2-3 copies of a similar Permin chart (BTW, I
have no idea why, or if all of these charts were made this way). So
anyway, I started comparing symbols on the chart to the finished
picture and trying to select similar colors -- a **very** big job.
But after a bit of this I said to myself, "Wait a minute! The one
reservation I had about this chart was the bland color scheme. I
don't have to do it the same way!" So I just bought lots of colors I
liked for a baby piece and started in, occasionally buying more when I
wanted something else different. (This chart consists of around 20
different pictures in a sort of collage, so they could have different
colors than one another.)
While I was at it, I also added in some blending filament and changed
the border.
It came out great, I think! And the baby's parents seem to agree. (I
can't tell about the kid -- he's not talking much yet.)
(Yeah, this was a sort of big second project -- I'm a risk taker :-)
).
Chris
Diane
I started with NP, switched to XS (which I greatly prefer), but still do
both. You mean we're suppossed to use the color keys for more than stitch
placement guidelines?;-) Geez, no wonder my finished pieces never look like
the samples! Oh, well, they're in the preferred color scheme of the final
owner, and IMHO that and the pleasure of the stitcher (and reciever) are
what matters most.
Oh, BTW Carol, I too, am a member in solid standing of the 2000 club! Isn't
it fun. (I haven't had the nerve to see Cathie Farr's site yet, I know I'll
bust the budget for sure from all that I have heard.)Any other members out
there? I know there's gotta be. I could use a good home for my stash I
leave behind, too.
Keep stitching and stashing.
Diane Enchantments
Carol Ann Sunde wrote in message <34B26848...@bellsouth.net>...
John or Jenn Ridley
rs...@inav.net (Sherry) wrote:
>I mean I wasn't suppose to change fabric, floss and even the design itself?!?
>LOL.
>-Sherry
>
I'm with Sherry...I think I might have done ONE chart exactly as
printed (except for "variations), but that's it. I've changed
colorways, used rayon/overdyes in place of DMC, changed fabric colors,
swapped aida for evenweave and vice versa, replaced boring X's with
specialty stitched when appropriate, and altered designs til I like
them. To me, the suggested fabric is just that--suggested.
And I don't do NP--I hate stitching on taut fabric--although that may
change when I get more time, because I want to do some Jean Hilton
designs.
jenn
---
Jenn Ridley
jri...@ix.netcom.com
Rotaub
>Are you a XS or
>NP and how do you feel about changes - floss color or fiber, design changes
>etc
I do NP and mostly geometric patterns so have never felt constricted by the
color or fiber that is called for, but instead use what will give me the effect
I am looking for.
Rosemary
NETBONNIE
In article <68u452$iie$1...@uuneo.neosoft.com>, ter...@neosoft.com (Steve and
Terri) writes:
>>I don't think it's necessarily bad
>to stitch a chart as written --
SNIP
It's also therapeutic -- just working with form and
>color and
texture when I'm tired and stressed makes me feel better. I don't
>feel as
great an urge to create at times like that -- I want to just
>stitch
something beautiful.
Perhaps it would be nice if creative
>interpretation of charted designs
were more encouraged -- but there are
>people who don't want that. (There
are also plenty of needlepointers who
>would prefer to be handed the yarn
and the preprinted/painted canvas.) The
>stitching itself fills a need...
L>
I hope I didn't imply that there was anything wrong with NOT changing anything,
because I certainly didn't mean to. I agree, as someone who designs most of
what I do, it's nice to follow a chart and not "think" about it. It is
definitely relaxing in a different way.
I apologize if I inadvertently offended anyone.
Bonnie
(Bon-Bon)
Ruby Scott
On 6 Jan 1998 16:54:52 GMT, netb...@aol.com (NETBONNIE) wrote:
>In article <34A619...@earthlink.net>, Lula <wooly...@earthlink.net>
>writes:
>
>>Good for you! It's a lot of fun to
>>experiment with threads other than
>cotton floss.
>You can substitute any
>>threads for appropriate parts of a design to
>create different
>>effects.>
>
>When I was in the stiching shop in Cape May this weekend, the shop owner and I
>were talking about Needlepointers vs. Cross Stitchers. She commented that
>Needlepointers are more likely to experiment and substitute floss (colors,
>types etc). I was in the process of completely switching a chart around and
>"creating" the effect I wanted with floss etc.
> Her comment was that cross stitcher (that is people who mostly or initially
>cross stitch as opposed to people who mostly or initially needlepoint) are more
>likely to do a chart exactly as planned. She said she even had a lady who
>asked if it was alright to change the name in a baby sampler chart because that
>wasn't the name of the baby she was doing it for!
>
>Well folks, I know we had a thread similar to this a while back but with so
>many new people, I thought it would be fun to open it up again. Are you a XS or
>NP and how do you feel about changes - floss color or fiber, design changes
>etc.
>
>Since I usually design my own needlepoint designs, I guess I don't think twice
>about changing XS charts or colors.
>
>
>Bonnie
>(Bon-Bon)
I like to use punch embroidery yarn in cross stitch designs eg. the
fur on santas hat, snow mans scarf etc. i also use a shimmery punch
embroidery yarn( it looks more like plastic wrap) as a blending
filaments to highlight patches of ice, angle wings etc
Teri Rasmussen George
On 6 Jan 1998 16:54:52 GMT, netb...@aol.com (NETBONNIE) wrote:
>When I was in the stiching shop in Cape May this weekend, the shop owner and I
>were talking about Needlepointers vs. Cross Stitchers. She commented that
>Needlepointers are more likely to experiment and substitute floss (colors,
>types etc).
Makes sense to me. Since needlepointers are given the freedom to
choose the stitches which they fill their canvas with, it only makes
sense that they'd feel more free about choosing the colors, too.
>She said she even had a lady who
>asked if it was alright to change the name in a baby sampler chart because that
>wasn't the name of the baby she was doing it for!
<laugh> Well, cross-stitchers or not, you'll always find people who
ask questions like that!
Teri ~~ http://www.craftsoft.com for the new CraftSoft
Embroidery Floss Color & Conversion Chart
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
An emerald leaf pierces the crusty white mantle.
Softly green, a bud lifts its head and opens
Raising petals of alabaster satin to the sun.
A snow rose blooms...
Teri Rasmussen George
>rs...@inav.net (Sherry) wrote:
>>I mean I wasn't suppose to change fabric, floss and even the design itself?!?
>>LOL.
>I'm with Sherry...I think I might have done ONE chart exactly as
>printed (except for "variations), but that's it.
I don't think I've even done one chart exactly as printed, not even on
my first chart when I was about 16 or so.
Anne Gwin
In article <34b3a157...@news.sprint.ca>,
snow...@nospam.craftsoft.com wrote:
> >She said she even had a lady who
> >asked if it was alright to change the name in a baby sampler chart
because that
> >wasn't the name of the baby she was doing it for!
>
> <laugh> Well, cross-stitchers or not, you'll always find people who
> ask questions like that!
I usta *hate* working box-office at AggieCon--at least once every two
hours, somebody'd come up and say, "What time's the midnight movie?"
AustinAnne
'course regular constaff has its own problems...
--
Machine shared by Anne Gwin (agwin*AT*mail.utexas.edu) and Nyarlathotep (nyarlathotep*AT*mail.utexas.edu). Sometimes we forget to change the name on the post.
<Discussing an image of a black rectangle silhouetted against the Martian landscape> "That is the top of the calibration target, that is _not_ in fact a monolith."--NASA TV commentator, 7/5/97
"This life is slow suicide, unless you read."
--Lt. Tom Keefer, The Caine Mutiny.
Catharine Lawhon
Rachel,
I absolutely love using fibers other than cotton floss. Unlike some of the
stitchers here, I really enjoy stitching with rayons, in particular. I have
written a short article describing my techniques for working with rayons
and metallics, which is posted on my website. Please feel free to print out
a copy of the article for yourself. I use these exciting fibers in
practically everything I design, and it is definitely worth a little effort
to figure out what works well for you. I guess I'm a bit addicted to
sparkle and shine, so I also add beads to most of my pieces. I can hardly
wait to publish my next few patterns, which I've just stitched. It's really
exciting to see how the different textures and materials look !
--
Go to http://www.needlearts.com/jazzbird/index.html for a very colorful
experience!
Catharine.......{-;
Jazzbird Designs
Lula
Hi Catharine--
I absolutely adore rayon floss on the silk gauze canvas I'm stitching.
Originally, I had planned to use many silk colors for the picture I'm
creating as I go along but have switched more to the rayon flosses
because I love the brilliance of the colors.
So far, I've been using one strand of DMC rayon floss which fits
perfectly on 40 mesh silk gauze.
I just started looking at the Marlitt rayon floss from Anchor for added
colors and expanding my color palette of rayon flosses to choose from.
The rayon floss colors from the two brands complement each other very
well.
Like you, I'm another stitcher that doesn't have a problem with working
rayon threads.
I just use short lengths and stitch smoothly.
Rotaub
Catherine,
I first used rayon on a NP pillow about 8 years ago duing a time when I was not
in contact with other stitchers. I did not know it was difficult to work with
and have had only minor problems when I have used it. Last year I did a stitch
sampler almost completely with Patina - a rainbow gallery rayon. I do love the
sheen that it gives to the piece.
Rosemary
PK
hey there...
my very first project ever was a cross stitch of the Brownie Promise, but I
didn't bother to count back then... I think it was just lumped into
"embroiderry" and I hated doing it most of the time.
Now, needlepoint... I started needlepoint when I was 13 and never stopped.
At first, and this is a lonnnnnnng while ago (I *still* have wools with the
original price tag of 69¢, and this is a full hank!!!!! more than three
fistfulls! ack. At some point one's stash becomes heritage, not to be used,
ever, don't you think??? ;-) ) I think there was a period of time when most
needlepointers would only do tent stitch, however. Probably because back
then the department stores (yes, almost every department store sold
needlepoint canvases and wools) sold mainly prestitched (petitpoint
centers) projects (chair seats?) and the ladies who bought them and pointed
would simply do tent to fill in the background.
I was satisfied with all that.... I liked just poking my needle in
everywhere! You could invent all these crazy looking stitches and
effects... and the holes in the canvas just sat there and invited it! (I
thought I was a rebel then... I had no clue that there were thousands of
other stitchers out there happily pointing away doing all sorts of
interesting things other than tent).
These days I just love working with a new stiff roll of 13 or 18... it just
looks like a wonderful blank easel I can spill my fiber "paints" upon....
But back to the original post... I don't have any clue about which one
(pointers or crossers) as a group is more open to experimentation... I
would assume that the "newbie" crosser, just like the "newbie" pointer,
would tend to do exactly as instructed, until they felt comfortable in the
medium. At that point, it all depends on their natural inclinations....!
And I wouldn't even want to think about which group would have more of an
inclination at that point! After all, we all rather creative in our own
ways, right????
cheers!!!!!!
Peri K.
ph...@west.net
http://www.west.net/~phar/stitch/
handy stuff for rctn'ers, pics, tips, and lots of other fun stuff!
http://www.west.net/~phar/stitch/Market/
a place to get more stash or lighten your load
NETBONNIE <netb...@aol.com> wrote in article
<19980106165...@ladder02.news.aol.com>...
: In article <34A619...@earthlink.net>, Lula <wooly...@earthlink.net>
: writes:
:
: >Good for you! It's a lot of fun to
: >experiment with threads other than
: cotton floss.
: You can substitute any
: >threads for appropriate parts of a design to
: create different
: >effects.>
:
: When I was in the stiching shop in Cape May this weekend, the shop owner
and I
: were talking about Needlepointers vs. Cross Stitchers. She commented
that
: Needlepointers are more likely to experiment and substitute floss
(colors,
: types etc). I was in the process of completely switching a chart around
and
: "creating" the effect I wanted with floss etc.
: Her comment was that cross stitcher (that is people who mostly or
initially
: cross stitch as opposed to people who mostly or initially needlepoint)
are more
: likely to do a chart exactly as planned. She said she even had a lady
who
: asked if it was alright to change the name in a baby sampler chart
because that
: wasn't the name of the baby she was doing it for!
:
: Well folks, I know we had a thread similar to this a while back but with
:
PK
Anne Gwin <ag...@mail.utexas.edu> wrote in article
<agwin-07019...@dial-90-12.ots.utexas.edu>...
: In article <34b3a157...@news.sprint.ca>,
: snow...@nospam.craftsoft.com wrote:
: > >She said she even had a lady who
: > >asked if it was alright to change the name in a baby sampler chart
because that
: > >wasn't the name of the baby she was doing it for!
: > ask questions like that!
: I usta *hate* working box-office at AggieCon--at least once every two
: hours, somebody'd come up and say, "What time's the midnight movie?"
or...
What's the ABC in American Broadcasting Corporation's logo stand for???
Peri K.
handy stuff for rctn'ers, pics, tips, and lots of other fun stuff!
http://www.west.net/~phar/stitch/
trade stash!
http://www.west.net/~phar/stitch/Market/
Cathy Lowrey
or - who's buried in Grant's tomb?
Cathy in Vancouver
PK wrote >: I usta *hate* working box-office at AggieCon--at least once
Cindy Brown
My own personal favorite (and most people get it wrong)
What color was George Washington's white horse?
Les and Elaine
When my mother worked at an Oregon coast Chamber of Commerce, during
whale watching season, she was asked,
"What time do the whales come by"
Her answer,
"About noon"
Elaine
Lynnwood, WA
Betty Christophy
Unless the whales' watches are running fast.
: )
--
****************************************************
Betty Christophy
"i feel like ee cummings at a punctuation festival
***************************************************
MaryPulver
In article <34B694...@pacibm.org>, Cindy Brown <Cindy...@pacibm.org>
writes:
>My own personal favorite (and most people get it wrong)
What color was
>George Washington's white horse?
Is the answer: Gray?
(If I'm right, I'll explain.)
Mary Monica
Where are we going? And why am I in this handbasket?
Kimberly Anne Marie
: Anne Gwin <ag...@mail.utexas.edu> wrote in article
: <agwin-07019...@dial-90-12.ots.utexas.edu>...
: : I usta *hate* working box-office at AggieCon--at least once every two
: : hours, somebody'd come up and say, "What time's the midnight movie?"
Depending on the theatre you are going to, this isn't necessarily a stupid
question. The single-screen places tend to actually have them at
midnight, but it would cause too much congestion at the multi-screen
places. Thus, the "midnight" movie could very well start at 11:15, 11:30,
or 12:15, as well as actually starting at 12:00.
I know, I take all the fun out of making fun of people :) To be
honest, I still feel stupid calling to ask, even knowing this, but if you
ask when the late show is, they will give you the time for the last
"regular" show (i.e. 9:45 of whatever).
--
kam...@yakko.cs.wmich.edu I would feel infinitely more comfortable in your
Kimberly Anne Marie presence if you would agree to treat gravity as
Makouski Rowan-Leigh a law, rather than one of a number of suggested
send me koosas! and Lego! options. (no junk mail!) (Barnabas to Delirium)
Kimberly Anne Marie
MaryPulver <maryp...@aol.com> wrote:
: In article <34B694...@pacibm.org>, Cindy Brown <Cindy...@pacibm.org>
: writes:
: >My own personal favorite (and most people get it wrong)
: What color was
: >George Washington's white horse?
: Is the answer: Gray?
Yes, it is. When I was at Girl Scout camp working on a horse lovers badge
we spent half the time actually working with the horses, and the other
half in a classroom setting learning anatomy, medical care, and many other
things. At the beginning of each classroom segment we would have a short
quiz to be sure we understood what was taught the day before. A good half
of the campers got caught on this one. Most of the people that got it
wrong did it in the traditional way by saying white, but a few just didn't
get it at all and guessed. (I would bet that a couple people that got it
right only did so because they made lucky guesses.)
Kotchka
XS or NP?... hmmm
depends on the mood.
Color - who said the designers choices were set in stone?????
I've even been getting adventurous enough to change dress colors in big
pictures (As soon as I start the Midsummer's Fairy)
Ground fabric - whatever fits the piece be it Np canvas, a different
colored linen or whatever.
And who ever said that the design was immutable -- especially if there are
printing errors!
(But then I always have been a bit off-beat)
--
Kotchka
---
mailto:kot...@steeds.com , mailto:sand...@erols.com
X/USA/H+++/Y8,Y4,Y2/3C/CT,H,X,N,Q/O,S,Q/:-X/L,P/G-/Wsometimes/Misc.Fibers/M+
/B-/b-/R+mood/S-/Kc/E++/CJneutral/VDH,Janice Love, chocolate covered
peanuts
WE are the music makers
and
WE are the dreamers of dreams
-- Willy Wonka
NETBONNIE <netb...@aol.com> wrote in article
<19980106165...@ladder02.news.aol.com>...
| <snip>
Kotchka
Carol Ann Sunde <bra...@bellsouth.net> wrote in article
<34B26848...@bellsouth.net>...
| <snip>
I even have 6 or 7 Miribilia designs, complete with
| fabric, specialty threads, and beads waiting to go. Anyone want to be in
my
| will????? Would be good way to make sure it didn't go to waste.
|
| NETBONNIE wrote:
|
|
Ooh, ooh pick me pick me!!!!
Brian & Andrea Carew
You mean you are supposed to FOLLOW instructions?
I heard someone (probably my Dad) say once "if at first u don't succeed,
read the instructions" I do all my craft that way!
I do crochet, sewing, candlewicking, embroidery and a little bit of x-stitch
and for all of these I don't worry if I don't know the Anchor-DMC
conversion, or have the colour the pattern/instructions call for, I just go
to my stash of cheap "no-name" floss/crochet cotton/etc. and choose a colour
I like, or if I can't find one I have even been known to use floss for
candlewicking and use floss for sewing and use sewing cotton and floss in
the same piece of embroidery ;-)
In fact, a lot of my craft does not come from patterns, I just get ideas and
sort of make it up as I go along <grin>
Andrea, from Australia.
(who, due to the absence of "craft police", does her own thing, including
LICKING my floss/thread)
Teri Rasmussen George wrote in message <34b3a215...@news.sprint.ca>...
MaryPulver
In article <69729m$fe5$1...@news.news.wmich.edu>, Kimberly Anne Marie
<kam...@yakko.cs.wmich.edu> writes:
> What color was
: >George Washington's white horse?
: Is the answer: Gray?
>Yes, it is.
"Gray" arabian horses are born black -- so, I assume are other breeds. Then as
they mature the color lightens until it's gray, which continues to lighten
until the horse is pure white. They go through some very pretty stages, such
as pale gray with black lower legs, nose, ears, mane and tail. And until the
horse is really aged, there are usually black hairs in the mane and tail.
NYoung5585
>maryp...@aol.com (MaryPulver)
>Date: Sat, Jan 10, 1998 20:54 EST
>Message-id: <19980111015...@ladder02.news.aol.com>
>
>
>"Gray" arabian horses are born black -- so, I assume are other breeds. Then
>as
>they mature the color lightens until it's gray, which continues to lighten
>until the horse is pure white. They go through some very pretty stages, such
>as pale gray with black lower legs, nose, ears, mane and tail. And until the
>horse is really aged, there are usually black hairs in the mane and tail.
>
>Mary Monica
>
>Where are we going? And why am I in this handbasket?
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Most grey foals of other breeds are born grey.
Nancy Young
NYoun...@aol.com
If man could be crossed with the cat, it would improve man, but it would
deteriorate the cat. -Mark Twain
NYoung5585
>In article <69729m$fe5$1...@news.news.wmich.edu>, Kimberly Anne Marie
><kam...@yakko.cs.wmich.edu> writes:
>> What color was
>: >George Washington's white horse?
>
>
There is no such animal as a white horse(unless it's an albino), just very pale
grey. Can't remember why that is or where I read it, but it is true.
Richardson
A friend of ours used to be the resident minister at Kings Canyon-Sequoia
National Parks in California. He collected questions that *Ted Turons*
(tourist-moron=turon) would seriously ask the rangers:
How often do you clean the moss off the trees?
When do you let the bears out for the summer?
Where do you store Morro Rock? (which is a huge monolith that can be seen
from the Central Valley approach all the way up into the mountains)
The answer to above question they would give: In Morro Cave (which is a
large underground cavern available for even the non-professional
spelunkers)
and our favorite: How many undiscovered caves are in the Park?
--
Patty in Oregon (where we are having a very rare blizzard - no trip to
the Art Museum today - hope they'll take the exhibition tickets back!)
"So delicate with her needle; an admirable musician;
O! she will sing the savageness out of a bear." (Wm. Shakespeare)
Dennis & Karen Eichorst
Richardson wrote:
>
> A friend of ours used to be the resident minister at Kings Canyon-Sequoia
> National Parks in California. He collected questions that *Ted Turons*
> (tourist-moron=turon) would seriously ask the rangers:
> How often do you clean the moss off the trees?
> When do you let the bears out for the summer?
> Where do you store Morro Rock? (which is a huge monolith that can be seen
> from the Central Valley approach all the way up into the mountains)
> The answer to above question they would give: In Morro Cave (which is a
> large underground cavern available for even the non-professional
> spelunkers)
> and our favorite: How many undiscovered caves are in the Park?
> --
My parents used to work in Yellowstone National Park, at Fishing Bridge
(from which you can no longer fish, BTW). It's on the east side of the
park. People were constantly asking when Old Faithful would erupt
next. (It has a rough schedule of between 50 an 75 minutes or so
between eruptions, which changes based on time and quantity of the
preceding eruption.) Their standard answer to the question was, "If you
leave now, you'll just make it." And they called them "touroids"- kind
of the tourists from outer space...
Karen E., Rochester, NY
--
X/USA/H++/X4,Y2/B1,f~60/X,H,N,T,crochet/0,S,F/recovering
:-D~/P/G-/W+/D/M/B/b/R?/S+ (band)/K/E/C+/J/Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson,
Rowan Atkinson/currently, David Eddings/Lays potato chips/
"We did _not_ survive a NUCULAR war! It was a NUCLEAR war! A NUCLEAR
war!"
_____________________________________________
Please remove ".chlorine" from e-mail address to reply
Melissa A. Miles
Mrs. Grant. (Oh, shades of my childhood....)
Cindy Brown
MaryPulver wrote:
>
> In article <34B694...@pacibm.org>, Cindy Brown <Cindy...@pacibm.org>
> writes:
>
> >My own personal favorite (and most people get it wrong)
>
> >George Washington's white horse?
>
>
> (If I'm right, I'll explain.)
>
>
> Where are we going? And why am I in this handbasket?
WELL DONE MARY!!!
John and Beth Waller
> > --
>
> My parents used to work in Yellowstone National Park, at Fishing Bridge
> (from which you can no longer fish, BTW). It's on the east side of the
> park. People were constantly asking when Old Faithful would erupt
> next. (It has a rough schedule of between 50 an 75 minutes or so
> between eruptions, which changes based on time and quantity of the
> preceding eruption.) Their standard answer to the question was, "If you
> leave now, you'll just make it." And they called them "touroids"- kind
> of the tourists from outer space...
>
> Karen E., Rochester, NY
>
> --
> X/USA/H++/X4,Y2/B1,f~60/X,H,N,T,crochet/0,S,F/recovering
> :-D~/P/G-/W+/D/M/B/b/R?/S+ (band)/K/E/C+/J/Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson,
> Rowan Atkinson/currently, David Eddings/Lays potato chips/
>
> "We did _not_ survive a NUCULAR war! It was a NUCLEAR war! A NUCLEAR
> war!"
> _____________________________________________
> Please remove ".chlorine" from e-mail address to reply
This isn't exactly in the "dumb question" vein, but it is in the "stupid
tourist tricks" category. When my DH and I were living in the V. I., we
had a friend who ran a charter boat. One of his guests came equipped
with a large box full of small bottles. When he asked her what the
bottles were for, her straight-faced reply was, "To collect all the
different colors of water in!"
Beth W.
Pascagoula, MS
--
Old sailors never die,
they just get a little dinghy!
Susan Profit
SO worked at Mt. Rainier as a cook in his younger days, but even cooks got
strange questions.
Which one is the Mountain?
When does the tram leave for the summit? (or the variants: Is there a
bicycle/easy walking trail to the summit?)
How do you pronounce that?
Pu a lup
That?
Oh hannah peck osh
That?
Laughing Water Creek
Oh.
How far is it to the Paradise Ice Caves?
2.3 miles Ma'am.
Is it uphill all the way?
Yes ma'am, I'm afraid it is.
Is it uphill all the way back?
(Gulp.)
@}->- ;) Tinne :D Laughter Heals :) -<-{@
We are beginners at more than we are experts of.
Dennis & Karen Eichorst
Susan Profit wrote:
>
> SO worked at Mt. Rainier as a cook in his younger days, but even cooks got
> strange questions.
> How do you pronounce that?
> Pu a lup
> That?
> Oh hannah peck osh
> That?
> Laughing Water Creek
> Oh.
Another fave from our western vacations was asked while we were on a
ranger-led nature hike. A woman asked, "What's the name of that black
bird with the yellow head?" "That's a yellow-headed blackbird,"
replied the ranger. "But what's it called?" "Ma'am, it's called a
*yellow-headed blackbird*." She was sure he was pulling her leg.
Nan
Dennis & Karen Eichorst wrote:
>
> Susan Profit wrote:
> >
> > SO worked at Mt. Rainier as a cook in his younger days, but even cooks got
> > strange questions.
>
> > How do you pronounce that?
> > Pu a lup
> > That?
> > Oh hannah peck osh
> > That?
> > Laughing Water Creek
> > Oh.
>
> Another fave from our western vacations was asked while we were on a
> ranger-led nature hike. A woman asked, "What's the name of that black
> bird with the yellow head?" "That's a yellow-headed blackbird,"
> replied the ranger. "But what's it called?" "Ma'am, it's called a
> *yellow-headed blackbird*." She was sure he was pulling her leg.
>
> Karen E., Rochester, NY
Same thing happened to my DH when he was trying to convince a Texas
friend that the bird outside his house that hollers "Chuck Will's widow!
Chuck Will's widow!" at night is a Chuck Will's Widow. Related to the
Whippoorwill. :-D
Nan
The use of profanity is a sign of an impoverished mind.
Trish Lavis
We have a bird (seasonally migratory, thank Heaven) called a Koel. It calls its
name once per second, all day, every day, during the pairing season. Sounds not
unlike the well-known Oz bush call 'coo-ee', but *so* infuriating when it rings
continually in your ears. Another one,called the Satin Bower Bird, makes a noise
just like a Jew's Harp (do you call it Jaw Harp?) all day long.
Boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing...
And birdsong is supposed to be good for stress levels! Ptui!
Trish {|:-}
NB I s'pose you'd go a long way to hear a more beautiful sound than the
carolling of our Magpies and Butcherbirds...
John J. Waller
Honey, you haven't lived until you've been annoyed at all hours by
Mockingbirds! Some of them have an amazing repertoire of sounds. I
encountered one, once, that did an absolutely flawless imitation of a
freight train. Add to that a few seagulls, and you get a good idea of
the noise level living along the Gulf Coast of the U.S.!
Beth
Nan
Annoyed! Yeah! Now that rings a bell. One of my friends who fought in Vietnam
wrote to me about a duet between two birds, or one bird and one reptile--my
memory grows faint on that detail. But these two whatevers, to the military
folks' great annoyance/amusement, spent all their time making suggestions to
each other, to wit:
Creature #1: "Re-up! Re-up! Re-up!"
Creature #2: "F--- you! F--- you! F--- you!"
Ah, I remember now that Creature #2 was a bird, because it was nicknamed the
F--- You Bird. My friend sent me a drawing he made of it. I don't have the
slightest recall of what it looked like, though. (:-(
For the non-military among us: "Re-up" was short for "re-enlist."
Nan
Richardson
John J. Waller wrote:
>
> Honey, you haven't lived until you've been annoyed at all hours by
> Mockingbirds! Some of them have an amazing repertoire of sounds. I
> encountered one, once, that did an absolutely flawless imitation of a
> freight train. Add to that a few seagulls, and you get a good idea of
> the noise level living along the Gulf Coast of the U.S.!
>
> Beth
Beth's not kidding - they especially like to go through their entire
repertoire at 3:00 AM in the closest tree to one's bedroom window in the
middle of the summer when it's too hot to close same!
--
Patty in Oregon
John J. Waller
Nan wrote:
>
> Annoyed! Yeah! Now that rings a bell. One of my friends who fought in Vietnam
> wrote to me about a duet between two birds, or one bird and one reptile--my
> memory grows faint on that detail. But these two whatevers, to the military
> folks' great annoyance/amusement, spent all their time making suggestions to
> each other, to wit:
>
> Creature #1: "Re-up! Re-up! Re-up!"
> Creature #2: "F--- you! F--- you! F--- you!"
>
> Ah, I remember now that Creature #2 was a bird, because it was nicknamed the
> F--- You Bird. My friend sent me a drawing he made of it. I don't have the
> slightest recall of what it looked like, though. (:-(
>
> For the non-military among us: "Re-up" was short for "re-enlist."
>
> Nan
I'd have fragged the sucker in a heartbeat! Re-up, my a**!!!
NB: "Fragging" is the fine old military custom of depositing a
fragmentation grenade in proximity to one's enemy du jour! :->
Beth (ex-Navy corpsman)
Dennis & Karen Eichorst
I recall reading a story in a magazine (Good Housekeeping or something
similar) about a woman whose young son had given her an alarm clock as a
gift. It had an alarm like a bird song, which was why he'd chosen it.
The woman used it for a few weeks, then moved it to the kitchen. The
son was disappointed and asked why. It seems that a mocking bird which
had nested outside the woman's window was mocking the alarm at all
hours! The son took the alarm and used it in his room -- until the
mockingbird started hanging out on *his* side of the house. The clock
took up permanent residence in the kitchen.
Steve and Terri
Dennis & Karen Eichorst (cichlid....@eznet.net) wrote:
:
: I recall reading a story in a magazine (Good Housekeeping or something
: similar) about a woman whose young son had given her an alarm clock as a
: gift. It had an alarm like a bird song, which was why he'd chosen it.
: The woman used it for a few weeks, then moved it to the kitchen. The
: son was disappointed and asked why. It seems that a mocking bird which
: had nested outside the woman's window was mocking the alarm at all
: hours! The son took the alarm and used it in his room -- until the
: mockingbird started hanging out on *his* side of the house. The clock
: took up permanent residence in the kitchen.
Boy, am I glad there wasn't a mockingbird in the vicinity when my son's
aunt gave him an alarm clock that *crowed*! It only lasted two days
before the batteries mysteriously disappeared as it was... ;-)
Terri
--
Terri Carl
ter...@neosoft.com
X/USA/H++/X4Y12/4C/XNHtD/0 & new F/:-X/L/G & G-/Wo/D or A, always
S/M/B/b-/R++++++++/S++/K-/E///R1B2/Harrison Ford (this week)/Carl Hiaasen
(this week)/ALWAYS chocolate
Brian & Andrea Carew
Reminds me of the time, when our family went camping (in the Grampians - a
nice bunch of hills in the bush) We were disturbed during the night by what
we thought was some idiot revving up a motorbike, turned out it was a koala
in the gum tree behind our tent!
Andrea, from Australia.
(who, if I don't go to bed soon, will be sung to sleep by the magpies waking
up <grin>)
Richardson wrote in message <34C41A...@nospam.teleport.com>...