Internet news - 14 Nov to 20 Nov (long)
F.James Cripwell
For anyone who does not want to see these, I intend to use the same
title, except for the date. I am, of course, experimenting at the moment.
I have used *** to separate items.
***
Here's a couple of offers I received today from http://www.myfree.coom
Crafts edition:
Free Country Angel Pattern
A Heart warming ornament is created with soft and shimmering Kreinik
metallic threads. Include LSASE to receive the plastic canvas chart
with color photo. Write to: Kreinik, 3106 Timanus Lane 101,
Baltimore, MD 21244.
***
Cross Stitch Christmas Books
Ornaments: stitch with beads and metallic floss. Features: western
scenes, Victorian cones and baby's 1st communion. Please include a
postage and handling charge of: $2. Write to: Clapper Communications,
PO Box 5039, Des Plaines, IL
60017.
***
The November issue of the British magazine Needlecraft has an interesting
millennium sampler by Lesley Teare. It has bands using motifs from
historical styles of needlework through the ages, such as Medieval mille
fleurs, Art Nouveau etc. The border has the names of various needlework
techniques. Since it does not duplicate the actual styles and stitches, it
isn't for the purists among us, but it was one of the few I've seen that
relates directly to our favourite obsession, and is attractive in its own
right.
***
I was just wandering around a site for cutwork embroidery and was very
impressed. It's "Cutwork Designs by Paula Heckmann" at:
http://www.keepsakecutwork.com/cutwork.html
I don't do cutwork myself, but that didn't keep me from enjoying the
pretty pictures. :-)
***
The 2000 schedule for CATS is up on the Website.
< http://www.creativeartsshow.com/ >
***
New and latest info from the folks with heart at Heart of Cross Stitch.
Some changes in cities and dates.
Cherry Hill, NJ --- March 29-April 2
Lakeland, FL --- April 25-30
Winston-Salem, NC --- June 14-18
Memphis, TN --- July 12-16
Toledo, OH --- August 9-13
Sacramento, CA --- August 23-27
Des Moines, IA --- September 6-10
***
Well, it's a new idea to me, at least. While browsing at Needle Nicely
< http://www.stitching.com/needlenicely/index.html > I noticed some Trubey
designs for bookend covers. They're square, and made to fit over those
inexpensive, flat, 90-degree-angle metal bookends. What a neat use for a
pair of
smallish designs!
***
The Stitcher's Habit has some cute Christmas moose designs. I don't think
you can order from Carol directly, but your LNS, or on-line shop, might
carry them. Take a peek at http://www.interlog.com/~khigeli/
***
Specialty Stitches.
For quick and easily printable directions and graphics - go to
http://www.heritageshoppe.com/heritage/stitches.html
For further help, go to
http://www.heritageshoppe.com/heritage/stitmenu.html
I just updated these pages, so there's lots more advice.
***
Precision Crosstitch Designs at www.crosstitch.com/ has you buy an
annual membership and then you can downloadprint any number of charts
that you want. I haven't bought a membershipe, since I only want 1 of
their charts, but it seems a reasonable price and I am considering it.
***
What can I say about Thread Heaven? First, it is very aptly named. I just
tried it for the first time and I don't ever want to be without it! Makes
all the difference in the world. If you've not tried it you're really
missing out :-)
Well...how do I describe it? A floss treatment? Wait a sec and I'll see if
I can find a description I read... Okay...first, there's a website.
http://www.threadheaven.com/index.html
It conditions the thread (floss) in a way that helps eliminate
tangles...forces the threads away from each other, prevents fraying...and
more. The site mentioned above tells it better than I do.
The thing that I love so far is that the floss seems to glide through the
fabric. Very nice
I posted a comment about thread heaven a few days ago, but never saw
it come up, so I'm not sure if made it there. Anyway, the conditioner
is silicone. Silicone is a great product, but I, too, am hesitant to
use it on floss. It lasts a LONG time, and doesn't wash out easily.
I had the same thoughts as you, ie, that people who are worried about
saliva on your floss (which will wash out) don't seem as concerned
about something like silicone.
***
Anyone heard anymore about that new fairy that is being released from
Mirabilia? I know some stores had her posted on their sites, but she is not
on Mirabilia's site yet. Just Curious....
The fairy has been released. I picked up my copy on Nov.1. It's called
April's Blue Diamond. Quite pretty!
***
One of the new designs I'll be publishing is called, "The Determined One."
I've purchased the needlework rights to a painting by an artist named Sandy
Austin Stein who lives in Santa Rosa, CA. My adaptation is done and is being
framed but it won't be done and released until next February. In the meantime
though, I've received permission from Sandy to show a picture of her painting.
If you'd like to see it, I've added it to my website tonight. Let me know what
you think of it. I'm going to print out and send your comments to her.
***
A while back there was a thread about removing the core
(white/clear/nylon or whatever) filament from the metallic fiber
before use. Marilyn Vredveld was quoted as the author of this tip.
I took several classes with Marilyn at CATS/Ontario, and was told the
same thing. Kreinik won't endorse this suggestion because the core is
what allows them to hold the patent/copyright on their products.
I just want to say here that now that I've tried it, I will do this
whenever I can. The threads lie smoother, can be more readily seen,
are more easy to work with, and don't fray, stretch or break as
easily. I still work with 12-15" lengths, but I like the effect
better, stitch faster, and am less frustrated. I wish I'd known about
this a few years ago.
Someone recently posted you were supposed to take out the core of the blending
filament before use. I had not heard this so I wrote Kreinik and here is
their
response:
To answer your question, some stitchers do this but we do not recommend
that the core be removed. It is put in the filament for stability and
therefore we suggest that you not remove it. In order to avoid knots,
try using smaller lengths, usually 12-18". The core in no way obscures
the sparkly effect of the blending filament. But they neglect to mention
how
much easier it is to stitch with if you take the blinkin' core off!
When I was taking a class with Marilyn Vredveldt (from Stoney Creek
Collection) many moons ago, she told us that the only reason Kreinik
puts the core with the filament is to make it a patent-able product.
Without the core, Kreinik's filament isn't unique and hence can't be
patented (although I'm no expert on US patent laws).... When Marilyn
put this in her magazine, Kreinik asked her to not print it again
because they didn't want it publicly known (who knows how true this
is, really or what Kreinik *really* said.....)... Marilyn will still
tell you this info in her classes, though.... *shrug*
Personally, I prefer to take the core off the filament because it
becaomes *so* much easier to use. The filament is a bit 'stretchier'
because I've stripped the core off, but as long as the lengths are
short, I can stitch with no problems..... I did discover this past
weekend though that when it's really windy outside, BF is a royal pain
to try and thread through a needle.... :-)
***
I am Dutch, and I live in Spain. I have ordered numerous times from
on-line XS sources, and to date I have NEVER had a bad experience. The
places I have ordered from most are:
1-2-3- stich: http://www.123stitch.com/
go-stitch: http://www.gostitch.com/
nordic needle: http://www.nordicneedle.com/
and Mary Jane's:http://www.maryjanes.com/
I will not say that these are the best, or even the only ones; there are
a lot out there, but I can say that I have dealt with these often, and
have alsways been MORE THAN SATISFIED! And I know the prices in Holland
are much better than here in Spain, so that made it twice as attractive
to shop on-line with this great service!
--
Jim Cripwell. Treat the earth well. For it was not given to us
by our parents, but lent to us by our children.
Author unknown.
Lizette217
Doris Rhodes
That was a wonderful condensed version of what went on for the week. I
caught some things that I had missed and it reminded me of others that I
wanted to remember. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. It's
just great.
Dori
Jeannette Perry
Nov. issue of Needlecraft. I checked out our local Barner & Noble bookstore. They
didn't have it. Any ideas where I could buy a copy? Jeannette in Tacoma