Project Motivation - Expanded
Mary M. Riedel
discussion of the following:
Why do we stop liking a project? What makes it become boring, uninteresting
and even, sometimes, repulsive, difficult to pick up and continue?
Any takers?
Dianne Lewandowski
that I've never done before. When it just seems too overwhelming.
Good topic.
Dianne
B & Y McBRIDE
break from it. (Sort of loss of momentum) Or when I have just had to frog a
large area - can't bear the thought of stitching something that in my mind I
have already done. I'm the same with knitting, if I have to rip back more
than a few rows the item will become a UFO.
Regards
Yve
"Mary M. Riedel" <mmri...@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:97j0ie$nm8$1...@nntp9.atl.mindspring.net...
s.e.l
uninteresting
> and even, sometimes, repulsive, difficult to pick up and continue?
I've had a couple of pictures that I stopped liking. One was because there
was alot of white on white stitches on 36 count linen. Since I get up early
in the morning just so that I can stitch (4:00 a.m. !), white on white just
became too cumbersome. Another more common issue is colour changes. As
much as I love changing colours for the effects it can bring, I tire of
changing colours every 2 or 3 stitches. I'd just sink the progressive
thread in the back threads if possible, but in many cases, particularly on
small flowers, etc., it isn't possible if you want to maintain a clear
"unstitched" section.
My mind is going blank at this moment, but the one picture I had the hardest
time on was the... Cross Wing (I think ??) large garden project - mine ended
up being 2.5'x 3' in size. I made a mistake of leaving all of the
backstitching to the very end. That became incredibly monotonous. As much
as I adored doing the project, having to backstitch for weeks on end was a
tad bit boring. If I did it again, I'd backstitch as I went along.
Anyone else ?
Laynie625
>and even, sometimes, repulsive, difficult to pick up and continue?
I for one, get VERY frustrated when I make a maajor boo-boo. often I will go
back and re-start if I really like the project, but if I was unhappy to begin
with, it's not worth it. Case in point- I have a Titanic kit that i started,
oh, eons ago, and I was almost at the end when I iscovered a major error in
counting. Actually, I CAN'T find the error, which is porbably why I am so
frustrated! So, eventually I am going to start over, but first I have to a)
find or have hand dyed some fabric in midnight blue, preferrably Aida, but
certainly nothing smaller than 22ct Hardanger, and b) I have to break down and
buy a DMC color card so I can match the thread. I am finally getting over the
distaste this idea arouses in me, so I can see doing it within the next year or
so. Probably after I break down and buy a scroll frame; that was one of my
frustrations the first time around. And of course, after I get some other
things done that I have waiting in the wings! *grin*
Anyway, back to the original question, I would say that major errors are the
main thing to make a project head for the UFO pile! Another factor is
difficulty- night scenes in dark colors on dark, small fabric, are just
frustrating!
j walker
chore not a pleasure; pointless colour changes; too simple designs.
jean w. Toronto, Canada
"Mary M. Riedel" <mmri...@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:97j0ie$nm8$1...@nntp9.atl.mindspring.net...
mak
concentration for too long.
Margaret
"Mary M. Riedel" <mmri...@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:97j0ie$nm8$1...@nntp9.atl.mindspring.net...
Lesley
news:97j0ie$nm8$1...@nntp9.atl.mindspring.net...
I'm working on a castle at the moment, as a gift for a friend. Since it's a
gift, I'm going to get it done (deadlines are a great motivation!), but I'm
not enjoying it at all because the pattern is really badly designed. It's
got three shades close together with very, very similar symbols, and it's
hard to keep track of where you are any what colour to use. I'm marking off
rows as I do them, but it's still hard to read, and I keep having to triple
check everything, then notice I've made a mistake, carefully take the
stitch(es) out, and do them again.
It just gets you down having to take stitches out all the time, and since
it's on evenweave, which I've only worked on once before, I'm finding it
hard to start with!
Perhaps this is my inexperience showing, but it's still something I don't
like. I can't wait to finish it!
Lesley.
Mark & Kris
I tend to get fed up with projects when I'm on a deadline. That really
takes the enjoyment out of what is supposed to be a realxing hobby for
me. Of the last six or seven projects I've completed, only one, a
bookmark for my husband, is in our home. Everything else has been a
gift for a wedding or birthday. I don't begrudge the gifts for my
dear friends and family, but when I look at *my* walls I don't feel
like I've done anything the last three years. I pick the patterns for
other people based on their taste so many times do not really like
what it is I'm working on. I know that the intended recipient will
love it though.
I started off this year with a moratorium on projects for other
people, but I've got two lined up already. I hate feeling selfish and
not wanting to do things for other people and when someone in my
family comments, "you haven't made anything for *me* lately," I feel
guilty.
Sorry, I didn't mean to lapse into a pity party. I have been working
on a *me* project whenever I get the chance. There's no way I'm
giving it up! I dearly love doing needlework and those 20 minutes I
can squeeze in some days keeps me sane.
Kris
Misawa, Japan
RowanA
>Why do we stop liking a project? What makes it become boring, uninteresting
>and even, sometimes, repulsive, difficult to pick up and continue?
Hmm -- I tend to start to hate projects that I feel I "have" to do, such as
gifts (there was a baby bib I could hardly stand to look at after a while,
because I felt it was keeping me from the fun projects I really wanted to do!)
and EGA assignments (I complained so much about a correspondence class I was
taking from EGA -- a class in which, I might point out, I actually learned a
lot of useful things! -- tha I almost scared off a friend of mine who was
considering joining EGA! I had to explain to her that unless you sign up and
pay for a correspondence class, they don't "make" you do anything or put
deadlines on what you do!). I think, being a writer by trade, that I just hate
deadlines and love to complain about them! :-) Rowana
Lisat4356
and even, sometimes, repulsive, difficult to pick up and continue?
When there are vast areas of a single color - boring!
When it is a so-so piece - something I am not truly passionate about - and I
have put it aside for a long time.
Lisa
Seanette Blaylock
Motivation - Expanded":
>became too cumbersome. Another more common issue is colour changes. As
>much as I love changing colours for the effects it can bring, I tire of
>changing colours every 2 or 3 stitches. I'd just sink the progressive
>thread in the back threads if possible, but in many cases, particularly on
>small flowers, etc., it isn't possible if you want to maintain a clear
>"unstitched" section.
I don't have much trouble with that, but I'm one of those weirdos
who'll do all of one color, then move to the next color.
>My mind is going blank at this moment, but the one picture I had the hardest
>time on was the... Cross Wing (I think ??) large garden project - mine ended
>up being 2.5'x 3' in size. I made a mistake of leaving all of the
>backstitching to the very end. That became incredibly monotonous. As much
>as I adored doing the project, having to backstitch for weeks on end was a
>tad bit boring. If I did it again, I'd backstitch as I went along.
Or send it to me and I'd do the backstitching for you. :-)
--
Seanette Blaylock [make obvious address correction to e-mail]
"Either you're being sarcastic, or your post leaked over to me from a
parallel universe, or one or both of us is insane and/or stupid and/or
not paying attention and/or lying." Ben, ATSR
Seanette Blaylock
Motivation - Expanded":
>Why do we stop liking a project? What makes it become boring, uninteresting
>and even, sometimes, repulsive, difficult to pick up and continue?
That crocheted baby blanket I mentioned before [which became one of
THOSE projects] had a fair amount of fiddly yet tedious construction
details and I think the yarn's rather odd handling characteristics
made matters even worse.
Frustration with materials or difficulties with directions can get me
[e.g., a cross-stitch kit I did last year with about the worst chart
in recorded history].
Seanette Blaylock
Motivation - Expanded":
>Anyway, back to the original question, I would say that major errors are the
>main thing to make a project head for the UFO pile! Another factor is
>difficulty- night scenes in dark colors on dark, small fabric, are just
>frustrating!
Sounds like one of the two Titanic scenes I have in stash [DH is
fascinated with that boat]. A zillion shades of dark blue on 18-ct.
navy Aida. UGH!!!
Of course, I just added a project to the Christmas queue that looks
good for some lively language. "Magic in Motion", by Dimensions [I'm
going to be stitching this for my mother]. Lots of nice bright pretty
colors, NO quarter stitches, 14 count fabric.
Downsides? This sucker's going to be [very approximately] 160x200
stitches, or 11 1/2" x 14 1/3" [inches are rounded], on black.
barbara.l.hass.1
very large seascape. Very detailed, lots of colors. I haven't worked on
it in 5 years, though I fully intend to finish it and don't dislike it.
The problem has been a combination of a chart printed in a magazine (with
some pastel-colored symbols, so it would be harder to read copied and
enlarged, I think, and some backstitching is printed in red and blue) that
is pretty good but occasionally tough to read, and lots of colors.
Beautiful, but it takes counting all the time - no huge blocks of color or
long lines of color. There is a main picture and then a wide border of
seashells of all kinds, very realistically-charted. I finished the inside
photo and it was almost like finishing the whole thing. Put it down to do
something else, haven't picked it back up. Decided I needed to have the
satisfaction of completing a project, plus this one's for me and takes a
back seat to gift projects.
Second item is Christmas bells on a Charles Craft towel. The pattern is
fine, not too complex, charted pretty well, not a lot of colors (only 5 in
fact). In this case, I can't get the stitches to lay even. I think it's
the fabric itself - the aida part of the towel I'm stitching on is
probably not even. The stitches don't have the neat flat look. Add to
this the fact that it calls for blending filament. I couldn't find any in
our small town when I started the project and we didn't have internet
access at the time (again, it's been a few years). I instead substituted
DMC metallic gold thread for the blending filament, and it's a pain to
stitch with. The thread splits from the top down as I stitch, won't stay
spun together, and it takes extra concentration to get the stitches to
approach flat and even. In this case, I think it's because I'm not
thrilled with how the stitches are coming out and the overall quality of
the work, though I don't know as there's anything I can do. Since I'm
down to the 2 projects I've just mentionned, and one on my floorstand,
this towel is my portable project, so I should be done with it sometime in
the reasonably near future. Too much done on it at this point to frog it
all and start over, and I don't think it'd turn out any better.
So that's my long-winded list of reasons for losing interest in a project,
no matter how much you like it!
Barbara H.
Laynie625
>fascinated with that boat]. A zillion shades of dark blue on 18-ct.
>navy Aida. UGH!!
yup. that's the one. hideous, horrible thing.
Tobie & Herb
I usually work my projects 1/4 at a time. As I finish each 1/4, I
backstitch it, so I don't have the entire piece to do at one time. HTH
Tobie
--
In Rotation:Tallit Bag Cover (NP) Katherine Parfet; Picture of 5 clowns
(NP); Ocean Princess (James Himsworth C.C.S.);
Millennium "Peace on Earth" by Ellen Maurer-Stroh (C.C S.); Highland Light
by Christine Champ Andrews (C.C.S.); NP "Shoe" by Sharon G.
Joyce in RSA
finish off a whole thread before starting another, or at least keep going
until the distance to the next stitch becomes too great. I never manage to
leave threads hanging without getting them tangled, or just in the way, no
matter where they're parked. Joyce in RSA.
Seanette Blaylock <seanette.spam...@impulse.net> wrote in
article >
Joyce in RSA
can't be! Mine was a seascape, with realistic shells around, and came from
a magazine years ago. It was on the cover, and I just had to get the
magazine. It was not very big, and I bought 11 ct aida in mistake for 14,
and found myself with only an inch border. It's only about 9" x 11" though,
even then. It still isn't framed, though it will be one day. It's too
beautiful to leave unseen. I don't remember any pastel or red and blue
symbols, but it was a long time ago, and I'd never heard of rctn, stash,
speciality stitches or threads, etc. and didn't have a clue that anything
in cross stitch could be difficult!! Joyce in RSA.
barbara.l.hass.1 <bh...@purdue.edu> wrote in article
<Pine.SOL.4.31.01022...@herald.cc.purdue.edu>...
Maureen
> Of course, I just added a project to the Christmas queue that looks
> good for some lively language. "Magic in Motion", by Dimensions [I'm
> going to be stitching this for my mother]. Lots of nice bright pretty
> colors, NO quarter stitches, 14 count fabric.
>
> Downsides? This sucker's going to be [very approximately] 160x200
> stitches, or 11 1/2" x 14 1/3" [inches are rounded], on black.
>
I did Magic in Motion. It's gorgeous when it's done. I wish I had done it on an
evenweave instead of Aida though. The colors really pop on black. It was one of
my fastest projects ever done, but I had pneumonia when I was working on it so I
had lots of time! LOL I framed it in a hematite color frame with no mat. I
thought a mat would take away from it, but that was just me. It was for my hubby
and he loves it.
Maureen
Seanette Blaylock
Motivation - Expanded":
It's a good thing for him I love him so much, isn't it? :-)
Actually, it'll be nice to look at when it's done, I'm just
anticipating a lot of colorful language while doing it. :-)
Seanette Blaylock
Motivation - Expanded":
I'm not arguing with the choice of background color, I agree that the
colors are going to be wonderful on black. :-) [I like the color
scheme of Amish quilts, too.]
I just haven't worked on a background color other than white yet. :-)
Seanette Blaylock
Project Motivation - Expanded":
>Seanette Blaylock <seanette.spam...@impulse.net> wrote in
>article >
>> I don't have much trouble with that, but I'm one of those weirdos
>> who'll do all of one color, then move to the next color.
>Are we wierdoes? I thought it was just laziness! <G> I like to try to
>finish off a whole thread before starting another, or at least keep going
>until the distance to the next stitch becomes too great. I never manage to
>leave threads hanging without getting them tangled, or just in the way, no
>matter where they're parked. Joyce in RSA.
I've never tried that multiple-needles-at-once thing. My mind just
doesn't work that way. I'm better off focusing on finding all of ONE
symbol at a time on the chart, then moving to another symbol.
In Oz
uninteresting
> and even, sometimes, repulsive, difficult to pick up and continue?
>
> Any takers?
I pick things that are too difficult for me. I just started cross stitching
last summer. I bought two beautiful kits, but they were so filled with
color changes and blended threads I eventually gave up on both of them. I
lost my place, even with a marker, counted wrong, could barely distinguish
one color from another and got frustrated because I never felt I made any
progress. Big piece of fabric, tiny section stitched!
I finally went to Hobby Lobby and deliberately picked something that
hopefully will give satisfaction a little sooner. The threads are already
sorted (I really stuggle with colors), there aren't an ungodly number of
different colors and I like the design. Keeping my fingers crossed on this
one! I'm really enjoying it so far.
Debbie
Laynie625
> I'm just
>anticipating a lot of colorful language while doing it. :-)
trust me. send the kids away, or they WILL be learning some interesting new
phrases. do you have an Ott light? I don't, but I suspect it might help. I
am thinking about getting a Chromalux bulb for the lamp where I usually stitch.
Yes, I know, Otts are better, but I can't afford one.
Laynie
Sandra S. VanOrman
its been a real struggle.
I have about 1/4 of it finished and I love the design but it sure is a
chore!
I'm also working on Angel Of Harmony by Dimensions and plan to start
another cat cross stitch project from Catattitudes.
Cheers to all
Sandy in shaky Washington state
barbara.l.hass.1
We may be talking about the same project! The picture is in the Jan/Feb
'92 issue of Better Homes and Gardens "Cross Stitch and Country Crafts."
It is the cover picture, a seascape in the middle (gulls, beach, water,
bits of grass, shaped like an octagon but with a top and bottom about 3x
the length of the other "sides"), and the border is blue (various shades)
with the realistic shells all around. There are also directions inside
for making the shells into towel borders and such. I'm doing the piece on
28-count linen, stitching over 2 threads. The only "mistake" I've made
thus far is that the sky in the seascape is supposed to be half stitches,
but I didn't catch that in the directions until I'd already done the whole
thing in whole stitches. Turning out well, just hoping it doesn't lose
shape or get too crushed sitting around until I can finish and frame it.
If you've done the same thing, I congratulate you and urge you to frame it
ASAP!
Barbara H.
Sampler45
>> Why do we stop liking a project?
One project I wil never finished is View From Oyster Bay, a Tiffany Window
Stained Glass. My sister started it, decided she couldn't stand it, and gave
it to me. I worked on it a while, but could never get enthused by it. I
finally figured out why. She had started it on Aida and I really, really
dislike Aida. So I threw it out about half finished. One of these days, I
will start it again using linen. There have also been some projects I started
where I was learning new stitches or using new threads or a different kind of
technique and decided that I really didn't like doing it. So I stopped. It
wasn't fun and I have enough stress in my life without stressing over a project
I don't like.
Pat in NJ
"The world is your playground. Why aren't you playing"
WIPs
MLI's "Celtic Banner"
TW's "Wedding Sampler"
Sekas Christmas Ornaments
Laynie625
>another cat cross stitch project from Catattitudes.
ooh! ooh! which one? I just bought the sixth litter and am doing the "You're
Nobody Until You've Been Ignored By A Cat" bookmark. I love those books!
Maureen
> I'm not arguing with the choice of background color, I agree that the
> colors are going to be wonderful on black. :-) [I like the color
> scheme of Amish quilts, too.]
>
> I just haven't worked on a background color other than white yet. :-)
You'll be great, Seanette. I have faith in you. :)
The picture on the package doesn't do the final piece justice. I hung it in a spot
that used to have a clock in it. That way when I look up out of habit I get to look
at it some more. :)
Maureen
Crickett
and still haven't gotten around to framing it yet! I did it on aida (didn't
bother me since that was all I'd ever used to that point, and it's all whole
or half stitches - not even any back-stitching!). I love it! My husband also
likes it, and wants me to stencil the office and create stained glass panels
for the office doors, based on it (other hobbies of mine).
If it IS the wisteria one, there's also a companion piece for it, with
magnolias in it. I have that one on my list of To-Do's also!
Crickett
"Sampler45" <samp...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20010301183337...@ng-cl1.aol.com...
Seanette Blaylock
Motivation - Expanded":
>> plan to start another cat cross stitch project from Catattitudes.
>ooh! ooh! which one? I just bought the sixth litter and am doing the "You're
>Nobody Until You've Been Ignored By A Cat" bookmark. I love those books!
I have all twelve, and have a list of ones I want to do [such as "In
This House Cat Hair Is A Condiment", from #8]. :-)
[skitter, skitter, skitter, SPLAT!!!!]
Seanette Blaylock
Motivation - Expanded":
>trust me. send the kids away, or they WILL be learning some interesting new
Closest I have to a child is HFM Felix, and he's probably heard it all
already [ex-stray adopted from the shelter]. :-)
>phrases. do you have an Ott light? I don't, but I suspect it might help. I
>am thinking about getting a Chromalux bulb for the lamp where I usually stitch.
> Yes, I know, Otts are better, but I can't afford one.
Neither can I. I do own a magnifying lamp, and have a rather brightly
lit living room [my visual deficiencies, combined with my preferred
ways of spending time, demand bright light].
Seanette Blaylock
Project Motivation - Expanded":
>Laynie625 had some very interesting things to say about "Re: Project
>Motivation - Expanded":
>>> plan to start another cat cross stitch project from Catattitudes.
>>ooh! ooh! which one? I just bought the sixth litter and am doing the "You're
>>Nobody Until You've Been Ignored By A Cat" bookmark. I love those books!
>I have all twelve, and have a list of ones I want to do [such as "In
>This House Cat Hair Is A Condiment", from #8]. :-)
>[skitter, skitter, skitter, SPLAT!!!!]
Forgot to mention I've done 2 of the "Got Milk?" baby bottle covers.
:-)
Laynie625
>This House Cat Hair Is A Condiment", from #8]. :-)
*grins* that's actually from six, and is next on my "selfish list" after my
angel!
Seanette Blaylock
Motivation - Expanded":
>>I have all twelve, and have a list of ones I want to do [such as "In
Oh. Whoops :-). Must have gotten confused with #8 because I've done
two of the "Got Milk?" baby bottle cover from #8. :-)
The cat in "Cat Hair" looks a bit like HFM Felix [who can be seen at
http://www.impulse.net/~seanette/felixbk.jpg].
Lord Domin
>I've been trying to complete a project called Smokey Mountain Cats and
>its been a real struggle.
>I have about 1/4 of it finished and I love the design but it sure is a chore!
plan to start another cat cross stitch project from Catattitudes.
>Cheers to all
>Sandy in shaky Washington state
>
glad to hear you are OK in the lovely NW
I did SM Cats in purples for my best friend.
she bought the pattern 4 yrs ago, and we started the partial pattern in blue on
pink fabric as recommended. We did not get too far,and I gave both WIPs to her.
She got breast cancer this last summer, and lives near the SM area.
She sent me a working copy of this (she will never finish either WIP or do it
for herself, so still one project was made per book) and I did it in Purples
for her---her favorite colors. Just really had a hard time with chemo---I would
have been packing XS for the hosp trips had I been her, but she is not into XS
as much!!!
Made it into a pillow with a "frame" of light and dark marbled fabrics.
I finished it up for Xmas, and it was fun, just LONG
I did mark up my pattern as it went on, and I usually have several projects in
rotation.
I try to do the right side of a pattern first, then the left side from top, so
that I do not have to hold so much fabric in my left hand ( I do it without
hoop or frame--in the hand)
sometimes I would do small areas around big areas of one color, then I did not
need to "read" the pattern=== just fill in
all the eyes were done last.
I have all the 12 catitudes, and finally did "my name is stop that" on dark
green fabric just so my DH felt I would use the books for something other than
filling up a shelf.
hang in there, it was pretty spectacular.
I did figure out the colors for it in yellows, reds and greens, but after so
many hours, know she will never get to one of those!!!!
Alice
House-mouse
"Mark & Kris" <mdbr...@msa.attmil.ne.jp> wrote in > love it though.
I started off this year with a moratorium on projects for other
people, but I've got two lined up already. I hate feeling selfish and
not wanting to do things for other people and when someone in my
family comments, "you haven't made anything for *me* lately," I feel
guilty.
Excuse me but why should we feel guilty about not doing everything for other
people? I would lay even money when you really need something, "they" melt
away. At least that was what I found when I became very ill. Those that I
had done the most for suddenly found other more pressing business. But I am
not complaining as it allowed me to cut the deadwood out of my life and the
friends I have now are real friends. I do still do embroidery for other
people but I am quite happy to teach them to do it themselves.
Sorry about the rant but it does make me angry to see good people taken
advantage of. Just say no!
Fuming in the UK Gabrielle
wip: Earthangel (for DD)
Spirit of Xstitch For ME
B & Y McBRIDE
I must admit I am very selective in the people that I do cross stitch for so
it tends to be family and a few close friends. I find that most people that
ask you to do a cross stitch have absolutely no idea of the time involved
and it is treated as a throw away item when they change their decor. Or
they refuse to pay the price when it comes to having it framed.
I do give friends that I need to say a big thankyou to a cross stitch gift
and they are well recieved - the last one asked my what she had done to
deserve an 'Yve angel' - made it sound like some kind of award! lol. ( They
are very rare awards!!)
I did talk with my Mum about this on one occasion, I have always said to her
that she must choose a picture for me to do for her - she does not
particularly like pictures on the walls so it would have to be something she
really liked. Her answer was that she had always feigned indifference to my
xs because she was aware of how long they took and if I was spending that
much time on something then I should be doing it for myself!!!!
She is in for a surprise though - I have found something that she will not
be able to resist - and she will not be seeing it made either!
Regards
Yve
"House-mouse" <gdm...@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:97qc3l$jo6$1...@neptunium.btinternet.com...
Mary M. Riedel
pleases *us* and doing it because we know it would please *them*. As with
gift giving in general, if we look closely at the gift we are about to give,
it might be interesting to ask ourselves if we are giving it because we
value it or because we know the receiver values it....then make the
appropriate choice.
It's difficult to accept that someone we love isn't really interested in
something we like so much. But that's the honest understanding one must
come to when buying/making a gift. And then we have to be willing to reject
years of training that tells us that if we do something just for ourself
there's something wrong with that. Personally, I think doing something for
someone else *only* because we can't accept doing it only for ourselves,
isn't really doing for the other person anyways.
I hope this makes sense, I've often thought about this when gift giving
comes around and then had a moment of personal awareness this last Christmas
when my daughter said: "Mom, don't get me any books, please. I really want
XYZ: XYZ is for me what books are for you." And then I realized how I
always gave books because *I* valued them, I was not really considering what
the receiver values. In effect, I was actually giving to myself in a round
about manner because *I* like to buy books! I suspect that applies to
stitched items made as gifts also.
Deborah Pesa
something for yourself become a dirty word? I'll fully admit that I am
terribly selfish. Do I do things for others? Of course I do, ask my
friends who I will often bend over backwards for, but I come first.
Besides, if you spend _all_ your time doing for others you often come to
resent that no one does for you. True happiness can only come from within
and the same goes for other people. So if you want to make something for
someone else, go ahead, but you shouldn't feel any obligation and next time
someone complains that you don't stitch for them, hand them a needle and
some floss and tell them how easy and fun it is<G>.
--
Deborah Pesa dp...@bestweb.net
Queens, NYC AIM: DebbieJRT
http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Haven/1646.html
Yesterday I was a dog. Today I'm a dog. Tomorrow
I'll probably still be a dog. There's just so little hope of
advancement. -- Snoopy
"House-mouse" <gdm...@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:97qc3l$jo6$1...@neptunium.btinternet.com...
>
j walker
As I have said here before, I have been stitching for many years, but I have
only one item in my house made by me. (and that really isn't mine since it
was made for my DH). Everything else has been given away. Either because it
was purpose made for someone, or more likely, because it was "claimed" by
some one while it was a work in progress. The latter group, were started
because I liked them, but someone else liked them more. This is not only
true of stitching but also of wood carving and paper mache bowls and boxes.
I enjoy the process, the ultimate destination is less important to me.
Jean w. Toronto, Canada
"Deborah Pesa" <dp...@bestweb.net> wrote in message
news:wI7o6.30$FQ3....@monger.newsread.com...
Bmciowa
>I've been trying to complete a project called Smokey Mountain Cats and
>its been a real struggle.
>I have about 1/4 of it finished and I love the design but it sure is a
>chore!
I found it torture also! I never would have stitched it if DH hadn't requested
it for his office. The only way I kept my sanity was to rotate in little
projects periodically, like Sweetheart Tree Hearts, or little Just Nans.
Keep at it though; it's fabulous when it's done!
Sara
WIPs:
LTD Knot Garden
Lorrac Designs: Solar System
Dianne Lewandowski
part that related most, which I didn't snip. :)
Dianne
"Mary M. Riedel" wrote:
>
> There's a very fine line between doing something for someone else because it
> pleases *us* and doing it because we know it would please *them*. . . .had a moment of personal awareness this last Christmas
Mark & Kris
Hope you're not still fuming ;) I completely understand where you're
coming from. I have given a couple things to people who did not
appreciate them. To be honest the pressure to make things for
everyone else comes more from myself than from other people.
Mary hit it right on the head when she said "it might be interesting
to ask ourselves if we are giving it because we value it or because we
know the receiver values it." I see something, think it would be
*perfect* for someone and away I go. I don't often stop to consider
whether that person really *wants* what I'm making, instead I
concentrate on how great *I* think it is. Man, I'm feeling even more
selfish now.
I am, however working on improving this. Today, I was working on a
little tin topper and caught myself thinking who would like it, who I
could give it to. I stopped cold; I bought this for ME I will do it
for ME and *I* will enjoy it!! (Is that a mantra or what?)
Thank you Gabrielle, and you too, Mary for your insight.
Kris Branch
Misawa, Japan
Karen C - California
>appreciate them.
Yep. I knitted a darling sweater/romper set for a friend's first baby. About
a year and a half later, she had a second, and asked me to make the same thing
in the same color. Turns out "it was cluttering up the place, so I threw it
out". Not gave it to Goodwill, but actually threw it in the trash. I bought a
$1 bottle for the second one.
My cousin, OTOH, has all of the stuff I made for Heather (going on 17). It has
been loaned out repeatedly, with warnings that it had best be returned in good
condition, because she's saving it for her grandkids. One dress that I made
when Heather was a toddler was worn for 3-4 years: first as a dress, then as a
tunic over tights, then as a top..... Needless to say, I'll happily spend
hundreds of hours on stuff for my cousin and her kids!
--
Finished 2/23/01 - June/Rose sachet
WIP: getting my health back, Calif Sampler, Holiday Snowglobe
Paralegal - Editor - Researcher
http://hometown.aol.com/kmc528/myhomepage/profile.html
Don't risk your on-line privileges! I report all Spam.
Di Messina
and wonder what it was you found so difficult about them.
I found a counted canvas piece (Diane Evans - Something Different) from
CATS 2 years ago that I had started and quit after only doing a little bit.
I picked it up again and got it done in just a few days! I couldn't imagine
why I had quit. It was easy and fun to do. I think originally I was
overwhelmed with it. I had recently started stitching and this piece had
new stitches, new, more difficult to work with fibers and beads. Now, I've
done plenty with each of those, so it was no problem. The piece is now at
the framers, and I can't wait to get it back! I want to do another of her
pieces too!
I encourage everyone who has put something aside to go back and look at
it - especially if you put it away when you were a new stitcher. If it
feels like it would be easy now, it probably will be. Go ahead and finish
it! Enjoy!
Di
Alison Hendon
>I did SM Cats in purples for my best friend.
>she bought the pattern 4 yrs ago, and we started the partial pattern in blue on
>pink fabric as recommended. We did not get too far,and I gave both WIPs to her.
>She got breast cancer this last summer, and lives near the SM area.
>She sent me a working copy of this (she will never finish either WIP or do it
>for herself, so still one project was made per book) and I did it in Purples
>for her---her favorite colors. Just really had a hard time with chemo---I would
>have been packing XS for the hosp trips had I been her, but she is not into XS
>as much!!!
>Made it into a pillow with a "frame" of light and dark marbled fabrics.
>
>I finished it up for Xmas, and it was fun, just LONG
<snip>
I am so curious, what color purples did you use for this? And what
color fabric??
Alison
who loves purple
Kuhlc
>its been a real struggle.
ditto !
put it aside 3 yrs ago!!!!
really wanted to finish this for dd who has black cat & was living in
nashville!!!
well.....she moved!
good luck with yours & maybe this "reminder" will inspire me to pick it up
again! lol