Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss

Things I love about needlework ...

0 views
Skip to first unread message

Little Black Bird

unread,
Mar 22, 2004, 2:23:06 PM3/22/04
to
I was going to call this things I love about cross-stitch, but I think some
of it applies to all kinds of embroidery:

I love the way the stitches all "sit" on top of the ground fabric ... as if
they were just barely lying on top.

I love the way the light runs along the thread, and it's hard to keep myself
from "petting" all my cross stitched pieces.

I love how soothing it is to be able to sit and stitch.

I love knowing that I'm making a piece of history. Assuming that my
recipients all properly care for the pieces, this is something they could
point to in a hundred years and say "your great-aunt did this."

I love hoops. I feel so much like a fantasy princess, sitting and stitching
like a noble lady would.

I love looking at my box of threads, all neatly wound around bobbins and
numbered.

I love, love, love metallic threads and beads! So pretty!

I love my nice sharp scissors. Snip snip!

I love the thread aisle in the crafting store. I don't love not being able
to buy them all.

Okay, let's be honest: I love my "stash" in general.

I love my "free charts" folder, stuffed full of things I plan to do,
someday.

Rachel


Cheryl Isaak

unread,
Mar 22, 2004, 2:29:41 PM3/22/04
to
On 3/22/04 2:23 PM, in article u2H7c.63271$SR1.107183@attbi_s04, "Little
Black Bird" <nom...@comcast.net> wrote:

I wish you could see the big smile on my face!
Cheryl - avoiding the vacuuming that needs to be done.

Bertha

unread,
Mar 22, 2004, 2:51:12 PM3/22/04
to
On Mon, 22 Mar 2004 19:23:06 GMT, Little Black Bird <nom...@comcast.net>
muttered something like:

> I was going to call this things I love about cross-stitch, but I think some
> of it applies to all kinds of embroidery:

Just to add another: I love that it can be easily set aside and picked up
again later after whatever minor crisis arose has been dealt with.

-Bertha
--
ERROR: ERROR: ERROR: ERROR: ERROR: {SMACK} C:\>

Karen C - California

unread,
Mar 22, 2004, 2:58:54 PM3/22/04
to
In article <BC84A8D5.32760%chery...@adelphia.net>, Cheryl Isaak
<chery...@adelphia.net> writes:

>Cheryl - avoiding the vacuuming that needs to be done

Want to come out here and help me avoid washing the dishes? We have clean
spoons, so we can have Haagen Dazs for lunch. And if we order pizza, we won't
need plates or forks for dinner.

--
Finished 3/17/04 -- Elmo
WIP: Fireman's Prayer, Amid Amish Life, Angel of Autumn, Calif Sampler, Holiday
Snowglobe

Paralegal - Writer - Editor - Researcher
http://hometown.aol.com/kmc528/KMC.html

Cheryl Isaak

unread,
Mar 22, 2004, 3:06:45 PM3/22/04
to
On 3/22/04 2:58 PM, in article 20040322145854...@mb-m14.aol.com,

"Karen C - California" <kmc...@aol.com.LuvXS> wrote:

> In article <BC84A8D5.32760%chery...@adelphia.net>, Cheryl Isaak
> <chery...@adelphia.net> writes:
>
>> Cheryl - avoiding the vacuuming that needs to be done
>
> Want to come out here and help me avoid washing the dishes? We have clean
> spoons, so we can have Haagen Dazs for lunch. And if we order pizza, we won't
> need plates or forks for dinner.
>
>

No - sushi and California Rolls.

I am SO tired of pizza right now!
Cheryl

Rhea

unread,
Mar 22, 2004, 5:23:17 PM3/22/04
to
I love the way that the outside world disappears when I'm working on my piece.

I love the way my cat tries to grab at each skein of floss when I'm changing
colors on my needle.

I love the way my husband wants to keep every piece I finish and display it in
his office.

I love the way that people's faces light up when I give them one of my
heirlooms.

I love the way my spare bedroom is filled to rim with plastic containers of my
"stash".

I love the way I feel when I complete a project and can't wait to dig thru my
stash to start the next.


Rhea from KY, USA

Karen C - California

unread,
Mar 22, 2004, 5:28:10 PM3/22/04
to
In article <BC84B185.3277D%chery...@adelphia.net>, Cheryl Isaak
<chery...@adelphia.net> writes:

>No - sushi and California Rolls.

OK, OK. I'll call Taki and get us a dinner reservation. I'm told theirs is
the best sushi in town.

Unless you want to swing by the supermarket on your way in from the airport and
pick up some from the deli counter.....

Cheryl Isaak

unread,
Mar 22, 2004, 5:31:16 PM3/22/04
to
On 3/22/04 5:28 PM, in article 20040322172810...@mb-m26.aol.com,

"Karen C - California" <kmc...@aol.com.LuvXS> wrote:

> In article <BC84B185.3277D%chery...@adelphia.net>, Cheryl Isaak
> <chery...@adelphia.net> writes:
>
>> No - sushi and California Rolls.
>
> OK, OK. I'll call Taki and get us a dinner reservation. I'm told theirs is
> the best sushi in town.
>
> Unless you want to swing by the supermarket on your way in from the airport
> and
> pick up some from the deli counter.....
>

That I could do!

Cheryl

Poetta

unread,
Mar 22, 2004, 5:57:39 PM3/22/04
to
Oh YES YES YES to all of the "I loves" on here!!!! Such a simple thing
and yet it brings so MUCH joy!!!

Jennifer / Poetta

www.LadybugLane.com

pensmom4

unread,
Mar 22, 2004, 7:23:17 PM3/22/04
to
"Little Black Bird" <nom...@comcast.net> wrote in message news:<u2H7c.63271$SR1.107183@attbi_s04>...

> I was going to call this things I love about cross-stitch, but I think some
> of it applies to all kinds of embroidery:

Oooohhh! Let's keep going!

I love the way that I can start with a piece of paper, some blank
fabric and a pile of threads, and turn it into a thing of beauty!

Pensmom

Jere Williams

unread,
Mar 22, 2004, 7:40:05 PM3/22/04
to
And it's very nice, how calming the stitching is. And the side effects are
beautiful pieces of art.

--
Jere

"pensmom4" <pens...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:50ccff5a.04032...@posting.google.com...

anne

unread,
Mar 22, 2004, 7:42:28 PM3/22/04
to
I love that there's no right or wrong way (unless you want to win a prize at a
show <eg>)

I love that cotton floss is so inexpensive that if I don't like what I've done,
I haven't wasted a lot of money.
--
another Anne, add ingers to frugalf to reply

Joan Erickson

unread,
Mar 22, 2004, 8:46:10 PM3/22/04
to
pensmom4 wrote:
> "Little Black Bird" <nom...@comcast.net> wrote in message news:<u2H7c.63271$SR1.107183@attbi_s04>...
>
>>I was going to call this things I love about cross-stitch, but I think some
>>of it applies to all kinds of embroidery:
>
>
> Oooohhh! Let's keep going!
Okay!
I love that, per hour enjoyed, it's one of the least (or maybe *the*
least) expensive forms of entertainment/relaxation/therapy/ decorating
forms there is! (According to my calculations, when I stitched my Bull
elk picture, I worked appr. 160 hours on it. $55 for linen and floss
divided by 160 hours comes to a little more than 34 cents/hour. Hey,
you mathematicians, did I do that right?)
I love watching whatever I'm stitching come to life right under my nose.

--
Joan

See my first-ever design here:
http://www.heritageshoppe.com/joan.jpg

"Stitch when you are young and poor, frame when you are old and rich."
- Elizabeth's (rctn'r) sister's MIL (Barbara Marr)

Rachel Janzen

unread,
Mar 22, 2004, 10:48:29 PM3/22/04
to
Joan Erickson wrote:

> pensmom4 wrote:
>
>> "Little Black Bird" <nom...@comcast.net> wrote in message
>> news:<u2H7c.63271$SR1.107183@attbi_s04>...
>>
>>> I was going to call this things I love about cross-stitch, but I
>>> think some
>>> of it applies to all kinds of embroidery:
>>
>>
>>
>> Oooohhh! Let's keep going!
>
> Okay!
> I love that, per hour enjoyed, it's one of the least (or maybe *the*
> least) expensive forms of entertainment/relaxation/therapy/ decorating
> forms there is! (According to my calculations, when I stitched my Bull
> elk picture, I worked appr. 160 hours on it. $55 for linen and floss
> divided by 160 hours comes to a little more than 34 cents/hour. Hey,
> you mathematicians, did I do that right?)
> I love watching whatever I'm stitching come to life right under my
> nose.
>

I know my CSB was muttering once that she picked up a small kit for
about $10 or so. She thought it was rather expensive, until she figured
out how many hours of entertainment it gave her, and it became very
reasonable.

Rachel

Mirjam Bruck-Cohen

unread,
Mar 23, 2004, 1:19:43 AM3/23/04
to
Jere what do you stich ? and do you define `everything` you stich
ART? Don`t you make some craft as well ????
mirjam

Mirjam Bruck-Cohen

unread,
Mar 23, 2004, 1:19:45 AM3/23/04
to
Joan i read this and do understand your meaning ,,, but i never
calculated or evaluated my work in costs of materials or time ?
> I love that, per hour enjoyed, it's one of the least (or maybe *the*
>least) expensive forms of entertainment/relaxation/therapy/ decorating
>forms there is!
And i almost choked reading this ,,, my work isn`t an entertainment ,
nore a relaxation thing ,, it might have a therapeutic by product ,,,
and sometimes i do some decorative works ,,,, but i can`t /won`t
measuremy work in the above `terms` .... And even when it is evaluated
for insurance when going to an exhibition .. this aren`t the only
elements considered ,,, The Mental connections are more important .

Pat P

unread,
Mar 23, 2004, 12:22:35 AM3/23/04
to
Well, you`ve certainly "got it bad!!!" LOL!

Pat P

"Little Black Bird" <nom...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:u2H7c.63271$SR1.107183@attbi_s04...

Little Black Bird

unread,
Mar 23, 2004, 1:31:08 AM3/23/04
to

"Joan Erickson" <joan_e...@und.nodak.edu> wrote in message
news:c3o4si$25juh8$1...@ID-145384.news.uni-berlin.de...

> I love watching whatever I'm stitching come to life right under my nose.
>
> --
> Joan

Oh, I love that too ... when you start a piece, having just finished the
first color, and you have to trust to the chart and just have faith that it
will all work out in the end. And then you get to do the backstitching when
all the cross stitches are done, and it's like the art is just popping right
off the fabric.

Rachel


Jan Lennie

unread,
Mar 23, 2004, 2:23:57 AM3/23/04
to
I love that I can see something developing in front of me from a piece of
fabric and some thread . I love to touch the richness of a design . I love
the feeling of achievement that I've created something beautiful . I love
the relaxation of sitting with a needle and thread - there's something
hypnotic about the sewing rhythm . I love that I can do it nearly
everywhere.
Jan

"Joan Erickson" <joan_e...@und.nodak.edu> wrote in message
news:c3o4si$25juh8$1...@ID-145384.news.uni-berlin.de...

Laury Walkey

unread,
Mar 23, 2004, 9:58:04 AM3/23/04
to
Little Black Bird wrote:

I love the point in my projects when I can recognize the symbols as colors and
can look at the chart and imagine what the finished piece will look like. I
also love the fact that then I don't have to keep referring back to the symbol
key as often (less page flipping = more stitching time!)

Cheers,

--

Laury

Joan Erickson

unread,
Mar 23, 2004, 12:34:37 PM3/23/04
to
Rachel Janzen wrote:
> I know my CSB
CSB? Don't think I've seen this abbreviation before.

Joan Erickson

unread,
Mar 23, 2004, 2:58:52 PM3/23/04
to
Mirjam Bruck-Cohen wrote:

> And i almost choked reading this ,,, my work isn`t an entertainment ,

Well, since it *isn't* my work and I have a husband and 3 kids to keep
me busy, I don't have time for much other entertainment! And it's such
a portable entertainment, too. :)

> but i can`t /won`t measuremy work in the above `terms` ....

My husband is one of those spouses who doesn't understand our passion
for needle and fiber so, unfortunately, sometimes I have to justify the
expense ("How can that small a piece of fabric cost $50?!?!), which is
why I figured it out in the first place so I'd have an answer ready for
him if he asked about it.

> .. this aren`t the only elements considered ,,, The Mental connections
> are more important .

Oh, I agree wholeheartedly with you on this point, Mirjam! The
enjoyment I get from stitching is something I truly couldn't put a price
on. It has been my salvation more than once.

Mirjam Bruck-Cohen

unread,
Mar 24, 2004, 1:29:12 AM3/24/04
to
Joan !!!
I understand your remarks about your Husband `s attidtude And i also
have/had other work, duties and things to attend to besides my fiber
works ,,, the only productive thing my husband saw in it was when i
sewed knitted and crocheted clothes for the family and even than he
didn`t consider Money saved= not spent [ on buying same clothes] as an
income ...And i was not a proffessional seamstres , thus it was not my
work , as you say it ... but Entertainment ????.

> Well, since it *isn't* my work and I have a husband and 3 kids to keep
>me busy, I don't have time for much other entertainment! And it's such
>a portable entertainment, too. :)
I see and understand your point of view , but i can `t call my textile
works entertainment ,, and as for carying it around i rather carry my
knitting around ,,,,, >

>> but i can`t /won`t measuremy work in the above `terms` ....
> My husband is one of those spouses who doesn't understand our passion
>for needle and fiber so, unfortunately, sometimes I have to justify the
Well i can fully understand that , thus i wove many of my cloth and
use leftovers from other proojects , and to tell you the truth bought
any piece of cloth for 50$ ???? i go to workshops , i buy ends of
bolts , i swop a lot , I tearmy old clothes , my old sheets etc,,,,
for big works i buy cloth with faults I use every scrap i can ... What
do you buy for 50$ indeed ???? ,,,
>expense ("How can that small a piece of fabric cost $50?!?!), which is
>why I figured it out in the first place so I'd have an answer ready for
>him if he asked about it.
> Oh, I agree wholeheartedly with you on this point, Mirjam! The
>enjoyment I get from stitching is something I truly couldn't put a price
>on. It has been my salvation more than once.
I am happy we agree on that ,,,, and as to costs , you will learn to
reduce them ,,, share with friends , look around ,, there are ways to
reduce those ...>

Mirjam Bruck-Cohen

unread,
Mar 24, 2004, 1:29:14 AM3/24/04
to
Joan !!!
I understand your remarks about your Husband `s attidtude And i also
have/had other work, duties and things to attend to besides my fiber
works ,,, the only productive thing my husband saw in it was when i
sewed knitted and crocheted clothes for the family and even than he
didn`t consider Money saved= not spent [ on buying same clothes] as an
income ...And i was not a proffessional seamstres , thus it was not my
work , as you say it ... but Entertainment ????.
> Well, since it *isn't* my work and I have a husband and 3 kids to keep
>me busy, I don't have time for much other entertainment! And it's such
>a portable entertainment, too. :)
I see and understand your point of view , but i can `t call my textile
works entertainment ,, and as for carying it around i rather carry my
knitting around ,,,,, >
>> but i can`t /won`t measuremy work in the above `terms` ....
> My husband is one of those spouses who doesn't understand our passion
>for needle and fiber so, unfortunately, sometimes I have to justify the
Well i can fully understand that , thus i wove many of my cloth and
use leftovers from other proojects , and to tell you the truth bought
any piece of cloth for 50$ ???? i go to workshops , i buy ends of
bolts , i swop a lot , I tearmy old clothes , my old sheets etc,,,,
for big works i buy cloth with faults I use every scrap i can ... What
do you buy for 50$ indeed ???? ,,,
>expense ("How can that small a piece of fabric cost $50?!?!), which is
>why I figured it out in the first place so I'd have an answer ready for
>him if he asked about it.
> Oh, I agree wholeheartedly with you on this point, Mirjam! The
>enjoyment I get from stitching is something I truly couldn't put a price
>on. It has been my salvation more than once.
I am happy we agree on that ,,,, and as to costs , you will learn to
reduce them ,,, share with friends , look around ,, there are ways to
reduce those ...>

Bonnie

unread,
Mar 24, 2004, 6:58:24 AM3/24/04
to
I used to do a lot of oil painting and I still plan to do more, but have no
designated place to paint in our home. It just doesn't work if you can't
leave it up all the time.

What I love about needlework is similar to my love of painting -- taking a
blank piece of fabric and creating something on it, seeing it come to life
with all the colors. I love all the colors of fibers to choose from (going
to a shop is almost an intoxicating experience!). And what is different
from painting -- I love that I can do my needlework in the middle of my
living room or at a friends house amongst friends or family. I love that my
husband understands my passion for it.


--
Bonnie

WIPs:
EGA's English Band Sampler ICC
Knitted Cardigan
Knitted Amish Throw

Commit random acts of literacy! Read & Release at
http://www.bookcrossing.com/friend/BonnieBlue

"Little Black Bird" <nom...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:u2H7c.63271$SR1.107183@attbi_s04...

Joan Erickson

unread,
Mar 24, 2004, 11:02:27 AM3/24/04
to
Mirjam Bruck-Cohen wrote:

> What do you buy for 50$ indeed ???? ,,,

The even weave fabrics we use here for counted cross stitch is anywhere
from $30 to $75 per yard. Granted, I only used a portion of that yard,
but I still had to pay the $55 for the fabric (cheaper when you can buy
the yard and cut what you need from it, so I usually buy a whole yard).
My calculations did not include the cost of framing, either. The
particular piece I was talking about cost me nearly $300 to frame, using
double suede mats, conservation glass and the frame itself. I paid for
mounting it on the foam core, too, since I didn't know how to do that at
the time. I've since learned.
I'm certainly not an artist like you, since I only follow patterns that
someone who is truly gifted has already created, with fabric that is
available. I only wish that I could be as creative!

Mirjam Bruck-Cohen

unread,
Mar 24, 2004, 12:36:40 PM3/24/04
to
Joan I believe all persons are creative ,,,,, and i am sure you are as
well ...
Would you like to demonstarte this to your self ,,,,, take a box or
drawer and collect some of you leftover materials ,,,,Some of the
counted cross stich cloth some threads some bottons ,,, have you got a
little pile of stuff????
Good ! now find a magazine with some nice picture ... lay the picture
on the cloth and Tear out some parts you like of this picture , now
put that torn part[s] on the cloth and Embroider over it enhance it
change the colors,,, what ever ,, lets say you chose a woman with a
dress ,,,, embroider over her dress ,,,, add some beads where she has
buttond ,, braid some threads and make her a New Hairdo .....
It is Fun Joan ,,, try ot , it won`t cost you money ,,,, but will
entertain you with lots of knowledge about yourself !!!
best of luck
mirjam
feel free to email me privately ,,,

Jere Williams

unread,
Mar 24, 2004, 2:26:59 PM3/24/04
to
I think art is in the eye of the beholder. I stitch and I paint. Now it
may not all be "fine" art, but I believe it's all art.

--
Jere
"Mirjam Bruck-Cohen" <mir...@actcom.co.il> wrote in message
news:405fd3c9...@ar.news.verio.net...

Mirjam Bruck-Cohen

unread,
Mar 24, 2004, 4:24:05 PM3/24/04
to
Well Jere ,, Art Is Not only in the eye of the beholder ,,,, you
should curate a bit , and than will see , that this is not so ,,, And
even not every work of an Artistic person is art ,,, believe me i do
art and i dom craft ,, sometimes the border line is hard to find ,,
but it is there !!!
mirjam

kirby19711

unread,
Mar 24, 2004, 5:53:51 PM3/24/04
to
I love my vintage and antique tools and books. Who was the "Annie"
who owned this worn and repaired thimble before me? Was she a
seamstress, an embroiderer or just loved to do needlework?

I love the "threads" of needlework that connect me to my grandmother,
who would go into the store, buy some perle cotton or floss and go
home and stitch the designs that she had seen at the store without
buying the chart, and to my mother who could stitch the most perfect
stem stitch I've ever seen and could tie a weaver's knot without even
thinking about it.

I love the needlework I've done in airports which let me know how many
other passengers were going to the EGA seminar.

I love the people I've met through needlework: the teachers, the
ladies from other countries, and the strangers in waiting rooms and
airplanes who lean in to get a better look.

I love the stories behind the crazy quilting I've done, especially the
bear.

I love just one more -row, stitch, book, chart, thread, project!

Mostly I just love to stitch.

Anne
still in Harmony Hills

"Little Black Bird" <nom...@comcast.net> wrote in message news:<u2H7c.63271$SR1.107183@attbi_s04>...
> I was going to call this things I love about cross-stitch, but I think some
> of it applies to all kinds of embroidery:
>

> Okay, let's be honest: I love my "stash" in general.

Rachel Janzen

unread,
Mar 24, 2004, 9:31:54 PM3/24/04
to
Joan Erickson wrote:

> Rachel Janzen wrote:
>
>> I know my CSB
>
> CSB? Don't think I've seen this abbreviation before.
>
>

Cross Stitch Buddy - it might be my own personal abbreviation.

Joan Erickson

unread,
Mar 25, 2004, 9:54:14 AM3/25/04
to
Rachel Janzen wrote:

>> CSB? Don't think I've seen this abbreviation before.
>>
>>
> Cross Stitch Buddy - it might be my own personal abbreviation.

Ah! This is a Good One to know! :) Thanks!

Joan Erickson

unread,
Mar 25, 2004, 10:15:05 AM3/25/04
to
kirby19711 wrote:

> and [people on] airplanes who lean in to get a better look.
Speaking of which, here's something I meant to post after my trip to
Reno last month. On the way back from Reno, a woman in my set of seats
pulled out a tray with all these little cubbyhole things (about 30 or 40
of them) in them. So of course, being the nosy thing I am, my curiosity
is piqued. I keep watch out of the corner of my eye. Soon she pulls
out something rolled up and a needle. Hmmm, this is getting *more*
interesting! She opens up one of the cubbies and it's filled with beads
and she starts stringing them on her needle! Turns out she's *beading*
a picture, which is something I've never seen before (yeah, I know--I
live a deprived life! LOL!). Not sewing them to a ground fabric, just
sewing them together. I finally asked to see what she was working on
and it was a *gorgeous* picture of a peacock, all done in solid beads!
It was about 10" high and looked to be eventually about 2 feet long.
Amazing! Wish I could see the finished project!
This brings another "love" to mind: I love to see what other people
are working on.
I love the way the people on this newsgroup are such enablers and great
teachers!

0 new messages