Friday, May 7, 2010

Friday Questions and an Ornament

GR&DF (Gentle Readers and Dear Friends) as I like to think of you all - thank you for taking the time to leave such kind comments - I do appreciate them!!

I think I will start off with a snap of the Ornament I sent to Marie - we are in a small bi-monthly Ornament Exchange. It has been such a great group!!
Here is a snap for the piece I sent for this Fifth Round...

JCS 2007 Ornament Issue - "2007 Merry Xmas Pinkeep" - by Brightneedle
recommended DMC floss on 36ct linen.


I have wanted tot stitch this piece ever since I saw it in the magazine. It so reminds me of a Quilt. The only changes I made was to leave off the lavender coloured floss - I did not care for it on this piece and pulled it out after stitching. I think there is only one more round and that will wrap up the exchange.

I had so more comment questions I wanted to answer - Diana asked "where I got my charts from" - it seems that I am always looking everywhere - eBay, destashing Blogs, other stitchers selling on different forums, different stores - either on line or brick and mortar. I think I get my biggest inspiration from other stitchers. I will often see a project in motion and get the "need" to possess the chart which in turn leads to other charts either by the designer or something with in the same genre. When I start searching I find all sorts of things that I had never seen or heard of. In my head when looking about I think about how old a chart might be which means that it is either OOP or is going OOP or will soon. I always have a list of things I am looking for - right now the list has about 25 or so things on it - not that I need any of them. Last night I was going through some of my binders of charts I have and Rico asked - "Just how many charts DO you have???" he had a sort bewildered look of disdain at the time that I thought bordered on a sneer, but I could have been mistaken. I sat there a moment and answered quite easily "way too damn many, that's how many!!!"

From Luned came the question of the variety of things I have stitched - commenting on the new header. I often feel that I am stitching the same type of thing over and over - or only stitching brown, beige, grey and black. But, the snap shows an different story - Most of my big non-exchange stitching lean towards the sampler or sampler type things - I love samplers both historic charts and new.... and have a tall, tall stack of these charts waiting to be stitched.

Lee the Lake Stitcher has resurrected the SBQ (Stitchers Blogging Question) on a monthly basis - this month the question is :

Suppose we say there are two types of stitchers.

There are those who enjoy the "process" of stitching. They stitch for stitching's sake and if something gets finished, so much the better, but it's not necessarily the end goal. Primarily, it's the application of needle and thread to cloth that makes them happiest.

Then there are those who are "project" stitchers. They move steadily through their projects, certainly enjoying their stitching time, but finding their greatest joy in the completed stitching.

If you had to pick one to describe yourself, which type of stitcher would you be? I imagine that we could all say we fall somewhere in between, but really think hard about this and try and pick just one. And once you've decided whether you're a Process or Project stitcher, tell us if you recognize that approach in other parts of your life.


I am totally a project stitcher. I work on a project until it is finished. I tried the rotation route with many pieces going at the same time - that really didn't work for me at all. I notice that even while stitching I am thinking about the next thing and even keep a list of of the next 5 or so things I will stitch in the order they will get stitched. This list often changes, but it is a list all the same. I look at them a goals and in my life I am also goal or task driven. I like to "do something, finish it and then move on to whatever is next." The whole process of stitching is the main reason I came back to cross-stitch. The rhythmically going needle and the creation of something - or process - keeps me stitching, but since I have to pick one - I am a Project Stitcher.

There you go sports fans. Remember to check back on Monday when I announce the 3 winners of the 3rd Blogiversary Drawing. If you haven't entered the drawing and would like to - make sure to get a comment on the April 9th Posting befor 3 PM PST today.

Have a great weekend!!

Take care,
edgar

17 comments:

  1. I would love to be part of your giveaway-nice blog happy anniversary!

    ReplyDelete
  2. When someone asked me how many patterns I need I give the same answer that I give when someone asks me how many purses I need...

    Just one more!!! :)

    Have a great weekend.

    Val

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love your ornament! Bright Needle has some wonderful charts.

    I wouldn't dare bring out my whole chart stash in my husband's presence for fear of the same disdain, not to mention loss of my ebay privledges and quite possibly my credit card, lol.

    ReplyDelete
  4. lol @"Way too damn many--that's how many"!

    Does Rico like (or should I say "understand") your stitching? or does he just tolerate it being there on the wall. I think Dear Marc might be the latter, though cheerfully enough. I have yet to make/finish anything large enough for the wall. When Witches Go Riding is definitely wall-bound. So should BBD's Beneath the sunlit sky be! I need to finish that puppy up and get 'er on the wall--it's May already!

    ReplyDelete
  5. You mean we are supposed to count our charts?! I don't have enough fingers and toes to count that high! I think just play it safe and say greater than 20!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love the ornament! I'm a project stitcher too -- no doubt there!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love the ornament! I can't picture lavender in it either! I just posted a link to your giveaway on my blog- I must've missed that note the first time 'round- sorry about that!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your stitching is just so beautiful. I completely understand the "too damn many"...I'm lucky enough that my dear husband has a collection of his own things so he can't say squat about my stitching stash.
    Also, San Francisco is one of my favorite places and I don't get to go nearly enough, so your blog gives me enough of a "fix" so that I can get through until the next visit! :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you again Edgar for the beautiful ornament!

    I can relate to your "way too damn many charts" statement :D

    Have a great weekend~

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am still laughing at your response to Rico!! I remember my husband's reaction when we moved seven years ago at the boxes I filled with charts - now I have added seven more years to those and I think he knows better than to even go in the cabinet where they are all accumulating!

    Your exchange is lovely - can't picture lavender in there either.

    Have a wonderful weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Very fun to read about your stitching style. I think I am the same way. It drives me crazy to have unfinished projects, although sometimes towards the end of a project, I get bored, and no longer enjoy it, which slows me down on motivation.
    Lovely exchange you received. Hope your weekend is good.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love the new header--great way to highlight your samplers!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your header looks terrific, such a neat idea to form a flower with your samplers.
    The ornament is one of my absolute favourites of the JCS issues. Very nice finishing.
    And thanks for all the strolls through San Francisco. I always enjoy your pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love the ornament! I agree, I probably would have left the lavender off - not really a Christmasy color. Thanks for the GR clarification...I love reading your blog and seeing all the fun things you are stitching and places you visit. Stitch happy!

    ReplyDelete
  15. That is a beautiful ornament ! Love it !!

    ReplyDelete

“In every end, there is also a beginning.”

 Gentle Friends, I finished the sampler last night and here's a snaperooo... Village Square Sampler from Samplers Remembered   1/8 - 3/2...