A real tragedy.

No shops nearby to pick up canvas, perhaps to start a different project if the other was already underway? Of course, your subconscious might be telling you it's time to look for inspiration for the next project. Just a thought. Hope you will still enjoy your long weekend.

-- Carey in MA

Now if all I had was TV, I'd drive 300 hundred kilometres for my needlework!

Jim, so sorry, but I think you're a week late with your timing! Last Friday was the 13th :) Have you considered tatting? It's so easy to pack a set of shuttles and plenty of fiber, at least that's what I do. I so rarely tat, but it's nice to have that as a backup if I get the needleworking urge.

Skyhooks hhmmaarrddiiss aaahhhttt uuiiuucc dddaaauuuggghhht eeedduu

don't see double and triple to reply

P.S. last Friday (13th), DH and I went to ride >

-- Jim Cripwell. From Canada. Land of the Key Bird. This creature of doom flies over the frozen tundra in winter, shrieking its dreaded call; "Key, Key, Key, Key rist but it's cold!!"

Oh poor you, I really feel for you - and I bet the TV only has rubbish on it. Did you take a good book with you? Why don`t leave a piece of canvas at the cottage next time you`re there? Just in case.

Pat P

F.James Cripwell said

Make lemonade out of the lemons -- look around to see if there's something made out of cloth that's crying out to be stitched on. It could be a tablecloth, a towel or a piece of clothing, etc.

Since you seem to have 'net access, leap on over to a web site that has a technique or stitch that might be suitable for your lemonade.

Well, it certainly sounds as if your cottage is in a peaceful, quiet area. Much more wide, open spaces that are found in Massachusetts. Too bad for the mix-up in packing the canvas. That must be an incredible project. Care to share the name? Happy stitching.

-- Carey in MA

The name is something like I Zwicky 8 (or maybe 18), which wont mean a thing to anyone. It is a picture from the Hubble space telescope of a very young galaxy, that I turned into a pattern; something like 150 by

-- Jim Cripwell. From Canada. Land of the Key Bird. This creature of doom flies over the frozen tundra in winter, shrieking its dreaded call; "Key, Key, Key, Key rist but it's cold!!"

Jim, I just found the picture, and I think it will be an incredibly impressive piece when completed. One that you converted in Patternmaker? Are you using dark fabric, or stitching the entire picture on neutral cloth? Must be very tiring for the eyes, or perhaps you have a technique for that as well. I must say that I am greatly impressed.

-- Carey

Sorry to hear about your stitching tragedy, but I can't help to think had the project been one of your 'famous nudes' you wouldn't have forgotten it...(wink)

take care, Linda :)

Yes I used Pattern Maker. I am not sure which picture you found, but mine is cropped so that the galaxy itself is about a third of the total area. I hate stitching on black, so I am stitching everything. I am not sure what you mean by "tiring for the eyes". I have no trouble stitching anything on a neutral canvas. The one technique that I use is to stitch the boring background first. This has two advantages. One is inspired to get on with it, so you can get to the more exciting parts. If you really take great care and get the count completely accurate, it is better than gridding for doing the more complex part.

-- Jim Cripwell. From Canada. Land of the Key Bird. This creature of doom flies over the frozen tundra in winter, shrieking its dreaded call; "Key, Key, Key, Key rist but it's cold!!"

Jim, I found the one titled " I Zwicky 18: A Baby Galaxy in a Grown-Up Universe", at

-- Carey

I find it`s best to have the TV on so you can change your focus onto something that`s moving every so often - a tip I got from another male stitcher/designer. That`s how come I see so much tv, Sheena. I treat it like radio really - just look every so often or if it sounds interesting!

Pat P

LOL, Jim, your house (if you haven't sold it yet) is probably closer to most folks idea of cottage life. :-) OK, not so much YOUR house, but your home town anyway.

Well, you can always enjoy the trilliums.

Tara

BRILLIANT, Pat!!! I started keeping a teeny-tiny project in my purse at all times for such catastrophes. Nothing with a deadline, just something to work on when I have nothing else to do.

Pop into WalMart, Jim, and pick up something that you like, but doesn't really scream at you. Then you won't be tempted to work on it when you have another project at hand, but it's there to amuse yourself with when you've forgotten to pack your REAL project. Put one in the trunk of the car, with your First Aid kit and emergency supplies, and another one in the cottage. If you finish them, fine; if not, well, you've had some pleasant stitching hours, and since you bought them at WalMart, no great financial investment that you feel you must finish them.

Unfortunately, this presents a major problem. It might not strike people as obvious, but pretty well all patterns that are sold in LNSs, Walmart, Michaels, etc. are designed to the female taste. I ran out of "something you like" many years ago. Anyway, thanks for the thought.

-- Jim Cripwell. From Canada. Land of the Key Bird. This creature of doom flies over the frozen tundra in winter, shrieking its dreaded call; "Key, Key, Key, Key rist but it's cold!!"

How about design your own little carry around project. Surely one of your daughter in laws would like a little sachet bag or something. Or something that could be put in an auction for your guild to raise money or some other charity. Get creative. ruby

At the risk of sounding argumentative, Walmart is where I picked up the last bear design that I got to do for my BIL, and trust me, he's about the least feminine male I know these days. And I think I got my most recent wolf pattern at Michael's. They do have stuff that's not so very feminine, but you DO have to look a bit.

Tegan

Not everything out there is all flower gardens . There are ships, city scenes, castles of England, famous building, canal boats , animals wild and domesticated, birds, many many unisex patterns. leaves, Canadian bluenose dime