Canvas Embroidery Notebook series

Hi Dora,

My sister has Beth Russell's Victorian Needlepoint book in hardback and I have it in soft - I have to say that while I agree the charts leave something to be desired - I couldn't find a difference between the two versions.

Take care, Tara

bungadora wrote:

Oh, I might as well admit it. I'm a book snob. But a poor book snob, so I'll probably end up getting the soft cover version when the planets are aligned.

Hard covers lie flat a lot more easily though.

Dora

Oh, I'm the same way. But as I color copy the patterns to use as my "working pattern" I figured I'd be able to deal with it! :-) Having a copy also allows me to "embellish" the original to make it more clear - which is needed with some of these poor quality charts. If needed, I outline each section to make the boundaries more clear.

Tara

bungadora wrote:

Hmm. I should do that. My 'book pattern' is already getting a bit dog-eared. Do you scan the chart and print it out on a color printer? Dora

Yep. I have 4 scanners now (what a mess)! Each has a different purpose.

My birthday present on Thursday was my newest scanner - it's an HP Scanjet 4670 See-Thru Vertical. It doesn't have the standard flat bed - it is self contained in one clear, thin, piece that can be *laid flat on top of the book or other document*. I wanted this type of scanner for scanning very old documents that can't be handled or laid in a conventional scanner (or books that can't be flipped upside-down). Now I can more easily scan projects from my books. I can see through the scanner to line it up on the page properly.

Picture of scanner:

I couldn't believe was my husband - he was thinking about how I could scan my finished projects better with this scanner. What a guy! Tara

Hhhmmm.... I was coveting that very scanner for some time but wasn't sure the quality was high enough - have you used it enough to see much difference in the output?

MelissaD

> What I couldn't believe was my husband - he was thinking about how I could > scan my finished projects better with this scanner. What a guy!>

I have not scanned a finished project yet but I have scanned a CS chart and found the quality to be quite good. I have a desktop scanner (an Epson) that I use for photo quality work (photo restoration), another one built into my printer (another HP), and one that is made to travel with my laptop. This new one is at least as good - so far - as all the others I have. It even comes with a negative and slide scanner attachment. I had to pay extra to get that with my desktop scanner!

I'll post a couple of scanned images - one document and one finished CS project - to my web site and let you know about it. I'll probably do it Sunday.

Tara

MelissaD wrote:

Btw Dora,

Today I saw several copies (hardback and soft) of Beth Russell's Victorian Needlepoint at a used bookstore in Jacksonville, FL called "Chamblin's Bookmine" - if anyone is near the area it's on Roosevelt and it's WONDERFUL. Bought a ton of cross stitch and needlepoint books, magazines, and charts today. They have tons of books for quilting and other types of needlework, as well.

Their web site is:

their search tool is very limited (her book won't show up on the web site) you can call them or email them with the information and they will find it themselves and ship it to you. They just have waaaaaay too many books going in and out of there to try to keep the online database updated.

Their prices are generally 1/2 off cover for a good condition book. Less if there is some wear and tear. 20%-30% off if it's a new book.

Tara

Thanks Tara, I'll think about it. I'm in Canada, so there's shipping and exchange to consider. I have to be a good girl for a while anyway. Taxes and dentistry are going to clean me out next month. Dora

Her first book's charts are the pits. Volume II and III (sorry the names escape me now) have really good charts.

Irene

Her first book's charts are the pits. Volume II and III (sorry the names escape me now) have really good charts.

Irene

I have two of her books now, Traditional Needlepoint and the William Morris one. If I am going to use color charts, I prefer color + symbols. Hues of a single color have to be significantly differentiated in value if either one will show up well in a chart when only color is used. Of course it could be my weak old eyes. Dora

Hi, Dora: I've seen the Mindy English series and don't remember much about it--it was a while back. I didn't buy it but I don't think it was because I thought they were awful, more like it would be one book (or three) too many.

On backgrounds, though, you'd be surprised. I took an ANG online class a few years back of a sampler of background stitches and concepts and it was amazing---there's a lot you can do and a whole variety of stitches and techniques that can really enhance your piece. A book doesn't surprise me at all. Marjorie

surprise me

Thank you, Marjorie. I did a bit of looking around on the net, and found the book on a couple of 'recommended' lists, but that was about it. The book is expensive, so I'll have to think about it. I started off today by going to the dentist, then having my taxes done, so I'm feeling rather poor at present. It will be a while until I'm ready to do the background anyway. I might look around for a class, but I'm not sure there would be anything available locally. Dora