Enchanted Alphabet

I found the pattern for "Enchanted Alphabet" at least ten years ago. I photocopied it, lost track of it, found it, and lost track of it again :-(.

Now that a little one might come into my wife's and my life, I'd like to do this cross-stitch. However, it has been a while since I've done one, so I have somme questions.

(1) Where is a good place to find/buy a copy of the pattern? Is it so old that I'd be wasting my time at a local craft store?

(2) I have seen on Google Groups of rec.crafts.textiles.needlework that some DMC floss numbers have changed colors since 1995. How can I ensure a good color match?

Even though I started cross-stitching 15 years ago, I've been so out of it I'm still a novice. I'd appreciate any help you might give me. Posting to the newsgroup or emailing to me (please remove the SPA.M blocker).

Thanks!

Reply to
Windsor Morgan
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Lavender & Lace patterns never go out of print! You should be able to order it through your LNS, and I've seen some of them at Michael's Crafts also. Kim

Reply to
Kim McAnnally

What Kim said, plus I found one on Ebay:

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Reply to
Magic Mood Jeep©

Thanks, Kim and Magic Mood Jeep, for the leads. Also, my second question again -- are the colors listed in the pattern the ones I should be looking for, or is there a conversion?

Is "LNS" "local needlework store"?

Reply to
Windsor Morgan

You should be fine with that

Yes sir!

Cheryl

Reply to
Cheryl Isaak

Yes, LNS is that. As to DMC colors, what DMC did, beside adding new colors, was to change the dye formulation of a few colors (greys for one set), because some of the chemicals used in the process were carcinogens, (not the final products). Providing you do not mix old and new colors, there is no problem. Assuming you are purchasing a complete set of new thread, go for it. And welcome another male to RCTN; hope you stick around. Can I refer you to my web site at

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You might find my female nudes to be a different sort of pattern.

-- 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!!"

Reply to
F.James Cripwell

Sorry to post again, but I thought of a better idea. Go to the DMC website, and find the colors which were affected. I know, for example,

414 was one. Sort through your stash, and remove all of the thread that you have which are these colors. *If* you can complete a project using only the thread from your stash in these particular colors, go ahead; there will be no problem. If you are doubtful that you have enough, buy all new thread in these colors. Only the colors noted on the DMC website need disturb you. IIRC, there are fewer than a dozen. HTH.

-- 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!!"

Reply to
F.James Cripwell

(This was a post from Jill Spreenberg in IL from June 1999. I am amazed I remember that far back! I understand these changes took place about 4 years prior to that. I know I have both versions in my stash.)

" BD = barely different SD = Slightly different DD = Drastically different.

317 = DD - Bluer 318 = DD - Bluer 320 = BD - not as mossy 413 = BD 414 = DD - Bluer 415 = DD - Bluer 503 = SD - Darker, not as mossy 504 = SD - Lighter, not as mossy 762 = SD - Darker 959 = DD - Much darker, but the same hue 991 = SD-DD - Bluer 3799 = SD - Bluer. "

(And here is a later post from Maria in MAss.)

This is an excerpt from paperwork a shopowner got from DMC with a new set of shade cards. I don't have any other information, does anyone else?

:" in view of the priority we give to colour and fade resistance caused by washing and light, we have slightly changed the dyes used, causing a small shade modification."

the colours are: 956, 605, 604, 603, 602, 601, 600, 3806, 3805, 3804,

3608, 3607."

Hm, since DMC doesn't herald (warn) about dyelot inconsistencies...would I be right in suspecting the color differences here would be enough to be termed a "color shift" as happened in 1995?

-- Gillian Florida packrat of old posts!!!

Reply to
Gill Murray

Here is a conversion list that was psoted in the newsgroup quite awhile ago. It might be of interest to you.

-x-x-x-x-x- EXCERPT FROM ORIGINAL RCTN POST x-x-x-x-x-x-x- MLI's Enchanted Alphabet with the letters done in overdyed variegated floss and it was gorgeous.

The substitutions were the wonderful inspiration of Maureen, framer at Elegant Stitches in New Orleans.

She put a pale blue ribbon from the girls hand to a bow on the bunny's neck.

SHOPPING LIST: English Rose Linen,28 or 32 (pale mauve with a pink cast) Needle Necessities Overdyed Floss:

110 Blue is Blue 133 British Green 136 Navaho Turquoise 139 Mountain Spruce 150 Victorian Christmas 154 Coral Cay 156 Elderberry Wine 178 Coventry Garden 189 Kismet 195 Purple Coronation

ALPHABET KEY A - 150 Victorian Christmas B - 195 Purple Coronation C - 136 Navaho Turquoise D - 110 Blue is Blue E - 178 Coventry Garden F - 133 British Green G - 189 Kismet H - 154 Coral Cay I - 178 Coventry Garden J - 195 Purple Coronation K - 136 Navaho Turquoise L - 150 Victorian Christmas M - 110 Blue is Blue N - 133 British Green O - 189 Kismet P - 139 Mountain Spruce Q - 150 Victorian Christmas R - 156 Elderberry Wine S - 195 Purple Coronation T - 136 NavahoTurquoise U - 110 Blue is Blue V - 154 Coral Cay W - 189 Kismet X - 178 Coventry Garden Y - 150 Victorian Christmas Z - 139 Mountain Spruce

These fibers are more expensive than DMC, but there are 20 yards as opposed to 8.7 so the price difference is not what it seems.

have fun what ever you chose...Mavia

Reply to
Mavia Beaulieu

Probably. It's a MLI, which means it never goes out of print. A "real" needlework shop (versus a craft store like Michaels) should be able to order it for you.

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Reply to
Karen C - California

Also, take a look at the stitchers gallery for inspiration/motivation.

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Reply to
Karen Vizaniaris

this site is spam.

Reply to
dhducati

I also read the website's owners blog and happen to know that she missed up renewing with her hosting service. Not surprising since she has a baby girl, a full time job and is preparing to move to where her husband is working. For those who are interested:

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the way, normally the gallery is an excellent place to see finished MLI and Miriabilia designs and some of the fabulous colour variations some people use. Rachel

Reply to
Rachel Janzen

Reply to
wintersiren

Best wishes, Ericka

Reply to
Ericka Kammerer

You _do_ realise that the Enchanted Alphabets shown on Taneya's page are all based on the Lavender & Lace Enchanted Alphabets, right?

People took the EA, and changed the fabric color or the thread color (or both).

As an added note, please use your shift key. It makes messages *much* easier to read. A blank line between your post and the message you're replying to is also useful.

-- Jenn Ridley : snipped-for-privacy@chartermi.net WIP: Morning Glory, Rose Trio, Emperor's Coat II, Carousel Most recently Finished: Water Lilies, Be Mine, Honey I Shrunk the Heart Stitching log:

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Reply to
Jenn Ridley

Hi again, I found the pattern online, and purchased it. The pattern calls for either 16-count Ivory Aida, or 32-count Ivory Linen (2 over 2).

Three questions:

(1) I've never worked with linen, and have never done 2 over 2 stitching. Is "Enchanted Alphabet" too difficult (for a novice, remember :-) to start using linen or 2 over 2 stitching?

(2) Should I use two strands of floss or three?

(3) I've always used a hoop, but I am considering stretcher bars. Is this something a novice would have no problem using? The pattern area is 7 3/8 inches by 23 inches. How much extra should I use for the bars to hold the fabric?

Thanks for your help,

Windsor

Reply to
Windsor Morgan

I don't think so, but then again, I just wade in to do whatever seems interesting regardless ;-) Really, there's not much difference, except that you have a count a tad more carefully.

Tough call. I prefer to work on 36 count over two with two threads. I think two threads looks a bit skimpy on 16 count, but three might look a bit thick. I'd probably just go with 36 count fabric anyway, unless there's something about the design that would be problematic.

Can't help you so much there, as I almost always work in hand. I like having a generous amount of fabric around the edges, though, just for framing. I always go at least three inches on each side (so add six+ inches to your above dimensions). But, others might do just fine with less, and if you're using stretcher bars, the additional fabric could make the whole thing too big.

Best wishes, Ericka

Best wishes, Ericka

Reply to
Ericka Kammerer

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