Not OT: good day

My LNS owner showed me a finished project a few days ago -- pumpkins with complex patters on them, some were paisley I think -- the stitcher had done it all in a half cross stitch. She said she does nearly all her work that way, because it's done in half the time. It was pretty, but think how awesome it would have looked finished in a whole cross stitch.

Besides, for me, it's the process, not the product.

Nadia i wish you an easy and pleasant labour. As to work`s back side , what is the problem with that woman ? 1 it isn`t her business , 2 you won`t shopw the world both sides anyway ...

Good LUCK mirjam

Pretty true - that ends up with lots of frogging.

Ummm, Liz, there is a limit - I've suddenly a picture of "textural" pieces having lots of squishy hills and valleys - the 3D approach. But, this is a major reason that Basketweave is suggested for NP in things that are sat on, have feet rested on, stood on, etc.

Personally, don't have a particular preference - I do what suits the shape, coloration. But, I an pretty anal about carrying threads. Thread is cheap

- relatively - and it really bugs me when you can see the threads jumping all over the place - so if it's more than a few stitches away (few varying depending on mood and ground), I tend to snip and restarts. I do know one rather temperamental designer who does the most amazingly neat stitching, and is for one a "count" snob - as in "Ohh, you're doing NP on 14, 18, god forbid 13 or 10 - how big - oh, of course this piece is 40 ct or maybe 36 - while waving it around. But, her backs are amazingly neat. Of course they don't look like the front - but they're amazing - so especially with open work, she did help me recognize when it's important to keep the back clean.

That said - I hate when people give someone crap about their stitching just in a snobby fashion. OTOH, sometimes a shop person (like a framer) may want to find a diplomatic way to let someone know that it might look better if they didn't overstretch their linen when stitching, or ask they realized they were pulling all their crosses, etc. But, honestly, it's whatever works for ya/

Ain't that the truth. Yesterday - at hockey games doing my ref sup thing -

2 funny quotes. One, the prior game a parent had been booted from coaching to being booted from the stands - the kid (big kids) - pre this game says to ref he recognizes "thanks for throwing my dad out - he's such an embarassment - do you think you could do that again, or all the time?" Those in earshot all agreeing.

The other - DH had to go work a college game - late last night - 10:30 - we wer out of the rink at 1:40 AM. Yuck. The one team from George Mason (yes, who made the hoops final four last year) is very disorganized on the ice - not like a team. The other team is UVA - doing very well - nice movement, teamwork, etc. First clue that GMU had issues - at the pre-game chat between officials and captains his question to the officials "So ref, what can we get away with?" . Officials try to not react, armband guy says something like "what's in the rules" and they all go away. I am then faced with 3 officials trying not to burst into laughter. Needless to say, the less organized, and getting seriously outshot (59-11) team was GMU. Plus - the stupidest penalties - poor guys gave up a shorty on their 5 on 3. And, honestly it wasn't a big talent delta. Their goalie did headstands, and the score was only like 7-1.

Age may imply experience, but not everyone gains wisdom.

ellice

I bet the piece is from "Glendon Place" and is the one which is my next project (that Donna helped me find some gorgeous threads for). The chart is a big chart (ala the large buff ones that MLI uses), and it's all full crosses, with some backstitch outlining. A lot of flosses listed - I'd say about 70 - which is why I've decided to sub in a bunch of overdyed silks and floss. The designer had a similar piece - 1 pumpkin - which I saw in the shop as it was in for framing. And it was GORGEOUS when finished and framed

- in full crosses.

This is a link to the piece on ABC Stitch Therapy, scroll down a few. If you look at the close-up, you can see the stitching and color changing in detail.

The designer is from Florida, and as far as I can tell deosn't have a web-site.

But, good memory. What a weird thing to do. I wonder if she used more strands to make up for some of the space.

FWIW - I'm doing this on Autumn Blush hand-dyed Belfast

Ellice

I wondered if this description of the half cross piece was the same Glendon Place pumpkin you have, Ellice.

The only times I've used half cross is for background or filling when you need a lighter effect. If time played a factor in what I choose to stitch, I obviously wouldn't stitch at all.

D> >

Yes, that's it -- Pretty Pumpkins from Glendon Place. And yes, you're right, she used three strands of floss instead of two. Still, think how magnificent it would have been, stitched as suggested.

Thanks for the website -- I especially liked Ghostly Gathering.

From the description of the pumpkin with paisleys, etc - it has to be. That's why I posted the links - but as you've seen it - I just can't imagine it looking as lush only done with half-crosses. It would be different if they converted it over to canvas and did it as tent, which although seems like it would be the same doesn't really fill the same way.

I've used them to get an angle , an eds, and I cansee from the blow up of this that I may add some in to get rid of the stair step look around the pumplkin perimieter. Who knows - I could end up adding queen stitches ;^)

So, meeting my pal Candis at Reston Town Center in 20 min - we're hitting Appalachian Spring and doing some general browsing - LMK if you're wanting to hook up with us - although I'm sure you're doing family things.

BTW - I should tell the crew - that I did get to see so many of your beautiful, framed stitching pieces - all that nice work - really lovely.

Ellice

Neither does youth always indicate lack of either wisdom OR experience! LOL! Be fair!

Pat

>

Absolutely - ellice

i mix my systems , every work , in fact every part of work has it`s own `needs` , how to work it. mirjam

As i read this i tough that maybe a combination , back ground in half xst and pumpkins with full xst would have made it , interesting as well ,,,,, time ? what is this when you make something? mirjam

I don't know - but she sure does make her opinions known.....I don't really make much effort on the backs one way or the other but people feel I do a good job which is nice of them to say. But it just rattles me when she goes out of her way to insult unnecessarily - especially when I'm a customer in her store! Oh well....that's why I don't shop there all that much anymore.

Nadia

Brenda Lewis wrote:

Thank you Mirjam! I'm kind of nervous as this is my first baby but I'm armed with as much information as I can find as well as a doting husband so I'm hoping everything goes smoothly. I'll be happy so long as there's no unnecessary medical interventions and we end up with a happy, healthy baby.

You know what - I'm so embarrassed to admit this, but I'm working on a Mr. Moon and Me Sampler by Bucilla for the baby's room (I went with a moon and stars theme) and my DH accidentally threw out the original pattern the first time. So I called and Bucilla sent me a copy of it but the problem was that the original was a colored pattern and I couldn't make out the backstitching with the black and white copy. So I sucked it up and ordered an entirely new kit again. .......*sigh*......now I fear I may have thrown the entire kit out again!! I've searched the house up and down and it's been seen nowhere for two weeks. So I guess I'll be ordering just one more - and if I go into labor before it shows up, that'll teach me to leave my packages on the kitchen counter!

Nadia (who SHOULD be saving for diapers!!)

Mirjam Bruck-Cohen wrote:

As long as this doesn`t establish a pattern - you know - try not to throw the baby out with the bath-water!!! ;-))

Pat

misc.kids.pregnancy is a great source of information, especially if you're looking for low intervention birth information. If you haven't stopped by already, come on down and ask any questions you like!

Best wishes, Ericka

Don't give me any ideas!! I'm hoping that the delivery will give me back my brain power...

Nadia

Pat P wrote:

Don`t worry Nadia , you will be a richer and more experienced woman and your brain will be much brighter , Every child brings light into life , says our tradition. ENJOY your experiences ,, mirjam

Don't worry, it will... Cheryl (who being an engineer very tough by month 7)