Unused Stash Survey

I'd say a lot of my stitching books fall into that category. Sometimes I even have the supplies to go along with them, such as silk ribbon. It's largely a function of time and having too many unfinished projects around. I mostly use the silk ribbon for very small projects, like jewellery bags, but even those are hard to get to.

Dora

Books. Definitely books. Not only instructional books but also hardbound pattern books. And maybe that almost-complete set of Anchor that I got at a huge discount as a result of a local shop closing down over the summer.

Jenn L. in Chicago

Books - me too. I've got books I've never stitched one design from. In fact, I was looking through some the other night, and I even have two copies of one book. Clearly it wasn't memorable, since I bought it a second time. Now, why?

I have books, also. I was not aware that you could have too many books. Some are just for the eye candy they contain and others are for inspiration when designing. My stash contains a rather large piece of linen which is going to be a hardanger Christmas Tree skirt designed by Janice Love. My older son saw me come in with the fabric and asked what I was going to do with that BIG piece of linen. So I made the mistake of showing him the design only to have him say; "Dibs, that one is mine!". Now every year he asks where HIS Christmas tree skirt is. I have not started it yet as it is a bit of a challenge just thinking about getting to a 56 inch x 56 inch piece of white linen. I was going to start it and then have younger son's wedding next month.

Maybe after the wedding I can get to the tree skirt.

Alice

messagenews: snipped-for-privacy@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...

For me it's several charts that I thought I loved and now can't figure out why. The Clover Mini Iron I guess goes into that category as well. So rarely used that it's on a shelf that requires a stepstool to reach.

Lucille

Or maybe you can teach your older son to cross stitch.

MCG Textiles linens and evenweaves. About 8 yards of it (not in one piece). I'm such a fan, but didn't know that nobody else is when I bought it.

Weeeellll, the problem is that some MCG fabrics are not the same count in both directions.

I got some of their fabrics with metallics woven in, but will only use them on small things (ornaments) where it won't be quite so obvious that it's not entirely square. I'd originally had thoughts of stitching angels on them, but not after I realized that I might have short, fat angels if I didn't get the fabric in the correct direction.

I have offered to teach him to do hardanger but it is hard when he is living in the Bay Area and going to grad school and I am in Utah. He did push needles for me when he was about three years old. Now he just enjoys the work I do and had staked his claim on just about everything I have embroidered. His younger brother has no idea what he is not going to get when I go hence. Of course, I have so many projects in my stash (and adding to it all the time) that right now I figure I have to live to be about 200 (please, with good eyesight) just to finish what I have in the house. The tree skirt took the designer about ten years to finish but, she did say she only worked on it during the holidays.

Alice

messagenews: snipped-for-privacy@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...

You know, I've been using it for years and never knew that until Lori at Enchanted Fabrics and Marilyn at Picture This Plus told me why nobody likes it.

On the other hand, in the past, I've been known to use anything that appeared to be a "big enough" count for me to stitch on and have made really horrible fabric choices (which I didn't know were horrible).

I did two of Rebecca Waldrop's angels on fabric that had a warp and weft discrepancy (not MCG--don't know what it was) and it wasn't until years later that I figured out why my angels were much taller and thinner than the ones on the leaflet (thank goodness I didn't stitch them the other way!). On the other hand, it was really soft and fun to work with, and it was quality fabric. Just...not even. :)

I have one of those Pako thread organizers that I bought 9 years ago that I've never (yet) used. A friend and I each bought one for when we did those TWs in our stash. We've yet to do even the Christmas ornaments that we bought when we first arranged to meet at the LNS that was in town. I'm still planning on using it "someday", but who knows when that will be. On the other hand, our county library levy didn't pass so after June 30 of 2007, I may have LOTS of time on my hands to stitch. Unfortunately, I won't have any money if that happens & any tentative plans DH & I had for me to go to work at the cabinet manufacturer where he works is on hold since they just did away with their graveyard shift and layed off almost anyone who had been there fewer than two years. He is still working because he stayed on swing shift AND has been there for 3 1/2 years, but I'm not sure they'll be doing any hiring and have no clue what I would do there even if they were. Oh well. 7 1/2 months is a long time away and the library foundation & advisory committees may come up with alternative funding that the voters will go for by then. Liz from Humbug

I stitched part of this. I'll give you fair warning, go all the way around before you get the urge to cut. I got around and it didn't line up. I've never figured out how to fix it. I recommend basting the grid lines. It's still in the drawer (where cross stitch goes to die) and maybe someday I'll get it back out.

Want to play back-up in my proofreading/editing business? If you read fairly quickly, it's good money hourly, and most of it is interesting. I just read a couple of upper crust divorce cases; some of you might recognize the names if I were allowed to say who. I must say, I found it hard to rustle up any pity for the poor woman who couldn't make ends meet on $30,000 a month..... (Well, noooooo, not when you're spending six figures on vacations and summer home rental every year.)

I've done that with patterns...

That's funny, 'cause I've eyed that mini iron in a many a catalog and marked it. I think I would use it, never ordered it....

Cheryl

A short chubby angel could be sweet? Pair her up with a tall skinny twin?

Cheryl

I'll raise my hand!

Cheryl

Hmm - I suppose I could include all the charts I've never stitched and all the floss I've never used and all the uncut fabric I've never put needle to, but I think fondling counts.

I have a lay> About 18 months ago, I bought quite a bit of silk thread and ribbon from Hand

Doesn't everyone ???? I have a pretty one but if I really need to use one, I have an ancient curved, pointed, flat upholstery needle that's much more convenient.

I just had a brainstorm. I think I'll make a little scissors fob for it that can be threaded right through the large eye of the needle. That should make it more official looking, right?

Lucille