Cross Stitch Update

*Sorry I’m late with a post…it was a scheduling error**

Before I get into my cross stitch today, I am going to answer a few questions that came in from readers…

Cheryl asked:
“I think I saw in a post that you have an ott-lite and I was wondering how you like it? I’ve been trying to find the right magnifier and light combo and getting confused with the options and strengths. I got a table-clamped version and I like it but within a week I am having trouble with the switch so fear it’s not going to last long. Maybe a post on lighting options? Love reading your blog posts!”

I have two different lamps…this one… is my favorite.  It can be used any of the ways you see…a tabletop, a clamp, or a floor lamp.  I use as the floor lamp option.  I like it because it holds my chart too.  I clip my chart on there and can quickly look at it to see where I am at.  I don’t use a magnifier much.  If I’m stitching over one I do so that’s handy when I need it.  The light is bright and adjustable.  I like it.  You can find the lamp HERE.

The downfall of this lamp it that the switch that turns the power on is known to not be long-lasting.  I am on my second lamp.  I ended up buying a power strip and I turn the light on and off using the power strip.  That has worked great.  I do REALLY love this light but…it’s expensive so when I decided to buy another lamp because my girls are here from time to time and they cross stitch with me.  They need a lamp so I bought this one…

This one does not have a clamp chart holder.  It does not have a magnifier.  But…it is reasonably priced.  It’s not big and cumbersome.  It comes in a variety of colors.  The softness and brightness of the light is adjustable.  It can fold in half and easily be tucked away.  It has a remote but I never use it.

This one is only about $40.  If you want something economical and you don’t care about the clamp and other options the big one has, this is a great alternative.  You can find it HERE.

Janice asked:
“Have you done a video or tutorial about how you frame your cross-stitch pieces?”

No, I haven’t.  I hope to at some point.  I’m still pretty new at it.  Also camera angles and such are hard.  Also, it takes quite a bit of time to do and I don’t know if anyone wants to watch that long of a video.  It is a goal of mine to do one at some point.

Cody asked:
“Jo, do you use batting on every piece?
Have you thought of doing a video of how to lace your project, or can you recommend
any sites that are helpful for learning how to lace up your work?”

I use batting on most of my pieces.  The batting is a great buffer that helps hide imperfections on the back of the piece.  It helps so any thread tails on the back don’t show through to the front too.  I typically only use one layer.  I know of other finishers that use more.

I would recommend THIS VIDEO on how to lace.

Here is where I last was on my Come to the Garden project by Teresa Kogut.  I am stitching this on 40-count Vellum by Picture this Plus with the called-for colors.

Here is where I am this week…What a difference some border work makes, right??

I’ve been in a funk with this piece so last week I decided I would concentrate on the border, after all, it’s the border that I first fell in love with.  My goal was to get the left side done…I did more than just that and that’s quite an accomplishment being I didn’t get to stitch a couple of nights.

I thought getting that border going might get me more excited about the piece and in turn, get me to stitching more.  Isn’t it pretty??

I am making another goal.  I want to finish the top and bottom border for next week.   I think that’s doable.

This is where I finished for the week…

Goals really help me stay motivated.  I’m starting to like the piece again…

The other piece I worked a little on was the Autumn Alphabet by The Scarlett House.  I am stitching this on a piece of 40 count Heartland by Picture this Plus.  Here is where I was last week.

Here is where I am this week…

It’s not a lot further.  I didn’t have much stitching time this week.  I didn’t sit down until 9:45 pm on two nights this week.  Both nights I told myself to just put one thread into the piece and then go to bed.  I did a little more both nights but not much more than that.

I love having a small piece and a big piece to work on at the same time for a night like those two.  If I put work into a small piece, even if it’s only a little amount of time, it seems like I actually accomplish something.  If I put the same amount of time into a bigger piece, it wouldn’t seem like I accomplished much.

I did fully finish my Red Bird Sampler by With thy Needle and Thread.  I wrote a blog post about it HERE.

I am so happy to have another piece fully finished.  Thanks to all of you who stitched along with me to make this happen.

That’s all in the stitching department this week.  I’m hoping to get a bit more stitching time in next week and so far, it looks promising.