Listener

Thank you, kona, for sharing. What is it that drew you to cross stitch?

Thank you for including the url. I think I might be an iconoclast at heart. Craft is for everyone who is interested, and is willing to have a go...all ages, both genders, all nationalities.

I totally agree. Every piece of craft received...or woodwork...or hand-made card...etc. bears the time and effort that someone gave with love.

Regarding favourites made by others... I have a tablecloth that has embroidery stitches by my grandmother...many fond memories of her and her stitching. My children love a quilt made by an elderly woman for a sale to support a local charity. It's just a heap of old denim jeans cut up into squares, sewn together, and then quilted using hand ties. It's warm, and soft, and beaten up...and still takes pride of place. My beloved wife made the one that takes the cake for me. She used random scraps of red material, stitched together into a large heart, with blanket stitch so that the joins are obvious. This is on a cream background, with a patterned red border. She then stitched a phrase from "How to Make an American Quilt" in a circle around the heart-- "Young lovers seek perfection. Old lovers learn the art of sewing shreds together and of seeing beauty in a multiplicity of patches." Gets me every time I see it.

Thank you, SMG. I'm way too ornery to worry about what anyone thinks about my hobby...but your dad sounds like the kind of person I would have liked. Isn't that the beauty of gifts? All of us get a different bundle, just for us.

Way to go! The baptism dress sounds wonderful...any chance of a photo when you're done?

I love this story. I can't remember how many times I've gotten irritated at instructions...I would have done the same welding, except they would have been my hooks! Otherwise, your resourcefulness is stunning. I would have loved to see that chambray shirt before it finally disappeared.

Keep going everybody. I'll be back in two days. Anybody want to share what their favorite handmade item is that someone else did?

Now that's what I call endurance. Welcome back to you and yours!

Here are some thoughts for those who are hesitant to learn a new craft skill. If I was going to write a book, I'd call it... LISTENER'S GUIDE TO THE COLORFUL WORLD OF MISTAKES. I have unpicked hundreds of rows of knitting in every possible sort of yarn...wool, cotton, acrylic, bamboo. I have unpicked thousands of machine stitches...after sewing fabric back-to-front, upside down, and wrong side out. I have never done a single cross-stitch that did not require several hours of undoing and redoing. But best of all is my very first attempt at knitting. I did a basketweave sweater for myself. It was beautiful. It took forever. Did I mention that I learned to knit from a book? The book failed to mention that when joining yarn at the end of the ball, it is best done at the beginning of the row. I joined it wherever it ended. Twelve months later it started to unravel at 10 different spots. Moths would have been a more merciful end. This thought: mistakes happen...rather than fear them, I've learned to stay awake, and learn from them, and laugh (later) that some lessons are best learned only once.

Cooking's good. I've never had much luck in that department. Good luck with your crochet!

Outstanding. We have smocking to die for...we have puffed sleeves that are perfect...we have a white outfit that is stunning. I am not worthy.

Aww...shucks, Missy.

I had a quick peak. I love the lavender/wisteria color. They really are beautiful.

We moved our kitchen to what used to be a double garage. The old kitchen, with appliances removed, now is the biggest stash room ever.

Moksha, don't be such a cross-stitch! It's all a part of the tapestry of life.

I really understand your comment about the color of your daughter's sweater. I've learned that it is much easier to take the recipient of my knitting with me when I pick yarn. But...every once in a while I do something for me...

Congratulations on your baby! I'm certain anything made for him/her will be perfect because you are the one who made it. Whatever it is, don't forget to sign and date it.

There is something I have always wished I could do--but my drawings always look like I did them left-handed...with my eyes closed.

You go, girl. Cross-stitch is beautiful. I have come to really like samplers.

My great aunt was the fastest knitter I've ever seen...but she used the continental method with both hands over the top of the needles, and I could never get the hang of that. Pencil grip is slower, but hey, this is the one area of my life where I don't have to compete!

Not witchcraft. My main problem is "...which craft?".

Absolutely. I decided that there is a flaw in the universe when women can do craft at boring meetings, and men can't. I have knitted my way through many "let's talk about reinventing our service" meetings!

Fear not. I have learned all I know about any craft from books. Believe me, there are a thousand ways to misread instructions. However, I always tell myself... "if a billion other people can do this, then I can too". Try a project. What's the worst thing that can happen? (When I have a bit longer, I'll answer this question from my efforts.)

I like craft. I knit (sweaters, vests, socks, etc.). I crochet (mainly afghans). I cross-stitch (although I have a hard time staying with these projects). But above all I quilt. I love the geometry. I love the way a well-chosen colorway can turn an average pattern into a thing of beauty. I love it when my children fight over who gets to snuggle under the latest project. I love that it brings the whole family together when it comes time to bind the edges. There. I've said it. I stare bravely at your sneers, and wish small dustballs to appear under your tables. Now to business. I'm not much at the technology of cameras, or inserting clever photos in a thread. I'm hoping some of you are better. Does anyone feel brave enough to share their latest project?