Cross-stitcher check in! (all welcome, of course :) )

[Rajah]

Thelk -- there are a lot out there, but the only one I can think of by name (and is apparently the most economical) is called PCStitch if I remember correctly. I tried the demo and it wasn't bad, but I don't like to do "confetti stitching" where you may use a color for only 3 blocks, then you're done with it and are using a color very similar. I've seen some really good results with PCStitch, though.

 

[FergieTCat]

I've been doing counted cross-stitch for about 20 years. I rarely stitch and finish anything for myself. I am constantly making gifts, but I do have some half finished projects. I just pulled one out of the closet that I want to finish, now that my Christmas gifts are done. I didn't stitch for a while, but now my job requires so much reading, writing and typing that I find my stitching a very relaxing change at night.

I prefer to work on Aida, usually 14 or 16 count. I work from both charts and kits. Right now I'm finishing a "Welcome" sign for my apartment, which I pieced together from a book. I have some cat patterns I am dying to work on, but am trying not to start anymore projects until I finish the ones that are half done.

 

[FergieTCat]

thelk --

I attempted to use PCStitch, and found that it assigned wierd colors. I scanned a picture of a red tabby cat, and it included plums and greys in the color pallet. I thought it looked strange.

Maybe the newer versions have improved on it. Maybe you could check on Amazon to see what software is available.

 

[DMoss3377]

Hi!

I have cross stitched for about 15 years, learning from from grandmother and mother. I usually only do counted cross stitch, but will work on whatever catches my eye.

I've finished a couple small projects, which are hanging in my home.

I started scrapbooking 4 years ago and stamping 2 years ago, and since then, my cross stitching has taken a back seat. I've been working on 3 projects, 2 stockings and one hanging of fairies, for the past 3 years. LOL :

I find it relaxing, but lately I can only work on it for a short time, my hands get stiff from holding my hoop, I've thought about getting a lap stand, but just don't know if it's worth it.

Well, good luck on all your stitching.

 

[JESW]

I have been cross stitching for several years but have never finished a project! I get bored with doing the same one over and over so I switch to something else. I just started one with Japanes fans. I also have the Cinderella castle kit but have yet to open it. (Oh, did I mention that I am a collector? ) I like to have a lot of projects on hand so I can switch around. I also scrapbook and rubber stamp and I have limited free time at the moment so not much is getting done. Neither is the housework since I discovered the DIS!


Jill


Thelk4...in a previous post you mentioned working on the plane ride to Orlando. If you are talking about a cs kit, I'm not sure if the airlines will let you bring a needle on the flight! Post 911 new rules. I could be wrong, but i thought I had heard this.

 

[DiznEeyore]

I've cross-stitched off and on since I was a teenager. My current work-in-progress is the Cinderella Castle. I work on it on vacation, so who knows when I'll get it done! LOL

Rajah, I love the idea of doing a day castle to complement the nighttime one!

 

[The LK 4]

Jill,
I hadn't even thought about them considering a needle to be a restricted item! I guess it's back to a book or magazine for me.
Thanks,
Laura

 

[Tantor]

Anyone with the Castle stitch willing to share the pattern?


Yes, I would be interested in this too!! Anyone?

 

[figmentvi]

My name is Linda, and I'm an addicted stitcher.

I've been cross stitching, needlepointing, embroidering, crocheting, sewing and latch hooking since I was little. My Mom was an incredible seamstress, so I kind of picked up all those crafts through osmosis.

Although I enjoy cross stitching, I really enjoy needlepoint and have done some really detailed projects (petit point).

I'm currently (will it ever end??) working on a very detailed cross stitched Christmas tree skirt. I started it in April of 2002 and am only half way done (and I work on it almost everyday!!!).

I really love stitching projects. They've given me a wonderful release on stress.

Earlier posts have mentioned bringing needles on board the plane and as of right now they are still restricted. I'm surprised a crafts company hasn't come up with a durable plastic needle that can be used on planes. We can always use children's safety scissors to cut threads.

 

[jimmytammy]

Is there a website where you can purchase the Castle pattern or other Disney patterns? My local cross stitch store is not carrying them any more. Thanks for any help.

Tammy

 

[autochick]

my mom( figmentvi) has also made beautiful christmas stockings for myself and my dd. I cherish them.
I also cross stitch I started about two years ago when I was expecting my daughter I needed something to do while waiting at the doctors office. I am still very new at it.

 

[Rajah]

DMoss -- I have an Elan lapstand, I think the company that makes it is something like Artisan -- It's worth it's weight in gold as far as stitching goes! I've tried some others and didn't like them, but I love my Elan! It works with any kind of hoop or q-snap or scroll that I've encountered, but it does work best with scrolls. I've got a picture of it I *think* on my cross stitch website in my sig, if you can ever get to it (my server's been down recently. Shoot, *all* our internet has been sporatic since before Christmas ). It's one of the mother's day roses near the bottom. I want to say the stand was about $60 or $70, but it has saved me so many hand cramps that it was easily worth that!

Thelk/Jesw -- YES, you can take cross stitch needles on the plane! At least, I've done it about 6 times since 9/11 (if you count each leg of a flight a different time) and never had a problem, nor have I heard of any cross stitchers or quilters who take hand work having a problem with their needles. Knitting or crochet needles might be more of a problem, though. It's the scissors that may be a problem, but if you take a clover cutter or baby nail clippers WITHOUT FILE, you should be fine. It's worth a try! And if they do make you toss your needles -- what, they're 10-30 cents each? To me, it's been worth the risk and I've not had a problem at all.

For those wanting the Castle cross stitch -- it's only available at WDW to my knowledge, but you can call merchandising (I always forget the number, though) and order a copy shipped to you.

 

[Meriweather]

Can't get your webpages to open, Rajah.


I have the Disney "Self Portrait" stitching, but haven't started it. I need to be inspired!!
My hands and eyes aren't what they used to be.

 

[Rajah]

Keep trying, probably later in the evening. Our internet has been up and down sporadically since Christmas, as I said, and it's really getting annoying. We're trying to get a tech out there to figure out what's happening, but he has to be there while DH is there and we haven't gotten the times to mesh yet.

 

[figmentvi]

Wow that's great news about being able to take stitching projects on a plane again. I called American Airlines shortly after 9/11 and they said "no". But, they have eased up restrictions on some items.

Yipee !!!!

 

[Patabel]

I've been a cross-stitcher for at least 30 years or so (started is an infant, of course! ) I have also done quiet a bit of crocheting, felt/beading stockings, ornaments, etc. I just HAVE to have something in my hands when I sit and watch TV, long distance car rides, plane rides, etc.

Like many of the other posters, most of my projects have been given as gifts, though I have a few hanging up in my house to prove I actually do cross stitch! But, I have more projects started, but not completed, than I care to admit. I generally like to work on Aida 14, though I have worked on 11 down to 18.

I've been thinking about a lap stand for quite a while now...my hands, too, get tired easier holding the Q-snap frames as I get older, but didn't know it would be worth it. From the comments others have made, sounds like it would be.

Thanks, Rajah, for this great thread!

 

[Louise-Montreal]

I have been cross stitching for about 15 years. I have made Xmas stockings for my kids, and some Butternut Road patterns and a Paula Vaughn. I also bought Cinderella's Castle but have not started it. Like many of you, I seem to go in cycles. Sometimes I will be stitching and other times I can go for a year without picking it up. Now, I am in a stitching mode so I am working on a powwow dancing girl. I think it is going to be beautiful.

I would love to see some pictures of people's work!

Louise

 

[jipsy]

How long have you been cross stitching? Since I was 16, so 24 years.

Are there particular patterns or styles you like to do? No, I stitch whatever catches my eye.

What do you like to stitch on (linen or AIDA for example). Anything not nailed down. LOL AIDA is what I started with, but I use linen alot.

What's your current project? I have about 5 different cross-stitch projects going - two leftovers from Halloween, a baby name thing, and a couple of Christmas ones. Right now I'm busy crocheting an afghan though, to go on the new bed my BF is making for us.

Do you design your own? I am just about to start this. I am in the process of looking at different softwares to create the patterns. I have several different designs in mind.

My whole family is into crafts. My mother mainly crochets, my oldest sister and her two daughters cross-stitch. She owned a cross-stitch shop for awhile, so I have alot of stuff she sent me that I haven't even started on. I cross-stitch, knit, crochet and folk art paint. I am taking an upholstery class next month. I also sew. And cook. No, my name is not Martha Stewart LOL.

Here's one I did last year that is one of my favorites - it's done on a burlap type material.

 

[Rajah]

Very cool, Jipsy!!

 

[jipsy]

Rajah that project was alot of fun. It used alot of different types of threads. It was the first time I'd ever used alpaca - I hate that stuff LOL. It made my fingers hurt. But I thought it turned out nice. My sister came to visit me and I showed it to her. She framed it for me for my Christmas present last year.

I have alot of projects I have finished that need framing.