Hi! Cross stitcher here

[Miss Mickey Mania]

HI everyone,

I am not new to the DIS boards, as you can see I have over 500 posts. But I never noticed this board on the list before! I should really scroll down sometimes .

The only craft I do is cross stitch, and it's a regular thing. Most nights I do a little of whatever project I am working on. I haven't done any Disney designs yet (Self Portrait kit is in a drawer somewhere unopened so far) except for a couple of little charty quilt squares. I keep an online photo album to show my completed projects. It's a great way to look back on what I've done.

Well, just thought I'd drop in and say hello.

Louise

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Welcome!!
I'm also a stitcher as well as beginner scrapper. I'm working on about 4 different cross stitch pieces right now. I bounce between scrapping and stitching, it really depends on what mood I'm in.
Do you do counted cross stitch or printed? I mostly stick to counted but my mom does the printed. I'm in the process of teaching her counted. The only Disney stuff I have done so far were some jackets for my boys for our last trip to WDW.

Come back and visit us here at the bottom of the page! Were a great group of people. Be careful though we might just get you hooked on scrapping.

 

[eeyore74]

I just picked it up again. I haven't cross-stitched since I was a kid. I picked up a counted Mickey and Minnie thing.

I do have a question - how can I keep the hand holding the cloth from getting cramps? It was killing me last night.

 

[Miss Mickey Mania]

Hello

I do only counted cross stitch. I don't like the printed as I could never match up the stitching to the lines in the patterns. I like to stitch on linen mostly and I'm using hand-dyed threads and hand-dyed fabric (shades of pink)for my current project. I'm in emergency mode right now as it's a gift for my aunt's birthday on the 19th.

Never tried scrapping. I don't think it's as popular over here but I know it's huge in the USA. We also have a big shortage of craft stores here and many people rely on mail order or the internet for supplies.

Louise

 

[Miss Mickey Mania]

I just picked it up again. I haven't cross-stitched since I was a kid. I picked up a counted Mickey and Minnie thing.

I do have a question - how can I keep the hand holding the cloth from getting cramps? It was killing me last night.

Hi Allie,
What size is the fabric? It could be that you need to use a frame of some sort. I started using Q Snaps and they are so comfortable to use. They are extremely lightweight and they don't put marks on your fabric like some wooden frames would.

Louise

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

It gets better over time.
Have you ever seen how trumpeters warm up their hands? It's like drumming your fingers only in the air instead of on the table. Thats what I do, the one thing I learned from hanging out with band guys. That and just switching hand positions every once in a while. From like 2 o'clock to 3 o'clock and back. The larger the hoop the better too. Plus it helps that I have a pooh belly so I can rest the frame on it for a while.

 

[Momeska]

I do have a question - how can I keep the hand holding the cloth from getting cramps? It was killing me last night.

I, too, have this problem, thus I don't stitch as much as I used to. Unfortunately, I think the only solution is to get younger! I think as we get older, our hands just tend to cramp up when in the same position for an extended period of time. Any medical professionals out there with a solution? Doesn't happen with scrapping, though! Do you feel like you're being recruited to our side?

 

[eeyore74]

Thanks for all the replies! It's a small piece, I think about 6" by 8". I was wondering if I'm getting arthritis since I play zills (finger cymbals) and my left hand had been cramping with that, too. But I will try all the suggestions.

 

[DisneyRGB]

Hi Louise!

I've just started cross-stitching and am also in the UK so I definitely know what you mean about the shortage of craft shops - luckily we have a huge Hobbycraft in Nottingham, don't know what I'd do without it!!

I put up a post a few weeks ago about swapping cross-stitch patterns, I got quite a few new patterns which was great, we just took copies of patterns (so we didn't have to send away patterns we were still working on). If you want to swap some Disney patterns then please feel free to PM me!!

 

[dreams91]

I'm a cross stitcher, now also scrapper too. I hung out here on the boards and got addicted to buying scrapping stuff. So now I am actually starting to scrap too. I switch between the two crafts. Sometimes crochet too. Welcome!!

 

[Honeybehr1]

I am a counted cross stitcher but have had to shelve all projects due to an injury. seriously. I did a real bad job on the tendon on my right thumb. Had to have shots in it and all. its still not 100% but at least it doesnt throb all day and night anymore. But as soon as I pick up a needle it starts. Very disappointed that I have a half finished baby blanket for my niece and nephew.
Scrapping doesnt bother it though so that is good.

 

[wtpclc]

I'm a former cross stitscher. I hung up my needle after sending about 40 hours on a project that went bust. These days, when I'm not scrapping, I'm crocheting baby blankets. Welcome!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I hung up my needle after sending about 40 hours on a project that went bust.

Sorry it went wrong. What happened?
When I start having to rip things out that means it time to put it way for a while. I did that several times to a medieval castle. It took me 4 years to complete. That was my longest project so far.

 

[wtpclc]

Well, my dh got me software that would turn a scanned photo into a cross stitch. My SIL is a big fan of Anne Geddes, so I wanted to do a cross stitch like that for a wedding gift. Well, it took me that long to realize that it was just not going to look right. SHe never did get the hand made portion ofher wedding gift. I've been workign on an afghan for her, but baby blankets with deadlines keep getting in the way.

Even worse. I tried to knit her a baby blanket for nephew to be. WHy do I try new things with her??? That's been scrapped to. BAck to crchet. I do it better and it moves MUCH faster!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

We used to sell the software at Michael's when I worked there. I never got a chance to use it though. As for knitting I am right there with you, my mom's a knitter and she tried to teach me. I tried to make a scarf for DH and I got no further than pot holder size It's been like that for 2 years. I can't crochet either.

You experiment with her because she'll love the effort you put into it.

Don't let it discourage you though. There are some gorgeous patterns out there. My personal favorites right now are from www.tiag.com In divisions they have links to Butternut Road and Lavender and Lace. I just finished Catch the Wind from Butternut and Quiltmaker from L&L. Now I am working on the Celtic series. Some of them need special thread but you can buy them online. I found one store in New Jersey that sells them too.

 

[Miss Mickey Mania]

Those converted photos into cross stitch charts are amazing. I've seen a couple of completed pieces and they are wonderful. So many colour and shade changes though, it would drive me mad.

I have charts for large designs but I always end up doing smaller pieces. I'm so slow but at least I see progress then .

This is the one I'm doing right now. I have completed the flowers and will be working on the fence or letters today.
http://www.hoffmandis.com/detail.cf...D=WAX&Keyword=&prodlist=des&desrefine=&CatID=

Louise