Crossstitchforum - A FREE forum for Cross Stitchers

Well done with Bruce, Mabel! I was looking at your RSN SALs a couple of weeks ago while lurking and they are all stunning. You really are very talented. Looking forward to seeing the windmill canvas develop.

Serinde, the Bizzy Lizzys are stunning. So colourful!! And well done on filing your tax return. Only a year before you have to do it all over again. Like Christmas. :lol: I'm just going to settle down in this big comfy armchair with my feet up, a plate of delicious, warm, fresh scones and a pot of t...

Oh my goodness, what a lovely welcome back. Thank you, ladies! we are now in the Scottish Borders and settling in nicely Wendy, DH is in your neck of the woods at the moment! He's a keen hill walker and is on holiday up there with his best mate. They're coming back on Sunday but they've had a wonder...

... but I'm back! :D :wave: Life's been throwing me curve balls over the last couple of years. DH was made redundant and struggled to find a new job, which meant I had to put in extra hours to make ends meet. Then after about a year, and just before Covid hit, he got a job on the other side of the c...

I'm finding that stitching on a frame (I use a Lowery stand) is starting to give me a sore neck and shoulders. I've tried adjusting the height and angle, but that doesn't seem to help. So I want to have a go at in-hand stitching. The problem is, all my projects are HAED and GK BAPs and I just can't ...

Well, I finally put the last stitch in Cat in a Window yesterday evening :whoop: :dance: and I'm thrilled with him. He's the first Golden Kite design I've done and I will definitely do more GKs, as it's been a joy to stitch. My next focus piece will be HAED Drawing Room (because it's DH's favourite)...

Stay safe, everyone. Sending positive vibes to all those who are affected. Please keep us updated if you can.

I use an 'away knot without the knot', so just a tail of a centimetre or so on the front and snip it off when it's covered on the back. It saves time not tying all those knots. (I'm not very good at tying knots!)

Daylight lamp for me too. I work on 22 and 28 count so my lamp and magnifier are indispensable.

I'm trying to make a DIY thread organiser by printing the chart symbols onto a piece of fabric and sticking my pre-threaded needles in it. Here's a picture so you can see what I mean (for some reason I couldn't get it the right way up): http://www.crossstitchforum.com/gallery/pic.php?mode=small&...

Thank you everyone! I can't believe it's 7 years!!!!
My stitching style has changed tremendously since I joined the forum and I blame all you enablers!

Garnet wrote:Do be careful if you scratch your nose whilst wearing that

I used to use one of those and nearly poked my eye out with it once, so do be careful.

WOW! He is so striking and lifelike. Especially the eye. And the beak. And the feathers. Congratulations on a fantastic finish!

I love him! So scruffy and happy!! Great start.

poppy wrote:Very atmospheric picture

I'll second that! This is my favourite of your recent projects, Vanessa. Such a warm glow!

I recently had to scroll my frame up, which made me realise how much progress I've made on this. I'm getting close to finishing now - only about 30 more rows to go. I will really miss this little cat when he's done but I'm looking forward to taking him off the frame and seeing the whole picture for ...

I don’t use Good Notes or Goodreader but I do recall seeing some YouTube videos of stitchers using them and explaining their features, so you might want to check those out if you haven’t already.

In addition to the great advice above, I have two tips: 1. Try a few different types of evenweave to find one you really like. I love 28 ct Jobelan, others prefer Brittney, Jazlyn, etc. 2. If you’re planning to stitch over 1, be careful of vanishing stitches (aka slippage). This is where the floss s...

Half a forearm. I dangle the bobbin down to a freckle that’s roughly halfway between my wrist and elbow, and cut it there. So the thread length is from my fingers to that freckle. When I’m doing loop starts, I measure it to my shoulder.

I use pin stitches all the time to both start and finish, even over 1 on 28 count, which IS possible despite what most people would have you believe. I’ve tried waste knots and tails (i.e. waste knots without the knot) but I find they use more thread and they get in the way of my parking. I snip off...