Hi there from Iowa!

[emc]

Hi, I'm Ethel.

I learned to embroider as a child, but seriously got into it, again, about 27-yrs ago.
I have learned for me to finish a project, I not only have to really like the pattern, it has to be a challenge of some sort, and it also needs to be functional or have some greater purpose, like it is being made for a gift.

Last night, I just finished my first cross stitch photo. It was supposed to be a Christmas gift, but I totally underestimated the time involved. Without the boring details, the software I used was about 10-yrs old, so that posed a few special problems.

I came upon this site looking for information/ideas on cross stitching afghans. I bought several pieces on an auction site, and trying to decide what to do with them.

Thanks!

[karen4bells]

Hello and welcome to the forum!! I'm glad you've found us and hope you will enjoy our site!!

[fccs]

Hello from Colorado and welcome to the forum.

[Squirrel]

Hi Ethel and Welcome from very warm Brisbane, its great to have you along.

Several folk on here are going to be doing afghans using Mabel's beautiful Floral Lace designs - see Mabel's Hardanger thread they are truly gorgeous. Carole (rcperyls) also does afghans from time to time so you will not be alone with doing one.
I had thought of also doing one myself but then I looked at what stitching I needed to get done this year and decided it was a 'no go'.

[Oriettait]

Hello and welcome from Italy

[Serinde]

And welcome from the West of Scotland!

[vanessanjf]

Hello and welcome

[littleturtlegirl]

Welcome to the forum from Virginia!

[rcperryls]

Hi Ethel and welcome to the forum from South Carolina! Afghans are great for stitching projects. Until I joined the forum that was all that I did. I would choose a theme (cats, sports, fairies, angels, birds etc) and then find designs that I wanted to do. Made it easier for those times when I couldn't decide which of several I wanted to do. As Sally said, we have some lovely afghans that members have been or recently finished stitching. Looks like you are going to fit right in with us! Looking forward to getting to know you.

Carole

[emc]

Thank you for the "welcomes".

I haven't received the afghans, as yet, so I don't know the "count". Question: Which size and type of threads are used? I have nearly all the DMC floss, many colors of #5, 8 & 12, Pearl Cotton. Just preparing (in my mind)! Haha!

Another thing: Do you "back" the Anne Cloth, Monza Cloth, etc. after finishing?

Right now, I've only got 3 ideas rolling around.
1) I like the big scenic pictures that looks like you are looking through a window pane to the outdoors, or
2) Making the afghan look like a quilt (using color), where the possibilities are endless.
3) Going with the quilt idea, but using the same color, like ecru on ecru, and using specialty stitches.

All ideas appreciated,
Ethel

[meganh]

Hi from NC!!!!

[perftangel]

Hi from Pennsylvania! I actually work for a company based in Des Monies, so I have traveled to your neck of the woods a few times last year!

Welcome!

[emc]

I love Des Moines! If you travel to DM again, and you like Vietnamese food, you must check out A-Dong's in Des Moines. The food is awesome. They have a great Art Center and Botanical Gardens for sites. I used to travel for my job and always checked out the towns' sites and restaurants.

[MaggieM1750]

Hello from your neighbor to the north.

I did an Eskimo pattern from Gittas in Toronto. It was a set they designed specifically to fit into afghan blocks. I only did one of the designs. But heres the link if it may be of interest to you.

I agree with you on the "it needs to have a function" part when deciding on patterns to buy. I can't stitch just to stitch. It needs to have a purpose when its finished.

Welcome to the forum.

[emc]

Thanks Maggie,

I will check it out. What size floss or pearl cotton is used?

I hope you love that name! It was the name of a childhood friend. She didn't like it, but I loved it. Actually, I liked any name that wasn't Ethel!

[emc]

Thanks for the link. The floral charts are some of the best I've seen, and the Inuit designs are really precious.

[perftangel]

I love Des Moines! If you travel to DM again, and you like Vietnamese food, you must check out A-Dong's in Des Moines. The food is awesome. They have a great Art Center and Botanical Gardens for sites. I used to travel for my job and always checked out the towns' sites and restaurants.

Actually, I went there last time I was in town with some co-workers who had never been there. I love ethnic food! I will have to check out the Art Center & gardens some time though!

[MaggieM1750]

Thanks Maggie, I will check it out. What size floss or pearl cotton is used?

I did my eskimos on regular stitch fabric- I think it was maybe 28? So I used regular DMC floss. I've not done an afghan before. But rcerryls (Carole) has- so she would know. Someone, (Sarah Gixxer maybe??) just finished a teacup afghan.

Oh.. so that would be another idea.. borrow her idea to do the Vermillion Stitchery monthly teacup series on an afghan.
Ellen Mauer Stroh also designed a monthly floral series a few years back. Not sure how big they were but another possible afghan idea. Her designs and the teacups are similar- both the flowers of the month.

Although- I do like the idea of making each block like a quilt block where the afghan fabric would be the edging around each square. Log cabin would fit quite well.