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Since my kiddo's are still small I have to keep all my stitching put away on a shelf unless I'm actually stitching. This means that it is a bit time consuming to get my large projects out and set up. Time consuming to the point where it was getting too difficult to pull out my big projects while the kiddos napped in the afternoons, so I'm going to work on smaller projects during nap time. This will be the place where I post updates for my nap time projects.

My first one is Chatelaine's Autumn 2011 freebie. This is where I'm at after about a week:



Thanks for looking!

mechie

Great idea to keep small projects for these times. Love the toadstools and the fabric you're using is perfect. Looking forward to seeing it finished.

Oh those color are terrific!!!!!

that is going to be so pretty. and you have made a lot of progress. What a great idea for the naptime hours.

Carole

Love the idea of nap time projects and this one looks great!

What a great idea! Wish I'd thought of nap time stitching. I did stupid things, like dusting.

Great idea. Your stitching looks lovely

I'm so glad you are doing this one!! It's one that I hope to do in the future! You've made great progress on it already and I really love your fabric choice!!!

Your fabric choice for this one is brilliant - look forward to seeing it grow!

Thanks for all the wonderful comments. I'm glad y'all like the fabric. This is actually the first time I've ever tried choosing my own fabric, so I'm kinda glad I'm not the only one that thinks it looks good!

Now I have a question for y'all. I'm trying to put together an order for the specialty threads and beads I need for this project and a few others. Right now I'm totally confused as to what beads I need to order for this one. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I've never had to order beads before (I've always had kits or charm packs) and know nothing about them. Help, please!

Thanks.
mechie

Hi Mechie

I just looked at the Autumn Freebie pattern and the bead list is confusing as it says Mill Hill Seed Beads (one brand of bead) and then offers a Delica number (another brand of bead!) Delicas size 11 (sometimes called Miyuki) are the brand that Martina uses and the numbers are:
DB505 - Light Bronze 22 Carat
DB174 - Chartreuse Transparent Rainbow.

I'm not sure of the best place to buy these your side of the pond - but they are a lot easier to get hold of in the US than the UK which is why I had to order mine in from ECC for my CG Mandala!

HTH

Lovely stitching.

Thanks, Amanda, that helps a lot! Right now I've only found one cross stitch supplier that sells Delica beads (abc Stitch Therapy), but I'm still looking. I'm hoping to get everything I need in one order so I can save on the shipping.

Now I've just got to figure out what the difference between the Swarovski Emerald bicones and the Emerald AB bicones is (because abc stitch therapy keeps the Emerald ones in stock, but would have to special order the AB ones). This is quickly becoming complicated. If I ever get around to doing a full size Chatelaine I'm most definitely ordering the kit from ECC just to save on confusion (and my sanity ).

mechie

mechie wrote:Now I've just got to figure out what the difference between the Swarovski Emerald bicones and the Emerald AB bicones is (because abc stitch therapy keeps the Emerald ones in stock, but would have to special order the AB ones). This is quickly becoming complicated. If I ever get around to doing a full size Chatelaine I'm most definitely ordering the kit from ECC just to save on confusion (and my sanity ).mechie

AB refers to the coating applied to the crystal, it stands for Aurora Borealis, a coating that gives off a rainbow-like effect. So if you don't want to special order in anything and the emerald that they have is the same 4mm bicone - I'd go with that!

Mrs Milkybar Kid wrote:it says Mill Hill Seed Beads (one brand of bead) and then offers a Delica number (another brand of bead!)

Mrs MBK, I don't think Delica are a brand of bead -- they are a type of bead which has a relatively large hole compared to seed beads. There's a list of the different types of bead here.
Mill Hill sells a similar bead, but theirs are called Magnifica beads

Mabel Figworthy wrote:

Mrs Milkybar Kid wrote:it says Mill Hill Seed Beads (one brand of bead) and then offers a Delica number (another brand of bead!)

Mrs MBK, I don't think Delica are a brand of bead -- they are a type of bead which has a relatively large hole compared to seed beads. There's a list of the different types of bead here.
Mill Hill sells a similar bead, but theirs are called Magnifica beads

Thanks Mabel - you're much better at explaining things than me and English is not even your first language ! Brand was the wrong word to use, I just meant a different make/type of bead - this particular chart listed MH seed bead as the type of bead but gave a Delica bead number, a bit confusing! Delicas are a bead from Japan made in the Miyuki Factory which differ completely in shape to Mill Hill seed beads in that they are cylindrical, have a wider hole and are more uniform in shape. As you rightly say the Mill Hill equivalent are Magnifica beads.

Thank you both for your help and explanations. I'm much less confused now. I've gone ahead and place an order with ABC Stitch Therapy, so hopefully I'll have all my supplies soon (I'm always nervous when I order from someone I've never used before). Of course, with my luck the package will arrive while we're out of town for the Thanksgiving holiday next week....

mechie

How I remember those wonderful 'nap times' Mind you it is a real shock when they grow out of them. Can't believe my baby is 16 tomorrow!

Serinde wrote:What a great idea! Wish I'd thought of nap time stitching. I did stupid things, like dusting.

Somehow I miss your comment earlier. Just so you know, I do do some chores at nap time, but probably not as many as I should . I recently saw a cross stitch chart for sale (and I should have bookmarked it at the time because now I can't remember where or by whom) that said something to the effect of "Cleaning house while the children are still small is like shoveling snow while it's still snowing". I really need to find that one again, stitch it up, and display it somewhere prominent in my house (like on the front door).

Anyway, here's an update on my little toadstools. At this rate I'll have to start something else before I finish this one because I haven't gotten the rest of my supplies yet.



mechie

Ooooo pretty - can't wait to see it with the sparklies added when they arrive. I have to say it again - that fabric choice is perfection!