a little bit of x-in'
I had one of those manicy evenings last night--I was working on this until 1:00 AM to get it done. This is when having the blog really pays off. I am insane, but I really have so few unfinished projects because of it. It's great for motivation. What is not so great it that I am not a night person, I am an early bird, so "right sides together" was a concept that was too hard for me to wrap my brain around last night. . .let's just say that this wasn't going to be a needle case in my first plan and leave it at that.
This is my first real cross stitch project-and it reminded me so much of knitting. I don't knit much. Some day I will knit alot. I can feel it. I love yarn but I find I am only a good knitter with small hard projects, otherwise I never finish. And the thing about knitting, is that you can't really design as you go, or, I can't anyway, which is how I do everything. Same with cross stitch. Well, I did design this as I went, and you can tell, but I finally got smart and had a piece of graph paper near by at the end so I could x out the design before I just forged ahead. For me, cross stitch is a bit like picking a scab in the best way (gross, sorry.) it was fun and I couldn't stop, even when I should. My eyes hurt and I need better posture.
I had high hopes for this lovely kit, but started it in a total whack job way and I also was too excited to do my own thing to stick with it. I ended up using the rest of the lovely linen on this little needle case.
There is an ulterior motive with all this, which is that I am planning/designing all the main mailorder projects right now, at least 3 of the 4 anyway (a year is so far out!) I am saving the last one as a wild card. . . the first mailorder (late September/early October) will have a hat pattern, this time for the man/boy in our lives (although it would be swell on a lass) an Elmer Fudd style hat with ear flaps, then the 2nd one will have an old timey (albeit a modern interpretation of one) cross stitch sampler chart. . .then Raggedy Ann and Andy pattern, then who knows. . .so, I figured, even in my normal delusional state, I should actually start and finish a cross stitch project before I design a pattern. How smart of me!
really cute... I always look at these and wonder if it would be fun, so it's great to hear how much you enjoyed it. Seems like a good project for the long car ride, or nights in front of the tube...
Posted by: kelly | August 11, 2006 at 05:00 PM
I love your cute little cross stitch design. I sense maybe a new career in the works?
What happened with the Blackbird Designs kit? Anything I can help with?
Posted by: Chris Howard | August 11, 2006 at 05:03 PM
I am just the opposite- a total night person... having a baby...I think you HAVE to be a morning person.. but the "a concept that was too hard for me to wrap my brain around last night" made me laugh.. so true!
Posted by: Morgan | August 11, 2006 at 07:46 PM
I am just the opposite- a total night person... having a baby...I think you HAVE to be a morning person.. but the "a concept that was too hard for me to wrap my brain around last night" made me laugh.. so true!
Posted by: Morgan | August 11, 2006 at 07:46 PM
im neither night nor morning oriented, i think if i had the time sans kids in the middle of the day i could powerhouse through so much! thats for that dream world i live in... ha, when i knit or embroider, i find myself gripping the needle so hard that my hands are achy the next day. nice.
Posted by: hannah | August 11, 2006 at 07:59 PM
Love the scab reference. Glad you don't hold back!
Posted by: Emily | August 11, 2006 at 08:31 PM
Very cute cross stitch design!
Posted by: AJ | August 11, 2006 at 10:01 PM
NIght person!! (Check out my timestamp -- and I'm just about to start some sewing) I'm a mother of two toddlers and am happy that they both seem to be night owls too. But you have to go with your inspiration whenever it stikes you. Even if it's too late (or for me, early) in the day. Nice cross stitch!
Posted by: Heidi | August 11, 2006 at 11:11 PM
Your cross stitch design is lovely!
I used to feel restricted by the pattern in cross stitch (it's the craft I do the most), but then I realised that I can really do my own thing. It doesn't have to look like the picture.
I love Blackbird Designs. I've stitched quite a few of them, and of all the finished items I have they are the ones I like the most.
I've also found that I don't really like to make frame-able items from cross-stitch. Little intricate things that I can finish are much nicer, and using timeless patterns, arranging them so that they suit whatever I want to make and editing them if necessary is best of all.
Posted by: Ash | August 12, 2006 at 12:21 AM
i can't wait for the next mailorder installment! so very exciting.
i hope you order a big batch so our chance of getting one increases!!! PLEASE!
Posted by: lera | August 12, 2006 at 07:04 AM
Tiny things are the most appealing. Love your x-stitch mini.
Posted by: Grammie | August 12, 2006 at 07:20 AM
great scab analogy. love it. i've got a design for a needle case i haven't done because cross-stitch really hurts my eyes... but after seeing your delightful project, i may give it a go soon.... add it to the ever-growing list of projects.
Posted by: bekka | August 12, 2006 at 07:39 AM
Your new projects are always exciting and a delight to see and (with your Mail Order program) enjoy.
Posted by: June | August 12, 2006 at 09:27 AM
Oh, that's darling. Great job, Amy. I like that. I usually just stick my needles into the couch and then freak out when I've lost them in it.
Posted by: Alicia P. | August 12, 2006 at 12:13 PM
I just started on my own cross stitch. (my very first one I ever designed myself!) It's a sampler with the saying "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without." I know you like sending things in the mail and was hoping you might be interested in a swap I just started over on swap-bot. It is for handmade thaumatropes. I am looking for some nifty crafters to sign up. Check it out if it sounds interesting.
http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/638
Posted by: Jenna | August 13, 2006 at 07:18 AM
ooh...such great fun stuff coming up in mail order. I've got to remember to get in line to resubscribe!! Can't wait for the man-hat.
Posted by: amanda | August 13, 2006 at 07:56 AM
The cross stitch looks lovely, I love checking in at this blog to see your latest creation, very inspiring. Thank you.
Posted by: Rebecca | August 13, 2006 at 12:31 PM
Love your wee cross-stitch. Good job! Me thinks you're going to be hooked on 'em. I like to have a little something to work on while watching T.V. at night so you've got me thinking about doing one too. I've been working on a fairly large Christmas piece but would enjoy a smaller project. Thanks for the idea. Love your blog site!
Posted by: Wanda (swan-artegan) | August 13, 2006 at 01:46 PM
Cross-stitch is my first craft love. My grandma taught me when I spent one very long summer in a hospital bed, and I have enjoyed it ever since. I still go back to it every now and then, even though mostly I'm busy with other projects.
Posted by: Kim | August 14, 2006 at 06:05 AM
Really nice cross-stitch piece. Love to do this as well as embroidery, sewing, knitting and crochet. I've found, as I've grown older, that I like to do smaller things because the chances are I'll (maybe) finish them. Love your work!
Posted by: JanetinPortland | August 17, 2006 at 09:52 AM