July 9, 2019 Tuesday

The First Day of My Remodeled Website

Permanent Resolutions for Stitchers

1.  Take all the pent-up anxiety about perfection and redirect that energy toward creativity. Open up your minds and think of creative  possibilities you can bring to your needlework, ways that will personalize it and make it distinctly yours.  Here are two ways to start:

Oops you made a mistake and you face a lot of ripping.

Ask yourself, is it really a mistake or a variation?

You do have to rip if you crossed most of your crosses in one direction and suddenly you started crossing them in the other direction, yep no way around that. Why? The real reason for good technique is that it allows all your attention to focus on your design (where it should be).

You don't have to rip if you made a leaf one row bigger than the design called for. This is obsessive behavior that needs redirecting.

You do need to rip if you make something so large it is out of scale with the rest of the design; you do not have to rip if it is barely noticeable.

You do not have to rip if you mixed up colors and the design is not exactly as the designer's model. For heaven's sake, if it looks OK, stop obsessing.

You do have to rip if a color or texture is not in harmony with the rest of the design.

You do not have to throw away a design if you run out of a dye lot.

If it looks like you are headed toward thread shortage, don't use the thread to the last strand, save at least 1/4 of it. Buy some more and decide where and how to introduce the new dyelot. I actually prefer to work with multiple dyelots. If you pay attention to lights and darks etc., they can bring an added depth to your design.

2. In memory of Audrey Francini, my generation's greatest needlewoman, slow down. Needlework is not a speed contest. Audrey was the slowest stitcher I have known. She was also the best. I have a couple of great stories about Audrey and her speed, I'll tell them in the next couple of mornings.

3. Forget about the Needlepoint Police. They don't exist except in their minds. You may meet people who think they know it all. Good for them, I applaude their confidence, but I don't buy into it.

I have probably told this story a dozen times but it is worth telling again and again. Years ago a friend wrote to me and asked, will this Kreinik braid look good with this silk?

I replied, beats me, try it and see.

Friend: whadaya mean you don't know, you're the teacher.

My reply: if the Immortal Artists Of The Western World don't know without trying, how would I, one mere mortal needlework teacher? (There's a bit more to thsi story too, I'll tell the rest another time).

All this goes to say once again, there is no real right and wrong, there are problems of course. The best way to find solutions is to think creatively.

Those are my New Year's Stitching Resolutions for 2021, still good for 2022, 2023 and for 2024.

Reminders for me as well as for all of you.

February 5, 2026, Thursday

If you are on my Wait List for any of the designs pictured on my Home Page, watch for notice from me that your kits are ready to go.

I will begin writing to you today and you have until February 11 to complete the sale.  I will mail all kits soon afterwards.

February 4, 2026, Wednesday

I should finish Echoes l and ll today. I have started the webwork and it shouldn't be too long now. I'm hoping to have it all ready very soon. Back with updates as soon as I finish.

February 3, 2026, Tuesday

I am far enough along to have a plan finally.  I have a considerable Wait List from October. In a day or two (soon as I finish),  I will send each of you a link to complete the purchase of the kit(s) you have waited for.

I will give you a week to complete your purchase. (until Feb 12).  On Valentine's Day (easy to remember) I will open up the sale to the general public.

The kits will be completed and I will start shipping on Feb 12

February 2, 2026, Monday

I found a well-hidden stash of just enough charcoal to finish; all I have to do is put together Echoes 1 and 2. Bottom line: it won't be too long to go now. A bit more patience on your part, a good bit of industry on mine and we'll make it.

Afterwards? I am STITCHING! I hope you will join me.

February 1, 2026, Sunday

I am indeed catching up now.  I am short two threads and I will see how long it will take me to get them. Hopefully not long.

Elizabeth 1 Portraits are complete, except for cutting canvas, ditto Elizabeth Hearts and Dowagers in the Evening.  I have beads made for Echoes I and II but I think I am short charcoal silk. I will find out tomorrow if it is available (it almost always is) and I think it will take me a week longer to get it.  Soon as I have it, I will finish the kits.

I will end up with enough for my Wait Listed People and one or two extras.

It is true, I am a month behind schedule now and I apologize. But I am almost there. I should know by tomorrow afternoon and I will post any news soon as I know it.

I still haven't found the person I owe Santa Sierra Square pattern to; I'm hoping she will see my notices. I have posted them here and on Facebook.  I have the pattern here and ready to go; I'll just hope and wait for her....

January 31, 2026, Saturday

I have a Santa Sierra Square pattern here; I know I owe it to someone, but my note who has disappeared.  If I owe you Santa Sierra Square, please let me know and I will send it soon as I hear from you!  Thank you for the help.

Gradually I am catching up; I just had quite a long hiatus and who knows what happened to a couple of my little notes.

January 30, 2026, Friday

I am happy to be back at work. I am not quite 100% yet but I am being productive!  I have today and I have all weekend and I should finish.  I am on the cusp of running out of my favorite charcoal Soie d'Alger and I may have to order more of it to finish. But near as I can tell, I have everything else for a rush to the finish line.

I appreciate your patience. I know I have been way way behind, which is not usual for me. But I'm catching up

Patriotica coming in 2026 as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S.

Deadline for reporting mistakes (shortages, etc.) December 15, 2025 or one month from shipping date.