Here's the other side of the Biscornu that I posted earlier.
Monday, May 3, 2010
My first Biscornu!
It has been over a week since I've last posted. I have made some progress on my Zodiac chart, having worked a lot of the cross stitches in pale yellow and some of the back-stitching in old gold. I have also completed Pisces and Aries, and am now working on filling out their backgrounds in dark violet. I will put up a photo once that is completed.
I have recently tried designing my own Biscornu using the free chart making software KG-Chart. Thus far I have no complaints with the program. I have designed the front and back of a miniature Blackwork Biscornu for an exchange I am participating in. As the designs are meant to be kept secret until the exchange has been completed, I will not post the pictures for that right now. I would however like to share another "Hearts" Biscornu that I have designed. If anyone out there uses this pattern, could you please email me a picture of the stitched Biscornu? I would be very much obliged.
I have recently tried designing my own Biscornu using the free chart making software KG-Chart. Thus far I have no complaints with the program. I have designed the front and back of a miniature Blackwork Biscornu for an exchange I am participating in. As the designs are meant to be kept secret until the exchange has been completed, I will not post the pictures for that right now. I would however like to share another "Hearts" Biscornu that I have designed. If anyone out there uses this pattern, could you please email me a picture of the stitched Biscornu? I would be very much obliged.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Zodiac chart progress... With pictures!!! [3.5/12]
Well, I finally got around to purchasing a card reader for my camera chip. I laid my Zodiac cross stitch flat and took a couple of shots.
As you can see, I finished most of the work in old gold, sans the external dotted border and some small ovals.
I put in a close up of Capricorn and Aquarius, both of which are complete except for some back-stitching details.
In the close-up shot of Pisces and Aries, you can see that I have nearly completed the Ram except for its head, and the tail of one of the fishes need to be completed. I'm currently alternating between stitching in the Zodiac signs in black, and adding in the the pale yellow outlining against the golden border. I might have Pisces and Aries completed within the week!
As you can see, I finished most of the work in old gold, sans the external dotted border and some small ovals.
I put in a close up of Capricorn and Aquarius, both of which are complete except for some back-stitching details.
In the close-up shot of Pisces and Aries, you can see that I have nearly completed the Ram except for its head, and the tail of one of the fishes need to be completed. I'm currently alternating between stitching in the Zodiac signs in black, and adding in the the pale yellow outlining against the golden border. I might have Pisces and Aries completed within the week!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Shopping; Zodiac chart progress; Camera frustrations
It has been over a week since I've last updated my blog. Here is what I have accomplished in the mean time in regards to my cross stitching.
Shopping:
Laurel's stitchery: This retailer did not have the needles I wanted in stock, so she ordered some in for me. Laurel has confirmed that she will be mailing out my DMC six stranded floss (135 skeins!) and tapestry needles (Size 28), come this Monday.
Nordic Needle: I contacted this web retailer for the status of my order which included my special ordered fabric (25 count lambswool Jobelan) and my Handi-clamp scroll frame. Turns out that the manufacturer of both items are slow to respond, therefore my order has yet to be filled. While I was with customer service, I ordered myself some lovely 20 count ivory Lugana that was on sale.
I'm not really concerned about the length of time it is taking my order from Nordic Needle to come in as I had meant to start the HAED once I had my Zodiac chart completed. This experience has taught me to order supplies a month in advance just so that I am not faced with any last minute shopping frustrations. Right this moment, however, I am content to wait.
Zodiac chart progress:
I have now completed 95% of all of the cross stitching in this project done in old gold. All that remains to be done in this colour are some minor details which will require at most an hour to complete and some back-stitching (but that would be the last step of the project). Therefore, I currently have all the little frames for the zodiac signs to sit in stitched and ready.I made a little bit of progress on Pisces before I came to the conclusion that I disliked the little fishes. I moved on to Aries and completed half of the Ram.
Camera frustrations:
I wish I could post a picture of Zodiac chart as I progress, but that isn't possible right this moment. I found my Sony Cybershot DHC-H7, but discovered that the data transfer cable got misplaced when my family moved a few months back. I will be visiting Canada Computers sometime this week to purchase a few items for my brother. I'll pick up a cable for my camera at the same time. I did take pictures of my work. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping I will be able to post my pictures by the end of this week.
Shopping:
Laurel's stitchery: This retailer did not have the needles I wanted in stock, so she ordered some in for me. Laurel has confirmed that she will be mailing out my DMC six stranded floss (135 skeins!) and tapestry needles (Size 28), come this Monday.
Update: Order shipped on Monday, April 19, 2010.
Nordic Needle: I contacted this web retailer for the status of my order which included my special ordered fabric (25 count lambswool Jobelan) and my Handi-clamp scroll frame. Turns out that the manufacturer of both items are slow to respond, therefore my order has yet to be filled. While I was with customer service, I ordered myself some lovely 20 count ivory Lugana that was on sale.
I'm not really concerned about the length of time it is taking my order from Nordic Needle to come in as I had meant to start the HAED once I had my Zodiac chart completed. This experience has taught me to order supplies a month in advance just so that I am not faced with any last minute shopping frustrations. Right this moment, however, I am content to wait.
Zodiac chart progress:
I have now completed 95% of all of the cross stitching in this project done in old gold. All that remains to be done in this colour are some minor details which will require at most an hour to complete and some back-stitching (but that would be the last step of the project). Therefore, I currently have all the little frames for the zodiac signs to sit in stitched and ready.I made a little bit of progress on Pisces before I came to the conclusion that I disliked the little fishes. I moved on to Aries and completed half of the Ram.
Camera frustrations:
I wish I could post a picture of Zodiac chart as I progress, but that isn't possible right this moment. I found my Sony Cybershot DHC-H7, but discovered that the data transfer cable got misplaced when my family moved a few months back. I will be visiting Canada Computers sometime this week to purchase a few items for my brother. I'll pick up a cable for my camera at the same time. I did take pictures of my work. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping I will be able to post my pictures by the end of this week.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Cross stitching; an easy to learn craft. Get started with your first kit!
Cross stitching is a fun, relaxing, and rewarding past-time. You can easily get started on this craft by purchasing a cross stitch kit from Dimensions-craft, and believe me the selections offered are diverse enough to satisfy every taste. Dimensions-craft counted cross stitch kits pricing starts at about CAD 15.00, with prices increasing as the projects gets bigger and more complex.
An example of a cross-stitch kit is my "Cat and Flowers" by Dimensions-craft. It was a mid-sized project that cost me CAD 28.00 (including taxes), and it too me three months to finish the project, working for about an hour each day. Below is a list of the everything that came with the kit:
Visit http://www.crossstitchworld.com and take a look at the cross stitch kits available on the market.
An example of a cross-stitch kit is my "Cat and Flowers" by Dimensions-craft. It was a mid-sized project that cost me CAD 28.00 (including taxes), and it too me three months to finish the project, working for about an hour each day. Below is a list of the everything that came with the kit:
- Enough floss to complete the project
- One tapestry needle for cross stitching
- One crewel embroidery needle for back-stitching
- One cardboard floss sorter
- One piece of black aida measuring 17" by 18"
- Complete printed instructions
- A full colour depiction of the appearance of the completed project
- A complete map of stitches with key to interpret symbols
- A guide on how to prep your fabric for cross stitching
- A guide on how to start and stop your cross stitches
- A guide on how to strip one strand of thread from the floss bundle
- A guide on how to do french knots and back stitching
Visit http://www.crossstitchworld.com and take a look at the cross stitch kits available on the market.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
EMS Zodiac Chart Update...
I've actually stopped stitching Pisces halfway through. Instead, I am focusing on completing all the border work done in old gold and pale yellow floss. I've finished two skeins of old gold floss, and am working on my third skein. The border work should be complete in another week at most. I guess I can work on the actual figures of the zodiac signs after that. I tried to cross stitch by finishing one zodiac sign at a time, but that just isn't working for me. I'd much rather exhaust an entire colour before moving on to the next.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
My epic search for a starter scroll frame...
Yes, you read the title correctly. "Epic". As in I made the search needlessly complicated. I will describe the decisions I made that factored into my final scroll frame choice. Its remarkable that I was actually able to make up my mind and stick to just the one!
The winner is... *drum roll*... the Handi-Clamp 18" scroll frame with 8" extenders!
The images above are taken directly from Handi-Clamp's official website.
So, why did I choose this frame with everything else available on the market? Many reasons. I will list them, because I like making lists!
1) The wood on the frame is finished. Some of the more inexpensive frames available on the market are unfinished. This can cause issues with dirt accumulation. (The whole point of getting a scroll frame is to keep your fabric clean and crisp as you work on your project.)
2) It comes with wooden ball knobs. These knobs are easier on the hands than the wing nuts and plastic knobs most frames come with.
3) The process of attaching the fabric to the frame is easy! Adjusting the fabric in the horizontal direction can be done easily enough to ensure proper tension in the fabric. I don't want to baste my fabric onto the dowels or velcro them as some frames would have you do it. The problem with split rod dowels is that it really is a pain trying to get your fabric on just right the first time. Its sort of a process of trial and error and you get better with practice.
4) The scroll rod measurements are provided by the manufacturer as per the actual measurement of the sewing area, and not the length of dowels or bars! An 18" scroll frame by Handi-clamp means it can accommodate a fabric width up to 18" wide. With every other scroll frame manufacturer, you have to make a 2" or 3" allowance on top of your fabric width to get your correct size in framing. I'd rather not have to estimate, thank you very much.
5) All parts are made from hardwood. This means the product is durable. Most reputable scroll frames are made from hardwoods, but a few of the cheaper makes are not. Ratchet frames are pretty much plastic scroll frames. Don't like plastic. They bend when you apply pressure, causing uneven tension throughout your fabric.
6) Manufacturer provides excellent customer service and lifetime warranty for products! Not so sure if it extends to their clamps, considering that the clamps are made by Q-snap. But the Q-snap company themselves have been renowned for standing behind that product lines 100%, so I don't see why this would be an issue.
So there you have it. Very soon I will have a lovely scroll frame all my own! For those if you interested in this product, check out Nordic Needles' website. They have a variety of sizes available in this frame.
The winner is... *drum roll*... the Handi-Clamp 18" scroll frame with 8" extenders!
The images above are taken directly from Handi-Clamp's official website.
So, why did I choose this frame with everything else available on the market? Many reasons. I will list them, because I like making lists!
1) The wood on the frame is finished. Some of the more inexpensive frames available on the market are unfinished. This can cause issues with dirt accumulation. (The whole point of getting a scroll frame is to keep your fabric clean and crisp as you work on your project.)
2) It comes with wooden ball knobs. These knobs are easier on the hands than the wing nuts and plastic knobs most frames come with.
3) The process of attaching the fabric to the frame is easy! Adjusting the fabric in the horizontal direction can be done easily enough to ensure proper tension in the fabric. I don't want to baste my fabric onto the dowels or velcro them as some frames would have you do it. The problem with split rod dowels is that it really is a pain trying to get your fabric on just right the first time. Its sort of a process of trial and error and you get better with practice.
4) The scroll rod measurements are provided by the manufacturer as per the actual measurement of the sewing area, and not the length of dowels or bars! An 18" scroll frame by Handi-clamp means it can accommodate a fabric width up to 18" wide. With every other scroll frame manufacturer, you have to make a 2" or 3" allowance on top of your fabric width to get your correct size in framing. I'd rather not have to estimate, thank you very much.
5) All parts are made from hardwood. This means the product is durable. Most reputable scroll frames are made from hardwoods, but a few of the cheaper makes are not. Ratchet frames are pretty much plastic scroll frames. Don't like plastic. They bend when you apply pressure, causing uneven tension throughout your fabric.
6) Manufacturer provides excellent customer service and lifetime warranty for products! Not so sure if it extends to their clamps, considering that the clamps are made by Q-snap. But the Q-snap company themselves have been renowned for standing behind that product lines 100%, so I don't see why this would be an issue.
So there you have it. Very soon I will have a lovely scroll frame all my own! For those if you interested in this product, check out Nordic Needles' website. They have a variety of sizes available in this frame.
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