SBQ again! :)

Oh I am so happy Lee revived the Stitching Bloggers Question again - and can't wait to read what other people have to say about it! Without much further ado, here's this month's question:

Suppose we say that there are two types of stitchers.

There are those who enjoy the “process” of stitching. They stitch for stitching’s sake and if something gets finished, so much the better, but it’s not necessarily the end goal. Primarily, it’s the application of needle and thread to cloth that makes them happiest.

Then there are those who are “project” stitchers. They move steadily through their projects, certainly enjoying their stitching time, but finding their greatest joy in the completed stitching.

If you had to pick one to describe yourself, which type of stitcher would you be? I imagine that we could all say that we fall somewhere in between, but really think hard about this and try to pick just one. And once you’ve decided whether you’re a Process or Project stitcher, tell us if your recognize that approach in other parts of your life.

I am definitely a Process stitcher - funny though, I used to be very dedicated to completing projects, but now I don't see it that way anymore. I stitch because that's my meditation and a way for me to do something OTHER THAN watching tv and feeling like my evenings are useless. At least I can look at a project and see that something was done that day! Of course, with my studies and all, I hardly ever get anything stitched either, but at least I know why I do it - and that it's not for a specific purpose with a deadline! I usually procrastinate a LOT when I get to the last few stitches, just because I don't want the project to end...

SBQ's

Time to answer some SBQ's again!

When you stitch a pattern that you have downloaded do you print out
the pattern or do you stitch directly from your computer screen?

When I first discovered the vastness of freebies online, I printed everything I thought I might do in the future - and then the ink in my printer ran out. Now I save everything I see that is interesting (no, I don't save every freebie I find - I've gotten picky with time), and print out when I start stitching. I can't stitch directly from the computer screen, just because it isn't practical. It's a lot easier to curl up wherever and stitch with a sheet of paper than it is with a computer, even if it is a laptop.

And then the next sbq follows:
After you stitch a pattern or kit, what do you do with it?
When I'm done stitching a pattern, I put it in my special folders. Either the one that's for "stitched, will probably never stitch again" or the one that is for the "stitched, might do again". I have yet to stitch something twice though, but I still like to think I have the option on the ones I've loved both doing and seeing the outcome of.

Are there other crafts that you have tried and abandoned? Why do you like stitching better?
I've tried my hand at lots of things, for example I used to paint stuff like napkin holders, wood boxes and stones (yup, stones) - and then I grew tired of waiting for the paint to dry. I saved the paints for 5 or 6 years afterwards, just in case, but finally chucked them out earlier this year. They were all dried up, so I decided if I wanted to start again, I'd still have to buy new paint.
I've thought about making jewellery, like bracelets and earrings, so I have all the stuff but I just haven't started. I think I worry about the amount of small pearls and beads ending up all over the floor when H comes and wants to "help" mummy... God knows I've picked up HER beads enough times, I think I'll wait another year or so before taking out the even smaller beads. :D
And then there's the knitting. I haven't abandoned that, but as my nieces and nephews have grown, it takes too long to finish a sweater and they have plenty of scarves to go around. I prefer baby clothes, they're so small you get a finish quite fast. Now with another baby nephew, I might get out the needles again :)

As you can see, I like quick finishes. I want to see that something is happening when I craft, so I'll never start knitting or crocheting huge bed spreads - that's just not my cup of tea. And that is why I love stitching the best: it's practical to carry around with you(you don't need LOTS of supplies, even though it is fun to have), you can see that something is happening when you work on it AND it is quite meditative - count, count, stitch, count, count, stitch... Yes, I work by the count twice, stitch once-philosophy. Another plus is that I get to feel creative, even though I usually don't think much when I've started - I'm not the kind who alter the designs all the time, except for when hiding my mistakes... On occasion I substitute a colour, but that's about it.

SBQ's

So, I promised Renee I'd post my answer to this weeks SBQ today:

Do you consider yourself a "floss miser?"

I had to go to the blog to see what that could possibly be, and it turns out I am one!
I really don't like starting a new thread with only a few stitches left, so I try in every way possible to stretch it all the way through those last 3-4 stitches. I even use a needle threader when the thread is too short for my needle... Yes, I am terrible at this - it's not that I don't want to spend the money, it's more that I am too lazy to fasten the thread, rethread the needle, fasten the beginning, stitch 3 stitches and then fasten the thread again! As you can hear there are a lot more operations involved than by taking out the old needle threader and "thread" the floss through the last stitches before securing the remainders.

Yes, I am boring, I know. I try to make people forget that by talking alot in person... ;)

This week's SBQ

Do you use your needle, a seam ripper, or something else when you haveto frog stitches? Why do you use the method that you do?

I usually combine a few methods - I cut the top stitch regularly, and then use my needle to frog out the stitches. That way the threads don't get so long and in the way of my frogging... Of course, I try to re-use the thread if I haven't stitched too much wrong, but if it's a lot the thread gets very worn.

SBQ's!

I've forgotten to read my e-mail online... (Recurring thing, I have trouble remembering these little things, see...) And so I have forgotten to answer the SBQ's!
Here's one:
What is the smallest count fabric you have ever used? Did you stitchover one? Conversely, what is the largest count fabric you have ever used?
My smallest count would be the 22 count aida my mini pics are stitched on - it was really small, but fun. On the other hand, I did stitch over one on 28 count evenweave, so that should effectively be the smallest stitching I've ever done. Fun, but also a pain in the b*hind.
The largest was some 10 count aida that came with a kit I once did - I really didn't care for it much, it was difficult to get good covering even though I used lots of floss. Thankfully it was a present for someone who specifically wanted that project, so I haven't had to see it again... :)

Next one:
Do you find yourself stitching faster when you are getting to the end of a design?
I don't stitch faster, just MORE. I just can't help it, but I really want to get it done and sit up for hours after bedtime just because I want to end the d*rn thing. I usually am very fed up with it if I haven't been stitching anything else in between, as a rotation. I'm not too good with big projects, that's for sure!

Stitching Bloggers Question...

Today's SBQ is:Do you stitch Christmas ornaments? If so, how many do you stitch eachyear and for whom? If not, why not?




No, I don't stitch ornaments. The reason for that is mainly that the thought didn't even occur to me until late last year, when it was too late for it that year. We don't have that tradition here in Sweden/Norway. This year I don't just because I haven't had the time, with nephews being born and christened, and gm's dying... I have found lots of patterns for great ornaments, though, so I might do some just for the fun of it - and keep them for myself! :)

More info on this SBQ: http://blondelibrarian.net/stitching/archives/2006/11/tis- the-season/