Monthly Archives: January 2012

Loot from the show!

Loot from the show!
Loot from the show!

This is not nearly as big a haul as last year, but I had to have the buttons and they weren’t cheap! I’m very excited about the Transfer Artist Paper which claims that you can transfer prints from your computer to almost any medium! The paper and the fabric are from Judy Lea Enterprises. Judy will be opening a brick and morter shop in downtown Concord, NC, this summer! The threads are from YLI, and the earrings are by Susan Edmonson. I think they’ll match my vintage looking necklace from Vanessa at Beadlush. (Someday, I’ve got to tell you about that store!) I met lots of terrific, creative people and got links to their websites. I’ll have to share those sometime, too.

Enlarging a portion of a charted design

Enlarging a portion of a charted design
Enlarging a portion of a charted design

It’s really pretty simple. If your chart is in pdf format, open it, and choose “edit.” Under edit, choose “Take a Snapshot” The cursor should change to a “+.” Left click it in the upper left corner of the area you wish to enlarge. Drag across that area and release the mouse. The area you wish to enlarge should be highlighted in blue. You may get a message window that says, “The selected area has been copied.” Click on ,”OK.”

Now, choose, “Print,” either the icon or the command under “File.”
A new “Printer” window should appear with the highlighted area in the preview box on the right, enlarged to fit an 8,1/2″ by 11″
sheet of paper. If the preview is satisfactory, make sure your printer is ready and choose, “OK.” Your enlarged portion of the chart should come shooting out of your printer shortly!

If your chart is not in pdf format you can change it online for free. Here’s one source, but searching “pdf converter,” should produce several. You might have to download the converter from Adobe, but that’s free and easy and usually safe.

The chart pictured here is, “Cute Lamb” from the Cross-stitchers Club.

First tree finished!

First tree finished!
First tree finished!

I love being able to enlarge a section of the chart, print it, and mark on it! See where I colored dots over the symbols? That’s where I chose to put irridescent white stitches. Marking through the parts I’ve worked also helps me spot and prevent mistakes. Ha! I just spotted one! I left out two white stitches. Later!

The Gazebo is Done!

The Gazebo is Done!
The Gazebo is Done!

So far, so good! Trees are next. The chart shows the snow on the trees in light blue, but that’s so they’ll show up on white background cloth. I’m considering using white and adding a few irridescent white stitches like I did on the gazebo roof.

Here’s a similar design that’s free for the next three days when you join the Cross-Stitcher’s Club. I think it’s by the same designer. I don’t know why the club doesn’t give credit to its designers. I wouldn’t want to work that hard for no recognition!

Good DMC Embroidery Floss Resources

Good DMC Embroidery Floss Resources
Good DMC Embroidery Floss Resources

I am about to embarq on a new cross-stitch project from the Cross-Stitcher’s Club. I thought this would be beautiful on royal blue Aida cloth, so I stopped by Michael’s in Mooresville, NC, on the way home from Charlotte. That particular Michael’s has more cross-stitch fabric in stock than any other retail store I currently know of. They didn’t have royal blue, but they did have a 15″ x 18″ piece of navy blue on clearance for $2.49!

I divided the stitch count by 14 (14-count Aida cloth) and determined that the finished piece will be 5.2″ x 7″. That ought to do it!
I just checked to see which colors of floss I already have on hand, and there were only three. Since I’m changing the background color, I think I’ll change up the floss colors to what I have on hand. To help with that, I looked on line for a chart of color names and color descriptions for DMC floss. Now, I’m ready to go back through my thread boxes and see what I can find!

Beads, Beads, Beads!

Beads, Beads, Beads!
Beads, Beads, Beads!

I just got a new shipment from Fire Mountain Gems! I’ve been wanting to beadpoint some snowflakes and try a new bracelet design. I ordered beads (mainly seed beads) in every shade of white, crystal and grey that I could find. Except for the Delicas named Luster Snowflake and Crystal White Ice which look mint green, I am very pleased with my selection (some of which were less than $1.00!)