Still working on the ‘Freshwater Pearls’ pattern and (of course)have made one change of combining 1 strand of Kreinik blending fillament with one strand of white to make the white of the breaking water sparkle. In another week will put up another picture but- knowing how the camera is- You won’t be able to see the sparkle. The 2nd change will occur after the pattern is completed, washed, dried and ironed. I’ll be adding some ‘Pearls’ (that I found on e-bay) that are half-Pearls -have a flat side - for the few areas on the beach that look like the Pearls are half buried in the sand; then 2-3 whole Pearls (pattern shows the crab is holding one in his claw) for an extra 3D effect. No matting, may consider a ‘window-box’ driftwood -look frame if I can’t find a deep enough driftwood regular frame. My ‘Autumn trees’ WIP pattern is starting to call to me as well.....

So while enjoying the free shipping here at ECS on my last order I threw in a pack of the Sullivan Easy Guide needles. (Figures that what I saved on shipping was more than they cost). Have done about 20 stitches. They are nice but the eye is small. Will see how I feel about them after I have used them longer. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Always willing to try out a new cross stitch toy.😄

I hang my clothes outside and have over 100 clothes pins. I have made three different clothes pin holder aprons, trying to find one that fit my needs. I think the third one is a keeper, so I will pay the other two forward. My new one is a full/over the shoulder style apron as the waste aprons tend to sag too much with all my pins. There is nothing wrong with either, both are handmade. 1.Cactus print with green waistband. Apron is approx 18"t x 23"w. Pocket is big and easy to reach into. 2. Blue floral. Apron is approx 15"t x 18"w. Pocket is big, but not quite as easy to reach into as #1. If you would like one of the two, email me at marell05@yahoo.com. First person to respond gets their choice, second person gets other one. Edited to add, they can be used for anything, not just clothes pins. They are based on the "gathering" apron style.

I'm going to be stitching "Reading by the Window" and Finished it measures 17.9"x13.9" on 14 CT Aida. The largest piece of Aide fabric measures 15x18". 1. Where do you all buy Aide 14 count fabric that measures 24x20" (to allow for framing)? 2. Do you think it would be a good idea to use the 15x18 Aida and sew cotton fabric on to the edge of the Aida fabric to make it large enough? I will be in Michael's after church today to see what all they have. But I'm looking for advice and pitfalls to avoid. Thank you, Ann

Hoping someone can help me. I have started a Mill Hill kit and several of the petite beads are too small for the thread and application called for. I have torn the paper trying to get a bead placed. Any repair ideas? I do like the idea of switching to Aida fabric, but how would I finish the Aida edges..... Thank you for you help, Lo

I have a bit of frogging to start off my day so decided to do it before I put my project back into its hoop......no way. It was so hard, much easier to frog from a hoop. Well I think so anyhow. 🧐

A. Warp and weft are the same B. Fibers are uniform/even with no slubs? I'm thinking the answer is not "A" :-( This is/was fabric for me start over on my mountains, which has the black coverage issue on the 22ct. I got some new 28ct jobelan. According to the calculators, with a 299wx200h, over 1, stitched area should be 10 5/8 w x 7 1/8 h. Calculators for 25 ct have stitched area at 12 w x 8 h. After gridding, I measured and the size is more like its size it is a combo of 25 ct w and a 28 ct h sizing with measurements of ~12w x 7h. Picture of the width.

I know it's kind of an odd request, but I have been tasked with finding a Christmas stocking cross-stitch pattern that shows Santa using a computer. Not a particular design, but just any pattern that shows Santa using a computer, maybe to check his naughty/nice list on the computer instead of a paper copy? I know, it's kind of a niche-within-a-niche, but I have spent several hours trying to find this kind of pattern for a family member. (I'm the resident computer geek, she's the cross-stitch fan, she wants to make me a "counted cross-stitched Christmas stocking showing Santa Claus using a computer".) Any suggestions? We are looking for a *pattern*, not a finished product. Mom wants to actually produce the finished product herself. If that isn't possible, another idea she had (because, in addition to being the resident computer geek, I'm also the resident piano player) would be Santa playing a piano (either seated or standing). Either kind of pattern would be appreciated.

Well I finished the 8 cushions yesterday and they look good even if I do say so myself. The pictures weren't that difficult to pin on and sew once I got the hang of it. Now I just have to get going on the 4 ornaments and I have finished the gift stitching for the year. I have been doing Siberian Gold over the last few days and remembered I had started on a Christmas tree skirt awhile ago so I think I will get that out and finish it for next year's tree. It's been around long enough waiting for me to finish it. Then back to Sweet Rememberance and Siberian Gold with Tuk Bear in between them. Can't wait!!

OMG, these are so cute and remind me of my childhood. Think my parents would love them!

Is this pattern counted or stamped?

Our lady Great White must find the warm waters of the Gulf to her liking! She’s moved northward closer to the upper coast of Florida. Probably enjoying the ‘combination plate’ menu of fish and shrimp..

So I messed up my foot last Saturday after catching it on the stairs, falling up them, yes that can be done.🤦‍♀️ The dr told me 4 weeks of healing and gave me crutches and a boot. Anyway one can only cross stitch so much and since DH is gone hunting again, I can only talk to the cat for so long. I am going stir crazy so I started looking up recipes for chex mix but he wants it crunchy. I have found one that is twice baked but as soon as I add the wet ingredients bake it for the second time it turns soggy again. Does anybody have any ideas on how to make it crunchy?

Some of you may be familiar with Leslie Teare. If you like owls, she has some beautiful and colorful FREE owl designs. Just put in leslie teare and it should take you to her blog. The easiest way for me to download was to put in for example:leslie teare january owl and it will bring up January-the same way for each month separately. There are eleven patterns available:Jan-Nov. Her December owl will be available in Dec. At the end of that month it is my understanding that she will remove these owls from her blog site. They really are pretty and print out great. Keep in mind that these owls are not the natural, in the wild type owls. They are definitely worth a look. :)Pam

I have noticed for awhile now, that when I pull up ECS, normally it would go right to the home page, but lately, it has been going to the patterns page, & I have to go to the menu, & click on home page. Did I miss something that said they were doing this? Its no biggy, as it's just one click, but when you are my age, changes can throw you off a bit, lol.