This is just a pattern. If you have a lot of floss, of course you can use what you have. Sometimes, we get really risque and actually change the colors suggested to ones we like better! Or, if you have some of the floss forba project, chack itnagainst the supplies tab on this design item's page and only order what you need.

I am not an employee os ECS, just another stitcher in this chat.

On another note - this is called a "cover all" because the whole area you see is stitched. I have done a couple cover alls and one of the things I learned the hard way is - DMC uses dye lots - they say they don't but they do - and if you are going to use threads from your stash at home MAKE SURE you have enough of each color to finish the project. I used my own threads for my first cover all project and ran out about 3/4's of the way done - went and bought a couple more skiens and came home and started stitching again on it. After about a 2" square I could see where the colors weren't exactly the same. No one else has ever noticed but I knew it was there and it always bothers me when I look at it. So my lesson learned is I always buy new skiens when I do a cover all. I can always use my stash threads for my smaller projects. Hope this helps some. I have this same pattern you are going to work on and am hoping to do it this year. I love stitching snowpeople. They have their own personalities. Take care.
cheryl

Cheryl, Thanks for sharing this important information. Last year I bought several skeins of a DMC Christmas Red and also noticed the color was "off". You have to almost examine these skeins with a magnifying glass to see the Lot Numbers. I understand that DMC (or whoever bought them out) is producing threads in different countries. I think India is one?? Have you heard this?? Best regards, Carol

Carol - I had not heard this about the company. I get e-mails from DMC often but don't always read them so will be more diligent on this. Will let you know what they say. Somehow I got on their newsletter list but don't remember subscribing. Must have done it in one of my "la la" moments. Good to hear from you. I have been pondering on all the chatters who were on here when I first joined a couple years ago and how they are not here anymore. Wonder what happened to them. Hope they are ok. Have you wondered about this?
cheryl

Cheryl, Yes I have wondered where "our" Stitchers are! We have been missing VCESS for sometime. I also have not seen anything at all from Jay Simon Purple. He really surprised me with one of his last posts. He always disliked Aida cloth and always used Linen....he said he now loves Aida!! Oh well, so goes "the life of an artist." Also...I haven't seen much from Bermuda. I know she has health issues. I hope she is ok and that the new year will be good to her! Regards....Carol