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dawn0621 wrote:

CuriousKitty wrote:I picked up 41 skeins while visiting my local craft Ben Franklin today after driving a stupid 30 minutes to get my dog's special food (no clinic near us has it, what a drag). So I treated myself. And boy did I do so... Floss is .59 cents now! OMG. I couldn't believe it! That's .53 Euro or .47 GBP. Last time I bought floss it couldn't have been more than .43 cents, and before it used to be .33 cents forever! I filled out I think, the rest of my DMC regular collection now. There were a couple of mystery numbers but I think I had a mini heart attack over it. Big chain competitors (Michaels, Hobby Lobby) are at .52 cents... Only lower prices I find are online stores. Yeesh.

I had a fit last time I bought floss too! Joann's raised the price twelve cents in one go. I'll most likely shop online from now on and pay shipping. NO reason to put up with lines if I'm not saving money.

I picked up 3 satin from Ben Franklin in this bundle, I've never had any before- and these three were all they had.

Oh my god I can't stop touching it. IT'S SO SOFT. Shiny, but so soft. I want to rub it all day long!

CuriousKitty wrote:
I picked up 3 satin from Ben Franklin in this bundle, I've never had any before- and these three were all they had.

Oh my god I can't stop touching it. IT'S SO SOFT. Shiny, but so soft. I want to rub it all day long!

Those satin threads do look and feel oh sooooo nice---but they are a nightmare to stitch with---at least they are for me!!

I needed to order some replacement threads and decided to throw in a few other things to make the most of the postage .

One was a metre of calico, which I haven't photographed because it's not exactly exciting-looking but it's for my new experimental project, and then there was some Kreinik silver 1/8" ribbon and Kreinik #7 copper Jap.

The ribbon is going to be used for couching when I want a metallic touch but don't want to use goldwork materials; I already had their gold ribbon, but that is actually the thinner 1/16". Theoretically that means the silver should be twice as wide, but it isn't really

Jap, or Japanned thread, is a metal foil wound around a thread core. "Real" Jap uses proper metal, but Kreinik does imitation Jap in three thicknesses, all of which I have in gold and silver. It wasn't until I looked through all the kreinik threads on Sew & So's website this week that I noticed they do the #7 in copper as well - a nice addition to my goldwork box!

Oh what a rich colour that Copper thread is Mabel, I am sure you will have a lot of fun with both the new threads.

I'm really enjoying my appliqué mini projects, and I'd like to design something floral with the technique - rummaging through the remnants basket at our local fabric shop I came across this: isn't it pretty?

Oh Mabel that's gorgeous!

Why can't I find pretty fabric like that when I need it

It is really pretty

The definitely is very pretty and it will be interesting to see what you do with it too.

Can't wait to see this get the Mabel treatment.

And you've reminded me that there is a designer shop up the road -- curtains, upholstery and so on -- and they sell wonderful off-cuts for almost nothing... excellent for backing cushions. Or trying this appliqué technique... (Did I mention they also host a cute little café?)

Sounds ideal, Serinde - a bit like the needlework shop we visited in the peak District (I think), which also combined cake and stash

Lovely stash everyone. Look forward to seeing them in use. Bookmarks are pretty & threads so shiny. Wonder what you will come up with for the pretty fabric Mabel? Have you anything in mind or are you working on something ?

Just a general idea that it will be used for embroidered appliqué, and probably something floral - I need to get into the garden and do some sketching!

Look forward to seeing what you decide on

On a recent visit to Belfast I found this

It was in a American Crossstitch Mag Just Cross Stitch. It is called the Dancing Mermaid. It will go in my collection of Joan Elliot designs.

Mabel Figworthy wrote:Sounds ideal, Serinde - a bit like the needlework shop we visited in the peak District (I think), which also combined cake and stash

Indeed, it is almost the perfect combination. I can just see the signage: Stash & Cake. Although perhaps not in Colorado or San Francisco... stash can have alternative meanings...

Serinde wrote:
Indeed, it is almost the perfect combination. I can just see the signage: Stash & Cake. Although perhaps not in Colorado or San Francisco... stash can have alternative meanings...

karen4bells wrote:

Serinde wrote:
Indeed, it is almost the perfect combination. I can just see the signage: Stash & Cake. Although perhaps not in Colorado or San Francisco... stash can have alternative meanings...

Or Amsterdam. Let's not forget Amsterdam...

Ann I love your new chart and am looking forward to seeing it being stitched.

Serinde wrote:Or Amsterdam. Let's not forget Amsterdam...

Oh dear, something to do with drugs? I'll have to be careful what I say on trips back home... (mind you, I'm not an Amsterdam girl, so that should be all right)

The Dancing Mermaid is great. I like Joan Elliott charts. Look forward to seeing it worked when you get round to it. This will be a lovely one to watch as you progress.