I started on the Dragon of Fire this weekend. I’m really loving stitching it. I missed stitching over two and on fabric other than Aida. I don’t know why I was afraid of linen. It’s not any worse than evenweave. Sure, some threads are thicker and some are thinner but that doesn’t make any difference in stitching it. I improvised a little on the design. I added a strand of Kreinik Japan #1 thread to the flames to make it shine. I’m not going to be able to finish this until my order of thread arrives. I need that to finish the dragon but I can finish the flames in the meantime. On Friday I ordered the Ruby #4 VFB and the two colors I need for the water dragon, plus the fabric for that dragon. I wish the stores around here carried more of a variety of Kreiniks.
Archive for the ‘Crafts’ Category
Dragon of Fire
more on fabric
I received my fabric from Silkweaver the other day. I was really pleased with it. I love the opalescent fabric. Beachcomber Cottage is going to look so great on it. I also got two new little ones today, which are up on the to-do page of my [cross-stitch] site.
The thread looks really good with the fabric for the Dragon of Fire. The Dragon of Water was made available the other day and I know what cloth I want to get for it. It’s Silkweaver Cascade, in Linen. It’s a hand-dyed one with blues and aquas.
(not all the thread is there)
fabric
I ordered some new fabric from Silkweaver last Tuesday. One is a piece of 28-count white opalescent lugana to use with the Beachcomber Cottage. I don’t want to stitch it on the Aida that came with the kit. I really like it and wanted to make it special. I considered using a hand-dyed fabric but couldn’t find any color that really went well. This will be my first opalescent fabric.
The other piece is one of their solo linens. It’s a one of a kind hand-dyed linen. I haven’t stitched on linen yet but the design I’m going to be stitching on it isn’t too huge. It’s the Dragon of Fire from Dragon Dreams Generosity Dragon Series. The pattern is free, but you’re supposed to donate something to a cause related to fire. I haven’t decided what I’m going to donate to yet. I plan to stitch each of the four dragons (fire, water, air, earth) on a different piece of hand-dyed fabric (linen if I like it). I had been watching the solo section of Silkweaver for almost two months waiting for the right hand-dyed fabric for either the beach one or this one. And finally last Tuesday they posted one that was just right.
I really can’t wait to stitch them.
stitchers five #3
1. Where do you stitch? – describe your stitching area.
When I stitch at Joe’s I usually lay down (or sometimes sit) on the couch. There’s a coffee table next to it that I lay my threads, scissors, and pencil on. I usually use a hoop. I tried using a scroll frame, but didn’t like it that much. I prop the chart between me and the back of the couch. Or against my knees. When I stitch at my parent’s it’s usually sitting on the couch with my supplies somewhere around me.
2. What time of the day do you usually stitch?
It’s usually in the evenings because that’s when I have free time. Sometimes I stitch in the afternoons too. It’s nice in the afternoon with the natural light.
3. Do you stitch by yourself or with someone else?
By myself usually. Joe stitched with me a few times and I stitched with Aubrey when she visited. I can’t wait to see her again and have another stitchin’ and Star Wars session.
4. How long do you usually stitch for?
It varies. It’s usually at least for an hour, often for about 2-3 hours. Occasionally I do marathon sessions that last about 7-8 hours. Usually I stop because my hands get too tired or it’s bed time.
5. Do you listen to music or watch TV/DVDs when stitching or do you prefer quiet?
I used to be able to stitch when it’s quiet but now I need to have the TV on or a DVD in. I watch a lot of Buffy when I stitch since we own the DVDS and I like to rewatch them (currently rewatching season 5). I also stitch during Survivor, Angel, American Idol, While You Were Out, Trading Spaces, Boy Meets World, Sabrina, and Clueless (those are the TV shows I’m most likely to watch). I never was much for watching TV until I started cross-stitching. Joe complains sometimes that he never gets to watch what he wants because I’m always hogging the TV.
I love all these stitching questions!
Stitchers Five #2
1. What is your favourite fabric to use? (e.g. aida, evenweave, linen etc)
Evenweave. I first used it back in October when I started Not Forgotten. It just looks so much nicer.
2. What is your favourite count (e.g. 14, 28, 32 etc)
I’ve only stitched on 28-count evenweave. Someday I might try 32-count for a small project. I like 18-count for Aida.
3. Do you collect fabric “just to have” or do you buy it with a design in mind?
So for I’ve only bought fabric with a design in mind. Once I have a real job, I’ll probably buy some just to have.
4. What is your favourite colour for fabric?
I don’t really have a favorite. I like black, but it can be a pain to stitch on.
5. If you were heading for a desert island, and you only had one choice of fabric to take with you, what would you take?
a 28-count evenweave. probably jobelan.
(note: I didn’t mention hand-dyed fabrics because that’s going to be on another list of questions)
The Stitcher’s Five
The Stitcher’s Five – for the week of 8 March 04
(created by Jen)
1. Who is your favourite designer (just one sorry!).
I’m going to have to go with Dragon Dreams.
2. How many of their designs have you stitched?
I stitched all of the Christmyth ornaments and I’ve begun Not Forgotten.
3. What makes them your favourite designer?
I love the Kreinik braid and how much fun her designs are to stitch. I love dragons and other mythical creatures.
4. What would you like to see them next design?
Maybe a large phoenix design.
5. Would you collect all their patterns just to have them all?
I’d like to have all the dragon/fantasy ones. I’m not that interested in the other ones. I’d love to stitch the blackwork dragon. I really want to do something in blackwork.
