More Organization and Random Thoughts....

 So I've been stitching - or at least trying to stitch - on Garden Verses for the past few weeks and I'm having a really tough time on it.  I use special glasses when I do any of my crafts or computer works. The fabric is a standard color...Bay Leaf, I think.  Any way, it is too close to the yellow and I'm having a hard time with it.  So I'm having a time with it. I was looking for a soft, green that was solid as possible (hard to find with a hand dyed fabric, I know). I found a few that might work.  Thoughts?

For now though, I am putting her aside while I finish a few other projects: Fairy Flora on Pink and Lady of the Flag:

      

I'm getting ready to start this glass pearl beauty as a gift for my mother in law because she is just an awesome person. I hope she likes it. 

NJDesigns1

and of course here is my other beading project.  It is called 'Falling in Love' by Sabine Lippert. 

Sabine Lippert - Try to Bead

Stitching Rotation and yet more organization...

 So I now I have three Mirabilia Designs in my Stitching Rotation:  Fairy Flora, Garden Verses, and Lady of the Flag (or as my husband calls it: Lady Liberty).  

I'm hopeless.  

So, I'm back to limiting my stitching time on each project to 10 hours each, and that includes my beading projects as well. I have Sabine Lippert's 'Falling in Love' bracelet in rotation. There is one more design by her that I want to add; it was a workshop design I took from her (thankyou Sam and NJ) called 'Rebecca', and for the life of me I cannot find my instructions for it.  Which leads me to my next topic....

Because I can't find the instructions for the 'Rebecca' pendent, I began organizing and throwing out a ton of stuff yesterday.  Guess what I'll be doing today?  Yep...you guessed it...organizing and throwing more stuff out today. 

Also, I've added a page for the Mirabilia Bead conversions to this blog for those who are looking it.  It is a bead conversion from Mill Hill to Miyuki Delicas.  No color change, but a higher quality bead that is cylindrical. If you bead a full cross and have bead sit 'North/South' It will fit so much better on your fabric. That's been my experience. 

Still Organizing...and More Thoughts

 I put the file up in my Dropbox Account for anyone who may be interested in it.  You can find the direct link here: 

THREADS FILE ON DROPBOX

It is incomplete, as I need to add a few more brands as well as colors to each color.  But it is a good start. 

I've also uploaded an Excel file on how I rotate.  As of right now, I really only rotate between two projects, but I added a few more for those serial starters.  You can find the link here: 

ROTATION STITCHING

More Organizational Thoughts.....

Today I've begun creating one excel file for all major thread companies I know that are used in the designers that I like.Once that is done, I'll upload it to the dropbox for anyone who wants it.  Then I'll expand to each companies entire line of threads.  Here are a few:

• Caron Waterlilies
• Caron Wildflowers
• Caron Soie Cristal
• Gloriana Silk Floss
• Gloriana Princess Perle Petite
• Gloriana Florimell
• Thread Gatherer Silk 'n Colors
• Thread Gatherer SPP 5
• Thread Gatherer SPP 10
• Needlepoint Silks
• Northern Lights
• Dinky Dyes
• Treenway Silks
• Chameleon Silks
• Rainbow Gallery Petite Treasure Braid
• Rainbow Gallery Silk Lame'

Organizational Thoughts

We all love to think about how to keep our favorite hobby organized.  From the various threads to the variety of beads to the gorgeous fabrics we all have.  Some people prefer using paper and pencil, other prefer using Excel, and yet others prefer using apps on our Smartphones.  

I thought I would put down a few links of organization as I found them on the internet.  It might help some of you who like to stay organized. 

DMC Chart Created by Lord Libidan

This is a list of discontinued DMC threads, also by Lord Libidan.

List with Color from Sarky Stitches on Wordpress

There are also those stitchers who like to keep track of what they are stitching on with their favorite apps or with Excel files as well.  Believe it or not, this can very important.  If something happened, like a house fire or a burglary, you will have documentation of your personal masterpiece and can be compensated for it. 

Pattern Keeper is one app this is very popular.  It was created predominantly for use with Heaven and Earth Designs; it was made to make it easier to find specific symbols in the confetti of symbols. The app now can be used with just about any designer.  They have a YouTube Channel that can answer question should a problem arise. As of this writing, this app is that it is available only for Google users. However, according to their website, there is development for Apple users on the way. 

Mark Up R-XP is another app that is very popular.  Available for both Apple and Google users. with ease of uploading for any readily pattern available in PDF, particularly Châtelaines. They have a YouTube Channel that has videos that address just about any troubles you may run into.  

Excel/Google Sheets There are plenty of stitchers who still prefer using Excel or Google Sheets, as they are so easily manageable from out smartphones and come with our subscriptions to Office 365. I have two files I will share with you.  One is an example that a friend shared with me several years ago.  She is super organized; I only use the first sheet listed as that is sufficient for my needs.  But for you super organized stitchers, take a look at the other sheets in THIS FILE.  You may file it useful. And many thanks to my friend, Terry A, for sharing this with me!

THIS is a file I use. It is a mix of what my friend, Terry, introduced me to and what I've decided works for me.  The more I've come back to stitching and beading, the more this has come to help me. This should be downloadable if you want.  Use it and change it to fit your needs.  I hope it helps you. 

Thoughts about Bling.....

I love bling.  I love how it looks; how it accents, how it can be subtle or bold, and very classy, if not overdone. 

Which means I love Swarovski.

So I have been keeping track of Swarovski colors that get discontinued for the last five years.  I've missed a few years here and there, but I thought I'd bring the latest update of discontinued colors of Swarovski Bicones.   So we can all stock up.

I will be adding this to the Swarovski page on this site as well.

Fuchsia AB
Indian Red AB
Indian Red AB 2X
Padparadscha AB
Ruby Satin
Siam Satin
Light Topaz Satin
Olivine Satin
Green Tourmaline AB
Montana AB 2X
Montana Satin
Indian Sapphire Satin
Light Azore Satin
White Opal Satin
Light Amethyst Satin                                         
Light Peach Satin
Light Colorado Topaz Satin         

Early Morning Thoughts...

After reading about the news that Kreinik is changing one of it's colors (you can read about HERE), I went on a hunt to learn more about Kreinik (I really do have Stitcher's ADHD.....Squirrel!).  I stumbled on this blog post about discontinued Kreiniks, which ones have replacements, and which colors do not have replacements.  You can see the post HERE:

Coffee Cup Thoughts....

It's a beautiful, cold morning.  I'm enjoying my first cup of coffee for the day.  I've been working on another project for the past several months, and the first stage is complete.

The project is the Nora Corbett Encyclopedia.  I had wanted to call it the Nora Corbett Wikipedia, but someone suggested that the term 'Wikipedia' is protected by copyright, so I had to change it to something less savvy. But it still gets the point across to the stitchers.

Why is it not called 'Mirabilia Encylopedia'?  Because Nora Corbett has design so many beautiful designs, not all of them are under the 'Mirabilia' label.  Some designs are through Casa Cenina in Italy,  one is through the store 'Cross My Heart', in Ohio, USA, and there are various magazine designs.

So the project was re-named the 'Nora Corbett Encyclopedia'.

I have her designs broken down into various categories.  That way you can quickly find what you are looking for:

• Master Design List
• Mirabilia Designs Alphabetically
• Mirabilia Design by Number
• OOP Mirabilia Designs List
• Nora Corbett Design List - Wichelt
• OOP Nora Corbett Designs
• Casa Cenina Nora Corbett Designs
• Hoffman Distributing
• Other Designs by Nora
• Free Designs by Nora Corbett

So take, a look around and tell me what you think.  I'm always open to suggestions that may make your experience better.

Enjoy!

Sunday Afternoon Thoughts

I’m a thread whore.  I love thread.  Particularly silk.  Hand dyed silk.  I buy it whether I have need of it or not.  Because my excuse is always something like It could use this for an Ink Circles Design’.  You know, like Cirque does Cercles?

That’s my excuse.  And I’m sticking to it.

So why am I talking about hand dyed silk threads?  Because I found a little slice of heaven.  And it is loaded with hand dyed silk threads.

I am in so much trouble!

Conversion Thoughts....

As I mentioned in my last post, I'm a complete thread fanatic. I love thread.  I love hand dyed cotton and hand dyed silks.  Love Love Love them.

I'm also a bead and crystal fanatic.  Love them.  Miyuki Delicas, Toho Aikos Swarovski Crystals. Love Love Love them.

I convert Mill Hill to Delicas or Aikos as much as possible.  More colors, better colors, better selection, better price.  I also will convert to Miyuki Seed Beads sometimes too. I'll put a diagram up of the difference between Delicas and Seed Beads.

I also found conversions charts for the following:

Mill Hill / DMC Conversion Chart from Wichelt
Mill Hill Beads to Delica, Miyuki and Toho, from Northern Expressions
Miyuki Delica beads to DMC floss from Fiber Gypsy (PDF)
DMC floss to Miyuki Delicas from Fiber Gypsy (PDF)
Miyuki to Toho bead conversion from The Bead Cellar

Just in case you needed enabling.  I'll put them in my conversions page on this blog so you can find them easier.