SUPER BOWL EVE

Here we are, the night before Super Bowl.  What a fun time we have and have had over the years.  Remember the days when we put a yellow line on the floor to keep an orderly flow to the register?  The mid 80's and early 90's.  We still have a "line-up" at check out time---more orderly I guess. 

I have been working on Hawk Run Hollow .....  just about to finish but will show you a shot before the final block.  I'm not sure why I'm enjoying this piece so much....maybe the 28ct. of the fabric, but I think it is exciting to do a block at a time and see the progress.  It is a big piece... and Phyllis' is finished and getting ready for framing.  Her's is wide and beautiful.  I am contemplating doing one block for the top of a box, but not started yet.  

My plan on this "gabbing spot"  is to share with you tips and techniques that I have learned over the past 40 years....many from my studies in Copenhagen, Denmark in the 70's and 80's.  My approaches to counted cross stitch are greatly influenced by the Danes approach and don't always "sit right" with more .....can't think of a word....but Guilds across our country.  I smile and share kindly why I stitch the way I do.  Above in the picture, I had Beth make a photo of how I am holding my fabric.

Note my thumb....it is placed just below where I am stitching....see the under stitch I just completed.  If you could see the underside, you would find, my index finger just behind the area pressing against my thumb.  And, my little ring finger and pinkie are at the upper edge of the stitching area, helping to keep the fabric in place as I stitch.   Some always say, "You're not using a hoop or stitching bars......!"   No, my hand is my "hoop".  I will try to insert a picture later of this later.  One thing we often try to do is hold the fabric we're stitching on with our thumb and index finger......which puts a strain on the wrist and can lead to problems later on.  Why this way.......my first class at The Danish Handcraft Guild in 1977, I forgot to take a hoop when I packed.  But in the first class we were informed that we would not be using a hoop, instead our hand would become that tool.  Not easy at first, but I couldn't even cheat when I got to the hotel because I couldn't even find a hoop to buy!  So I made my hand work. We were taught to use "the sewing method", not punch and stab, to place the stitches.....Another lesson I hope to share.

On the left you see how we commonly end up holding our fabric......this is the one that puts a strain on the wrist.  On the right my fingers are under the stitching area.....perhaps not like the picture above with all of my fingers, but nevertheless, my index finger is right behind my thumb on the back side of the fabric.

When I see a picture of my hand....hands....I'm reminded of something that happened in the early 70's while I was teaching  a group of ladies how to do decoupage....hard crafts they call it.  It was spring and being a gardener....failing to put on gloves....my hands were a mess.  While helping a lady new to the area who was having difficulty adjusting to the move, I reached out my hands to help and quickly said," Oh my, I need to ask the Good Lord for a new pair of hands....these are a mess.!"   She very quickly stated, "And when He does that, would you ask Him to give me those.  I'd love to be able to use my hands like you do!"  

Well, I was suddenly reminded that we are what we are.....with all of the challenges that we never let on about.  She had no idea that I had been hospitalized the year before......when we got moved.....battling severe depression.  After 5 weeks I joined my family and with the help of therapy and medication, I learned to cope........and to share my challenges with others.  That was 40+ years ago and with new medications my life changed dramatically as that of my family.  With the help of doctors, we discovered a genetic link to depression which impacted ......  and impacts so many of us.

After looking at my "wad" of thread tails, I pulled out several ways that we have learned to store and carry our thread or floss as we are stitching.  Now if like me you are stitching several pieces at once, you may have to adjust your techniques.  I will show you some pics.

The floss is inside of a length of plastic......comes 100 to a package....with a hole in one end to put on a ring as you can see.....the pulling end comes through another hole on the opposite end.....and another hole allow for putting the remaining lengths of floss there instead of a "wad"......Tip......right here.......when pulling out a length of floss from the skein, ALWAYS go the the end with the number and pull from that end.  You will actually see an arrow in a circle configuration....used to be a hand.....and this allows for the thread to "come out"...usually without getting hung up. 

The above is a method that many of us have used, winding each color on a small plastic card that was...is   stored in an 8 x 10 plastic box.  I like this way, altho I find if the floss is wound too tightly, well....let's say....it may not always lay....lie so nicely...but that's just me.

Well, I must get back to my stitching to take with me to the shop tomorrow.  I'm just about done with "Giving Thanks on Sunday" .....

Hope to see you soon......thanks for being you....and making a difference for those who happen on to your journey through life.....Teach them to stitch!!

Ruth Ellen