bk_forever | Bee Cross Stitch

Current Mood: busy
Current Location: My Desk

I finished another set of small designs for cards, this time some bees and honey. The two small ones were stitched on 14 count and and the four larger ones on 16 count, because that was all I had that was easily accessible. Most of my fabric is stored in a big old chest that currently has a lot of stuff piled on top it and I didn't feel like moving it all to get at my stash of 14 count.

This last one I plan to post pics of as it progresses. On the left you can see the design as it should look when it's done, and on the right... Well, I've started it, the first part of the cross stitch border is done!

This is tougher than the other designs I've been stitching lately. It's bigger for a start, but as I want it for a card (possibly), I'm making it smaller by stitching on 20 count fabric - that is, 20 squares per inch - with one strand of thread. I cut and prepared the fabric for this and another large design years ago but never got around to stitching them. The design is 96 stitches each way, and will measure 12 x 12 cm when it's done. I'll be stitching other things while I work on this because I need good daylight to see the holes... o_O

Wish me luck!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

bk_forever

I'd have to store them flat anyway. Trouble is, lying one way they take up more than half the available shelf space leaving a gap that I don't know what else I could put there, any laying the other way, the cupboard doors can't close. *sigh*

From:

lexxiescott

Do you have some odd books or maybe a vase that needs a home? I mean, granted I haven’t seen where you want to store them, so I’m not sure what could fit in there. I’ve just got odds and ends in and around my oddly shaped books, magazines, and scrapbooks.

From:

bk_forever

I'm wanting to keep craft stuff together so I'm sure I'll find something, but I've got at least 500 magazines and they're heavy, so I'm always worried if the shelves are even going to take their weight, never mind anything else.

I've finished the last of the fiddly cross stitch set, just got to take photos, maybe tomorrow. Today's been really hot so I feel crap tonight.

From:

lexxiescott

Oh heavens, that is a lot of magazines to store. I see your problem with the weight considerations. Still, there has to be a way to make it work out. Is there a way you could stack them to help support the shelf above? Like split them into two stacks or something?

From:

bk_forever

They'll be in multiple stacks, supporting the shelves above, in 1 foot square cubes, which is okay unless I need to get magazines out... *shrugs* I'll manage I guess. Of course every month I get a new issue, and I'm still wanting to get the back issues I'm missing... I do love my magazines!

I took the photos today but i don't know when I'll get them posted. Got to upload them and then crop them to a reasonable size. Busy busy!

From:

lexxiescott

lol, yeah, getting them out again is always the problem with storing magazines or larger books on their sides. I have magazine sized TinTin books that I love to read, but have to battle to store. Magazines, especially specialty or interest-based, are so much fun. I should show you the book series I’m currently collecting. You want storage issues o_O

Oh, yay! I’ll look forward to seeing them!

From:

bk_forever

Things take up space - we both need a TARDIS!

The pics are posted. Yay! I think...

I've started something much easier now - whole cross stitch, no back stitch. Normally I like back stitch, but there was so much on the last set... each one took about 5 or 6 metre long strands of black thread...

From:

lexxiescott

That would be so lovely. Or at least Time Lord tech to get shelves bigger on the inside. *grins*

Those look awesome! I see what you mean about colors and it being easier to trail the thread from place to place. I can’t tell looking at the pictures that you did it that way. The border for the roses looks great, too. I don’t blame you taking on an easier project next.

From:

bk_forever

Thank you! They were so tricky to do I really need a break with something simple.

Or just make our homes bigger on the inside - I could do with some extra room. Imagine stepping through the back of the wardrobe into a set of storage rooms...

From:

lexxiescott

They are lovely pieces. :-)

That would be nice. I think I’d take a garage and an office that’s bigger on the inside. So many places to store books and put up pictures and sprinkle crystals about.

From:

bk_forever

Sounds good! I wish I could afford a loft conversion. Think of all the shelves and cabinets I could fit up there...

I've finished the first of the new set of designs.

Insects are plaguing me! I just had a bee come in and buzz in my ear. The other night I turned on my torch before switching off my bedside light and a bee (probably not the same one) landed on the lens. I had a handful of bee at one point but I got it out the window. Last night I got into bed and settled down to read and a ladybird landed on me so I had to get up again and put that out, and this morning there was a big moth settled comfortably in the loo!

From:

lexxiescott

That would be so lovely. Second stories aren’t really practical in Florida, but I totally take your point. :-)

Yay! Animal, vegetable, or words? I was going to ask mineral, but that seems a bit silly.

Maybe they think you’re a larger Mrs. Tittlemouse? You’ve had Babbitty Bumble, the ladybird. I don’t recall a moth visiting, but be glad you haven’t seen Mr. Jackson. *grins* More power to you with the bees. I’m deathly allergic to stings, so have to flee or swat. Bees I flee, nasty stingies I swat.

From:

bk_forever

For me it would be a third storey since I have two already... and still not enough space o_O

They're flowers, and now I've finished the second one!

Speaking of minerals... Vanessa has listed some crystals for Sunday, 30 I think. I've got my eye on the Labradorite - it's pricey, but the bluest I've seen. Have to see how bidding goes.

It was a honey bee - both times - rather than a bumble bee. Haven't seen many bumbles this year, sadly. I don't thin I've ever been stung so I don't know if I'm allergic or not, but I tend to just order bees and wasps out if they don't go of their own accord. They're usually reasonably cooperative.

I've hit a snag with Collin's card - I can't find the cowboy design so I've got to go through all my magazines again *headdesk*

From:

lexxiescott

You have the excuse of a smaller house overall than I have. I take your point though.

Oh, cool!

That is a pretty one. I might try for the spirit quartz depending on bidding. I haven’t seen one that shape before. What’s up with the chalcedony? It looks like a little old man with a shell and two large arms. Kinda freaks me out a little.

I never worry about hone or bumble bees. They only sting when threatened. Yellow jackets, wasps, and other angry stingies are the ones I have to watch out for. It’s why I can never drive with the windows down. I’m glad you’ve never been stung. It hurts.

Oh for. That’s sort of the last thing you need right now. Fingers crossed you find it quickly.

From:

bk_forever

I suppose I should be thankful I don't have more rooms to heat...

The chalcedony is one of the weirdest pieces I've seen, lol! I might bid on it, I don't know.

I don't think we get yellow jackets in England. That's probably a good thing. We do get hornets, but I've only seen one one, on holiday in Devon one year.

I've got to sort all the magazines for storing anyway, and it doesn't take too long to flip through them since I know what I'm looking for. I thought I'd left that one out, but it's not in the boxful with pages marked on the things I want to stitch next... It'll turn up.

From:

lexxiescott

That's a major plus. *grins* Still, more storage space will always be nice.

More power to you, it seriously weirds me out. *giggles*

They're similar enough to hornets and wasps to make no nevermind. Nasty things.

Still a pain though. hopefully it'll turn up quickly.

Perky and I have gained at least one more shop, maybe two. I didn't realize there was a Waterstones in Piccadilly - the largest in Europe according to the web page - and she needs to go to a clothing store. I suggested Selfridges, but we might also just do Marks & Spencers. The money exchange is in the M & S in Kensington super-close to our hotel. Really excited about the bookstore though.

From:

bk_forever

If I win it I'll let you know what it's like!

Book stores are always a good thing. I always liked M & S stuff, good quality. It's worth having a browse around, and you might come across some other likely stores on your travels. =)

I found it, but my memory is a bit off - its huge! 120 by 85 stitches. Even on 30 count that's a bit big for a card, so I don't know if I'll do that or not. I have found a slight;y smaller alternative, I have a couple of charts for orchids, and I know Colin likes those, so I might do one of them. There's less stitching with them, and plenty of space to add a '60 today' or something if I want to. Also found a rosebud in a vase which is very pretty. I have plenty to choose from now =D

From:

lexxiescott

I’m all for unique crystals, but that one takes all the awards. *grins*

I’ve always been impressed when I’ve gone through when I’ve been in London. I’ve cut through on rainy days to try to keep dry. I’ll have to see what Perky thinks. I have a feeling we’ll be wandering into random shops while we’re walking from place to place. It’s one reason I want to walk as much as possible, so we can actually see more.

That is a bit big for a card. Sounds like maybe misplacing it ended up a happy thing. The orchids sound lovely, and a message would be fun, too. :-)

From:

bk_forever

That is one of the big benefits of walking - if you see a shop or something tat looks interesting you can nip in instead of staring wistfully as you sail past, knowing you probably won't get back that way.

I'm not sure the orchids are much smaller, I hope I've got a big enough card blank... I'll see what I can sort out that works though. First, I need to be able to get at my fabric o_O

The auction's an hour later than usual tonight, which always throws me.

Your pressie went in the post Friday - I keep forgetting to tell you. A thing or two in there to take on your travels to stave off boredom during the travelling parts ;)

From:

lexxiescott

I'd rather walk everywhere when I'm on holiday so I can duck into those fun little shops that pop up out of nowhere when you go past them. I found one of my favorite dragon pieces that way - in London, too. I think we were trying to find The Museum that time around. Perky's heavy, though, and walking isn't easy for her, so I'm going to have to probably split my time between feet and bus.

Shame on the fabric hiding. Or being in a difficult place to get to, knowing how things go. You should see my cupboard at work. I'm always afraid to open the thing.

I'm watching the auction carefully. So far no bids on the cactus quartz, which is the one I'd really like. Might do the chlorite quartz to help even out the postage. Have to see.

Aw, thank you. :) Fortunately, the worst of the travel will be overnight, so I can at least doze. I've never been able to sleep on airplanes. No matter what. Might be good for the train, too.

From:

bk_forever

I hear you. Maybe you can hop on and off busses.

Once I can shift the blanket box out from under everything I'll be able to see what'll work best. I don't want to have to buy more. The higher the count, the more expensive the fabric.

Did you get either of the ones you wee interested in? I got outbid on the Labradorite, but I got the weird Chalcedony, also the polished Flint. That one reminded me of a whale. I think Vanessa must be away on holiday or something. She hasn't uploaded next week's pics yet.

Hopefully you'll be able to get a bit of sleep en route. You don't want to be exhausted on your first day.

From:

lexxiescott

That’s probably my only hope. Or push for lots of breaks between locations.

Don’t blame you a bit on that one. Seems like that’s the way it always is, the higher the count the more it costs.

I did manage to snag the spirit quartz. It was a bit more than I wanted to go, so it’s the only one I got. Can’t wait to see it though. I think it’ll be worth that bit extra.

lol, you’ll have to let me know if it looks as weird in person as it did in the pictures. Nice grab on the flint. :-)

Jet lag always sucks, but I know a few tricks so it doesn’t last as long. That’s why two easy days when we’re first in country.

From:

bk_forever

I should've known, you being a seasoned traveller, that you'd know how to handle it! A slow start makes sense.

Plus, the higher counts are harder to get. 14 count is everywhere. 20 count is almost as rare as hen's teeth. I get my fabric off ebay.

Yay for getting the spirit quartz. It's a lovely one! I'm quite excited about the chalcedony. Got to wait for an invoice though, because of getting two. I will definitely let you know the full weirdness of my new little friend ;)

I'm off to bed in a minute. I'm beat.

From:

lexxiescott

The trick is to not sleep the day you arrive. We’ll get in around seven or so local time, which will feel like 0200 to us. We’ll go to the hotel, store our bags, go to a couple of museums, eat a light lunch, and maybe shop a bit. Try to stay up as late in the afternoon as possible, then sleep and get up around seven the next morning and get started to set a pattern. It’s not easy, but it works.

Online shopping is a lifesaver these days. eBay is a really, really good place to find things. I use amazon quite a bit too.

*grins* I’m sure he’ll have an interesting feeling to him.

Hope you’ll have an okay night. I’m watching haunted houses again. Don’t know why I do this before trying to sleep. It’s a really good show though.

From:

bk_forever

Staying awake must be hard though. I feel tired just thinking about it.

You can get just about anything online, but searching for what I want on ebay keeps getting harder because they keep changing things =(

I imagine he will, he's so unique!

I slept, but I had so many weird dreams. Why is it when I watch several episodes of ER in a row, I dream about the characters, but that never happens when I watch a bunch of episodes of something else? I did have a Doctor Who based dream as well, but I don't remember what happened.

If I watched anything spooky before bed, I'd have nightmares O.O

Contest Week starts today, so I won't have time for cross-stitching =(