Another framed piece!!

I can't believe I framed another piece! I finished the stitching in December and didn't get around to framing till now. It is a RAK instead of a Christmas present, but that's ok! I'm proud to have that off my pile of "waiting patiently to be finished" pieces!!

This is Peace - a retired freebie from San Man. It was really fun to make (after the horrible white portion of the dove which seemed to take forever!) I love the scroll work and the purple French knots.

Thanks for stopping by! I know I haven't been posting too often lately, but I'll be better about it now that I'm on track!
Hugs and stitches!
Jean

Here's Rochester, New York!

Remember a while back, I was lamenting that an old piece had stains and rust on it? Not all the stains came out, but it isn't too obvious to the untrained eye. The rust didn't come out, but I just stitched over the few spots where the stitches were rusty and it covered it ok. It would have been better if they were full x's instead of 1/2 cross, but nonetheless, it's done. I noticed it shows in the photo if you click on it, but luckily in real life it isn't as obvious!

I bought the frame for FIFTY CENTS!!! I couldn't believe it! It's hard to find the right size frame for longer pieces - they're all pretty standard, but this was an OOPS at Joanns. There aren't many I've found that work out, nor for such a cheap price!

That's the good news. The bad news is I cut the acid free foam core for mounting just enough too small that it barely covers the opening. It doesn't show but I have to play around on the back to wedge the piece in tightly. I'm saving it to give to my husband. Like I said earlier, this was a very early piece I stitched and I can really see a difference in my stitching from then to now.

I am on a kick to get things framed and finished. I really want to start a few new things, but it will have to wait. You know my fantasy of the finishing fairy showing up. Well, maybe, just maybe a finishing inspiration has come over me!

I'll show you another piece tomorrow.

clarification

Thank you for all your input about kits. It seems as though everyone just kits up using a skein for each color as indicated on the chart.

My question was more about cutting lengths of floss and putting them on a floss card and wondering how to estimate the number of strands (or lengths) of floss to use.

I have done it this way for years but usually it was for smaller charts. When I started cross stitch years ago, I started by doing kits and they would come with all the floss cut in strands to separate and put on the enclosed card with holes in it. I assumed that people were doing that too, when they said the kitted a piece.

It's been interesting to hear that most people just toss a whole skein in the bag for the project and it sure makes a lot more sense than the way I've been doing it! Especially with DMC which goes on sale often for a pretty cheap price! When I have used the overdyed, I always just put the whole skein together with the project.

Speaking of overdyed floss, I need to invest in some. It gives such a lovely result! I hardly have any at all. I'll have to remember that for my birthday.

I haven't shown the pieces I have been working on as they are gifts. I need to send them out but just haven't gotten around to them. As I assembled them into finished projects, I was thinking - I should do a tutorial! I sat back and closed my eyes till that crazy thought passed - especially since I cut my fabric out too small BOTH times I did this project!! You probably heard me screaming around 2 o'clock EST!!!! Sorry!

I've enjoyed reading everyone's posts. I certainly enjoy all your comments and I appreciate that you have taken time to leave them!! You're the best!
Love and stitches,
Jean

How do you estimate?

Thanks for the responses to my previous post.

I am still looking for how to estimate how much floss to use if I want to make up a kit. Any advice?

Tell me how you do it!

I'm having trouble figuring out how to estimate floss when I'm starting a pattern or setting up a kit. I always run short. So, here's where you come in. I'd like to hear from you veterans how you set up your kits and projects.

I'm not a fan of bobbins. I tried them and don't like how curly the floss gets. I use floss bags. Other than floss bobbins - how you you organize your floss for a project? I usually punch holes on an index card and label the color floss and the symbol from the chart.

I can't wait to hear how you fellow stitchers organize your projects!

Thank you in advance for you input!
Love and stitches,
Jean

Progress!

I have finished a PIF but haven't sent it out yet. Hence- no pictures. I am pleased with how it came out.

Thanks to Tracy's detective work, I was able to order the Spring Lamb kit pictured below. I didn't realize that it was all beaded until I got it. I made one of these in the past and really liked it. I have to be very careful not to drop the beads- that's torture!!! I am looking forward to starting it in the next few days.

Thanks for stopping by and I appreciate your kindness leaving comments.

Hugs and Stitches!
Jean