There are some stories that shouldn’t be told. Those regrettable moments when we embarrass ourselves so badly that we cause others to feel embarrassed for us – these are the moments that should be kept hushed, within familial circles and among close friends, protected by that little bubble of “We-love-you-too-much-to-let-other-people-know-just-how-stupid-you-are.”

In my family, it never really works that way. We’re pretty up front about things, and we don’t mind laughing at ourselves. In this particular case, though, there’s a bit of an obligation to share a little stitching-related experience I had yesterday, so that you can learn from my mistake and hopefully never do what I did!

Have you ever experienced the elation of finishing your embroidery on a project, then suddenly realized that you’re really only half-way finished? That’s the case with the hand embroidered pall I’m working on. When last we visited the project, I was filling in the letters with stem stitch, and I still had quite a way to go on the other little elements in the embroidery. Now, I’ve finished with the embroidery, but I’ve still got the assembly process to face, as well as adding lace to the edge.

Overall, I like the way the embroidered design came out – I hope you do, too!

You’d think I’d be finished with the blackwork fish. After all, it’s only the bubbles that need doing, right??! And how hard can it be to stitch bubbles?

Needle ‘n Thread will be featuring ads for needlework-related businesses, beginning the middle of August. Before moans and groans go … Continue reading Advertising on Needle ‘n Thread

Over the next two weeks, as the summer comes to a rapid close, I’ll be frantically preparing for the next school year to start.

If you’re a teacher, you already know that the summer is not really completely free. During the summer, we prepare for the next year in various ways: by professional development, by study, by organizing paperwork, by planning classes, and on and on. I’d also say that the relaxing that teachers can do during the summer also helps prepare them for the next year! So summer is a time of preparation for the teacher, and though I am not always as diligent as I should be in this regard, I do at least attempt a modicum of preparation for the next year.

This summer, I have something different to prepare for – something I find kind of exciting!

Silk Embroidery Threads and Blogging don’t seem to have much in common, do they? Well, to me, they do. I’m nearly addicted to silk embroidery threads, and blogging is a very big part of my life! The greatest thing about writing Needle ‘n Thread is the people I’ve “met” through the website – readers who have written with questions, fellow bloggers who have shared experiences and helped me out, and long-distance friends who share with me a love of stitching. It’s nice, you know!

Well, not very long ago, I ran a series of articles on Needle ‘n Thread by Kathy Andrews, featuring a few aspects of her Spring in Italy. I was really touched when Kathy sent me a little “thank you,” especially when she’s the one who helped me!

Yes, it’s true. I complained yesterday about lack of time, and now here I am, pointing out some needlework tidbits … Continue reading Nifty Needlework Stuff from Around the Traps