Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Switched to Beta Blogger

Can't wait to pay the ransom on the laptop so I can bring it home and see how I can screw up the blog now that I'm using BetaBlogger.

I started CHS Strawberry Blonde over the weekend. I'm stitching it on the unknown fabric I found at JoAnn's. While discussing this with a stitching friend she made me feel uncomfortable for using fabric that wasn't intended for cross stitch. It made me feel bad, like I was an unworthy stitcher or something. Like I didn't deserve to breath the same air as stitchers using the pricier linens. My response was, "I want to stitch this design, I can't buy new fabric for it, and this works just fine thank you very much." If, while working on this project, I determine that this fabric is ruining the design, I have no problems trashing it and starting over with "real" linen. But right now this is my best option and I can't understand why I'm less of a stitcher than someone using a $40 piece of linen.

After this conversation I started pondering, why do I stitch? I stitch because I breath. It's what I do. I feel better when I'm creating something. It doesn't matter if it's on linen or burlap, I'm creating something with needle and thread that didn't exist before.

I like using an unexpected fabric because over at Craftster I am constantly awed by the innovation and creativity of the stitchers you find there. They are creating outside the box. I can't draw or paint. Stitching is my way of creating art. Yes, I use a chart, I almost always use the recommended threads and fabric. I've had way too many disasters trying to be creative with fabric and threads, I don't trust my own judgement where colors are concerned, but the point is if I can use a neutral fabric and use a fabric that is a bit different, it makes the piece my own. Why does someone feel a need to make me feel like I'm commiting some crime against cross stitchers because I'm stitching on a fabric that doesn't quite fit their idea of proper cross stitch fabric?

6 comments:

Anna van Schurman said...

Man, you gotta start hanging around with better people. Uneven weaves are for sale at Wyndham Needleworks. Just tell her that's what you got. Sheesh!

Carol said...

Oh my gosh! Pay no mind, please, to the ignorant. As long as you like what you are stitching your sampler on, then great! I remember seeing your post about that fabric and I thought it was pretty! We are not stitching snobs, after all. I agree with Anna, you need to hang around with better people :-)

claudia said...

I thought it was great that you had found something different to stitch on! Geez! Don't listen to someone who cannot think differently. I hardly ever follow the pack, I don't like the "normal" stuff and I get great results with the different mediums I work with. You go for it girl! And be proud of what you do!!!!

Anonymous said...

I think an unofficial fabric would enhance the primitive nature of CHS designs. I bet KBD would approve.

Meari said...

So how's beta working for you? I'm tempted to switch over, but I don't want to screw up a good thing. LOL I've heard nightmare stories.

Meari said...

Sometimes I get that feeling from stitchers too. That I'm not good enuf cuz I don't stitch on linen as much as they do. Pfft! Stitch on whatever you like, and what works for you. Do you think way back when, they were THAT particular? No. They made do with what they had. You're certainly not "less of a stitcher".