Who, what, where, when and why?

I saw the following on Barbara's blog and decided to answer her questions here.

Who taught you to stitch, and were there any special circumstances or memories surrounding this?
My mom and my grandma taught me to stitch. My mom did quite a bit of cross stitch when we were younger. I think one of the first things I stitched were some Christmas ornaments. I think I mostly learned using kits and have did mostly kits until I was in high school.

What’s your favorite thing to stitch? (A project, a kind of stitching, etc.)
I love stitching medium sized projects. I like a more contemporary country feel (somewhat of an oxymoron). I have stitched a variety of projects and like doing those that feel realistic.

Why do you stitch?
I like doing homemade things. I love doing stitching for gifts. It is something to keep my hands occupied while watching movies or television. It's also something I can do and spend time with my husband while he is playing video games. It is very relaxing and I enjoy creating.

When is your special stitching time?
This varies greatly. When I'm home, often it's in the evenings after work. I also love weekends where I can spend a lot of time stitching. If I'm underway with the ship, usually I'll be able to spend a bit of time on Sundays or evenings when we pull in to port. I don't have as much time then but may get an hour or two every few days.

Where is your special stitching place? (An accompanying picture would be great!)
I typically stitch in one of our two armchairs in the living room ... we have a large bay window. I'll stitch there at night as well, though don't really have the best light.

Well that's my who, what, where, when and why ... though not in that order. I'm actually underway at the moment. I have sent off my round 6 Fair and Square which should be arriving any day now ... as soon as I have word I will show it to you. Other than that, just need to finish up the one for 4th of July, which hopefully will go out really early :). Have a great Sunday!

Stitching meme

I have seen this on multiple people's blogs ... since I'm working on exchanges right now, don't have much to show so decided to do the following meme.

1. How do you hold your fabric? Depends on the type and size of fabric. The aida stocking that I am working on is in a lap scroll frame. I have decided that I like stitching on certain types of linen in hand, using more of a sewing motion. Aida, I definitely prefer a hoop or the scroll frame (though have stitched in hand before).
   


2. Floss licker? That would be an affirmative :)
   


3. How do you thread your needle? Usually lick and thred through.
   


4. What needle do you like best? Not particular at all ... got some smaller needles when I started working in linen (before often just used the needles that came in kits).
   


5. Are you a needle loser? Sometimes, but my frames have magnets on them and I have a nice magnetic needle keeper (though managed to lose one off of it by flinging it to the floor one day ... I'm sure it's underneath the chair somewhere).
   


6. What fabric do you prefer to stitch on? I am learning to like linen a lot, but don't mind working on Aida either. Often I'll use the recommended fabric but it just depends. Also depends what I'm going to be using the project for.
   


7. Bobbins or floss bags? Bobbins for DMC. My few skeins of overdyes and specialty floss are all how they came (there are about 6 of them).
   


8. Are you a scissors collector? Nope, I have one pair that I bought recently. Before I just used regular scissors or my mom's sewing scissors (the kind that have a spring in them)
   


9. Do you do your own framing, and if so, do you lace or pin? Mostly when I don't have the time to get it framed before it's to be given as a gift. I neither lace nor pin but usually use the mounting boards for embroidery.
   


10. Are you a floss floozy? Not really.
    


11. Silk?Haven't tried stitching with it yet.
    


12. Railroader?I had to google this when I saw the term ... nope, I'm not.
    


13. Are you a pattern or designer snob? Nope.
    


14. Do you get antsy when you give someone a stitched gift? Sometimes but not really. I've had good reception of my gifts so far.
    


15. Have you reached S.A.B.L.E.? Not at this point ... still fairly small stash.
    


16. Do you wash your projects? I haven't really.
    

Framed Finish

Well, it's been awhile since I have posted but I've mostly been working on my Fair Squares exchanged so haven't had anything to show. Just a little bit more to do and it should be off on its way (hopefully next weekend).

I did pick up the gift for my friends on Thursday from my LNS. I think it turned out wonderfully. I hope they like it.

Framed by My Hand Neddlewerks
Patti Nicolosi

So stitching has been getting done ... just nothing to show you all yet. Other than that, I've been keeping busy with work. On Friday, DH and I went to the Submarine Birthday Ball with a group from his command. It was a fun chance to dress up. Here is a picture of DH and me. There are two very solemn ceremonies that are a part of this, the tolling of the bells for the boats on eternal patrol and the table set up to honor MIA (missing in action). The boats on eternal patrol all of the submarines that have been lost at sea ... I think there are around 70 US boats. There was a guest speaker, they cut the birthday cake (cut by the newest qualified in submarines and the person that had been qualified the longest ... a WWII veteran who has been qualified for almost 70 years), dinner and dancing. All in all a fun evening.

Well, hopefully there will be a bit of time for stitching today but there is lots to be done. I'm heading out of town for the week so there's stuff to finish before I leave. Have a wonderful Sunday!