Catching Up With SBQs From Way Back

Are you on "The Wagon?" If so, how long have you been on and how"serious" are you about it? If not, have you considered it? Submitted by Danielle for April 19.

Not even a thought of it and never have had. I felt a little selfish when everyone was doing the 10-50 project challenge, but I talked myself out of it quickly. I have enough stress in my life not to enjoy new stash.


How many WIPs do you have? How many UFOs do you have? When does a WIP become a UFO? Submitted by Kathryn for May 2.

At the moment, I have 4 WIPs. I would have to count my UFOs, but I would say in the neighborhood of 25ish. A WIP becomes a UFO when you pretend you never started it.


How do you choose a project for an exchange? Do you pick solely on what you know of the taste of the recipient or are there other reasons you pick the piece you do? Submitted by Ish for May 10.

I usually try to consider the recipient's likes; also time constraints, as I'm a slow stitcher. If I choose a small design, I try to make up for it with XS gadgets I know any stitcher would enjoy having.


If you could only stitch one more piece what would it be and why? Submitted by Jules for May 16.

I would stitch Chatelaine's "Convent Herbal Garden," which has been languishing in its kitted bag, beautifully hand-wrapped, looking like eye candy, by European XS, for several years. The reason I would choose this one is because I paid too #### much money for it to just sit there.


How many needles do you use during a project? Have you ever loaded up a needle for every color? Do you use a new needle for every project or recycle your favorite needle? Submitted by Kathryn for May 30.

I usually use just one needle per project because, for the most part, I do simple projects with not many colors; however, I do have several of those Lo-Ran thread organizers loaded with threaded needles for complicated designs with tons of color changes. I believe they've been hexed, though, because none of those projects have ever been finished. I know stitchers throw away their needles after finishing a project, but the only time I throw one away is if it's done for. I've always been frugal about little things (stash is a big thing though---forget the frugality), like when I worked for a bank and we had to wear pantyhose. If I got a run in one leg, I'd cut off that leg, and drag out one that had a run in the other leg and wear two panty parts. It gives a little extra stomach support too.


What has been your most challenging project and why? Submitted by Ish for June 6.

Paula Vaughans's "A Little Girl's Fancy." I was down to the last hours and had entered it in the National Counted Cross Stitch Show at Rockome Gardens. I had won a 2nd place ribbon and prizes the year before, and I knew that my PV piece was not up to standard. It made me a nervous wreck trying to finish in time, and I wasn't happy with the results. I didn't place that year, although it hangs in my guest room and gets tons of compliments. Non-stitchers don't know if stitches are twisted. That is a "good thing," as Martha would say.

Finally---the last one: How do you store your WIPs and other projects that you have kitted up? Submitted by Jennifer for June 14.

I keep each one in those mesh zipper bags. I have several of each size made, and I love their strength.