Saturday, November 17, 2012

Rethinking My Stitching Faves

This photo is representative of me yesterday. It actually started out as a rather good day.  I've often seen bloggers posting theme days & I decided that yesterday was going to be my Finishing Friday.

Before you imagine another post about my finishing inadequacies, let me tell you outright that the finishing part of the day wasn't too bad.  Of course I concentrated on primitive finishes.  No need to be fancy or creative or, most importantly, perfect with those.  I grabbed a handful & went to work sewing the seams to make the primitive stitchings into little pinkeeps & ornaments.  I then turned them right side out in preparation for stuffing.  

Enter Proverbs 16:18.  The Message translation is quite a good one ... "First pride, then the crash.  The bigger the ego, the harder the fall."

I decided I did not want to stuff anything right away.  Instead, feeling quite cocky, I decided to get a jump on Staining Saturday. I had a few almost done stitchings that needed a bit of primitive staining before adding some sort of shade of white floss snowflakes to them.  I decided to tackle that. Of course I have talked about my staining difficulties before.  No matter what I do, no matter what I use, my staining attempts always have that accidental coffee spill look about them. I've used Distress It, walnut crystals, various teas (both the hot brew & the hot brewed bags),  & hot coffee.  I've dabbed, sprayed, dipped, & wrung out.  I've added spices to the mixtures.  The results are always the same & always, no matter what, have an orange tint to them.  

John had his hands full at this point as the tears streamed down my face & I wailed "I'm going to sell all my stitching stuff & start a new hobby ... eating & watching TV!  At least that's something I'm good at!"  My eyes were hurting as much as my heart.  Intestinal distress ensued.

I did not even want to stitch last night. Unheard of!  I started knitting a dishcloth instead.  

Today I'm feeling a bit better although my eyes still hurt.  I do love stitching ... I won't give it up ... but I feel quite cold toward primitive stitching right now.  Stacy & her fellow prim designers are no longer at the top of my favorites list.  Instead I am yearning for the likes of BBD & La D Da. Shepherd's Bush always used to be a favorite of mine back in stitching days of yore.  I mentioned in my last blog post that I have recently been drawn to some of the French designers.  I'll find something to stitch that won't give me ulcers.           

28 comments:

Vickie said...

Yes! By all means Shirlee, avoid ulcers. Life is too short for that!!
Hey, maybe the problem was you began Staining Saturday on Finishing Friday?? ;) Love ya Shirlee.♥

Nicola said...

I love how to always find some humour in your adventures.

Krista said...

no crying, Shirlee :)
there are too many fun things to do than to get frustrated... how about stitching Saturday? may all your stitches bring you joy :)

Sally said...

Please don't cry dear Shirlee. Move on to something for a while until you feel able to go back to the prim ones. I did a Stacy Nash piece a while ago and I wasn't impressed with my finish after staining either.

Pixie said...

Hello

I love your post today! I hope you find something to stitch that doesn't give you ulcers!

cucki said...

I am agree with krista..
forget everything and stitch with me..happy Stitchy Saturday xxx

Mii Stitch said...

Just leave things that you're not to keen to work with... It's so not worth stress & tears!!! Go with the French designers.. I'm French & I've just discovered them myself (I am sooo ashamed) & I found they make such a nice change compared to the famous mass produced kits. I love Madame La Fée & Papillon Créations. Go and have a look at SoCreaStitch, it is full of French designers. Have a lovely day, Mii x

Roberta said...

I love primitive and I bet I would love your finished results. All your stitching projects are so beautiful! But I agree with the others, you should definitely do whatever gives you joy. Have a wonderful day! ~Roberta

Loraine said...

I'm so sorry for your problems with dyeing. If you feel any better, I'm deciding not to try and "antique" my latest finish, thanks to your stresses. I have the fear that it will turn out orange, because it seems I'm good at making orange too. LOL
Grab a French design, and enjoy.

Angela said...

I'm so sorry your finishing day wasn't a fun one. I've had those days too and know how frustrated you can get towards your stitching!

I spent last night going through my charts and only pulling the ones I really, really wanted to stitch and gave the rest to my Mum. Too many designers and charts and I just sat there for over 3 hours trying to find something to stitch! LOL.

My finishing day is today, your ornament is in the pile and I pray it's a good day as I still worry I will make a mess of things too :)

Don't let it get you down :) After all stitching is supposed to be fun and relaxing. Have a great day!

Angela said...

Oh my Shirlee. Give that OCD a break. {smile} With Primitive finishes, the staining process come out different everytime. Just adds to the character of the piece. I am emailing you a praise story. Hugs to you.
Angela

Janet P said...

Forget the dying, it's not worth it. Your work is fantastic without the dying. I agree about the French designers.

Starry-eyed stitcher said...

Oh my, how I know how you feel. My attempts at distressing only leave me distressed. Nothing I produce looks as though it was recently discovered in the bottom of a covered wagon, it just looks like I used it as a coaster for my coffee. Hey ho! Irene xxx

Dawn said...

oh Shirlee, big hugs!!, I know your pain with staining, I've tried it following instructions to a tee and well, was unhappy with results so no stressing about it, I'll just buy the fabrics that have already been stained, lol.! No stessing Shirlee, just enjoy the stiching, all part of the journey.

Hugs and stitches!

Annette-California said...

Please no more tears. We all have our challenges when dying fabrics. But I think that most of all the designs of Primitive stuff look just as pretty without the distressed stained look. Do enjoy the feel of your needle and threads creating pretty designs. You are not alone dear Shirlee. But keep stitching its our passion and keeps us calm:)
love and hugs Annette

Siobhán said...

Put it away for a bit--I'm sure you'll love it when you're not looking at it for awhile! I hear you, though, on the frustration. I am not meant to do my own finishing, but I need to embrace the primitive because my money tree hasn't been bearing fruit lately. LOL

Maggee said...

Shirlee... why must the pieces be dyed after stitching? Isnt the stitching done on overdyed fabby? Primitive looking? Contact me about this... AND french designers! Hugs!

Mouse said...

* passes large hankie over to help mop up the tears of distress ... sorry about your staining problems .... love bbd and la d da and some of the shepards bush charts too ... and some of the finishing touches the french do is fabulous .... :) tomorrow is another day :) love mouse xxxxx

Myra said...

Shirlee, doncha know there's no crying in cross stitch? ;o) I am betting I would love your staining and finishing results. That's the beauty of prim - it isn't supposed to be perfect. Eat some chocolate my dear, it always seems to help me. Big hugs....

Trace4J said...

(((((((((HUGS TO MY FRIEND)))))))))
I so love to eat too. :)
Woolie Love
Trace


www.grannytracescrapsandsquares.com

Miss LindaLee said...

My goodness Shirlee! Rather than get frustrated, why not do your stitching on hand dyed fabric? I have tried the same thing as far as staining with tea and all, and yes, turns out a yellowy color here and there. Nothing more. Nothing less. Yellowy! So don't give up completely, but give yourself a break for sure.

I just plain love your blog here. Keep up the great job.

LindaLee from Cross’N My Stitches

marly said...

I'm sorry. It's very frustrating when you put all that effort into stitching and the finishing part is such a disappointment.

butterfly said...

Oh dear Shirlee, we all have those days.
You have the right idea , start some thing new . then when you feel more like it go back to what you were doing .
If I have a day like that I just drop it and start something that makes me happy , and you always put a a smile on my face, hugs.

Judy said...

I feel your pain with the staining of the fabric. I too have tried it--even before stitching the piece, and not alot of success either. I usually just buy a piece that already looks the part! On the other hand, watching TV and eating is tempting!!

Judy Heartland stitcher

Carol said...

At least you are willing to try, Shirlee--give yourself credit for that!! There are so many stitching things that I'd like to do (stockings, heart-shaped, dyeing, etc.), but I'm just plain chicken!!

Hang in there--something will click with you soon :)

Pam in IL said...

I don't have good luck distressing (dyeing) either -- well, unless I don't want it to look distress, lol.

I read someone's blog during the summer and she bought tan Rit dye and threw her fabric and threads in the dye to give them the prim look before ever starting her project.

I'm sure you'll find a new project to fall in love with.

geeky Heather said...

{{{Shirlee}}} Forget about the distressing and just let them be! I'm sure they are still lovely. Also, I'm so lazy I hate having to do finishing at all, so any extra step just wouldn't get done at the LottLoft. =)

TheCrankyCrow said...

Awwwee....poor Shrilee....Sending hugs....but, really??? Giving up primitive?? No way!! That's why I love primitive....you can goober something (which I always do) and then just say, "hey, it's primitive!" (Well, that's what I'm saying about the only piece I've even halfway attempted in the last two months....now don't laugh - cuz I know you've mass-produced these in single evenings...but the Pineberry Lane "Joy" pattern....had it all stitched except for the snowflakes and the Snow Dog took after Princess Lizzi who tried to jump on the little table where my work was (unwisely) stashed, and klutz that she is, knocked over my coffee, and voila - prim distressing a la Lizzi. By the time I broke up the fight and rescued it, it had a definite "blob" factor...you know the rings??? EEEE gad......Just thought I'd share an alternative to "prim perfect" finishing.....Hugs ~ Robin