Aida vs Evenweave

Over at my Etsy store I am still playing around with techniques and ideas to create the best work that I can.  For my cross stitch work my preferred choice was 18 count aida. Here is an example of what a flower looks like on 18 count aida for reference (Husband's Note: This shows how much I know about cross stitch. When I first heard about aida, I kept thinking "Like, the musical?") (Husband's Note: In retrospect, that also probably tells you more about myself than I'd like =>.<=).

I have 14 count aida around the house and waste not want not, I have also used that. For beginners the smaller count size is better as you can get neater stitches when they are bigger. I am not a fan because of the size.

Anyway this weekend I learnt about Evenweave and armed with a 50 percent coupon to Joanns picked up some 28 count evenweave.

Now I am very British in some ways (Husband's Note: Don't believe it, she's Very British in LOTS of ways! Except for the fact that she doesn't like Monty Python or Benny Hill. I love her in spite of her failings, though.), especially when it comes to emotion. Unless I am around my husband and kids, I am rarely the first one to cry, laugh, show excitement. I am certainly not a hugger.  However, the results of this Evenweave have made me positively giddy (Husband's Note: It's true. She's spent the last four days sashaying around the house skipping and laughing The kids are disturbed and I'm starting to worry.). Here is another flower example:

 The left side shows the flowers on 14 count aida, the flowers of the right 28 count evenweave.  The size isn't really the only reason I love the evenweave.  Because it is so much smaller it looks a lot more like fabric.  All those holes are more hidden.

My mind is racing with all the things I can do with the evenweave (Husband's Note: Currently, things 1-47 are "Tell my husband about evenweave.").  I have already started playing again with the teapot cards as the design looks better.  Because of the size it will be easier to more text on the cards as I can fit more on.  The possibilities are endless and I cannot wait to get started!

No Sick Days

Everyone that has children knows that there is no such thing as a sick day.  People without kids don't always understand this, they seem to think as I don't have a job, I don't work.

Anyway last week I was sick (right in time for Easter and my daughter's second birthday!) and I had another non-sick day.  I got the worst case of guilt as all I wanted to do was crawl into bed and this was the opposite of what my kids wanted.  They didn't really get it and wanted to go outside or play their current favourite game "monster".  They see an adult lying down and think that their first response should be to jump on them.  Although they have become much better sleepers recently, they both took this night of all nights to wake up in the middle of the night and have to sleep in our bed. (Husband's Note: As you can imagine, this leaves our bed rather crowded. It doesn't help that our kids are restless sleepers and kick.)

Fortunately I have great in-laws and while I was catching up on sleep this morning, my husband arranged for the kids to spend the night at their place so I am now catching up on much needed rest. (Husband's Note: Oh sure, the in laws are great, but does the husband who arranges anything get any credit? Noooo.)

I started this post with the intention of giving tips on how to cope and get through those horrible days we all have, but between being in a haze of exhaustion and realizing I didn't cope- I just spent most of the day feeling sorry for myself I have no real tips. Just that you will get better, your children won't suffer because they have one day where they watch a little extra tv and there is nothing wrong with throwing a pity party.

Husband's Notes

So, unless you've been under a rock for the last four years, (considering you're reading this online...unlikely) you probably know that the Economy is in the crapper. Going by the most jolly of rubrics, nearly one out of every ten adults is unemployed or underemployed, and that's not even counting the people who've given up. People with Masters degrees are fortunate to get a job flipping burgers at McDonalds, and the longer you've been unemployed, the worse off you have it.

So, what are you to do?

Well, fortunately for you, I'm here to tell you stuff you probably have already figured out by now. Over 75% of success revolves around you actually “showing up”.

Now what do I mean by that?

What I mean is that if you want to do something, daydreaming about it gets you nowhere. You have to have the guts to act on it and make things happen for yourself.

A practical example of this is my wife. And all you crafty types out there. If you didn't take a look at your sewing needles and your macrame and your basket weaving and say “You know, I'll bet someone would pay actual money for this”, you'd be right back to where you began.

Put it another way, 100% of the stuff you never show people will never sell.

And this carries over into every part of life. That pretty girl at the laundromat? That cute guy at the office you've been mooning over for the last six months? If you don't tell them that you're infatuated with them, they won't know. That job you've been thinking of applying to? You won't get it if you don't apply.

So, you crafty types, keep on crafting, and keep your chin up! You're doing great! (Wife's notes: I was reading through this post, having no idea what subject matter my husband was going to pick. Since it made me go all gushy reading it I thought I would refrain from snarky comments)

Photo Example

Following this post I thought I would show an example of improving photos.

This was the original photo:

And this was the one I posted at the store:

Pretty dramatic isn't it? (Husband's Note: It's like....night and day!)

Now, I know I still have some work to do with photos, but it took me literally seconds to do those adjustments with picmonkey (Seriously, check them out!).  Slowly but surely by store will get there!

Etsy

So I have officially started my Etsy store and putting a lot of effort into it.  I have been spending a lot of time in the forums and reading articles as I want to make sure the store is the best it can be, but I have realized how much work really needs to be done.

I am pretty excited about it, as I want a project (Husband's Note: Her previous projects were telling me I need to get in shape. Now I can loaf in peace!). Of course I would love for it to be a successful project but right now it is nice to have something to do and to talk about that isn't centered around diapers or speech ability. (Husband's Note: Or how her husband could do with less bacon in general.)

I have been doing a lot of reading on how to make a successful store some of it useful, some of it conflicting, and some of it a waste of time.  So bit by bit I will go through some of what I have learnt.  Today's information: Photography!

*Photographs You need to have good photographs.  If the photo doesn't do your artwork justice, no one will want to buy. This is one area I am still working on and constantly re-taking pictures to see if I can get better light or better angles. I have recently started editing photos on picmonkey and love the site. It is easy to use and you don't need to sign up.

Today I re-took most of my photos and realized I will need to do some of them again...again.  Brightness has been a huge issue I didn't realize how dark my photos were. (Husband's Note: Black as the Ace of Spades, they were.)

Right now my set up is really simple. I have a white board for background and use a white cardboard piece to place the item on.  I photograph right by a window to get as much natural light as possible but I still need to lighten the pictures up after.  Please share any tips you have learnt in your photography adventures.

Potty Training

My eldest child turned three a month ago and I thought he would have been potty trained by now, aren't three year olds supposed to be potty trained?

Jack is stubborn though .  Whether he gets that from his parents or is a by product from his hair colour he stubbornly won't use a potty (Husband's note: He clearly gets it from his mother, don't listen to her!).  He understands the concept, he doesn't want to have accidents (they tend to upset him) yet he doesn't want to sit on a potty and so won't.

I have read the books, the blogs, the advice from other parents.  We have tried the three day method, the charts, the bribery, the long term methods, the stopping for a while to give him a break, the list goes on.

I know he won't be in diapers forever, and have come to accept the fact that when he is ready he will use the potty and there is not point forcing the issue and making everyone more upset but it is just one more thing to add do the list of things you don't want to have to discuss with the other parents at the park. (Husband's note: among those topics are what your toddler is doing with those cigarette butts, and your daughter's affinity for finding all the sharp goods in the house.)

First Sale

Just made my first Etsy sale, so thought this would be a good opportunity to do some self promotion.  Please visit this store:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/StitchedtoaTea