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!

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!