Cross Stitch TOTW Newsletter
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January 6th 2007
Brought to you by Patterns Patch
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Subject: A Clean Slate and a Fresh Start...

Don't you just love this time of year? The bacchanalian orgy of
Christmas and New Year is done and 2007 beckons, brand new ...
untouched -- like an unblemished canvas.

It's the traditional time of the year for all those hopes, dreams,
plans and resolutions. We all make them... and break them. Let's
be determined to make 2007 a special year where we achieve
something special. For Patterns Patch we've laid out our aims and
goals. We've listed what we will achieve for our members this
year...

... but you personally, what are YOU going to achieve this year?
What will your canvas show on December 31st 2007? An unimaginitive
clutter like most years, or an emerging masterpiece? Only YOU can
decide! It's your choice!!

Let me introduce you to a fr.ee tool to help you decide. Forget
new year's resolutions and "open your mind". What do you think 
your mind has in common with a parachute? They both work only when
they're OPEN.

So open your mind and spend a few minutes thinking about what YOU
REALLY WANT to achieve for yourself this year; be realistic - some
goals will take more than 12 months to accomplish. Then consider
just HOW you might get there. Remember the old (but true) Chinese
proverb, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with but a single
step".

If you break the means of achieving your goal down into manageable
bite-sized chunks, and then resolve to work on one or more of
these chunks every single day. Even if it's just for a few minutes
you'll be shocked... amazed... and delighted at how much you've
accomplished for yourself by this time next year.

Finally, never think you're alone when striving to achieve your
goal. When you get stuck or dispirited, why not ask your fellow
members for advice through the General Forum. Not only will you be
receiving help, but giving help too... which means everyone's a
winner.

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A Top Tip for Cross Stitch Heaven...

#4. "Stitch and Park": The best way to avoid stitching frustration 
When you are stitching a picture that has many colors, it is easy
to find yourself having to thread needles every minute or so,
whenever you change thread color. This can be time-consuming, and
for those of us who dread threading needles, it can prove to be
dispiriting too.

The way to overcome this challenge is to "stitch and park". This
means that you thread up a number of needles with different
colored threads before you begin, and then "park" them at the side
of your stitching until they are needed.
 
An additional tip is to make sure that you park your needles at
the edge of your work, where the finished stitching will not take
place. This is because ordinary needles can leave a rust mark when
they are left in the fabric for a while. (Gold-plated needles do
not leave a mark - a good reason to invest in them!).
 
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Recent articles posted at PatternsPatch.com:
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Be Flexible: How to Personalize a Cross Stitch Chart

Have you ever found a great cross-stitch pattern only to be
discouraged by the fact it was the wrong color scheme?  Or maybe
you want a pattern that fits a certain ethnic group?  How about a
pattern of a specific size?  Do not be discouraged.  There are
ways to adapt your cross-stitch chart so that you can meet your
own particular needs...

Read the full article by going here:
< http://www.patternspatch.com/members/166.cfm >

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Basic Cross Stitch Tips That Are Often Overlooked

This article provides a collection of basic tips and reminders
that are all-to-often overlooked when we try to snatch a few
precious moments to indulge ourselves in this fascinating hobby of
ours. Members have remarked how useful the "Tips for when you are
travelling" section has proved...

Read the full article by going here:
< http://www.patternspatch.com/members/110.cfm >

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Why Are My Eyes SO Sore? How to Avoid Eye Strain

Many people who enjoy cross stitch are familiar with that feeling
of tired eyes and a headache that follows a satisfying evening of
stitching. We all love to achieve great results, but we shouldn't
have to suffer afterwards for our pleasure. There are fortunately
several things that you can do to prevent straining your eyes when
you are stitching...

Read the full article by going here:
< http://www.patternspatch.com/members/83.cfm >

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Cross Stitch Patterns Uploaded This Week
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Boys on the Shore

Size: 16.5" x 16.4" (41.9cm x 41.7cm)
Pattern Size (stitches) = 231 x 230.

View an illustration of the picture here:

http://www.PatternsPatch.com/public/BoysontheshorebyAlbertEdelfelt.jpg
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Mermaid in the Sunset by Marco Busoni

Size: 21.4" x 21.6" (54.4cm x 55.0cm)
Pattern Size (stitches) = 300 x 303.

View an illustration of the picture here:

http://www.PatternsPatch.com/public/MermaidinthesunsetbyMarcoBuson
i.jpg
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Fairies in a Cup

Size: 20.1" x 14.6" (51.2cm x 37.0cm)
Pattern Size (stitches) = 282 x 204.

View an illustration of the picture here:

http://www.PatternsPatch.com/public/fairiesinacup.jpg
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Cyber Cape Town

Size: 18.2" x 11.4" (46.3cm x 28.8cm)
Pattern Size (stitches) = 255 x 159.

View an illustration of the picture here:

http://www.PatternsPatch.com/public/CyberCapeTown.jpg
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Emerging from the Deep, Tip of the Iceberg

Size: 13.6" x 18.5" (34.5cm x 47.0cm)
Pattern Size (stitches) = 190 x 259.

View an illustration of the picture here:

http://www.PatternsPatch.com/public/Emergingfromthedeep.jpg

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As an aid to our earlier wish for 2007 to be a good year for
everybody, here's a brief motivational article from:

Motivational Magic ~ "GET INSPIRED"

Ambition... Drive... Determination... Hunger...

These are all words that describe why we do the things we do.
There are always reasons or factors that cause us to behave in
particular ways or to pursue certain activities rather than
others. These underlying causes are collectively referred to as
motivation: that thing that pushes us on toward a goal.

Sometimes a lack of motivation can be to blame for less-than-ideal
results. If you are unable to complete work on schedule or up to
the quality you expect of yourself, it may be because you are
suffering from weak motivation. External factors (threats,
monetary incentives, people telling you to do something) rarely
work to make you feel really inspired. Rather, you need to find
some internal means of lighting that fire again and increasing
your motivation. Here's how:

Step 1: Identify Reasons for Doing Something

Motivation is all about the reason "why" you're trying to carry
out an activity or reach a goal. Therefore, unless you know why
you're doing something, you won't feel compelled to do it. Stop
and consider the reasons for your actions. What is the end result
you are hoping to achieve? What is your desired outcome?
Articulate it clearly to yourself.
 
Step 2: Put Together a Plan

Once you have a goal in mind, you need a plan for reaching it.
It's like using a road map: without driving directions you might
arrive at the intended destination, but it's probably going to
take you a lot longer. Using a map to plot out your course will
make you more efficient and more productive.

Step 3: Write a Timetable for Implementing Your Plan

It's not enough to simply develop a plan in theory. Plot it out by
writing it down in black and white. For example, if your plan is
to write one chapter of a dissertation each week, don't just leave
it at that. Get out your diary or day planner and write down the
target deadlines. Or type up a timetable with all the relevant
deadlines, print it out, and hang it above your computer. Writing
things down or having a visual schedule will incite action.

Step 4: Create an Incentive Plan

Incentives like monetary rewards don't necessarily build up
motivation, but promising yourself a reward for doing good work is
another matter altogether. The key is picking a reward that means
something to YOU. For example, if you really want to see that new
movie, tell yourself you won't be able to go unless you finish
writing that proposal or paying the bills first!
 
Step 5: Use Negatives as Motivation

Many of us slack off at times when we are feeling down or upset.
Perhaps something bad's happened or our friends or family have
made us feel bad about ourselves. For example, let's say you got
fired from a job, and your parents, rather than comforting you
say, "What's the matter, weren't you good enough?" This might make
us want to go hide under the covers, but you can actually turn
this negative into a positive. Just say to yourself, "I'll show
them!"

Then go out there and do what it takes to improve your situation.

Following these five steps will help you get back on track and
feel energetic about the tasks at hand. Good luck!

- So! With that unblemished canvas in front of you, aAre YOU going
 to "open YOUR mind & get inspired"?

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Do you have any views or opinions you would like to see covered in
an article or tip of the week?

If so, send me an email at john@patternspatch.com

Remember to sign up for the tip of the week!
http://www.patternspatch.com/public/180.cfm

- This newsletter is still in its infancy and will be shaped
according to the wishes of its readers. If there's anything you do
or don't like (or missing), from the newsletter, please send a
short email telling us want you want.

Until next week, stay safe and be happy.

John Wigham

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Missed a tip of the week?  Find them all at
http://www.patternspatch.com/public/department27.cfm
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