More Bargains + How "Safe" is YOUR computer...
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"Cross Stitch Tips and News"
Brought to you by Patterns Patch Publishing
April 21st 2007
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Subject: More Bargains + How "Safe" is YOUR Computer?

Recently, the courts in the UK agreed to an application from the
FBI to extradite a young guy to the US to stand trial for hacking
into the Pentagon. Now, if the Pentagon's computer passwords can
be hacked into (and from another country, don't forget), how hard
do you suppose it is for the average hacker to break into YOUR
home computer, and steal your important details... and then start
milking your bank account(s)? Huh?

Now, on the face of it this has little to do with cross-stitch,
but everybody reading this is doing so through a
password-protected Internet connection; so, you see it is relevant
to us all.

Would you be surprised if I told you that in the real world, it
can take a hacker with a computer less than two seconds to break a
four character password... It's true!

If your password is four characters or less in length, it can be
hacked in as little as two seconds.

But if your password is eight characters in length, and includes
at least one special character and a number - it can take up to
two hundred years to break (using currently available desktop
computers).

Since your passwords are the only thing keeping would-be thieves
out of your on line bank account, your investment accounts, your
PayPal account and other important accounts, you'll want to make
those passwords difficult to crack.

You can do this by creating passwords with a minimum of eight
characters, including at least one number and one special
character - something like ma5xwka^.

For those of use who worry about remembering difficult passwords,
try this. Why not think of a seven letter word that is special to
only you (or a three letter word followed by four letter word). An
example could be donkeys, which fulfils both criteria since it is
also don (a three-lettered word) followed by keys.

If you were to place one of the special characters from the
numbered keys near the top of your keyboard !"£/#$%^&*() between
don and keys, while replacing the letter"o" in don with the number
0 (zero), you'd have d0n*keys ~ not difficult to remember if
donkeys was your special word.

And don't fall into the trap of using your child's, pet's or
favorite sport's team name as a password - as those will be the
first words any dedicated hacker will try.

When a hacker breaks in to one or more of your accounts, many of
them will set up a "milking" process where they extract a monthly
payment of some innocuous low figure, such as $4.73 (they'll vary
it a little each month). Not a lot, true! But suppose they are
doing this to 10,000+ accounts...

... and the moral to the story is: lock up your passwords, or
watch your money disappear.

            ~X~

In the last issue we hi-lighted a website where you can enjoy
fabulous discounts on many household and general items. Anything
from 50% to 90% off the rrp is quite common, but you do have to
keep looking on a regular basis. Not surprisingly the really big
discounts often last for less than two days. The website we named
was:

http://www.dealcatcher.com

By really digging around inside this site, we found some terrific
buys on cross-stitch products; we'll tell you about them in the
next issue.

In the meantime here's two more sites where you can find similar
deals:

http://www.dealhack.com
http://www.techbargains.com

As we said earlier, with sites like these it is easy to find 50%
to 90% off on the kinds of items you use everyday.

And who doesn't like saving money?

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A Top Tip for Cross Stitch Heaven...

Pet Proofing Your Project.

Many of us have pets in our homes that make stitching a challenge.
Here are some tips on how to pet-proof your project.

First, always protect your project. When you're done stitching,
roll your fabric and put it in an air-tight container, such as a
zippered plastic bag or a covered plastic box.

Second, consider stitching in a part of the house where your pet
doesn't roam. Although fur carries throughout a home, by picking
an area where your pet doesn't go, you can reduce the chance that
fur will get caught in your stitching.

If your pet has access to all areas of your home, then dust off
your surroundings before you sit to cross stitch. Even if the area
appears clean, fur can be lurking in sneaky hiding places.

Finally, if you find fur in your project, remove it immediately
using tweezers. Don't let it linger. Although we all love our
pets, we don't want to immortalize their fur by including it in
our beautiful cross stitch projects.

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Recent articles posted at PatternsPatch.com:
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What EXACTLY is Counted Cross Stitch?

When I first saw a family member of my husband's doing
cross-stitch, it looked like something out of Star-Wars for me,
as I was still struggling with crocheting in my early marriage
days.  My mother-in-law was attempting, very carefully and
patiently, to teach me the basic crochet stitches...

Read the full article by going here:
< http://www.patternspatch.com/public/100.cfm >

            ~X~

Make It Personal:  Celebrating Weddings and Anniversaries in
Cross-Stitch.

A wedding or anniversary is a time to celebrate and be joyful,
but it can also be time to get creative and personal with your
cross-stitch craft. For the bride and groom, their wedding is
clearly an event they will want to remember for the rest of
their lives, so why not give them that special reminder that
comes straight from your heart.  You can give them the gift on
 the wedding day or even years later on a special anniversary...

Read the full article by going here:
< http://www.patternspatch.com/public/134.cfm >

            ~X~

Color Therapy and the Colors of Yarn and Threads.

The idea of basket weaving as a form of therapy, traditionally
used for patients with mental illness was often laughed at. But in
a way, there was wisdom in the use of crafts for having a calming
effect. In today's society, the meaning of "slow down", an easy
and natural pace, and relaxation, has become pretty close to
obsolete in meaning and in activity...

Read the full article by going here:
< http://www.patternspatch.com/public/91.cfm >

            ~X~

This is just a small sample of the more than 100 cross stitch
articles enjoyed by our members. If you'd like to read more,
go here to become a member
< https://www.patternspatch.com/public/5.cfm > joining is easy!

===============================================================
Cross Stitch Patterns Uploaded This Week
===============================================================
To view full-sized illustrations of this week's FREE downloads,
Go Here < http://www.PatternsPatch.com/public/232.cfm >

You'll find additional information and can also leave comments
and rank (from 1 to 5) each download, if you wish.

            ~X~

- "Beautiful Waterfall Princess"

- "The Eye of God"

- "Waiting For Mommy"
 
- "The Country Pig" by Charles Viola

- "The Five Senses"

            ~X~

We're trying to introduce as wide a range as possible in the
download library to cater for all tastes. So if there's a theme
we've missed that you'd like to see patterns for, then please
drop me a quick email to the address towards the bottom of this
letter.

To view this week's gallery, here's the link again
< http://www.PatternsPatch.com/public/232.cfm >

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Recent "Tips & Techniques" Forum Posts
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The Tips and Techniques forum has continued to post many
interesting threads. If you haven't taken part yet, why not take a
look and maybe join in. Hey! You might even enjoy it.

            ~X~

Do you add cross stitch elements to other projects?

Member "Mamab" posted this question, which, so far has attracted
19 replies.

"I was thinking about some of the other posts about quilts that
people have done. Has anyone incorporated cross stitch onto a
quilt? I think it would be beautiful if done correctly.

I'm envisioning a quilt made with rich, dark tones and having
small pictures cross stitched in light thread interspersed across
the quilt. Or possibly a saying or border. I think it would be
lovely." Read the discussion here:

http://www.patternspatch.com/members/forum/openthread.cfm?forum=1&
ThreadID=152

            ~X~

Has anyone used any of the computer software for designing your
own charts?

Member "Lorna" posted this question, which so far has attracted 18
replies.

"Has anyone used any of the computer software for designing your
own charts? I had a look at a few earlier but they seem quite
expensive, are they worth the money or shall I stick to my grid
paper and pencil crayons?! Any information would be greatly
appreciated..."

Read the discussion here:
http://www.patternspatch.com/members/forum/openthread.cfm?forum=1&
ThreadID=138

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This newsletter is still being developed 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 to john@patternspatch.com telling me what you want.

... and finally, if you have children, give them a hug and a
kiss, and tell them you love them.

Please also spend some time with sympathetic thoughts for the
victims, and survivors, and their friends and relatives, of the
terrible tragedy that occurred in Virginia this week.

Sincerely,

John Wigham

PS If you're not already a member, why not? You're missing out on
so much! go here to join now:
< https://www.patternspatch.com/public/5.cfm > joining is easy!

You next "Cross Stitch Tips & News" letter will appear on Saturday
May 5th 2007.
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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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