What Do Women REALLY Want? + BONUS Pattern...
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"Cross Stitch Tips and News"
Brought to you by Patterns Patch Publishing
May 19th 2007
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Subject: What Do Women REALLY Want?

Another shift in direction for this issue, recently we've told you
about websites offering fabulous discounts and how to protect
yourself from the Internet hackers.

In this issue, and the next we're going to tell you a story set in
ancient times but with an ultra modern theme that's haunted men
since Adam was little more than a lad...

In the days of old when knights were bold, or so the tale usually
starts, young King Arthur was ambushed and imprisoned by the
monarch of a neighboring kingdom. Now the monarch could have killed
him but was moved by Arthur's youthful exuberance.

So the monarch offered him freedom if he could answer a very
difficult question. Arthur would have a year to figure out the
answer. If he still had no answer after a year ~ he would be killed.
The question was (as we already know) what do women REALLY want?

Such a question would have perplexed even the most knowledgeable of
men (and still does, believe me! ~ I haven't read the answer yet)
and, to young Arthur, it seemed an impossible query. Since it was
better than death, however, he accepted the monarch's proposition
to have an answer by the year's end.

Arthur returned to his kingdom and began to poll everybody: the
princesses, the prostitutes, priests, the wise men, and the court
jester. In all he spoke to everyone but no one could give him a
satisfactory answer.

What most people did tell him was to consult the old witch, as only
she would know the answer. The price would be high though because
the witch was famous for the exorbitant prices she charged.

The last day of the year arrived and Arthur had no alternative but
to talk to the witch. She agreed to answer his question but he'd
have to accept her price; the old witch wanted to marry Gawain,
the most noble of the knights of the Round Table and Arthur's
closest friend!

Young Arthur was horrified, she was hunchbacked and truly hideous,
had only one tooth, smelled like a sewer and often made obscene
noises. He had never before come across such a repugnant creature.
He refused to force his friend to marry her and to have to endure
such a burden.

Gawain upon learning of the proposal pleaded with Arthur, he told
him that nothing was too big a sacrifice compared to Arthur's life
and the preservation of the Round Table (boy weren't men noble in
those good old days?). Hence the wedding was proclaimed and the
witch answered Arthur's question... (To be concluded in the next
issue).

So! Just what do you think the witch told Arthur? See if you were
right in the next issue.

   ~X~

This issue contains a bonus Cross Stitch pattern for ALL readers ~
more on this later...

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A Top Tip for Cross Stitch Heaven...

Finding the Center of Your Chart and Your Fabric

Finding the center of a chart is easy. Simply count how many
squares are in your pattern vertically. Then count how many squares
are in your pattern horizontally. Divide these numbers in half, and
you'll find the center of the chart.

Once you've found the center, consider lightly marking it on the
chart. For instance, you can use a pencil and draw a line around
the square that's dead center. That way, you haven't ruined the
chart, but you quickly can refer back to where the center is if you
get lost in your counting.

Finding the center of your fabric is easy. Simply fold your fabric
in half, both vertically and horizontally. You will end up with one
quarter of your fabric visible. Mark the center point by basting a
brightly colored thread in that square.

If you want, you also can baste a thread at the outer edge on both
the main horizontal line and the main vertical line to help you
keep the center in mind as you stitch.

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Recent articles posted at PatternsPatch.com:
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Cross Stitch and Bookmark Designs

In the early days of the fifteenth century, respect for all books
was second only to respect for the Bible alone.  Books were few in
number and considered valuable due to the fact not many were
printed at any one time...

Read the full article by going here:
< http://www.patternspatch.com/public/117.cfm >

   ~X~

The Most Difficult Cross-Stitch Design I Tracked Down!

I track things down on the Internet... that is just the way it is
in today's times.  I search and surf to my heart's content, finding
what I need to know or do ~ eventually...

Read the full article by going here:
< http://www.patternspatch.com/public/127.cfm >

   ~X~

Cross stitching switch plate covers: who'd have thought it!

When a friend suggested to me cross stitching switch plate covers
to match my beautiful newly decorated living room I thought she had
gone mad. Who'd ever heard of switch plate patterns for cross
stitching,  but apparently many people have and there are numerous
places on the internet that supply patterns for such projects...

Read the full article by going here:
< http://www.patternspatch.com/public/154.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,
click here to become a member
< https://www.patternspatch.com/public/5.cfm > joining is easy!

===============================================================
Cross Stitch Patterns Uploaded This Week
===============================================================
This week we have a pleasant surprise for most if not all our
subscribers. We're giving EVERYONE who reads this letter a FR^E
cross stitch pattern ~ Yes! You did read that correctly.

To view full-sized illustrations of this week's FREE downloads,
go here < http://www.PatternsPatch.com/public/247.cfm >

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

   ~X~

- "Children of The World" by David Lindsley

- "Clarissa and Petey" by Judith Ballerino

- "Darling Blue" by Sir John Everett Millais
 
- "Rose On Beach" by Danny Hahlbohm

- "Symbols Of The Tribe" by Gary Ampel

  ** BONUS for EVERYONE **

- "The Cherokee Child" by Betty Hesler

The download page for your bonus pattern is here:
< http://www.PatternsPatch.com/public/248.cfm >

Please note that you have until the next issue of your
"Cross Stitch Tips & News" letter to download this pattern.
After then it will be available only to Members in the
Download Library.

   ~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/247.cfm >

==============================================================
Recent "Tips & Techniques" Forum Posts
==============================================================
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.

We've repeated the posts from the last issue because we
understand there was a problem with broken links. Fingers crossed
they work properly this time.

   ~X~

Cross stitch on netting...

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

"I was watching a show on tv where this fellow had decorated
these chairs using tulle as the removable covers. That
started me thinking about veils and I wondered if cross
stitching could be used for embellishment on a veil.

It would need to be pretty fine and refined for a garment
because tulle and similar fabrics are usually used for dress
up occasions but I also remembered seeing aprons back in the
'50s with embellishments. Is it common to use cross stitch
on fancier fabrics these days, or has it become a lost art?"

Read the discussion here:
http://www.patternspatch.com/members/forum/openthread.cfm?forum=1&;Th
readID=164

   ~X~

28-count linen uses 3 strands of thread?

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

"Recently, I found a long-lost kit that I bought about 7 years
ago. I've decided to start the kit but the instructions puzzle me.

The kit calls for 3 strands of thread throughout whereas I'm
used to using 2. Part of the pattern calls for blending 1
strand of Emerald Green and 2 strands of Forest Green. I'm
left wondering why the pattern uses 3 strands throughout,
and whether it is really necessary. Can anyone help?"

Read the discussion here:
http://www.patternspatch.com/members/forum/openthread.cfm?forum=1&;Th
readID=159

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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.

Sincerely,

John Wigham

PS If you're not already a member, why not? You're missing out
on so much! click 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 June 2nd 2007.
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Missed an issue of our Cross Stitch Tips & News letter?  Find them
all at
< http://www.patternspatch.com/public/department27.cfm >
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