- Your Cross Stitch club is spreading its wings...
- A Top Tip for Cross Stitch Heaven... Ease the Pain
- Recent articles posted at PatternsPatch.com
- Cross Stitch Patterns Uploaded Since The Last Issue
- Recent "Tips & Techniques" Forum Posts
Subject: Your Cross Stitch club is spreading its wings...
By the time you read the next issue of this letter our new online
store will be well and truly open. The products in the store will
range from fre* to heavily discounted for members. We are planning
separate departments for:
* Our own Cross Stitch kits
* Craft books and reports
* Anything else appropriate (miscellaneous).
Our own cross stitch kits will feature the most popular downloads
from the Cross Stitch library. Each kit will be contain everything
the stitcher needs in order to finish the Cross Stitch pattern (but
NOT the final frame).
Only those patterns that have been in the Cross Stitch library for
at least three months will be on sale to non-members. The only
exception to this is the free pattern given away with each issue of
the Cross Stitch Tips & News letter. Obviously we'll offer the kit
from the time the pattern is issued.
What this means is when members download a pattern and decide to
stitch it, they can, if they wish, order the kit from Patterns
Patch and we'll then assemble the kit and send it to wherever they
live in the world. In the store, the prices and postage will be
clearly displayed for each kit, so you'll know in advance what the
cost will be to the nearest penny.
The flagship of the books and reports department will be our new
book, "Cross Stitch Made Easy: A Guide for Beginners and
Intermediate Stitchers ~ Stitch it Right the First Time - Every
Time." We'll add books and reports to this department on a regular
basis. Some will be our own while others will be from leading Cross
Stitch writers.
~X~
I don't know about you, but I'm getting way more spam in my email
inbox than I used to, even as recently as a couple of months ago.
Most of it's the usual garbage that an amoeba would avoid from 20
paces. However, two people I know nearly got sucked in by a new
"work from home" scam that needs exposing.
If you get an email from "Mr George
Owen Mark" who "owns a company Based on Chinese
and African textile and fabric material in US" (or it could be YOUR
country), then bash that DELETE button with a clenched fist.
He claims he's from 'DL Arts Company Ltd'. And says:
"I urgently need a representative in your country to
work online from home and get paid weekly without
leaving or affecting your present job.
"My Company produces various clothing materials,
batiks, assorted fabrics and traditional costumes. We
have clients we supply weekly in your country and my
clients make payments for our supplies every week in
form of online transfer which will take 45 days to be
credited here."
In short, he says he will pay you to process payments
in the US for a 10% cut.
No, he doesn't ask for money up front, but you can be
sure that once he's got a fish at the end of his line,
he'll be pulling out the catch.
The idea is that you give him your name, address,
telephone number and age.
I assume that he'll then prey on a certain profile of
person who is most likely to fall for the trick. You can
expect big promises, dubious phone calls and a lot more
emails.
By the way, you might find this interesting...
As I was researching this scandal, I found a useful
web-page that lists a lot of the scamster emailers and
their aliases...
Forgive me for continuing a little longer on the same theme, but
whilst on the same subject I see a lot of 'work from home offers'
that tend to catch out the very people who are trying to earn just
a little extra for that occasional luxury, or just to make ends meet.
Not all work from home offers will rip you off but it pays to be
VERY careful. The really seriously bad ones to watch out for are:
** Stuffing envelopes. You pay a registration fee in
return for advice on how lure other people into the
same fake opportunity.
** Home working directories. They promise you a
variety of home work opportunities for a fee of up to
$50. But you only get a directory of other companies
who have their own registration fees.
** Home assembly kits. You get a kit for making small items, such
as baby boots and toys for instance. They say they'll pay you
for your goods but will either reject it because of poor
quality (not your fault, as the kits are rubbish) or they'll
tell you to sell the goods yourself. You won't be able to
do this, because there will be no market for it.
Avoid these opportunities, and their "spin-offs", at all costs...
no matter how easy and profitable they seem.
Always check that you can get a full unconditional refund of your
money,
contact details (especially a phone number), and some kind of
registered business behind it (watch out for PO Box numbers).
~X~
For those members who like to branch out into crochet or knitting
you might like to note that Leni occasionally adds new patterns to
the crochet and knitting libraries.
Next week will see the addition of a beautiful crotcheted pansy
bedspread that originated around the campfires of the voortrekkers
way back in the 1800s when Southern Africa was undergoing
colonisation.
================================================================
A TOP TIP FOR CROSS STITCH HEAVEN...
================================================================
Ease the Pain: Wear Craft Gloves to Combat Hand Fatigue
If your hands hurt after you've been stitching for some time,
consider looking into stitcher's or craft gloves. These gloves are
very useful for all stitchers, but especially if you have carpal
tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, or arthritis.
These gloves cover and give support to your wrists and palms, but
leave your fingers free so you can stitch. Although the gloves
aren't a cure, they can help you minimize the pain you experience
due to repetitive motions.
You can find craft gloves at most craft stores and online. Brands
such as Handeze Therapeutic Gloves are very popular with stitchers.
When selecting craft gloves, it's important that you choose the
correct size.
For that reason, if you can't try the gloves on, speak to a
customer service representative about determining the correct size.
Moreover, find out about the return policy in case the gloves don't
work for you.
If you're like many stitchers who experience hand fatigue, craft
gloves are a great way for you to rediscover the joy of cross
stitching without experiencing pain.
================================================================
RECENT ARTICLES POSTED AT PATTERNS PATCH:
================================================================
1. Sun, Sea, Sand, and... Stitching! Taking Your Cross Stitch
Project on Holiday
Going away on holiday can be a great opportunity to indulge
yourself in your favourite pastime... cross stitching, of course!
There's the prospect of lots of time to spend on what you want to
do, without those guilty feelings that arise when you're stitching
at home - when you know that the garden needs weeding, or that the
kitchen cupboards could do with a clean. No! On holiday your time
is mostly your own...
2. Contrasting The Pros and Cons of Anchor and DMC Yarns
There are many different types of cross-stitching and embroidery
yarns, and a multitude of companies that produce them. What is the
difference between them and their yarns?
Let's look closely at two of these major companies, both producing
high quality yarns, doing a comparison study between them at the
end...
3. Celtic Cross Stitch: a Simple Guide to Celtic Design
Some of my favourite completed cross stitch projects are Celtic
designs. I have three Celtic cross stitched pictures placed near
the entrance of my home -- and I hope they give a warm welcome to
everyone who comes in.
Many people have made positive comments about them, and they do
seem to get everyone talking. They are also a delight to stitch. If
you have not yet attempted a Celtic cross stitch project, I hope
that I can persuade you...
This is just a small sample of the more than 130 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 SINCE THE LAST ISSUE
===============================================================
We're giving EVERYONE who reads this letter a FR^E Bonus cross
stitch pattern ~ Follow the download instructions carefully
and email me john@patternspatch.com if you have any problems.
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.
==============================================================
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.
~X~
1. On Paper?...
Member "Mamab" posted this query, which, so far has
attracted 16 replies.
"I've seen some paper that looked like it could be used for cross
stitching. Has anyone ever tried that before? How did it turn out?"
------------------------------------
"I bought a book years ago that had nativity figures charted and
this type paper was included with the book. I never did do any of
them... but the paper would have made the figures stiff and
appropriate for hanging on the Christmas tree."
"Most needlework shops carry packages of perforated paper ~ just
purchased a package with two sheets for small designs to be
attached to greeting cards. The package is unopened so I can't tell
whether it is heavy enough for designs similar to those in the
picture. However, the same shop has perforated plastic suitable for
cross stitch and it would definitely work..."
"... never thought about sealing them but that is a great idea...
that way they wouldn't get all dirty with the kids hands all over
them:)"
Read the rest of the discussion here:
http://www.PatternsPatch.com/snip/116.htm
~X~
2. New Stitch???
Member "hislamb" posted this question, which, so far has
attracted 21 replies.
"Has anyone heard of the oyster stitch...I believe it is an
embroidery stitch that is used for making flower buds... Has anyone
ever used this stitch?"
------------------------------------
"I've never heard of any oyster stitch. I can do some research and
find out though, thanks to the internet. :D
"In my endeavor to learn the elusive french knot....lots of people
suggested the colonial knot to me. I never tried it because by that
time I was downright determined to learn the french knot no matter
what!! It's Irish stubborness!! It comes out all the time! LOL!"
"It does look a little easier though... and I agree with mamab, I'd
have to practice this stitch as well before I got it right!."
"Ah, French knots! Irish stubborness was definitely a factor in my
learning to make them; they never came out like the ones Mom made
and I was certain there was some magic involved. After pulling
several French knots through the fabric, my solution was to wrap my
thread so many times there was NO WAY that knot could slip through!"
This Tips & News letter 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'd like.
... 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:
Cross Stitch Library
