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Patterns Patch Cross Stitch Club: Cross Stitch Tips & NewsSaturday, January 19th 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Subject: How To Tell The S.e.x of a Fly... Recently, I read this article about a guy who came up wth a real cute method for determining whether an individual fly is male or female, but more on that shortly... First I must apologize for calling everybody {firstname_fix} in the last issue of this news letter. When we distribute this letter every two weeks, there's a piece of code that inserts your first name, thereby personalizing the letter just for you. In my haste (OK, panic!) to publish on time, I overlooked the salutation (it had always worked before) and was concentrating on several of the links, which were giving some serious grief. As the deadline approached, and with the the links problem finally solved, everything was working fine ~ or so we thought! (And we all know what thought did, don't we?). So! Apologies to all for inadvertently renaming you. *~~* Like many people we always take some time out in early January to reflect on business and life in general. I generally decide to try some new experiences. One of these new experiences last year was simply to join and use 'YouTube'. YouTube has millions of home movies and I found it to be a thoroughly entertaining 'stress buster'. http://www.patternspatch.com/snip/173.htm
*~~* Yesterday I received an email from one of our stalwarts "muffin", in which she asked us to repeat the series of power point presentations we showed you periodically last year . You know the sort of stuff she means. Like the above, presentations that make you think and ponder, and often draw at the heart string, plus give way to the odd tear or two. Muffin pointed out that many new readers won't have seen these before. Good point!. So rather than repeat them in this (and subsequent) letters, we've decided to create a 'public' department listing all such presentations from last year, and any new ones we find. The plan is to have this new department (we haven't got a name for it yet - any suggestions will be welcome) in place before the next issue on February 2nd. *~~* How To Tell The S.e.x of a Fly... and here's how our friend sorted out the hims from the hers:  "What are you doing?" She asked. "Hunting Flies" He responded.  "Yep, 3 males, 2 Females," he replied. Intrigued, she asked, "How can you tell?" He responded, "3 were on a beer can, 2 were on the phone." Priceless!!
*~~* Next out from the wee book "A Woman's Work is Never Done" by Rowan B. Murphy: "Modern drugs are wonderful. They enable a wife with pneumonia to nurse her husband through flu." ~ Jilly Cooper.*~~*
Membership For Fr^e *~* Pam Booth *~*
Congratulations to Pam and commiserations to those who didn't win this week. But hey, perseverance is a virtue; try again next week ~ it could be YOU! And for those of you who didn't enter, why not? Don't you want this valuable gift? (Please remember! Only one entry per person, per issue.). *~~*
As always, you are encouraged to contact me with any questions or entries for future newsletters. You can do that here. | ||||||||||||||||||
This Issue's Tip:Ever Have Trouble With That Very First Stitch? ~ Here's The Answer! We know that frustrating feeling so well. So when we heard the "Waste knot" was a great way to start any project, we just had to learn more...Why use a waste knot to start my project, you might ask? Well, it's a temporary means of anchoring your thread when you start, thereby ensuring your early stitches aren't too slack... and in any case you remove the waste knot long before the end of the project.  In order to make a waste knot, you'll need to knot one end of your thread and take it downward through the aida, about 1" (2.5cm) from the starting point. Next, bring it back to the surface (starting point) to start your stitching. Then work a diagonal stitch - a half cross stitch. This should be placed from top right to bottom left over a single aida block /////. Continue working in the direction of your knot. Now work back along this row with your second diagonal stitch \\\\\. These stitches must appear directly on top of the first row to complete the cross of the cross stitch. The idea behind using a waste knot is that your starting thread stitches will be fully secured on the reverse of your project. As soon as you feel that the thread has been fully secured, the knot can be simply snipped off. Members can read a tutorial on the Waste Knot here. | ||||||||||||||||||
Recent ArticlesA Ballet Cross Stitch Gift to Please Your Favorite BallerinaCreating a unique gift is a great way to say thank you to an instructor. Ballet cross stitch projects are also a great way to introduce crafts to a child who also loves to dance. The finished projects can decorate a child's room and can start a love for cross stitching in addition to a love for dance . . . keep reading Cross Stitch Patterns Forums -- The Stitcher's Secret Weapon Web 2.0, including social networking sites, online forums and message boards, allow more open communication online than ever available. Friendships are formed and information is shared. Stitchers have the opportunity to learn from more advanced crafters in cross stitch patterns forums, and it gives you the opportunity to share your knowledge with others . . . keep reading The Role and Range of Fabric Stabilizers In recent years, fabric stabilizers have risen in popularity. These stabilizers are helpful when you're stitching complicated projects or stitching on light-weight materials. Many stitchers like to use stabilizers when they machine cross stitch, but you'll also find them helpful when you cross stitch by hand. Stabilizers reinforce the fabric so it is stronger and able to resist tears and maintain its shape . . . keep reading This is just a small sample of the more than 200 cross stitch articles enjoyed by our members. If you'd like to read more, you can join here right now. | ||||||||||||||||||
New Cross Stitch PatternsOn New Year's day when we were replacing 2007's calendars with 2008. Leni looked up from the old calendar she'd just taken down in the kitchen and said to me, "You know every single one of these illustrations will make a lovely cross stitch pattern. AND we could give the members the recipe too, as a bonus." ... and so a new series is born!The first of our "Kitchen Calendar" series appears below. The series features a different pattern each month that will look delighful adorning a kitchen wall... as a bonus we give you the delicious recipe to go with it. If you know of anybody else who's linked a cross stitch pattern with a recipe, please let us know. *~~* We're giving EVERYONE who reads this letter a FREE Bonus cross stitch pattern. Follow the download instructions carefully and Contact me if you have any problems. Some of our more experienced members have asked us to consider providing the occasional design that's a little more "challenging". We've listened and will be listing at least one pattern with embellishments, such as: beads, knots, backstitching, and so on. Here you can view The latest FREE downloads (for members): You'll find additional information and can also leave comments and rank (from 1 to 5) each download, if you so wish.
Please note that you have until the next issue of your Cross Stitch Tips & News letter to download the BONUS pattern. After then it will be available only to Members in the Cross Stitch Library. If you'd like to try and win a fr*e membership, reply to Membership for fr*e with the word 'Saturn' in your email subject line (only one entry per reader please). We're trying to introduce as wide a range as possible in the cross stitch 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 a quick email to Contact us. To view this week's gallery, here's the link again to view the latest FREE downloads. | ||||||||||||||||||
Cross Stitch Forum PostsThe Cross Stitch forum has continued to post many interesting threads. Three of the most recent are shown below: If you haven't taken part yet, why not take a look and maybe join in. Hey! You might even enjoy it.
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... And FinallyWhen the membership of Patterns Patch grows to a certain level we'll be able to approach major suppliers and manufacturers and negotiate discounts for our members. So please make sure to encourage your stitching friends to join Patterns Patch.Forward this email newsletter to them so that they can subscribe to (www.patternspatch.com) and receive future copies directly to their own mailbox. Please do not reply to this email. It was sent to you by our computer, which is splendid at sending emails but absolutely useless at reading them! To get in touch with us, please send a short email to Contact us. ... and finally, if you have children, give them a hug and a kiss, and tell them you love them. Sincerely,  PS If you're not already a member, why not? You're missing out on so much! Why not join now Joining is easy! Your next "Cross Stitch Tips & News" letter will appear on SATURDAY February 2nd 2008. Until next time, Missed an issue of our "Cross Stitch Tips & News" letter? Find them all here: | ||||||||||||||||||
