Amanda...such a delightful posting...thank you...re your Christmas stocking top...you can use a whisper floss to disguise it, making it with a fluffy finish...I have knitted stockings and find that they hang in a way that it you wouldn't notice that problem...I find Jean Farish floss tube is always willing to answer my questions...she has been a designer and stitcher for over 40 years...best wishes ❤
Just found you today as your latest video popped up. You are a very talented lady and your projects as well as your finishes are amazing. I’ve gone back and started at video 1 and am really enjoying them all.
So happy to see your new video Amanda ! Your framer does awesome work !! Katie Strachan addresses framing and wet stretching of smalls fabric, there is a tutorial on her website. I always enjoying seeing your progress and new projects
Just found you and Hi from BC! I have mostly quilting on my channel. But I am getting back into cross stitch again. That was the only craft I did for 20 years before I started quilting in 2015. Occasionally I make cards or do decoupage and such.
Fab video Amanda, lovely framed pieces and wips. I love hearing about the kittens, my ginger nut is 4 and has removed all the silicon from around the windows 😮 He’s awful in the evenings, even if he has been out all day..he likes to stand on the table at the window and pluck the curtains. I have to ignore him as he just goes to something else and gets more crazy 😂
Your full finishes are excellent!!! The Brook's Books angels are absolutely gorgeous!!! And the antiqued frame for the Mirabilia design is sooo perfect......Thank you for inspiring me to keep working on my finishes...to fully finish them....
Always happy to find a fellow Canuck! Thank you for mentioning Gvello. I’m in Ontario and finding good shops can be hard. Shipping costs from the US can be expensive.
I think it's fantastic that you finished everything in your under-the-bed box! Thanks for that inspiration. Love your finishes with the scrapbook paper, well done! I'm thinking you already know, I'm here for all the kitten exposure😺😸😻
I love orange kitties, and your stories are adorable. I can just imagine the naughtiness. I can hardly wait until you introduce them to the Christmas tree. Your stitching is fabulous and your finishes are stunning.
I love how you finished the small ornaments and the little house. I have several smalls like that and was trying to figure out how to finish where they won’t warp. I’ll have to check out how you did that. I’d love to see a tutorial for finishing with scrapbook paper😊
I'm 76 years old and I don't know what modern kits tell you but old kits always told you to wash your stitching after you finish, then block it. New over dyed floss and fabric will be damaged by washing but Aida & DMC usually go through the process just fine. If you are worried about the floss color running test the unused kit floss. If the floss in your stitched piece does start to run, while you are hand washing it, run cold water through it until the excess color is gone. So if it runs don't soak it in the cold water, hold it under the faucet. I know a lot of people stitch in hand and/or stitch with overdyed floss and/or linen. No matter how careful they are they are soiling their fabric. It may take years but eventually the stains will show up. I use scroll rods with a Lowery stand and a grime guard to keep my stitching square & clean. I'm sure it's still not perfect but when I'm gone my stitching will probably end up in a thrift store. So for my work I just enjoy the stitching and do what I can to keep it clean & square.
Good to know! Thanks for the tip. I stitch in hand and wear gloves while I'm stitching. I know it likely will show wear over time but that's just how I like to stitch. Again, I will be long gone when that happens.
Pinning and blocking. You are using the right words and descriptions. Yes it is done, and numerous people have videos on how to do it. Your work is fantastic, please keep it up. I discovered that a number of DMC threads match the floss, or are close enough, in Dimensions kits if you run out. Hope this helps. The FFO’s are fantastic, I am about to start Maid of the Mist, so yours was inspirational and informative. Thank you. 😊
Hello Amanda, Love your videos and beautiful work! I recommend Katie Strachan Embroidery video on blocking and stretching….and other inspirational videos. Hope this helps!
Thx for the video! Loved it! Really like the way you finish your ornaments. I’ll have to re-w😮atch your Christmas video to see how you did them. Vonna finishes all my Shepherd’s Bush stockings and I’m sure some of mine have been stretched wrong from the Q-Snaps. Maybe you could also email her for advice. Love, love, love your fancy lady! The framing is gorgeous! The Quaker is lovely. I’ve never done either type project, but would love to. I think the frames you chose are perfect for your projects. Would be nice to see all the ladies you’ve done while hanging together on the wall of your bedroom. I don’t have kittens or cats, but I think kittens are cute and you’re very kind to adopt all 3. Sounds like never a dull moment in your house. Thx for the stories about them. Come back soon. Enjoyed it so much.
Blocking….i just did it on my piece. Followed Katie Strachens instructions on her last mini tutorial and it worked. Test your fabric and floss before so you aren’t surprised if the colors run. It definitely worked to straighten out my piece. Good luck!
Enjoyed your floss tube and cat stories (CATS are so cute and now you have 4 terrorizers!). I saw a light box that you can place under the darker blue fabric when you stitch - so that may be helpful (or use procreate on the iPad too for brightness). Also, I love the Merekja kits too and invested in one (Parrot Tulip). I was amazed with the outcome. Yes as you mentioned: - card rows for the colors and little holes for the blends (but I ended up placing the blended colors closer to the most used color for the blends (there is an place to slip it in the numbered groove). My only problem is if you run out of colors, there are no DMC numbers reference to the 1 - 37 colors used in the kit so I found this frustrating when I ran out of a color - you may have to match it against the DMC color card instead. Just a thought if you run out of a certain color.
That's good to know. I have a dmc colour card so hopefully I can match. I'm really stingy with kit floss so hopefully I will be OK. Thanks for the tip with the light!
Very happy to have found your channel! You have gorgeous work! Can you tell me where you get your Merejka kits from. I would like to try one of them and see what they are like. Also: you can talk about kitties all you want. I won’t complain. I love cats and have had several in my lifetime. Currently a Himalayan girl!
Thank you and welcome! I purchased the kits from gvello stitch. I will always give a kitty update, just near the end in case it doesn't interest people.😊
How did meet the teacher night go? Its so awesome that you no longer have an under the bed box. Your Mirabilia and the quaker turned out beautifully. The frames are decorative, but not what id consider overly ornate, unless the wife likes very simple molding ha! Yes, you can absolutely pin and block your fabric to straighten the warp/weft, i think its called. As someone else mentioned, Katie Strachan just posted a tutorial showing a small piece. Have you looked at Pasttime Pieces in Ontario for fabric bundles or precuts? Its so good catching up with you, Amanda! I'm glad the cats are getting along and giving you a little time to stitch. If you're away from recording a Flosstube for the rest of the year, have a happy holiday season!
Hi wendy!! Meet the teacher night was OK. It's not meeting the teacher that overwhelms me. There are 1600 kids that go to my kid's school so it's the hoard of people that I dread.😂 My framers wife actually does like really plain frames.🤣 I did look at past time pieces bit her website isn't very user friendly and doesnt have all her products. I may make the 4 hour drive and visit her store at some point. Hope you are doing well!
I love seeing your kitten pictures and hearing you talk about them. My sister recently lost her beautiful orange male. She wants another one. I am always sharing your IG pics with her!! Your stitching is so beautiful!! Your framed Mira and Fall Quaker are beautiful!!! Are you going to Stitch North next weekend?
I'm so sorry about your sister's kitty.😪 I'm not going to stitch north. I'm not registered for the spring retreat either. I'm hoping to go to queen city next year for a change! Thanks for watching!
Love all your projects, I’m from Canada and would love to get the link to the shop you use to get your kits, I tried but couldn’t find it. Thank you ❤❤❤
Hi Amanda, you fancy lady finish is amazing! And Quaker looks beautiful! I want to say thank you for giving a feedback about gvello stitch. I live in USA and I just finished Luca-s (I showed it in a video on my channel) and wanted to buy the rest of the series, but I could not find them in USA and I was very scared to order from gvello stitch. So I am grateful you mentioned them as good site. I also love Merejka a lot and stitched one of the girls too (different series though), I think it called Girl and the Apple tree. I just wish Merejka would not cost arm, leg and a kidney. About that Ukrainian kit you had, it is actually really called what you see on the picture "Cat in the Sunflowers" :) . I also watched several of your past videos and you showed another Ukrainian kit you bought from the girl on e-bay I think. The company call Charivna Mit - that can be translated as "Magic Moment" and the kit called "Lion". They are legitimate company and work with independent designers, they do not copy or pirate anything. I like their designs, but I don't like price point 😊
Thank you for translating! I wondered what that kit was called. I love that brand but yes, it's pricey. Gvello is A+. It may take a bit longer to get to you from Canada to the US but they are a legit seller! Thanks for watching!
Hello! Fellow Canadian from Alberta! Newish cross stitcher. Loving learning from all the wonderful flosstubers!
Amanda...such a delightful posting...thank you...re your Christmas stocking top...you can use a whisper floss to disguise it, making it with a fluffy finish...I have knitted stockings and find that they hang in a way that it you wouldn't notice that problem...I find Jean Farish floss tube is always willing to answer my questions...she has been a designer and stitcher for over 40 years...best wishes ❤
Thanks for the tip! I'll check out Jean Farish's channel.
Just found you today as your latest video popped up. You are a very talented lady and your projects as well as your finishes are amazing. I’ve gone back and started at video 1 and am really enjoying them all.
Thank you! I'm glad you are enjoying them.
Your finished are spectacular!!! I did the summer and spring quakers-such lovely designs.
New subscriber!
Thank you so much! Welcome!
So happy to see your new video Amanda ! Your framer does awesome work !! Katie Strachan addresses framing and wet stretching of smalls fabric, there is a tutorial on her website. I always enjoying seeing your progress and new projects
She just did a video in RUclips about this too. I just saw it yesterday. Katie Strachan.
Thank you! I will check her out!
Just found you and Hi from BC! I have mostly quilting on my channel. But I am getting back into cross stitch again. That was the only craft I did for 20 years before I started quilting in 2015. Occasionally I make cards or do decoupage and such.
Fab video Amanda, lovely framed pieces and wips. I love hearing about the kittens, my ginger nut is 4 and has removed all the silicon from around the windows 😮 He’s awful in the evenings, even if he has been out all day..he likes to stand on the table at the window and pluck the curtains. I have to ignore him as he just goes to something else and gets more crazy 😂
Oh wow! That is really naughty!! Thanks for watching.
Lovely Floss tube , enjoyed your voice and stories and beautiful work!! Happy Autumn to you
Beautiful work! Thanks for sharing.
Kitten talk is fine!
Your stitching is beautiful you have a great talent!
Your full finishes are excellent!!! The Brook's Books angels are absolutely gorgeous!!! And the antiqued frame for the Mirabilia design is sooo perfect......Thank you for inspiring me to keep working on my finishes...to fully finish them....
Thank you so much! 😊
Always happy to find a fellow Canuck! Thank you for mentioning Gvello. I’m in Ontario and finding good shops can be hard. Shipping costs from the US can be expensive.
I think it's fantastic that you finished everything in your under-the-bed box! Thanks for that inspiration. Love your finishes with the scrapbook paper, well done! I'm thinking you already know, I'm here for all the kitten exposure😺😸😻
Thanks, it feels good to clean out that box!
I love orange kitties, and your stories are adorable. I can just imagine the naughtiness. I can hardly wait until you introduce them to the Christmas tree. Your stitching is fabulous and your finishes are stunning.
Thank you! I'm kind of dreading putting the christmas tree up this year for that reason. I will need to bolt it to the floor.
I love how you finished the small ornaments and the little house. I have several smalls like that and was trying to figure out how to finish where they won’t warp. I’ll have to check out how you did that. I’d love to see a tutorial for finishing with scrapbook paper😊
Thanks! If you check out my ornament tutorial, I talk about how I finish with scrap book paper.
Katie Strachan just posted a tutorial video on blocking Crosstitch. Out of Hand and the Jelly Roll Shop in Alberta sell the fabric bundles you like.
When you finish it, you will never know it.
I'm 76 years old and I don't know what modern kits tell you but old kits always told you to wash your stitching after you finish, then block it. New over dyed floss and fabric will be damaged by washing but Aida & DMC usually go through the process just fine. If you are worried about the floss color running test the unused kit floss. If the floss in your stitched piece does start to run, while you are hand washing it, run cold water through it until the excess color is gone. So if it runs don't soak it in the cold water, hold it under the faucet.
I know a lot of people stitch in hand and/or stitch with overdyed floss and/or linen. No matter how careful they are they are soiling their fabric. It may take years but eventually the stains will show up. I use scroll rods with a Lowery stand and a grime guard to keep my stitching square & clean. I'm sure it's still not perfect but when I'm gone my stitching will probably end up in a thrift store. So for my work I just enjoy the stitching and do what I can to keep it clean & square.
Good to know! Thanks for the tip. I stitch in hand and wear gloves while I'm stitching. I know it likely will show wear over time but that's just how I like to stitch. Again, I will be long gone when that happens.
Wonderful video! Your projects are inspiring.❤
Pinning and blocking. You are using the right words and descriptions. Yes it is done, and numerous people have videos on how to do it. Your work is fantastic, please keep it up. I discovered that a number of DMC threads match the floss, or are close enough, in Dimensions kits if you run out. Hope this helps. The FFO’s are fantastic, I am about to start Maid of the Mist, so yours was inspirational and informative. Thank you. 😊
Thank you and good luck with your new start!😊
Beautiful stitching!!!
Hello Amanda,
Love your videos and beautiful work!
I recommend Katie Strachan Embroidery video on blocking and stretching….and other inspirational videos.
Hope this helps!
Thanks, I'll check them out!
Thx for the video! Loved it! Really like the way you finish your ornaments. I’ll have to re-w😮atch your Christmas video to see how you did them. Vonna finishes all my Shepherd’s Bush stockings and I’m sure some of mine have been stretched wrong from the Q-Snaps. Maybe you could also email her for advice. Love, love, love your fancy lady! The framing is gorgeous! The Quaker is lovely. I’ve never done either type project, but would love to. I think the frames you chose are perfect for your projects. Would be nice to see all the ladies you’ve done while hanging together on the wall of your bedroom. I don’t have kittens or cats, but I think kittens are cute and you’re very kind to adopt all 3. Sounds like never a dull moment in your house. Thx for the stories about them. Come back soon. Enjoyed it so much.
Thank you so much! I will message vonna. She seems to always have the answer!😂
Blocking….i just did it on my piece. Followed Katie Strachens instructions on her last mini tutorial and it worked. Test your fabric and floss before so you aren’t surprised if the colors run. It definitely worked to straighten out my piece. Good luck!
Thank you! I will check out her tutorial.
Enjoyed your floss tube and cat stories (CATS are so cute and now you have 4 terrorizers!). I saw a light box that you can place under the darker blue fabric when you stitch - so that may be helpful (or use procreate on the iPad too for brightness). Also, I love the Merekja kits too and invested in one (Parrot Tulip). I was amazed with the outcome. Yes as you mentioned: - card rows for the colors and little holes for the blends (but I ended up placing the blended colors closer to the most used color for the blends (there is an place to slip it in the numbered groove). My only problem is if you run out of colors, there are no DMC numbers reference to the 1 - 37 colors used in the kit so I found this frustrating when I ran out of a color - you may have to match it against the DMC color card instead. Just a thought if you run out of a certain color.
That's good to know. I have a dmc colour card so hopefully I can match. I'm really stingy with kit floss so hopefully I will be OK. Thanks for the tip with the light!
I rinse and let dry on a towel. Then iron on a stablelizer then put the stocking together. Check out your quilting friends or shops they can help you.
Thanks, that's a great idea!
Very happy to have found your channel! You have gorgeous work! Can you tell me where you get your Merejka kits from. I would like to try one of them and see what they are like. Also: you can talk about kitties all you want. I won’t complain. I love cats and have had several in my lifetime. Currently a Himalayan girl!
Thank you and welcome! I purchased the kits from gvello stitch. I will always give a kitty update, just near the end in case it doesn't interest people.😊
How did meet the teacher night go? Its so awesome that you no longer have an under the bed box. Your Mirabilia and the quaker turned out beautifully. The frames are decorative, but not what id consider overly ornate, unless the wife likes very simple molding ha! Yes, you can absolutely pin and block your fabric to straighten the warp/weft, i think its called. As someone else mentioned, Katie Strachan just posted a tutorial showing a small piece. Have you looked at Pasttime Pieces in Ontario for fabric bundles or precuts? Its so good catching up with you, Amanda! I'm glad the cats are getting along and giving you a little time to stitch. If you're away from recording a Flosstube for the rest of the year, have a happy holiday season!
Hi wendy!! Meet the teacher night was OK. It's not meeting the teacher that overwhelms me. There are 1600 kids that go to my kid's school so it's the hoard of people that I dread.😂 My framers wife actually does like really plain frames.🤣 I did look at past time pieces bit her website isn't very user friendly and doesnt have all her products. I may make the 4 hour drive and visit her store at some point. Hope you are doing well!
I love seeing your kitten pictures and hearing you talk about them. My sister recently lost her beautiful orange male. She wants another one. I am always sharing your IG pics with her!! Your stitching is so beautiful!! Your framed Mira and Fall Quaker are beautiful!!! Are you going to Stitch North next weekend?
I'm so sorry about your sister's kitty.😪 I'm not going to stitch north. I'm not registered for the spring retreat either. I'm hoping to go to queen city next year for a change! Thanks for watching!
For the stocking you wash it and tack it on stretcher bars. Let it dry and you are good to go. Don’t do it till you are totally done though.
Good tip, I will keep that in mind!
Love all your projects, I’m from Canada and would love to get the link to the shop you use to get your kits, I tried but couldn’t find it. Thank you ❤❤❤
Thanks! I will put it in the description box.
Piece Fabric Co is in Canada
Hi Amanda, you fancy lady finish is amazing! And Quaker looks beautiful! I want to say thank you for giving a feedback about gvello stitch. I live in USA and I just finished Luca-s (I showed it in a video on my channel) and wanted to buy the rest of the series, but I could not find them in USA and I was very scared to order from gvello stitch. So I am grateful you mentioned them as good site. I also love Merejka a lot and stitched one of the girls too (different series though), I think it called Girl and the Apple tree. I just wish Merejka would not cost arm, leg and a kidney. About that Ukrainian kit you had, it is actually really called what you see on the picture "Cat in the Sunflowers" :) . I also watched several of your past videos and you showed another Ukrainian kit you bought from the girl on e-bay I think. The company call Charivna Mit - that can be translated as "Magic Moment" and the kit called "Lion". They are legitimate company and work with independent designers, they do not copy or pirate anything. I like their designs, but I don't like price point 😊
Thank you for translating! I wondered what that kit was called. I love that brand but yes, it's pricey. Gvello is A+. It may take a bit longer to get to you from Canada to the US but they are a legit seller! Thanks for watching!
I love all your stitching and how you finish them. I'm Canadian also in Ontario. Where are you located?
Thank you! I live in the Halton/niagara region.
❤❤❤
Nice to see you again, how are your kitties.