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The Needlework Nutshell—October 1, 2006 Volume 2, Issue 10 October 1, 2006 <*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> THE NEEDLEWORK NUTSHELL Needlework news, musings, tips, contests, and what’s happening now at FUNK & WEBER DESIGNS <*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> Editor: Jen Funk Weber Mail to: mailto:mail@funkandweber.com Web site: http://www.funkandweber.com Your privacy is important to us. Our subscriber list is NOT made available to others. *********************************************************** IN THIS ISSUE *********************************************************** 1. Needlework Musings 2. Tips and Tricks 3. What’s New at Funk & Weber Designs 4. Readers Ask 5. Puzzle Contest 6. Contact/Subscribe/Unsubscribe *********************************************************** 1. NEEDLEWORK MUSINGS *********************************************************** Have you noticed a seemingly universal push to Do It Yourself, Personalize It, and Make It Your Own? I see that message everywhere, from TV programs to magazines to store advertising. That’s why Lowe’s and Home Depot have popped up in places like Wasilla, Alaska, and why JoAnn’s has exploded into a general crafts store. Even I send that message here in the Nutshell: when you tell me how you’ve altered a pattern, I post it in our Make It Yours section. I’m sure there have been nudges toward creativity forever—I’ve felt them all my life—but these days it feels like a push. Why do you suppose this is? I think one reason is the homogenization of the American retail public. City after city, town after town, coast to coast, we’re all shopping in the same Big Box stores with largely the same merchandise. All of our product choices are being made by a handful of corporate buyers. A clothing store in Idaho used to buy different clothes than a store in Georgia, but today there are Big Box stores in both states with the same exact offerings. People in Idaho wear what people in Georgia wear, though perhaps with a jacket. Because the selection at these Big Box stores is largely the same, our choices as consumers are reduced. Every Big Box store across the country gets yo-yos from company X. The yo-yos made by company Y and company Z are relegated to small independent shops, and we know what happens to them. Soon, we consumers have no choice other than the yo-yos from company X. So we all have the same clothes and yo-yos. Now we differentiate ourselves and our yo-yos by personalizing them with acid-free markers and stickers. Otherwise, our yo-yo might very well be claimed by another brunette in an identical purple tee and jeans. I admit it: I don’t care for the homogenization of the American public. I also don’t like standardized tests for kids, or Big Box book stores determining what books get published, or developments with identical houses, by the way. I consider the current push for Do It Yourself, Personalize It, Make It Your Own evidence that we are not Borg, that we value our individuality as well as our creativity, and that the more we’re pushed toward homogenization, the harder we push back. Hooray for us! Every one of us is creative (yes, Shelly—you, too!). Let’s take advantage of the current trend and express ourselves creatively. We’ve never had so many resources at our disposal. Plan to do something creative every week, whether it’s folding napkins into flowers for dinner one night, or refinishing your grandmothers dining room table. Exploring our creativity is a surefire way to discover our individuality. Create more, consume less—I think that’ll be my new motto. *********************************************************** 2. TIPS AND TRICKS *********************************************************** How many of you use thread conditioner on your floss when you stitch? I don’t. It tends to show up on bright, saturated colors, and those are what I use most. But it sure is nice to get the kinks out of the thread and smooth those flyaway fiber ends. Luckily, there’s an alternative: water. If you run individual fibers over a damp sponge and let them dry, you get a nice smooth fiber that lays beautifully and doesn’t tangle as readily. Best of all, you can make a tool to simplify this process: Rinse the anti-bacterial solution out of a new sponge. (That’s what makes suds on the sponge when you first get it wet.) Cut a piece that will fit inside a film canister, so that the top of the sponge is even with the top of the canister. (I’m talking 35mm photo film, though I’m sure other containers would work, too.) Add enough water to the canister to keep the sponge damp. To use, pop the lid off the canister and run fibers over sponge, then lay fibers out to dry. Yep, it’s an extra step, an extra tool, and extra space for drying fibers. It’s not something I do with on-the-go travel projects. But the difference it makes in stitching ease and neatness is enough to make me take those extra steps when stitching at home. *Beware fibers that aren’t colorfast. I still use the water, but I make sure they’re dry before stitching. *What? You don’t have a film canister? You might be able to get one from a local film processor, just for the asking. *Some stitchers talk about a fiber’s nap, claiming that pulling the fiber through fabric against the nap increases fuzziness. In theory, you can find the nap by tapping the thread ends or just running the fiber between your fingers. However, DMC claims that their fibers have no nap. That’s their story, and I’m sticking to it. Run your fibers over the sponge in whatever direction you choose. *********************************************************** 3. WHAT’S NEW AT FUNK & WEBER *********************************************************** You’re invited to THE NEEDLEWORK SHOW, October 11-16, 2006. http://www.needleworkshow.com This is an online wholesale needlework show that can be visited by the public. It’s a great opportunity to check out new designs and new designers, and to hang out with other stitchers. There are games and prizes to add to the fun. There are also classes being offered! (See below) ~~~~~~~~~~ Funk & Weber Designs is offering TWO online classes during The Needlework Show, October 11-16. (That’s right, we’ve added a new class!) Classes take place in private Yahoo! Groups. Download instructions, diagrams, and images (Adobe Acrobat Reader required), then participate in group discussions and ask questions on the message board. Basic knowledge of needlework techniques required: beginning and ending threads, reading a diagram, etc. *EmbroiderMe! Bracelet Basics and Beyond* Learn to create unique, personalized accessories in 4 easy steps. Step 1: Decorative stitch: Griffin Stitch Step 2: The edge stitch: pulled backstitch & 3-sided stitch Step 3: Securing the back side Step 4: Adding beads and clasps *EmbroiderMe! Bracelets: Decorate Your Life* For graduates of Bracelet Basics and Beyond and others who have learned how to complete EmbroiderMe! Bracelets. Explore ways to customize bracelets through 4 new patterns. (NOTE: Participants must be able to complete steps 2-4 on their own; those instructions are not provided here.) Pattern 1: Cross stitch pattern: Exploring color Pattern 2: Composite pattern: Adapting bits and pieces Pattern 3: Blackwork pattern: The holbein stitch Pattern 4: Party pattern: Freeform stitches Join me for an online class and express yourself with personalized needlework accessories. Visit http://www.funkandweber.com for further information and to register. ~~~~~~~~~~ The verdict is in: I will *not* be changing this newsletter into a blog. We’re signed up for another year at Zinester (at least), and I’ve got some exciting plans and high hopes for the coming year. Stay tuned! Thanks to everyone who expressed an opinion. *********************************************************** 4. READERS ASK *********************************************************** Please e-mail me with questions for this section. mail@funkandweber.com Several readers have asked if I use model stitchers. I do not right now, though I reserve the right to change my mind. For 2 reasons: 1. Stitching was a big part of my choice to design professionally. Designing and stitching are my favorite parts of the biz. Those 2 activities bring me joy. Unfortunately, because I also have to run the business, they wind up being a tiny part of the Big Picture. Of all the things I could give up to lighten the business load, they are the last 2 things I want to give up. Now, if any of you want to be my agent or business manager, and you’re willing to work for the slave wages of model stitchers, let’s talk! Those are the tasks I’d rather relinquish. 2. Stitching is part of the design process for me and Mike. Even though Mike doesn’t stitch, he has me try things in needle and thread before he commits. I do a lot of ripping for his design process! *********************************************************** 6. PUZZLE CONTEST *********************************************************** Play with me! Solve this puzzle, and be entered to win a free Funk & Weber Designs pattern! Winners will be randomly selected from all correct entries. E-mail your answer, with “PUZZLE CONTEST” in the subject line. The deadline for this month’s puzzle is midnight (Alaska time, of course) October 7, 2006. The winner will be selected on October 8, 2006, notified by e-mail, and announced on our web site and in the next NEEDLEWORK NUTSHELL. To avoid sending e-mail attachments, contest puzzles will be uploaded to our web site. I will provide a link to the puzzle in THE NEEDLEWORK NUTSHELL. To the puzzle! http://www.funkandweber.com/fw/nutshell/windows.pdf ~~~~~~~~~~ SEPTEMBER PUZZLE CONTEST WINNER: Diana, from Edinburgh, UK I got a couple of notes about friends and families working on September’s puzzle together. They made my day! Answer: Some Like it Hot The Last Emperor For Whom the Bell Tolls Beetlejuice Rosemary's Baby Secrets and Lies An American in Paris Deliverance It's a Wonderful Life The Seven Year Itch Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Mr. Smith Goes to Washington *********************************************************** 7. CONTACT FUNK & WEBER DESIGNS *********************************************************** SUBSCRIBE: 57410-subscribe@zinester.com UNSUBSCRIBE: 57410-unsubscribe@zinester.com ARCHIVES: http://archives.zinester.com/57410 Jen Funk Weber mail@funkandweber.com http://www.funkandweber.com Copyright 2006, Funk & Weber Designs |
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