Where does the time go?

Do you ever feel like you've been running around like crazy multi-tasking your butt off, stop to check your progress, discover that your efforts have produced minimal concrete results, and realize that the hourglass is almost empty?

Since last I posted, this is my progress on Stars.

I'm finally ready to move on to Clark Gable, now that Marilyn's finished. What a struggle! It was well worth it, though, because I think she's lovely and I like the way the colors work in this block. The external border, however, is another story. I'm going to rip out the middle and outer borders because there's something not right with that thin one stitched with the variegated thread. I think it happened when I had to rethread. It's right where the color changes from the turquoise to the rust. Gah! But that can wait for later, maybe after everything else is stitched or whenever I get particularly frustrated with something else.

The other, actually more important thing I've been working on is the Scarlet Thread Web store. My partner and I are working furiously to get it done in time for the official launch date of May 1. Yes, you read that right, Saturday. OMG! It seems like we've struggled every step of the way, trying to get things right and not wanting to settle for good enough for now, just get the thing finished and launched. Things are falling into place, though, and I do feel confident that everything we want done for Day 1 will be done. Then again, I do have that idiotic, ever-the-optimist bent. Once again, I'm finding out just how hard it can be to achieve my goals.

Sigh.

kthxbai.

Mysteries, Truckers, and Skeletons

Did I get your attention? No, this is not a report on the latest episode of Bones.

First, the mystery: I'm referring, of course, to the ANG Stitch of the Month. I finished the March stitch on Easter Sunday, a little past March but not too bad. I finally can see all three color families and how they work together, and I'm pretty pleased if I do say so myself. I have to admit, though, that there are a couple of layered stitches in there that seem like a lot of work for a very small effect. I also discovered that when using Rainbow Gallery Treasure Braid Petite instead of Accentuate, I only needed half the number of strands specified. I guess I should say that it was my preference. Four strands just seemed too bulky, and in one instance totally covered up the layer beneath instead of revealing a little spot of color. Okay, I just looked it up in The Thread Thesaurus and found out, it's actually a 4:1 ratio. [smacks forehead with palm of hand] Well, I'm not ripping it out now. Those layered stitches would probably look just fine with one strand of TBP.

Truckers. Yes, that's right, truckers. No, I haven't suddenly become enamored of a truck-drivin' man. It's the ones who quilt and knit who intrigue me. Not one but two people brought this Wall Street Journal article to my attention. My favorite quote:

When he's not sewing, he's daydreaming about it, he said as he ran a square of yellow cotton with little violets through his machine. "Oh, there's many a time you're just going down the road at O-dark-thirty in the morning and you just start thinking about a particular pattern."

This reminded me of Rosey Grier and his needlepoint hobby. I surfed around a bit and discovered that, yes, he's still alive and travels the country as an inspirational speaker. He was an advocate for men doing needlepoint in the '70s and even published a book about it, Rosey Grier's Needlepoint for Men.

We need a new advocate for men doing needlework in the 21st century. Know anybody we can draft? I mean, how hard can it be?

I almost forgot about the skeletons. Even though I haven't been doing any cross-stitch for a while, I was compelled to buy a new pattern the other day. Prairie Moon has a new series with a skeleton theme, and I fell in love with Merry Xmas. I'm sure you'll agree, it's irresistable. Will I ever stitch it? I don't know.

kthxbai.