Hooray!

We've got broadband again!
After weeks of trudging laptop in hand, to different friends houses to get on to the internet, I have finally got a broadband connection at my new address. To celebrate I decided to give my website a Spring makeover, and feeling more than ready to get back in to some proper work I have added over 40 new Cross stitch charts to the shopping pages. Hope you like the websites new colour scheme - I managed to add a bit of aquamarine (my favourite colour) and lilac (requested by Rianna) - which has me thinking of beaches and holidays mmm.......
Although it didn't go so smoothly to begin with as I have Sky as my ISP and didn't realise that like thousands of others out there (judging by the problems published on various websites) sky's settings are a bit different from other providers. In the end I did manage to work out a way to configure Windows Mail to send and receive my website email through sky - anyone reading this and having problems with their own sky broadband can email me and I will send you the settings I used!
So now I am going to spend the rest of the evening catching up on some long overdue emails...

Joanne x

FREEBIE

I have added a free Thread Sorter to the 'Free page' of my website, which you can use for all your stitching projects.

Here is the link http://www.joannesanderson.com/page2.htm Select 'print' from the file menu (or the printer icon) the sheet contains 4 thread sorters, cut out each along the dotted lines. Use a hole punch to make the holes down the left hand side and away you go.

You will also find new free charts on the same web page, happy stitching.

Joanne x

Question of the week

How many strands of thread should I use for Cross Stitching? -

14 count fabric
On 14 count WHITE fabric usually 2 strands of thread is enough. For coloured fabrics use 3 strands so that the stitches are denser and the colour of the thread will stand out against the background fabric. One strand for Back stitch is usually sufficient when stitching on any colour/fabric count.

tip - if using white thread to Back stitch - you may need 2 strands to make it stand out, the same applies to metallic thread.

16 and 18 count fabric
2 strands for the cross stitches will give denser stitches than on 14 count, which can look really effective. Try stitching the background parts of a design with 1 strand to give a 3-D feel. Avoid using more than 2 strands on 18 count fabric as the stitches will be difficult to make and the thread will become worn whilst stitching and may break.

Evenweave fabric
Treat 28 count as 14count Aida (as the stitches are over two threads of fabric) the same applies to 36 (as 18 count Aida etc....)

Tip for the day

I have had a few emails asking how to calculate the finished size of a Cross-stitch project. I usually give stitch size and measurements for 14 count fabric for all the charts on my website, as this is the most popular size. You can of course work on any size fabric - to calculate the finished design size just divide the number of stitches by the fabric count. We work in inches because the fabric count is given in inches (14 count means 14 stitches per inch of fabric)

e.g a project 140 x 140 stitches (140 divided by 14) would be 10 x 10 inches. Its equivalent 18 count size is 7.8 inches x 7.8 inches (140 divided by 18).

Don't forget to always cut the fabric a good few inches bigger to allow for finishing and mounting.
Small items that are to be made into cards need only a couple of inches on each side, whereas larger items that are to be framed will need at least 4 inches on all four sides (so this will mean that the fabric should be 8 inches wider and 8 inches bigger than the finished design).

For more tips look back over my blog, you can email your questions to me at info@joannesanderson.com , and I will do my best to answer them. Joanne x

What a palarva

I'm sat in McDonald's with my laptop writing this cos who'd have thought that a simple transfer of address would result in 4 weeks without my phone line or broadband connection. Just as I thought it couldn't get any worse my email addresses were then cancelled an 'admin error' by my Internet service provider - there's no way to cancel a cancellation I am told.
So I am frantically trying to email everyone to let them know that my email address no longer exists - simple eh..... except everything to do with my work and website was woven together like a delicate thread - hanging now somewhere in cyberspace I presume.

If anyone needs to get in touch with me - you can do so at info@joannesanderson.com

The Tiscali emails are no longer available. Once the broadband is up and running (you wouldn't believe how hard that seems to be right now) I shall be updating my Website & Blog, in the mean time I have managed to sneak a Mother's Day Freebie on to the 'Free charts' page (no easy task) - anyway must dash, am getting funny looks - how long can you make a cup of coffee last - perhaps I shall order a burger - which should make good for another hour at least - then there's a McFlurry of course!

Joanne xxx

A Belated.....

Happy New Year to everyone......
first day back at my desk so loads of catching up to do. Made even worse as I had a nasty dose of the Flu over Christmas that developed into a nasty viral rash I hid every time the camera came out and tried to avoid being on any photo's this year as I was one very swollen, blistered (and feeling sorry for myself) person.

So belated Christmas and New Year wishes to everyone out there. I shall be catching up reading Sharon and Chris's bloggs this afternoon and trying to get some creative inspiration - as I always do when reading what they have been up to.

Hugs Joanne x.

To avoid confusion ....

I decided to add a Christmas countdown to my website, so that this year I can get organised without a last minute mad panic - which happens every year without fail. As soon as Christmas is over I vow that I will not wait until 2 days before Christmas to buy my presents, that I will get all my preparations done weeks before hand....you get the picture.

I was shocked when I looked at the countdown - theres only 43 days to Christmas! Where has the year gone. I know it's a sign that I am getting older - the years go by so much quicker. Another sign is that Doctors look younger than me (when I was a student nurse this was never the case) So I am trying to muster up some Christmas spirit my excuse has always been that we design for the magazines about 6 month's ahead so I am thinking of summer and for me that means that Christmas was 6 months ago. I think you can see the confusion here.

I have started to add Christmas charts to my website (click here) here is a sneak peak of 'Sledging Snowman' the chart is available for £1.15 and would make a fun Christmas card.

I have also recently finished a compilation book along with a few other designers 'A Cross Stitcher's Countdown to Christmas' available from David & Charles which you can also pre-order from me.