Do you ever have "stitching slumps"? Sometimes I do. Life gets hectic, I feel guilty if I stitch while the house is a wreck, and so on. Recently my father-in-law, Mr. Pat, was in the hospital and I didn't take more than 20 stitches the entire week.

Since then, I haven't gotten back into the habit of stitching every day. I need to clean up and straighten up and get back into my routine.

Do you have stitching slumps? Vote in the poll and let us know. Use the comments section to tell us how you got out of your slump.

Recently, I read on the DMC website that they have more new threads coming soon. I am more excited about these than the scented floss. This time, the floss is called Color Infusions. Within the line there are four types of floss: Memory Thread, Sparklers, Silky, and Cotton Cord. According to DMC these flosses will be great for needlework projects and paper crafts. I look forward to trying them out.

Another floss brand I tried out recently is Chameleon thread "individually hand-dyed in South Africa using cotton, rayon and pure silk." These flosses are luscious. I have been stitching with them, but haven't finished anything to show yet. I couldn't wait to tell you about them though. Check out their website at Chameleon Threads to see all the lovely variety of colors they offer.

One of the many blogs I read this week was Reflections in the Pond. Silverlotus wrote a post entitled, "Cross Stitcher's Public Awareness League". Her post is well worth a read. In it she points out that we need a Cross Stitch Celebrity. I think so too - who would you nominate?

Here's what's going on with some of my favorite Crafters - they are rock stars in my book!

The Impatient Crafter
Madge shares the clip from her recent appearance on Lifetime TV's The Balancing Act for Beadalon.

The Artful Crafter
Eileen suggests you go shopping for craft supplies in your jewelry box and closet. Make an old accessory into something new and fresh.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
Old plastic bead necklaces go under the knife (and in the toaster oven) to make Melted Plastic bead Star Earrings perfect for the patriotic holidays

Naughty Secretary Club
Thinking about starting up your own craft business? Jen has a few suggestions of things you might consider first. Plus learn how you can take a Crafty Business Seminar with Jen from anywhere in the world!

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi reports on her experiences with using the new CopprClay. This stuff rocks!

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy shows off her cool new sewing cabinet that was surprisingly inexpensive.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
At Craftside there is a bling-tastic video on hand lettering with Lisa Engelbrecht, from the new book The Crafter's Devotional a how to make a leather book cover and flag cuffs made from a book cover, an "actual size" silver heart using PMC, and a fun snack recipe.

Cathie Filian
It is summer and that means beach & pool time! Visit Cathie Filian's blog to learn how to stitch up a terry beach throw.

Aileen's Musings
Ever wonder how to get that cute copyright symbol or better yet, how to put one on your artwork or photographs? Aileen offers a easy tutorial using PSP.

About Family Crafts
If you are looking for a creative way to celebrate every day during the month of July, check out this special events calendar! As always, you can stay up to date with what's going on here at About.com Cross Stitch (and more of the gory details of my life) by following me @crossstitcher on twitter.

The heat is really getting to me at my house - it's dry and no rain in sight. If it is going to be this hot, I wish I were at the beach! At least there, I could jump in the waves for awhile to cool off. (It's more likely I would stay in the A/C until sunset and then go to the beach.)

Maybe if I stitch some ocean-themed patterns like this free Sailboat Cross Stitch Motif I will feel better. This simple pattern would make a great addition to a beach towel or swimsuit cover up. Stitch the design on Aida and applique it or use waste canvas to stitch directly on the material.

If you like this free Cross Stitch chart, you may also like:

• Ocean Waves pattern
• Summer Fun graph
• Happy Sun chart
• Starfish Cross Stitch pattern
• Sun Motif

Stay up-to-date with when new free patterns and articles are added to About.com Cross Stitch. Subscribe to the About.com Cross Stitch Newsletter today.

I don't remember when I started reading romance novels. I do know that I hid what I was reading from my dad. He didn't approve of such stuff. I could read all the fiction I wanted, but it should be good fiction, not just reading for pleasure. I was a voracious reader though and my neighbor had a large collection of "bodice rippers" that I would dip into from time-to-time.

You may wonder - Do I still read romance novels? Well, yes (but that's not all I read). The books I read now avoid the drawings of pirates and women in frilly dresses, but they are still romance novels. My sister and I joke about it, so I designed this bookmark for her.

Sis, we don't have to hide our love for "bodice rippers" anymore - proclaim it to the world!

More Free Bookmark Patterns and Info:

• More Free Bookmark Patterns
• Free Bookmark Patterns offsite links
• Make an Easy Aida Bookmark Pattern

Stay up-to-date with when new free patterns and articles are added to About.com Cross Stitch. Subscribe to the About.com Cross Stitch Newsletter today.

One thing beginning stitchers are sure to hear when they ask advice from an experience stitcher is "No knots!" When securing floss in Cross Stitch, different methods are used. A floss tail is held with the backs of other stitches. The following information will help explain this process to new stitchers and may refresh the memory of stitchers who have been at it a longer time and may have developed some bad habits.

• Secure Floss
• Secure Floss With Loop - Beginning
• Photo of Securing the Floss - Starting Stitch
• Photo of Securing the Floss - Ending Stitch
• Use a Waste Knot to Secure Floss

That last one may be really confusing. I just got off my soapbox about knots, right? Well, a waste knot is used to temporarily secure the floss, and then it is cut away.

Of course, there are knots that are used in Cross Stitch, just knot, I mean, not for securing the floss. The French knot is used as a decorative stitch. Since I am not so fond of those pesky little knots, I fake the French knot whenever I can.

Knots in your floss that sort of spontaneously appear are also common problems for new stitchers. Find out how to untangle them.

If you have a knotty problem, or a question related to stitching, post it in the Cross Stitch Forum. The stitchers there are always willing to help. Whether your question is simple or complex, there's probably someone who has experience with the issue.

Back to the original question, why don't we use knots in Cross Stitch? Well, knots on the back may show up on the front as lumps. The neater you keep the back, the better the front will look. I know some stitchers who keep the back of their projects so neat that you could mistake it for the front. My project backs are not always that neat, but I do make an effort to avoid knots, trim floss tails close to the project, and to avoid carrying threads a long way behind the fabric. (Thanks to @LaDolceDiva for pointing out that in my initial blog post, I did not answer my original question!)

Mini Cross-Stitch Ornaments is one of the latest publications produced by Kooler Design Studio and Leisure Arts. As you know, it is never too early to start on your holiday stitchery.

With one hundred and sixteen miniature ornament patterns, there is potential for a wide range of projects and decorations. The small, detailed designs are all 50 stitches or less in either direction, with many of them being in the 25 to 30 stitch square range.

Designs range from whimsical to traditional and are all designed to be fused to a felt backing and trimmed to an outline for shaping as hanging ornaments or gift tags. These projects are quick to stitch and easy to work on at home or on the go.

Stay up-to-date with when new free patterns and articles are added to About.com Cross Stitch. Subscribe to the About.com Cross Stitch Newsletter today.

I have stitched a lot of Cross Stitch projects in my life-time. Personally, for small projects like ornaments or gift tags, I do not mind using a kit, but for larger projects, I prefer to stitch from a chart and choose my own material and floss. Which would you rather get as a gift - a chart or a kit? Vote in the poll and let us know!



If you select "Other" please explain your answer in the comments section. You may also use the comments area to let us know more about what you think about charts vs. kits or to tell us about your experiences with both.

Of course, your family may be like mine - they rarely give me gifts related to my hobby because they are afraid I will already have the item. To that I say, "Gift Cards, people!" Is your family like that?

I recently found a source for candlewicking thread. I prefer to use the "real thing" for my projects even though cotton embroidery floss and perle cotton thread work too. I wanted to wait to blog about it until I actually saw the product.

I haven't stitched with it yet, but I finally received my order, and the product is of good quality, so I wanted to share the source with you. (I am in no way associated with this company, just in case you are wondering.)

Needlework Corner not only has natural color candlewicking thread, they also carry a number of colors. The only complaint I have is that they are slow in shipping compared to some shops, however, I received my product well within the promised time of 1-2 weeks. Right now, they are having an overstock sale, so get your order in while they have the thread in stock!

I am hoping to start a Candlewicking project soon, but right now I have so many WIPs it is crazy. So I need to constrain myself and avoid starting a new project until I finish some older ones.

If you have never tried this traditional embroidery style, why not order some thread and round up some fabric and try it out?

More on Candlewicking:

• Candlewicking Basics
• Free Candlewicking Patterns
• Martha Beth Lewis' Excellent Colonial Knot Tutorial

Here's what some of my favorite crafty bloggers have been up to this week:

• About.com Family Crafts
  What are your cleaning tips for crafting with kids? Please take a moment to share your tips and then browse through tips shared by others.
• Aileen's Musings
  Hard as it was, Aileen has narrowed down the playing field and needs your help again to choose from her favorite sayings that have been posted for her blog giveway! Stop by and pick your favorite.
• Cathie Filian
  If you are wondering what to eat, craft and play on the 4th of July then head over to Cathie's blog for ideas.
• Craftside
  This week at Craftside you can watch the latest Look, Learn & Create video that includes tips on drawing, two techniques and projects for cutting photos up, a bit of fabric eye candy, and a free paper stencil and project from the new book The Art of Decorative Paper Stencils 2 and if you leave answers to the day's questions you are entered to win free books.
• Crafty Princess Diaries
  Tammy uses her jewelry making skills to create some beautiful and functional stitch markers.
• CraftyPod
  Sister Diane reviews an intriguing new book: Micro Macrame, by Annika DeGroot.
• Mixed Media Artist
  Have you been wondering what happened to "Layers Upon Layers"? Cyndi's still hard at work, but has moved to "Mixed Media Artist". This week she's got a a round-up of fabric painting ideas for you.
• Naughty Secretary Club
  Arty Masterpieces are overrated, it's all about the Glittery Crafterpieces! Take a peek at the handmade art around my house and try your hand at making a fun glittery deer picture.
• Sweater Surgery
  See how to make a card and card album themed for a rock and roll mom to be that uses cute die cuts in a cool way.
• The Artful Crafter
  “Panadieres for Zambia” is a neat story and one small example of crafters helping crafters – all around the world. As Eileen likes to say, “Crafters are just the nicest people.”
• The Crochet Dude
  Read Drew's first installment supporting the 3/50 grassroots project.
• The Impatient Crafter
  Madge shares a technique in this post about embossing on slick surfaces.
• Vickie Howell
  Keep your kids busy this summer by setting up a Crafty Challenge for them.

Follow me, @crossstitcher, on Twitter to find out what's going on at About.com Cross Stitch.