Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Essentials

There are some things I just can't do without when I'm stitching. I know that all you really need to cross stitch is fabric, thread, needle, scissors and pattern but I'm sure all of us have those few things we just can't settle to stitch without.

Here are a few of my essential stitching supplies.

1. Not pictured, but I can't do without my scanner/printer. It's so handy to make a copy of the pattern that I can mark all over and still keep my original in good condition. Not to mention I need to print out the thousands of freebie designs I've accumulated.

2. My Crayola colored pencils for marking up said copied patterns.

3. The little magnetic Sheepie needle minder I got from Holly when I won a giveaway on her blog. I use this little beauty every day, I'd be lost without it.

4. The button tin I received from Lindsay for my birthday. I use this when I travel, it is perfect to hold my little scissors and needlecase and I can put my ORTs inside to keep them safe until I return home. I'm a little obsessive about my ORTs.

5. The scissors I received as an RAK from Jill and the fob from a giveaway by Ranae. These small scissors fit perfectly in the button tin and the smooth fob is unobtrusive.

6. Thread Heaven. I don't use this all the time but when I use overdyed thread or blending filament it is invaluable at keeping knots away.

7. My Dololly for frogging and ending too-short threads. I rarely need this but when I do I don't know how I ever got along without it.

8. My Ott-Lite, also not pictured. My eyes aren't as young anymore. I just have a little desk top model. I use it when I stitch, especially in the evening. I also use it when I take photos so I don't have to use the flash which washes out pictures of stitching.

What are your essentials? I'd love to see them. It is great to learn new tricks and tips from my stitching sisters.

Thank you for visiting my blog today!
xox

19 comments:

  1. Love it!! I'll have to gather up my items and share too :)

    What's a Dololly?? I haven't heard of that before... Thanks!!

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  2. I love seeing your "can't do withouts". I'm a new stitcher and you have a couple of things that I need to get too.

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  3. That's a cute idea for a post. Thanks for your encouragement about getting stitching again. I think I just need a break!

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  4. that was so nice to see...i love the cute little needle minder

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  5. Loved seeing your long list, mine's a bit shorter.

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  6. I need my laptop too. i scan my pattern so i can enlarge it on my laptop, I can see it better that way..
    What a lovely gifts you al got and keep..

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  7. I am messy, so I always have a Tide To Go pen around. It really gets rid of the "boo boos." I've used it near hand-dyed threads and they haven't bled. I used it the other week on PTP fabric and no bleeding. I always have one around.

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  8. What a good idea, I may just have to get my bits and pieces together for a post in a day or two

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  9. I just switched from highlighters to pencil crayons and like it much better. :)

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  10. Good ;ist, I'd add my counting pins, theyr'e so useful

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  11. Honestly, just the first things you mentioned are all that I use ..."fabric, thread, needle, scissors and pattern". Sometimes, I use q-snaps but I mostly stitch in hand. I really could use a magnetic needle minder though....your little sheep one is so cute!!

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  12. I have all of my wips stored separately in document pouches and I must have scissors in each one. I would be incredibly frustrated to want to stitch on one and not have any scissors near by.

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  13. I loved seeing your must haves. I really like Thread Heaven and I have a thing about my ORTS too:). Neat tip in regards to using an Ott- Lite when taking pictures.

    Happy Thanksgiving....hugs, Linda

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  14. Love your stitching supplies. Mine is in two bags and i shared it a while back.
    I am a bit obsessive about my orts too and I carry them around till I arrive home and they go in my ort jar lol.
    Loved catching up on your work. Am a big fan of Crabby All Year and have loved watching you stitch it all year.

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  15. How neat! And what a great idea for a post.
    I love my Ott light - I have a floor model near my stitching chair and it is wonderful. Your post has given me something to put on my Christmas list for DH - a portable Ott!
    Wishing you and all your dear ones a Happy Thanksgiving !

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  16. Oh well I will have to gather up my essentials, and take a piccy and add to my blog!

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  17. Great post Sharon! I'll have to figure out what my essentials are ;o)

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  18. Thanks for giving me the link to this post :) It was a great read.

    But you left out one essential item ( so did I in my post ).....

    A computer!! So you can blog! lol

    Please update soon - I am dying to see your next stitchy creation. :)

    Happy Stitching
    Bec

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