Hoffman Summer Online Showcase

Hoffman is having their annual SOS - Summer Online Showcase. It's a great time to check out a bunch of new designs, exclusives and more (including video from Frank Bielec of Mosey 'n Me and Trading Spaces fame). Take a look and prepare to add to your stash!

Anyone Out There?

So it's been a little over a month since I started this blog. I'm happy about that, but some feedback would be really useful at this point. As in... is anyone out there? Is anyone reading this and does anyone care? Am I doing something at all useful/helpful to the cross stitch community? I would love to hear from you if you have happened to stumble across my blog. My intention with this blog is to provide useful, practical information to new and experienced stitchers alike, and I hope I'm doing that. If you're paying any attention whatsoever... what topics would you like to see addressed? What would you like to see happen with the content and direction of this blog? Speak up and let me know, I'd love to hear from you!

History of Cross Stitch

If you'd like a brief overview of the history of cross stitch, you can of course check out the Wikipedia entry. Also be sure to check out the summaries here and here. There you have it, your history lesson for the day!

Cross Stitch and Gaming

I have to mention this because my husband is totally into gaming. There is a very cool site that combines our two hobbies, cross stitch and gaming! It's called Sprite Stitch. Read more about it here. Lots of freebies, too - looks like I'm going to have to go through and pick out something cute to stitch up for hubby!

Cross Stitch and Celebrity

Connie pointed out an interesting little blog entry by Silverlotus at Reflections in the Pond about the need for a cross stitch celebrity. Definitely food for thought! I tend to agree - a vocal, positive ambassador for the hobby we love would be great. But who? Volunteers?

Stitcher's Showcase

So I just created a profile at Stitcher's Showcase. I found out about it from Milly, and it looks like a great social networking site for stitchers! I'm looking forward to exploring it a bit more and enhancing my personal site there, but for now you can check out my profile at http://www.stitchersshowcase.com/profile/KathyWillis . Stitch On!

Non-standard stitching

If you're looking for something different than the typical stitching chart, something more unique... then you may want to consider stepping outside the box with subversive or radical cross stitch. It's not for everyone, but read about it here for an overview. Edited to add: And for another perspective on the whole subject, check out the post and discussion here.