Hi,

This is a response to a previous post about cross-stitch software. I have tried different programs, the best are not freeware and a license costs around $60-$120. They can be found at Download.com

Paid Programs:

* HobbyWare: PatternMaker 4
https://www.hobbyware.com/

* Cross Stitch Professional Platinum
http://www.dpsoftware.com/xspro/features.htm

* PM Stitch Creator
http://stoik.com/hobby/stitch/


I have a dislike to kits. I prefer designing my own patterns, sometimes with inspirations from art magazines, other patterns found in old Burda/Anna magazines (that my mother had). I usually use graphing paper and color pencils to work out the patterns; on occasion I have used the aid of Photoshop or Illustrator to lay out larger projects. I am a graphic designer and they are my professional tools. Since, I would prefer to buy more divine Chinese silk (ebay), than stitching software, I would recommend using:

* KG-Chart for Cross Stitch
http://www.iktsoft.net/kgchart-en/kgchart/download/

I am using it this morning, and it does the job! The background doesn't imitates linen or aida cloth or has hardanger or patterned-blackwork stitches (which I like to use), but it has a DMC color palette and 1/4, 3/4 stitches and backstitches. All stitches are done through a set of tools that allows for convenience and flexibility in creating filled areas of certain colors.

Good luck, and if anyone has any other info about software, I would be glad to read it.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Cutie likes to work exclusively in linen or evenweave, and mix in techniques (hardanger, white work, other pulled threads, beading, blackwork in color). Linen, cotton and silk are her favorite threads and requires that all her work be utilitarian (tablecloths, signs, curtains) and hopefully blends in with modern decor. She is using kits to learn wool crewel and is always looking for deals on other people's stash sales.

hello all,

I was asked to write out a pattern for the socks I put up pics of earlier in the week - so I've been writing it out from memory in my lunchtimes at work.
"Ocean Shore" cabled sock pattern is here - enjoy it! Feel free to post to my LJ / message me if you have any questions.

Pictures from SWRE, taken by the Viking!

Guest Password: USCC2008 (MUST BE IN CAPS!)

I have finished another bookmark - the third in as many weeks.

Photos and commentary here.

I can't find my copy of American Movie and it's making me very, very upset.


I SWEAR I just saw it - I can picture it in my head, sitting somewhere - But I can't figure out where!!!!




Booooooooo!!

Sorry in advance for the ramblings. Remember that I'm still new to this cross-stitching thing and while I have two projects in the works, neither are finished yet (my eyes were bigger than my skill?). I haven't been working on my cross-stitching recently, but I decided to tonight. And as I finished, I realized something - I've passed over a bump.

With my first project, I faced two bumps in the road. The first was that point after I've put some time into the project and I sit back and say, "What the h*** is that?" Once I pushed past the doubt that the piece was going to turn out at all right, I came to a point where I sat back and said, "Hey! It's a dragon! That's pretty cool!" Bump passed.

The second bump is the one it's sitting at now. It's what I'm calling the 90/90 bump. One of my favorite mottos has always been, "When working on a major prject, the first 90% of the work will take 90% of the time; the last 10% of the work will take the other 90% of the time." I hit this bump when I had finished my main dragon and had to fill in all the little details around it. Lots of annoying "3 stitches at a time" sequences. And then I'd have to do the backstitching. I'd finished 90% of the piece, but all the hard stuff was left. And so it is sitting on my desk while I work on my own personal BAP (as I think of it).

Anyway, the reason for all this rambling is that I hadn't really been working on my big piece either, mostly I think because of the first bump. I look at it and go, "What is this supposed to look like again?" But I'm excited because tonight when I set it down for the night, I looked at it and realized that I've passed that bump (or the first version of it). The part I'm working on really does kinda look cool. Anyway, I'm determined to finish this wizard's orb and then I'll post a WIP. But I figured if anyone would understand my ramblings, you guys would.

What we saw in the cafeteria today...after the tiny short haired Terminex girl showed up and put goo everywhere to kill the bastards...




Ewwwwwww.....

Glad I don't drink THAT coffee...or use that fridge..often. I'm hoping they aren't more resilient than usual due to the fact we have radioactive instruments and materials in the building...

We've been making Joe's Apartment jokes ALL WEEK. Because really, how else do you keep from just saying EW EW EW EW EW?

I'm doing a pinwheel blanket (some blogging about here), and I'm planning to do a seed stitch border (maybe a ruffle, we'll see how much energy I have for it). 

When doing seed stitch in the round, is it better to have an odd or even number of stitches? Does it matter?  Thanks!

Looking at the pictures, it looks a little skewed, but I think that might be the way I've got it in the Q-Snap. I hope. Please.

( Look! Pictures! )

I tend to use Dark Lilac to create unique, one of a kind patterns to cross stitch. But now the site seems to be down and the chart generator seems to be removed from the site.

Poop.

Does anyone know of another online generator I can use? If not, what's the best, (hopefully free), program I can use to make patterns?

This will be a quick post cause I'm tired and I got stuff to do.
( click for the pic )

Speaking of the Ravelympics, I've entered 3 events. The Wrestling WIPS, the Baby Dressage, and the Amigurumi-n-Toys Toss. They're all small projects so the challege will be to get them all done it 17 days. Wish me luck!

I appear to have highly corrosive hand sweat that eats away at my needles in nothing flat (or 2 weeks use on the current needle.) 

Does anyone else have this problem? 
Do you have a favorite brand of needle that you use? 
Does anyone know of a brand that holds up well over time?
Otherwise I guess I'm just going to buy the cheapest needles I can, so that I don't feel bad throwing them out when I kill them.

Downpour!!!!!!

Kay, done now.

Went to see doctor today for followup on teeth. Gums are healing very nicely, he said. I was given a little syringe to clean out the bottom hole, and otherwise I'm good to go.

I'm quite exhausted from work.

I am a little leery yet of eating popcorn (OMG WANT THE POPCORN WILL DIE AM IN WITHDRAWAL DYNG RIGHT NOW NEED POPCORN NEED NEED NEED IT!), which is sad, especially since I want to go see Batman and I can't until I can have popcorn (OMG WANT THE POPCORN WILL DIE AM IN WITHDRAWAL DYNG RIGHT NOW NEED POPCORN NEED NEED NEED IT!) because I can't just go watch a movie without it.

Also still want to see Wall-E, and I think the only movies else upcoming in the budget are Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (Jet Li! Squee!) and Star Wars: Clone Wars ('cause, like, did anyone on my friendslist have any doubts I was going to see that?).

I don't normally get all boohooey about celebrity deaths, but this one hit me kinda hard today.

"Golden Girls" star Estelle Getty dies at 84

Gods... so much of my tween years can be summarized by what was on TV on which nights. And Saturday night at 9, Mom and I were religiously in front of a TV watching this and laughing our asses off. I still stop and watch if I accidentally happen by Lifetime while channel surfing (which doesn't happen too often due to the "favorites" option on the cable box, but every so often...) And Estelle Getty and her extremely smart mouthed alter-ego were indeed the best part of an already fantastic show. Really, who knew a show about neurotic older ladies would turn out that screamingly hilarious?

Rest in peace, Estelle, and thank you for being a friend.

I really don't use them at all and I would like to trade them for some straight needles(5-10).
( Read more... )

Answer each question in exactly THREE words. It sounds easy, but it's harder than you think!

Where is your cell phone?
Charging over there

Your boyfriend/girlfriend husband/wife?
Which one, exactly?

Your hair?
In my way.

Where is your father?
New York City.

Cheesecake?
Not my thing.

Your dream last night?
Slept like log.

Your favorite drink?
Coffee is necessary.

Your dream car?
Catbus is imminent.

The room you're in?
Must clean office.

George Bush?
Gone next year.

Nipple rings?
thinking about it.

Who did you hang out with last night?
the usual suspects.

What you're not good at?
Staying on task.

Your best friend?
i has one?

Student loans?
Own my soul.

Where did you grow up?
New York City.

The last thing you did?
Styled a form.

What are you wearing?
black black black.

Tattoo on the lower back?
thinking shoulder instead.

Ketchup?
yummy on burgers.

Your computer?
Which one exactly?

Your life?
Displeased with it.

Your mood?
Stupid rude gynecologist.

Missing?
Direction and purpose.

What are you thinking about right now?
Home time now.

Your car?
not quite yet.

Your summer?
Shitty, as expected.

Your relationship status?
Clearly it's complicated.

Your favorite color?
jewel tones usually.

When is the last time you laughed?
little while ago.

Last time you cried?
Stupid rude gynecologist.

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow?
exactly the same.

High school?
Long over, whatever.

I have two tickets to see Gogol Bordello at the Hampden Beach Casino Ballroom on 8/7/08 at 8pm. I cannot go since I am going to be in SF. I paid $70 total for the two tickets with fees. If you're interested make me an offer and I'll print them out and send them to you. Paypal is, as always preferred ;)

First come first serve!

Bit late considering I've added a post already.

If you go to http://www.bobbs-bookmark.co.uk/x%20stitch%20notsecret.html, this is me and my cross stitches :-)

They said it couldn't happen, they tried to cancel it, but the MOO Party Is STILL happening this Thursday night at a NEW VENUE!( More )