Search feature and a request for your suggestions

I'm very grateful to Blogger for the marvelous possibilities they offer for constructing and offering attractive and helpful blogs for free, but I need your help to solve a problem...More......The "search" feature, an automatic part of the model I chose, did not work immediately, which I found odd because it was part of the model, after all.

After reading the "help" messages, I saw that first "indexing" had to take place...a very complex-sounding procedure, which, thankfully, would happen automatically...eventually...for the newer blogs, like mine.

I just realized that my messages from the 15th of July, 2010, onward are now "indexed," and so searchable. Unfortunately, all my previous messages are not.

I had hoped that re-posting them would force them to be available to the indexing, but no such luck. I temporarily turned off the feed feature, and reposted all my messages prior to that date, and they still aren't searchable.

I put so much energy and love into all my messages that it's heartbreaking to not have them all available. Has anyone else found a way around this serious problem?

Appliqués and scraps...it's later than you think!

Aaaaaah, the first real and delightful days of summer in this year of oddly tenacious cool weather and rain, here. "Thumbing" through other needlepoint web sites, however,...More......I saw Christmas patterns, already! "That's cute," I found myself saying, "but there's still lots of time." The small Xmas ornaments and the like didn't trigger any particular emergency messages in my adrenaline system...the Christmas tree skirt did.

I'm just guessing, but the total space to cover seems like it would be equivalent to at least two chair seat backs, seats and arm rests. For me, that's about two years of work in "needlepoint time."

How to remedy this problem? While using scraps of left-over canvas, too big to toss out, but too small to use easily, probably will provide you with small objects, such as tree ornaments, thinking "appliqué" also may let you kill two birds with one stone: use up those odd bits and pieces AND have a personalized tree skirt in time for Christmas.

Though not a Christmas theme, here's a good example of just such concepts. I needlepointed this image seen in a stained glass window, then used black trim to imitate the leaded canes around the crest, rather than needlepoint the whole surface of the pillow.

Do as I say, not as I do

It was bound to be noted clearly, sooner or later. Since I...More......rarely use a stitching frame, as I previously mentioned, it's obvious that my finished needlepoints come out a bit skewed, and really need to be straightened ("blocked").

Those of you with sharp eyes already will have noted this, looking at the examples of my work, finished but not yet blocked, sewn up, or framed. Those of you with really sharp eyes and some practice will realize that they are quite skewed, and that it will be difficult to get them 100% straight.

Try as I might to loosen my stitch, it must be on the tight side, which, through the pulling action, causes the slant. If you can get used to working on a frame, it's much better. If you can't, try keeping your stitches relatively loose, but consistent. If only I could practice what I preach....

To shape, or not to shape, that is the question

To liven up a needlepoint, I've been thinking for a long time about shaping the contour...More......I love cats (as "Maukie" attests), and I sew up my own projects, so I would love to do a needlepoint cushion of one, but have been dragging my feet because needlepoint canvas is so stiff that I fear it will be too bulky, or too difficult, to turn the sharp corners necessary for the ears, even with a fairly large overall size.

Until this morning.

I think the solution just popped into my head, and now I can't wait to try it.

I'm finally following my own advice to remember materials and techniques...this time applied not just to the yarns and canvas and designing and stitching process, but also to the blocking process.

All the books I've read caution the needlepointer not to soak the canvas when blocking because it deprives the canvas of its desirable stiff qualities. Oh yeah, so, if the stiff quality isn't desired, the bathing away of the starches would make the area desirably pliable!

I'm pretty sure that's going to get rid of the problem, but I have to wait months before being able to try it because I have to finish my current project, then design and stitch the next before being able to get it to the blocking stage.

Hope I remember!