S.E.X. (Stash Enhancement Experience)

Among the Metrostitchers, we often say that we have two hobbies -- cross-stitching and stash collecting. We all have more than enough stash that would take several lifetimes to ever finish. But sometimes, you just need to own a chart for a while. (I think May gets the credit for coming up with this rationalization for buying a chart that has only a remote chance of being stitched.)

When I first discovered cross-stitch shops and then the Internet, it was like being the proverbial kid in a candy shop. I indulged myself with charts, fabric, threads. But in recent years, I've noticed that I've reached a saturation point. I'm able to restrain myself and leave a cross-stitch shop with only a skein or two of fibers I may need for a project. That's not to say that I still don't indulge myself, but I do it much less frequently. I also have more of an incentive now to economize because I bought an apartment last July.

But my mortgage was the farthest thing from my mind on Saturday when the Metrostitchers went to Tawny's. Here's what I got:

From the top left, clockwise: Avalon yarn from Manetto Hill Yarnery, Brittercup Designs Touch of Wilderness, Brightneedle Christmas House, Mirabilia Lady of the Mist and Crystal Symphony and JBW French Country Cat. The DMC and Weeks threads are for Elizabeth's Designs Seaside Cottage. I need fabric before I can start it and Tawny was out of what I needed. But she's getting a new shipment in shortly and will send me 32ct Confederate Gray linen.

I had seen the Brittercup, Brightneedle and JBW designs at the Nashville Market, but decided not to get them at that time. As soon as I got to Tawny's, I searched them out. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the chart for French Country Rooster also recently released. Next time. The Britty Kitties are very adorable, but I really was drawn to the Stag and the cute Fox in Touch of Wilderness. Brightneedles houses/shops are wonderful, of course. I already have the Needlework Shop. And since houses and Christmas are too themes I'm drawn to, how could I not own Christmas House.

I've always been a fan of Mirabilia designs and own quite a few charts. But I haven't felt the need to buy any of her new ones in recent years, especially the "In the Garden" series. I much prefer the opulent, elegant designs. When I saw Crystal Symphony and Lady of the Mist, I knew I would need to own these for a while. After seeing how beautiful Spring Queen looks, I may actually start Lady of the Mist. Maybe after I finish Les Cerise and Seaside Cottage (this one has to get done by August since I'm planning to give it to someone.) But don't tell my Mirabilia Garden Verses UFO that I'm planning to start a sister design. She might get jealous.

Finally the yarn. I couldn't resist those colors -- shades of green, purple, brown and beige. Alison has kindly shared a pattern for a scarf that works well with variegated yarns called the Multidimensional Diagonal Scarf. I've been eager to start on some socks. And now that I found the dpns I thought I lost, I was planning to get going on them. But I may start the scarf instead. Decisions, decisions...