I never seriously took up cross stitching because I didn't like the feel or look of the standard cross stitch fabric. But I did fall in love with some of the patterns in Alicia Paulson's Embroidery Companion. Several of her projects call for waste canvas and I finally remembered to pick some up this week. Just by the by, I really hate JoAnn's and wish every project didn't require a trip there for some two dollar notion.
Anyway! It's awesome. You can cross stitch on anything and just pull it all out when you are done. I stitched a simple monogram while watching The King's Speech (great movie!).
Thanks for all the reviews of the Kindle. I think I might want it. I was absolutely sold on the IPhone too earlier this week when Melanie linked to a plant identification app. Plant identification is my very most favorite activity (what a dork!). But then I got to thinking... Will using an app diminish the thrill of the identification process? Will we still study the stems and flower structure as closely in our quest for accuracy? I'm completely serious and question still how all this knowledge at our fingertips affects our ability to wonder.
On the flip side, I do thank Wikipedia for solving the riddle of that Phil Collins song from the 80s, "Don't Lose My Number." Y'all, it has no meaning. No story behind it. It's nonsense. I wasted so much time.
Happy Friday friends!
Oh my goodness! I am so inspired!
Posted by: Jordin | May 13, 2011 at 10:41 AM
The video for that song cracks me up. Have you ever seen it? I, like you, would have thought there was a story behind it. I love Phil Collins... he always seems so down to earth.
Posted by: Charlotte | May 13, 2011 at 11:30 AM
Jenn,
I'm still working at writing up my review of the leafsnap app. But I'd say that it's really just a fancy digitized field guide and for the most part using it no different than using a field guide to identify plants. You still need to observe closely and look at stems and flower structure and bark. What the app does is by matching the shape of the leaf to likely candidates in its database it helps you to refine your search. Like having a bit of a nudge as to which section of the book you should be looking in. Once it brings up a list of leaves whose shape seem to match your specimen, you still have to look at all the other features to make a positive match. The app has beautiful pictures of the flower and fruit and seed and petiole and bark and branches to help in that task.
Posted by: MelanieB | May 13, 2011 at 12:04 PM
Charlotte, I haven't seen that video. I did enjoy that one.. was it called Land of Confusion?
I'll be interested in your review Melanie. I could definitely use some help narrowing down the search from time to time.
Posted by: Jennifer | May 13, 2011 at 02:28 PM
Oh, I love that waste canvas thing. Oh, but I can't get into another craft. I'm still trying to finish my smocking that I started two years ago. And, I'd like to learn tatting. And...
Posted by: KC | May 13, 2011 at 09:33 PM
PS I love my iPhone. I have an art app that I enjoy. And, the dictionary is great to have. Plus Words with Friends. :)
Posted by: KC | May 13, 2011 at 09:34 PM
I know KC! I feel the same way. I really should be finishing up my latest pair of socks, but alas, its all for fun so I stopped feeling guilty about any of it.
Posted by: Jennifer | May 14, 2011 at 05:06 AM
KC, what is the art app? (Cuz I need more apps on my phone!)
Posted by: MelanieB | May 14, 2011 at 06:21 AM
So pretty!! We have a nice cross stitch store in town that I recently discovered. I really want to make something for my friend's wedding, like a keepsake with their wedding date and names on it. I've seen some really beautiful ones that have beads in them! Anyways...iphones. I'm anti those...due to the cost of time & money. I am actually going to try to give up my cell phone this August when our contract runs out and live all old fashioned with only a skype phone in the house and a charged cell for calling 911 in case of a real emergency. We'll see how it goes!
Posted by: Elisa | May 16, 2011 at 05:13 AM
I'm moving pro-kindle when I found out that knitting and craft books are becoming available on them, though I still prefer to read with a paper copy in hand. From what I hear I'm going to hold out until the rumored Ipad/Ipod or Kindle/Ipod hybrids come out. I'm going to have to check out this embroidery book though.
Posted by: Molly | May 17, 2011 at 12:02 AM