FlossTube #11 Recap

FlossTube video #11 was released May 17, 2019. If you missed it you can find it here:

Mother's Day Lasagna Recipe

Here is the recipe I made for Mother's Day. This is my mom's recipe and it is super easy. You can make it the day or night before. Don't cook it. Just cover it and put it in the refrigerator.

Cook Noodles

Cook 9 lasagna noodles per package directions

Brown the following:

1 lb ground beef (I actually used 3/4 lb Italian Sausage (not breakfast) and 3/4 lb ground beef - it was more meat but it worked great and adds a little bit of spice)

1 Tbls minced onion

Simmer

Add the following to the meat and simmer

2 lb jar of spaghetti sauce. (you can't get 2 lb jars anymore so I buy one large jar and one small jar)

1 tsp garlic salt  (I used a couple of cloves of real garlic, minced, but I needed to add some garlic salt too as it tasted a little flat while the sauce was simmering

1 tsp Italian seasoning

Mix together

In a separate bowl mix together 1 small carton of cottage cheese, 1 egg and dash pepper

Layer

In a 9x13 pan (I use a glass baking dish, especially if I'm making the day before), place a layer of noodles, layer of beef, layer of cottage cheese, layer of mozzarella cheese slices (shredded fresh mozzarella is MUCH better). Repeat layers ending with mozzarella. Sprinkle with Parmesan (I grate fresh).

Bake

Preheat oven to 350 and bake for at least 45 minutes. Should be nice and brown. If it browns too fast place some aluminum foil over top for a while.  Let stand 15 minutes before serving

Amazon

If you're interested in the products discussed such as the Bees Wax Wraps, the Microphone I used in the video and the Easy Grid thread - you can find them in my Amazon 

Click here for our Amazon Shop

Project Bags

The project bags I featured were

Vintage Valentine by MadeByMamaJoan

Tula Pink  Foxes by QuiltingGrimalkin

Featured Charts

Some of the designs featured from our website include these adorable Crazy Patch Owls by Cross Stitch Wonders. There is a series of 12 to choose from.

Click here to see all of our Cross Stitch Wonders Designs (including these)

Click here to see all of our Cuore e Batticuore designs

FlossTube #10 Recap

Hello Everyone!

Thanks for your interest in Cobweb Corner Cross Stitch and our Floss Tube Channel.  We welcome questions, comments, and sharing with your friends!  Happy Stitching!!

Episode #10 was posted on May 9, 2019.  If you missed it you can find it here. Make sure to subscribe and then click the bell icon so you're notified whenever we post new videos.

Watch the video to learn how to win this adorable Ladybug set - includes chocolates from Germany, a skein of WDW Ladybug floss and the Ladybug Scissor Weight pattern by Ewe & I & Friends

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Illegal Charts

In this video I give some recent examples of illegal charts by a company called Joy Sunday. While some of their charts are fine - many are unauthorized copies of some of our favorite designers such as Gledon Place, Mirabilia and Lavender and Lace.

By and far companies in China and Russia are the worst offenders, but this happens all over the world including the U.S. With the advent of PDF charts the problem has increased exponentially. 

As a stitcher you play a huge part in preventing this. Do not buy charts if you aren't sure they are originals. While it is easy to be concerned with sites like AliExpress - you can find illegal charts on Amazon, Etsy, Ebay and other well-known markets. 

If you see a chart you aren't sure about but want to stitch - ask before you buy. Post a photo on FB or Instagram and ask if anyone knows anything about it. Check to see where your chart will ship from - if it is outside of the U.S. then you may need to do a little more research.

The problem is so bad that more than one designer has told me they quit designing because of it. Others have told me they spend hours and hours trying to track down pirate sites and get them to pull their charts - often to no avail. 

Don't knowingly spend your precious stitching dollars on illegal charts and when possible report the listings.

Call outs from this video include

Snarky Stitch and Quilt

JustKeepStitchin' 

Amazon Products Include:

Click here to visit our Amazon Store

11 x 11 Q-Snaps



Reusable Produce Bags

From our Shop

Needle Nannies

Designs by Cuore e Batticoure

Designs by Fanci That

Customer Spotlight #16 - Lori Augenstein from Marion, Ohio

This is #16 in our series Cobweb Corner Customer Spotlight. Enjoy the interview and the fabulous photos chosen especially to share with you. Please comment after reading the interview - the featured stitcher will be thrilled to know you took the time to admire and comment on their craft.

Please contact me if you would like to be a featured stitcher


Tell us something unusual about your self:I graduated from Ohio State at age 39 and began my career as a pediatric occupational therapist at age 40. I work mostly with special needs preschoolers. My job is literally play.

How long have you been stitching and how did you start? I started stitching about 27 years ago. I wanted a creative hobby and the pictures on the cross stitch kits were so colorful and inviting.

Why did you select the pieces you did to share with us? I have so many pieces! These were handy. The picture of the baby in the wash bowl was from a pattern that appeared in a magazine more than 20 years ago. The "Autumn Queen" is from Mirabilia Designs and "Cupid's Garden" is from Heaven and Earth Designs.

Do you have a favorite designer or style that you prefer?    I love Mirabilia. I prefer to work on pieces that have alot of shading and shadowing. I tend to gravitate towards women in flowing gowns. It is sometimes difficult to work with similar colors over large areas but I think the end product is worth it.  

Is there anything you wish would change in the cross stitch industry?  I wish retailers had a larger variety of the more difficult charts.

How often do you stitch and where do you do it? I stitch on the couch most every night for a couple of hours while I watch T.V.  Stitching, for me, is very relaxing and calming. People ask me how in the world I don't become cross-eyed. It is like second nature to me.

Are you embarrassed to admit to friends and family how much stash you have on hand? Besides my 2 daughters and husband, no one has any idea how many projects I have completed or how many I have planned. My biggest problem is that I have only framed a small percentage of what I have done.

Do you have a favorite quote? There are too many quotes out there to pick just one.



Thank you Lori! Please post comments/questions for Lori below.

Customer Spotlight #15 - Tamara McCall from Georgia

This is #15 in our series Cobweb Corner Customer Spotlight. Enjoy the interview and the fabulous photos chosen especially to share with you. Please comment after reading the interview - the featured stitcher will be thrilled to know you took the time to admire and comment on their craft.

Please contact me if you would like to be a featured stitcher

Tell us something unusual about your self: I used to show American Curl and Scottish Fold cats years ago. I enjoy investigating suspected paranormal activity when the opportunity arises. I am an avid reader, especially cozy mysteries. I also enjoy quilting.

How long have you been stitching and how did you start? I have been stitching for probably a good 40 years or so. I learned how to stitch as a young child from an aunt who did all sorts of crafts. I think she got me into it because I was always right there in her way as she was doing her stitching. So, she sat me down and gave me a project to work on. And so, it began..... :)

Why did you select the pieces you did to share with us? I chose some of my favorites from the past few years. The first is one I literally worked on throughout one year. It is called "Garden Bench" by Stoney Creek. The second one I sent was called "My LadyBug". This was one of my own designs I am doing as a tribute to my pets throughout my life. The third is called "Season's Greetings" by Linda Gillum (chart published by Leisure Arts). Number 4 is "Walk in the Rain" by Stoney Creek

Do you have a favorite designer or style that you prefer? I seem to change what type of projects I want to stitch. I go through phases, whether it be dogs/cats, or maybe garden scenes, or even holiday designs. The dog/cat ones and garden scenes are ones I keep coming back to over the years. I seem to do a lot of designs by the Stoney Creek company, and I am currently working on my first Glendon Place design. I also enjoy designing my own charts, however, I haven't done very many. I am designing a series for me to stitch which will be a tribute to the different animals I have had over the years. The doxie shown here is the first of that series.

Is there anything you wish would change in the cross stitch industry?  Well, as I don't have access to a local needlecraft store where I live, I have to depend on mail order sources. I would like to see mail order sources not overcharge for shipping and getting the order together. I think that is why I love to shop through Cobweb Corner and go back over and over again to shop there! They do not charge more than the cost of shipping and actually seem to appreciate their customers.

How often do you stitch and where do you do it? I usually stitch either in my den or in my bedroom. I always try to stitch on something daily, however, sadly sometimes it can be just a few times a week lately.


Are you embarrassed to admit to friends and family how much stash you have on hand? I usually don't tell anyone how much stash I have! :)

Do you have a favorite quote? No - not really.

Thank you Tamara! Please post comments/questions for Tamara below.

Customer Spotlight #14 - Pat from The U.P. of Michigan!!

This is #14 in our series Cobweb Corner Customer Spotlight. Enjoy the interview and the fabulous photos chosen especially to share with you. Please comment after reading the interview - the featured stitcher will be thrilled to know you took the time to admire and comment on their craft.

Please contact me if you would like to be a featured stitcher!'

Tell us something unusual about your self: Gosh Nothing special about me! I am a retired Police Sgt.'s wife, mom,grandma,daughter and retired master florist with 2 brand new knees...I love to travel and as I type I am spending the cold winter months in a small town north of San Antonio TX. Later we will move on to South Padre Island to see friends then on to the desert of Arizona .When we get word the snow has melted---sometime the first part of May,we will head back home to enjoy our place on Lake Michigan!!! Once we are there we will have non-stop company---family and friends and we love that!

How long have you been stitching and how did you start? I learned how to stitch from my Mom's step mom. She was a wonderful tatter but that was beyond me at age 10 so she started me on easy embroidery stitching. After life took over---teens marriage babies, I stopped and picked it up later in my 30's, at that time I did a cross stitch quilt for my mom. That took 5 yrs!!! I stopped for a while and then started once again in 1997 to do some pieces for my girlfriends folk art show in New York. When i quit smoking I took up stitching full time!!!

Why did you select the pieces you did to share with us? The large Santa is a lavender and lace piece. I have made him twice!This one was a present for my daughter and her husband for their first Christmas as a married couple. The rest of the pictures are pretty much a yrs work before I ship to New York for 3 shows and also a shop in upstate. My Favorite piece was titled A Smoky Mountain Christmas-a Patchwork coated Santa Holding a puppy with a sleigh pulled by black bears. It was a huge piece and my husband made the Barnwood frame for it . He makes most of my frames!!! .

Do you have a favorite designer or style that you prefer? I love most everything. Most of the time since I am doing for a Thanksgiving show I stick to Fall, Thanksgiving and Christmas and Winter themes. I put other things in like Lighthouses and seas shore items as well. I do a lot of folk art pieces. I also pick certain charts because they look fun to do and I want to see them finished.

Is there anything you wish would change in the cross stitch industry?
I have to do my shopping through mail order. I am about 60 miles from the closest Joanne's and 100 from Michael's. I used to be able to get my stuff at Walmart but that came to a halt . I only use aida 14 since my eyes are getting old and linen is expensive. the floss I stock up on when there is a sale and any other specialty thread I can from a couple of my favorite sites. I just wish I had a shop closer but then that might be a BIG problem!! I know I would buy way more than I could ever finish!

How often do you stitch and where do you do it?
I stitch daily!!! I stitch when I first get up with coffee and the news and off and on during the day. Since I have to have so many finished pieces I really can't stop much... except for company and the grandkids!

Are you embarrassed to admit to friends and family how much stash you have on hand? YES!!!! I have a room stacked with frames of all sizes--- some my husband makes, some I find on my travels-love flea markets and others just acquired from all over. I have stacks of fabric, yardage for finishing, pinecones, berries ,leaves I collect and press and acorns, sticks twigs and buttons ,ribbons cords, embellishments etc.etc .. its embarrassing!!

Do you have a favorite quote? Not really a quote but I am always saying ''' things happen for a reason''' and they do!!!!

Thank you Pat! Please post comments/questions for Pat below.

Customer Spotlight #13: Linda Adams aka CrossStitchNerd from State of Washington

This is the 13th in our series Cobweb Corner Customer Spotlight. Enjoy the interview and the fabulous photos chosen especially to share with you. Please comment after reading the interview - the featured stitcher will be thrilled to know you took the time to admire and comment on their craft.

Click each picture to see larger detail.

Tell us something unusual about your self: Well... I used to be an executive. I put myself through college with four kids at home. Graduated, passed the CPA exam the first time around and went to work for a large accounting firm. After a nasty divorce and having kids grow up some, I moved to small town America to be with the man I fell in love with (after thinking I would never want to "be with" anyone again. I went to work for a smaller firm here, still in the accounting field, until I had to leave the workforce due to nasty doctors telling me horrible news. Just kidding, the doctors weren't nasty, just the news was. I had to leave the workforce so that I could undergo chemo and other treatments that pretty much knocked me on my butt. I had always loved drawing, painting, creating, etc. I always kept myself busy. Not working left me with too much time on my hands, too much to think about, low physical energy and in the need of something to occupy my time. So I decided to cross stitch like a maniac. After filling my house with finished tapestries, pictures and such, I filled my family's homes. When the disability ran out, I started to sell some of my work and expanding into making finished cross stitch cards, bookmarks and patterns. That is where I am now

Why did you select the pieces you did to share with us? I choose these pieces to share because I love the Fantasy side of art. I love things that are down to earth and natural. The first piece "The Earth Goddess" was designed by Claire Crompton. She is nurturing and loving - I felt compelled to stitch her. The second is the "Waterlily Fairy" designed by Joanne Sanderson. Fairies seem so full of life and when added to flowers, seem both beautiful and encouraging. The third is something I stitched up for the holidays. I found the chart in an old magazine and it is called "Tree Cheers." I am unsure who designed the pattern, but the cute little cub pulling his Christmas tree is so adorable I couldn't resist him. The last one is from a pattern that I designed and created for Bob's Dad's Birthday. We are both Leos and he is going through his own battle with cancer so I made this for him - some added courage and strength.

Do you have a favorite designer or style that you prefer?
I guess I keep coming back to the designs that have a bit of magic or fantasy around them. Things that are cheery and can take us away from our problems or worries for a little while. I also love to stitch Native American art. My house is filled with them. Some of those I've designed myself and some were from kits. I really don't have a favorite designer - what I stitch really depends on my mood when I start.

Is there anything you wish would change in the cross stitch industry? ... ummm.... what I would change.... I would love for it to be easier to obtain the type of material that you want - especially in retail stores. To try and find the right stitch count and type of fabric I want can be somewhat difficult at times.

How often do you stitch and where do you do it?
I'm almost always stitching. I always have a project going. Mostly I stitch in my living room. When my life partner is home, he plays his video games (x-Box) and I sit there stitching. Of course he has laughed at me when I have taken smaller works to do while we are fishing. I have to keep busy. Cross stitching saved my life.

Are you embarrassed to admit to friends and family how much stash you have on hand? Embarrassed, no.. not really. My family knows how much I enjoy cross stitching and what it means to me. Bob actually encourages me to try bigger and better things and has purchased much of the material that enables me to do so. Of course, no one has seen the stash I have tucked away of materials.... lol

Do you have a favorite quote? My favorite quote is from a Jackson Browne song, The Pretender... "When the morning light comes streaming in, we get up and do it again." We do it no matter what has been thrown at us! I did it through almost three years of treatment and now I do it knowing that I AM... I am a mother, grandmother, spouse (sort-of), cross stitcher and cancer survivor.

Anything else you would like to add? Once cleared medically, the economy was such that I could not find a job in my career path. So I changed paths. Now I enjoy my art and am thankful for the time given to me to share it with others.

Thank you Linda! Please post comments/questions for Linda below.

Customer Spotlight #12: Joann Laskoski

This is the 12th in our series Cobweb Corner Customer Spotlight. Enjoy the interview and the fabulous photos chosen especially to share with you. Please comment after reading the interview - the featured stitcher will be thrilled to know you took the time to admire and comment on their craft.

Click each picture to see larger detail.

Tell us something unusual about your self: There is really nothing unusual about me. I am 63 and live in Wilkes- Barre, Pa. with my husband. We have 2 sons and 2 grandaughters. My husband and I watch our grandaughters 5 days a week and love doing it.

How long have you been stitching and how did you start? I have been stitching for about 30 years. I started out with needlepoint. Took a class at our local mall many years ago. I did some embroidery back then too, not much. Then I found counted cross stitch and fell in love with it. I have been doing it ever since.

Why did you select the pieces you did to share with us? I selected the pieces because they are some of my favorite. I did THE LAST SUPPER it is a leaflet from LEISURE ARTS, as a wedding gift to my son and daughter-in-law, THE BARN OWL, is a kit by Janlynn, and the birds don't remember the name of it, is a kit by Marjolein Bastin.

Do you have a favorite designer or style that you prefer?
As a favorite designer I think it would have to be Marjolein Bastin. Her projects are so easy to do and I like evenweave fabric. I still use Adia but evenweave is my all time favorite. I prefer to do birds and floral mostly, but if I see a chart that I really like I will buy it and make it. I make most of my projects as gifts. I like more difficult charts. I like the challenge.

Is there anything you wish would change in the cross stitch industry? I wish designers would sell more charts than kits. I have every color of the DMC floss so if I buy a kit sometimes I use my own colors. Also I wish there were more shops that you could get the materials that you need. Sometimes it's better to see what you are buying.


How often do you stitch and where do you do it?
usually try to stitch every night watching TV. I converted one of our bedrooms into my craft room when the boys got married. So now all my stash is in one room not all over the house.

Are you embarrassed to admit to friends and family how much stash you have on hand? Yes, I am embarressed to even tell anyone how much stash I have. They don't believe me. I am hoping to teach my oldest grandaughter to cross stitch when she gets a little older ( she's only 4). Then I won't have to worry about all my stuff it will be passed down to her and her sister

Do you have a favorite quote? "Do it right the first time". I've done a lot of frogging over the years.

Anything else you would like to add? I don't have a question but I am so glad you started this blog. It's nice to see other people's work.


Thank you Joann! Please post comments/questions for Joann below.

Customer Spotlight #11: Dot Johnson, Ocala, Florida

Customer Spotlight #10: Susan Hollowell from Goldsboro, NC

This is the 10th in our series Cobweb Corner Customer Spotlight. Enjoy the interview and the fabulous photos chosen especially to share with you. Please comment after reading the interview - the featured stitcher will be thrilled to know you took the time to admire and comment on their craft.


Click each picture to see larger detail.

Tell us something unusual about your self: I'm a Critical Care Transport/Flight Nurse who grew up on a dairy farm. I almost always take my stitching with me on vacations so I have something to do in the rooms at night.

How long have you been stitching and how did you start? I started stitching in 1980 when I was 10 years old. My Mom was going to learn and I wanted to also. My Great Aunt taught us both. I still have that first project.

Why did you select the pieces you did to share with us?
I don’t have too many to share because most of what I do is for gifts and are soon gone. One is from Bibs with Attitudes, the Lighthouses (possibly by C Stitch), the Lab was from a Dog Breeds book, and the Snowmen towel is from Charles Craft.

Do you have a favorite designer or style that you prefer? I don’t have any favorites, I just find designs that I like and want to use. I have done things from so many different designers. I do a lot of baby bibs and a lot of Christmas towels and ornaments. I love to give these at Christmas and for births. Although I have had a few friends not use the bibs and sippie cups that I make because they don’t want to mess them up.

Is there anything you wish would change in the cross stitch industry? With the internet, at least patterns, materials and floss are accessible more than ever. I live in a town where we just got a Michael’s a few years ago but I can’t always find what I need.

How often do you stitch and where do you do it? I have a love seat in our living room and I sit there and cross-stitch almost every day while watching TV. My husband tells me I miss stuff in movies all the time because I am stitching. It’s my form of therapy and relaxation.

Are you embarrassed to admit to friends and family how much stash you have on hand? I probably should be, but my crafty friends would completely understand. I always have stuff so that I never have to start from scratch when I want to do something.
Do you have a favorite quote? “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.” -Aristotle

Thank you Susan! Please post comments/questions for Susan below.

Customer Spotlight #9: Joan Hershberger from El Dorado, AR

This is the ninth in our series Cobweb Corner Customer Spotlight. Enjoy the interview and the fabulous photos chosen especially to share with you. Please comment after reading the interview - the featured stitcher will be thrilled to know you took the time to admire and comment on their craft.

Tell us something unusual about your self: I attended four grade schools, four high schools and four colleges by the time I settled in Arkansas where I work as a reporter.

How long have you been stitching and how did you start? I have been stitching since the mid-1990s. I saw a clock with a cross stitch design that I liked and asked for it for Christmas.

Why did you select the pieces you did to share with us? Grandpa’s Workshop by Barbara Baatz. It was the first larger piece I did. It really was above my skill level. I took a couple years to complete it because I had to put it aside for Hands of Faith by Terrie Lee Steinmeyer.

I really enjoyed doing this piece – after the third time I started it. I kept getting lost in the stitches so I stitched the outline to ground me and then filled it in from there and found it great fun to color between the lines.


The family bookshelf by myself. I designed this 1. to balance another cross stitch picture I found at a yard sale, 2. because I always intended to have a piece with a quote on books 3. because I love books. After I stitched in enough books to fill the shelf, I added family names as the titles of the books.

Do you have a favorite designer or style that you prefer? I find that I keep coming back to 14 or 16 count Aida cloth and the Jannette Crews One-Nighters. The detail in these tiny pieces amazes me and pleases me every time I finish one.

Is there anything you wish would change in the cross stitch industry? I wish all the shades and hues of the same color were sequential.

How often do you stitch and where do you do it? I do a great deal of stitching while traveling with my husband. He likes to drive. I look forward to the time to stitch for miles on end while listening to an audio book. I also go through spells when I stitch at night while sitting in the lounge chair with a bright light on the fabric.

Are you embarrassed to admit to friends and family how much stash you have on hand? Well after my sister helped me sort out my stash – no. I donated kits, floss and Aida cloth to a charity she knows which uses excess craft items to inspire other women of restricted means. She took home a large duffle bag crammed with thread, fabric and kits of various sizes. I received a very nice letter thanking me for my donation and explaining how it would be used.I just like looking at the patterns, kits, threads and ideas. I also collect unwanted cross stitch pieces that others have completed.just to look at and maybe someday use in quilts.

Do you have a favorite quote? You can't do it unless you try.

Anything else you would like to add? If I were to add one bit of encouragement: cross stitching is a hobby. Do it because you enjoy it, not just to have a perfectly finished product. My mentally disabled granddaughter begs to cross stitch something when she visits. She has not finished many items, but she enjoys the colors and the activity and that is the important thing. Enjoy what you are doing and share it with others --- even if it isn't the epitome of perfection.

Thank you Joan! Please post comments/questions for Joan below.

Customer Spotlight #8: David Cesak

This is the eighth in our series Cobweb Corner Customer Spotlight. Enjoy the interview and the fabulous photos chosen especially to share with you. Please comment after reading the interview - the featured stitcher will be thrilled to know you took the time to admire and comment on their craft.

Tell us something unusual about your self: I am 56 years old and live in Dallas, Texas. I have a great wife and great family. I am taking my first born son to college soon and I know I am going to miss him. I also just got through stitching him the Texas Tech logo and I am waiting to pick it up from the framers so he can take it with him. His friends want me to do them one too.

How long have you been stitching and how did you start? I have been stitching since 1976. I started out in crewel and then went to counted cross stitch. I worked in the oilfield as a Drilling Fluids Engineer and lived on the rigs 7 on and 7 off. Had lots of spare time so I decided to take up knitting.

Why did you select the pieces you did to share with us? The Monopoly Board in my opinion is my best work. It took the longest. It is by C&L Crafts & Co. The Wizard I do not know (readers, if you know the designer let me know and I'll add it in here), and the Spice of Life and The Crawfish Boil are by Leslie Wristers.


Do you have a favorite designer or style that you prefer? INot really. If it catches my eye then I will do it.


Is there anything you wish would change in the cross stitch industry? Not really. I think that the industry on the whole is pretty good. I sometimes wish there were more patterns that men would be interested in doing.

How often do you stitch and where do you do it? I stitch about 2 hours a night in the living room while I listen to TV. Sometimes on the weekends I have been known to stay up to 2 or 3 o’clock, getting so tied up in my work I forget what time it is.

Are you embarrassed to admit to friends and family how much stash you have on hand? Not at all. My friends always look at my wife and say how good the pieces are and she tells them not her and points to me. They do not believe it. Most of the frames I have and the all the left over threads and patterns that I have done and would like to do are hidden from view in a bar in the living room that is not used for anything but my stash and equipment.

Do you have a favorite quote? Tomorrow is Tomorrow

Anything else you would like to add? I would love for someone to make a pattern for a V-22 Helicopter in say the Coast Guard colors. The V-22 is the tilt-rotor helicopter from Bell/Textron Helicopter. If you know of anyone please let me know.

Thank you David! Please post comments/questions for David below.

The Economics of Selling Floss

I've been surveying my customers to see if they thought I should start selling embroidery/cross stitch floss in addition to the cross stitch designs I sell. The consensus was an overwhelming YES - especially if it could be sold at a discount like I do with my charts.

So - I spent most of two days looking into wholesale sources for floss. Well here's what I found:

1.) DMC floss is sold in boxes of 12 skeins per box.
2.) The WHOLESALE price (what I pay) of a box around $3.96 - which comes to .33 cents per skein.
3.) The SUGGESTED retail price for a skein of floss is .66 cents.

Wow - I never knew this. Most people tell me they get it at stores like Hobby Lobby or Michaels for anywhere from .35 - .50 cents - but it can be on sale for 4 for a dollar or even 5 for a dollar.

So - what does this mean?

Well - you're local LNS is probably making little or no money when they sell floss. .05 - .10 cents at most. So how can Michaels or Wal-Mart afford to have 5 for $1 sales? They buy 100's of thousands of boxes of floss as opposed to a couple of thousand a year (if that) by a small independent LNS store. So - they most likely get a GREAT deal, at far below wholesale. OR - they can afford to offer a great sale on a low-cost item like floss, because they know you'll most likely come in and purchase something else in addition to floss. This is called a 'loss-leader' and means they're willing to take a small loss on one item to gain a larger overall sale.

So - next time you have the luxury of visiting a local LNS - you'll have a better understanding and appreciation of why their prices on floss are what they are. I certainly appreciate it more!

Now - will I be selling floss? It's a tough call. Let's say I buy all the colors at .33 cents a skein and I offer it for .43 cents a skein. A customer shops at my store (yeah!!!) and purchases 3 skeins of floss for $1.29. I would make .30 cents - that's good!

But then the customer pays with a credit card or PayPal (which I encourage). The minimum fee for a transaction this size would be approximately .45 cents - so I would actually LOSE .15 cents.

This is why you're seeing the minimum shipping costs of $5.00 and minimum purchase amounts of $10 or more on many sites.

I am going to keep pursuing the issue - but I need suggestions. How can I offer this GREAT service to my customers, and not lose money doing it?

Regardless - I thought the whole story might enlighten you as it did me. I always figured floss cost the store maybe .10 or .15 cents and they were really marking it up - but not so.

You're ideas, comments, input etc. are GREATLY appreciated.

And so ends your lesson in economics for today! Thanks for reading! Carla

Customer Spotlight - Beverly

This is the seventh in our series Cobweb Corner Customer Spotlight. Enjoy the interview and the fabulous photos chosen especially to share with you. Please comment after reading the interview - the featured stitcher will be thrilled to know you took the time to admire and comment on their craft.

Tell us something unusual about your self: My husband and I have been full-time RVers for 29 years. We winter in Southern Arizona and have spent the last several summers working at Bryce Canyon, Utah and prior to that we worked at several other national parks in the southwest.

How long have you been stitching and how did you start? When we first went on the road in 1980, I was doing lots of plastic canvas. But while in Silver City, New Mexico one summer in 1990, friends talked me in to trying cross stitch. So I made a 50th anniversary project for my parents in cross stitch. Wasn't sure I liked doing it because it took so much longer to complete than a project in plastic canvas. But eventually I became hooked and have been a cross stitch addict ever since.

Why did you select the pieces you did to share with us? These are just three of my favorite projects. The first one is called Native American Fashion and was a kit from Design Works. The second one is called A Friend Is and is from one of the issues of the Cross Stitcher magazine. The third one is called Wake Up Prayer and is a Stoney Creek design.

Do you have a favorite designer or style that you prefer? I love Stoney Creek designs. I like to do both large and small projects and I love florals, especially pansies.

Is there anything you wish would change in the cross stitch industry? I would like to see some of the kit designs be made available in just a leaflet. Many of us buy kits because that is the only way we can get some of the patterns and then we end up not using the floss or fabric that comes with the kits.

How often do you stitch and where do you do it? Since we live in our RV, I do almost all my stitching in the chair in the living room part of the trailer. Sometimes I take it outside on the patio when it is a nice day. I spend a minimum of 3 hours a day stitching.

Are you embarrassed to admit to friends and family how much stash you have on hand? No, I am proud of all the great patterns I have collected over the years.

Do you have a favorite quote? No

Thank you Beverly! Please post comments/questions for Beverly below.

Customer Spotlight - Susan from Tempe, AZ

This is the sixth in our series Cobweb Corner Customer Spotlight. Enjoy the interview and the fabulous photos chosen especially to share with you. Please comment after reading the interview - the featured stitcher will be thrilled to know you took the time to admire and comment on their craft.

Tell us something unusual about your self: I am a single parent with an 18 year old daughter and a devout Anglophile!

How long have you been stitching and how did you start? I started stitching when I was pregnant with my daughter; she decided to come early at 33 weeks and I was in the hospital trying to keep her as long as I could. I wanted to stitch a birth announcement for her anyway. That was 18 years ago and I haven't stopped!

Why did you select the pieces you did to share with us? The pieces I chose are some of my favorites. One I call the Psychedelic Pirate Ship by Amanda Loverseed; another is a Railway Station by Charles Wysocki; there is a Pirate (the pirate ship and pirate are for my daughter; she loves pirates!) with a parrot on his shoulder and the last one is called, I believe, Snow Quilts by Linda Myers.


Do you have a favorite designer or style that you prefer? My favorite designers are Charles Wysocki, Paula Vaughn, Judith Kirby and Linda Myers. I love designs that represent Americana or Victorian, the simpler times. Most of the projects I stitch are fairly difficult and are mostly cross stitch.

Is there anything you wish would change in the cross stitch industry? Not really but I do wish sometimes that there were more cross stitch stores near me. The only one near me is Michael's and most of the time they don't have what I want!

How often do you stitch and where do you do it? I try to find time every day to stitch; it's my sane time! I have a nice little niche in my bedroom where I can get comfortable and make pretty things. Sometimes I work on three or four projects at once!

Are you embarrassed to admit to friends and family how much stash you have on hand? I'm kind of embarrassed to admit to myself I have such a huge stash. Not really--everything I have I love and can't wait to stitch it. I collect stitchery like other people collect stamps or coins.

Do you have a favorite quote? Yes; "grow old with me, the best is yet to be."

Anything else you would like to add? I really love to stitch. It's calming and what you produce is so rewarding.

Thank you Susan! Please post comments/questions for Susan below.

Customer Spotlight - Cheryl Berger from Northern California

This is the fifth in our series Cobweb Corner Customer Spotlight. Enjoy the interview and the fabulous photos chosen especially to share with you. Please comment after reading the interview - the featured stitcher will be thrilled to know you took the time to admire and comment on their craft.

Tell us something unusual about your self: I took French for 14 years and minored in it in college. The Dean had to invent the minor for me, since no one had majored in Computer Science and minored in French before.

How long have you been stitching and how did you start? Since I was 9, so about 37/38 years. Our family hosted a neighborhood garage sale, which included a stamped cross stitch "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep". It didn't sell, and the neighbor who owned it insisted I keep it; she wouldn't take my 5 ¢. I have made up for that bargain many times over by now.

Why did you select the pieces you did to share with us? "My Stitching Treasures" by Jeannette Douglas because it's probably my favorite of all the pieces I've stitched. The range of stitches is amazing, the fibers are beautiful, and the colors are my colors. And it only took a few weeks to stitch!

"Strawberry Thief, Bird and Woodpecker" textiles from the "Art of William Morris in Cross Stitch" by Barbara Hammet. My father-in-law's life passion was his William Morris collection. For his 80th birthday, I stitched the piece, cut the mats and stretched the work, and my husband made the frame. It was a true Arts & Crafts gift, and my father-in-law was speechless. When he passed, the piece came back to us, and we treasure it.

George Seurat's "Sunday in the Park" by Color Charts because it was so labor intensive and detailed.

Do you have a favorite designer or style that you prefer? Although I do all types of embroidery, I do a lot of cross stitch over one thread on very small count linen. It takes up less wall space :) and the piece has impact from much closer up.

Is there anything you wish would change in the cross stitch industry? I would love to see the Festivals (Spirit of Cross Stitch, CATS, Hearts of Cross Stitch) return locally. I know they're still around, but to travel so far when I know I'm going to spend SO much at the Merchandise Mall is hard to justify to my very patient spouse.

How often do you stitch and where do you do it? I try to stitch most evenings; it's my escape. I have my corner of our reclining couch with a table and light set up for my supplies.

Are you embarrassed to admit to friends and family how much stash you have on hand? No, most of them insist they have stashes at least as large as mine (but I have my doubts.)

Do you have a favorite quote? "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." - William Morris

Anything else you would like to add? I belong to the local chapter of EGA, and it has been a wonderful experience. I recommend to everyone to find a guild or club of some kind near you. Stitchers are some of the nicest people I know, and it's a wonderful way to share information, tips and with our group, recipes, since food plays a happy part of our gatherings.

Thank you Cheryl! Please post comments/questions for Cheryl below.

Customer Spotlight - Susan Alexion from NYC

This is the fourth in our series Cobweb Corner Customer Spotlight. Enjoy the interview and the fabulous photos chosen especially to share with you. Please comment after reading the interview - the featured stitcher will be thrilled to know you took the time to admire and comment on their craft.

Tell us something unusual about your self: I have been a ‘road warrior’ for the last 12 years. That means I travel every week and am away three or four nights.

How long have you been stitching and how did you start? It has been about nine years. A concierge lady at a Marriott hotel got me started. It was fall and I started on Christmas stockings. I did four that season. I started out along the normal path, 14 count Aida, followed by 16 and 18 count, but took the leap to linen about six years ago.


Why did you select the pieces you did to share with us? These were pieces that I recently finished. Plaisirs de dentelliere (lace) by Marie Suarez was a gift for my sister who is into making bobbin lace. The other, Sonata by Mari McDonald, Whispered by the Wind was for me whose favorite color is purple.

Do you have a favorite designer or style that you prefer? I tend to do anything that is part of a series. I started with all of the Kats by Kelly (Calico Crossroads) that I have framed and hung in two collections. I have done all of the word trees by M, and the Sekas hearts. I am partial to Whispered by the Wind for the geometry and few colors, not that I haven’t done complex projects such as Tulip Medley by KustomKrafts. I have a Heaven and Earth design (French Filigree) in progress.

Is there anything you wish would change in the cross stitch industry? I am sorry to see local needle shops close. Growing up (45 years ago) I was a knitter and had a local shop that I could walk to. I live in New York City, but the last of the old time shops are gone. I have been forced to become an internet shopper. But you don’t get the opportunity to ‘feel’ fibers or threads.

How often do you stitch and where do you do it? I stitch every day. Mondays and Thursdays are travel days so I get a good three hours of work done on the plane. Then there are the nights in a hotel room which affords another hour or two. At home I have my favorite rocker with an Ott light to the left.

Are you embarrassed to admit to friends and family how much stash you have on hand? Not really. I have organized all of this in spread sheets and stored in stackable drawers. I have every DMC color, most Caron Watercolours and a wide variety of specialty threads. I have more than 300 pieces in my fabric stash.

Do you have a favorite quote? I do consulting, so my favorite line is “A test of one is not a test, unless I am doing it.”

Thank you Susan! Please post comments/questions for Susan below.