PTI SAF 2014 - The Regency Era

To be honest this was the era that I was least interested in until I got my kit.  When I saw the stitching die I was excited...I wasn't quite sure how to use it but figured the video would explain the right way to use it (no luck there, see more below).  They did say in the write up of the kit that if there is a dot between the holes that meant you were to sew and X.  Ok, I have done cross stitch as a child so I should be able to figure it out.

I knew I wanted a multi-color rose so I die cut it from Vintage Cream cardstock, took white We R Memory Keepers Sew Easy floss and colored it with my Copics...a couple of inches of this color, a couple of inches of that color and repeat then cut it out following the impression of the die in my paper.  It turned out how I had hoped.  (R20, RV21, RV34, YG03, YG05, YG95)

As for the rest of the card I used the piece of pattern script paper from the kit and then a piece of Autumn Rose cardstock with 'Happy Birthday' from the Quilled Elegance set and heat embossed with Ranger Super Fine Gold.  I have to say I haven't used silver or gold embossing powder in a few years because what I had was terrible so I finally bought some new powders and am absolutely in love with them.  I highly recommend the Ranger Super Fine in gold and silver...if you are looking.

Ok, about the video, I was expecting something more like what Erin Lincoln does with her stitching dies...she teaches how to use them.  Do not get me wrong Melissa's projects are beautiful but I am just a little bummed.  I feel bad for anyone who has never stitched before they were probably confused.  This event is for folks from beginner to expert and it is about learning techniques.  When I saw that the needlepoint video was only 3.5 minutes I knew there were no instructions.  I even noticed that Melissa X'd at more locations than where the dots were so her 'rose' was fuller and less detailed.  The plus about this die, and I did see someone do this already - depending on your thread color it could be a rose, or if you don't watch the dots you could get an apple or an orange - so it is versatile.