FlossTube - A Special Edition WIP Parade! (July 27, 2023) 

Thank you foe taking us on the gurney to your coming back to cross stitching. Loved all that you showed. I'm stitching on Map Of Hawk Run Hollow and loving it.

Karen, I very much enjoy your videos. And like you quilting was my passion from the mid 80’s. Cross stitch during the 70’s & 80’s then 2020😷. Cross stitch came into my life with a vengeance again. I have 10 WIPS. Many more kitted and waiting for the day. Loved all of your stitching.

Hi Karen, I loved your wip parade. Your history of cross stitching was similar to mine, so enjoyed reminiscing about how we stitched in the 80's. And all that backstitching we did, so happy the new patterns have broken away from that trend. I came back to cross stitch in early 2020, ordered a kit on Amazon. I also did the same blackwork stitch along. Then I discovered floss tube. I was in love, lol. Just like you, I watch, I stitch and I make notes for my next order. I have about 14 wips. Love this journey. Thank you very much for sharing.

Such a fun visit ! I started cross stitching in the mid 1980's. I have finishes from years past that I enjoy. As the local cross stitch shops closed I moved on to quilting. Suddenly with the onset of Covid I wanted to be with my husband, not so much in my sewing room. Next thing I knew, l was ordering more and more patterns! My finished projects were given away as gifts to grandchildren and my longtime friend. I'm so amazed at all that you have accomplished! 14 count to 56!!! Wow! How many WIPs do I have?!! A gazillion!!!

Enjoyed seeing all your starts. You have shown me that if I want to start more than one at a time, I should! It’s all about what keeps us happy.

Oh I'm so glad I came across your channel! My first cross stitch project was in 1976 when i was 13 and it was a Holly Hobbie which i made into a pillow and my sister still has it. I also quilt and knit and started all that in the 70s. I stitched all the time in the 80s and 90s and believe me i stitched my share of geese and teddy bears, lol! How did I get so old? Like you, i stopped stitching at the end of the 90s because i had small children, got into other crafts, etc...and yes, knitting is the most portable craft of them all. I got back to my stitching about 2019 too and all this new terminology just makes me laugh, WIPs, and all that. Whatever, I'll just keep calling it a project. I have old abandoned projects from the 90s with crunchy masking tape on them, and i have stopped that practice! 😂 I have finished a few of those oldies too and that's quite satisfying. I am happy to use tote bags and plastic shopping bags, I'd rather spend my money on other things. I see some people with what has to be $1000 worth of project bags on the shelves behind them and that blows my mind. If I'm going to spend $1000 I'm buying one of those fancy Ptoky floor stands from the man in the Ukraine. I usually have 1-2 cross stitch projects, 1-2 knitting projects and 1 quilting project at a time, that's all i can handle at once, but at least I'm finishing things.

First time I've watched your Flosstube. Was fun to hear your journey in cross stitch. I owned a stitching country shop in the 80's. My how things have changed in the stitching world, since then. Happy Stitching! In March Madness I kitted & started about 20 new projects. First time I went that WILD!

Well, then I saw.....😂😂😂😂. Loved your presentation! ❤

What a wonderful Floss Tube--thank you for sharing your stitching journey! Last week I watched a Floss Tube where the lady had over 90 (!!) WIP's! I have about half a dozen which I've started in less than a year, and two finishes. I'm a long-time quilter, and only started cross stitching in the last year.

Katen...love all your whips...beautiful stitching...would love to hear about your quilting seminars...loved seeing your tomatoes that you canned...best wishes and happy stitching ❤❤

I loved watching your Wip Pararde. 🌻🌻🌻

Oh, my goodness, i'm having such flashbacks

Great WIP Parade! I too began cross stitching in the 80's, stopped in the mid nineties because of my workload and other obligations. I tried to just slow my roll with stitching, but it just didn't work. When retirement came along, I jumped into the deep end! I have tried the WIP route, but it is too stressful for me so I now have only 1 large Sampler & 1 small project going at the same time. This gives me a breather from the major project and an even flow of finishes to show for my efforts. I have 20+ kitted projects & probably about the same number of partially kitted projects; If this is insurance to aging, I will live to be 200!! LOL! Thanks for sharing your projects with us, I love seeing all the WIP parades, they are very inspiring. Happy Stitching!

Have numerous sips also I have one of the wooden frames that you showed also.

Our daughter and her family live in Spring Hill, Tn. We visited the Carter House in Franklin…and also several other sites. Beautiful area. Thank you for sharing your amazing stitching!❤

I loved this Floss Tube! My cross stitch journey started in the 80's also. I had to laugh when you said you bought your first cross stitch project at Frank's Nursery and Crafts. We lived in Indiana for 7 years until 1990 and I used to shop at the one in Ft. Wayne. My daughter was also born in 1980 and my son in 1983. How funny! Its been so enjoyable getting back into cross stitch again. The only problem is that it interferes with my quilting, embroidery and knitting. Which, in the long run is not a terrible problem to have! Thanks for a great WIP Parade!

I’m a Lansing born girl too! How fun to hear you mention Frank’s! I loved Richters, too! I just returned to stitching also…loving your channel and look forward to watching more. Thank you for sharing 😊

🌼🌼🌼

I did, in fact, enjoy seeing all of your WIPS. I also learned to embroider in the mid-70’s, and made a few cross stitch things back in the early to mid 80’s. I put it down for decades just like you did and got back into it in 2022. We are in step!! As you spoke about traveling and your quilting guild, it made me curious to know if your path ever crossed with my cousin’s. She owned a quilt shop in Manhattan, Kansas years ago. She’s the one who taught me how to quilt. You brought back a lot of special memories for me. Thank you! ❤

So funny,I do my exercises whilst watching flosstube and also stop to add to my wish list.

I really enjoy your videos, thank you for doing them! May I suggest holding the patterns and your stitched WIPS up a little longer, please? We don't get enough time to appreciate them because it is so fast. I'd love to be able to 'oooh' and 'ahhhh' a little longer, please! Lol!!! Thanks, again!!!! Edited here: I'm glad you did a WIP parade! This really shows your favorite pieces!!!

I so enjoyed your history of your cross stitch journey. How amazing. And what beautiful stitching! My story is similar. My first cross stitch was done in Japan 30+ years ago. Then I stopped for several years and also got rid of many projects, charts, and magazines. Then in 2022, I started up again and have been going gang busters. I don't have so many finishes, because I have started many large pieces. But I am just just so snug as a bug in my chair for stitching with all my projects and have once again increased my sth considerably again. Thank you so much for your story and sharing of your WIPS.

What an enjoyable WIP parade! I love all your storytelling along the way. I took a long sabbatical from cross stitch for much the same reasons you did…children, career etc. And I have several old, old projects from my time in EGA. I still count them in my WIPs because I do have hope of returning to them. Thank you again for your video today. I look forward to the next time.

❤

Such beautiful WIPs Karen! Thanks for sharing ❤.

WoW! That was great! You advanced so quickly to 56ct and silks ❤ Liked looking at your choice of whips. Thanks for sharing 👍🏼 Take care

This is the first time I watched you…I enjoyed it so much..

Wonderful WIPS. Thanks for sharing.

Yes I have that type of frame also I can relate to that era also. Enjoy your videos I too am a quilter but great videos.

Beautiful WIP Parade. Very inspiring and encouraging for 56 count! I am stitching Fifteen Friends: Jane Ann 1871 on 46 count with Surfine nd find it very soothing to stitch, almost did 56 count. I did get 56 count for Hannah Wilson so can’t wait for it to arrive. I am trying the 56 count after I watched Katie Strachan and the smalls on higher count, so dainty and fun. You are right, good readers no light are your best friend. I love the Hands Across the Sea Sampler SAL’S for the breakdown isn’t overwhelming and you feel like you accomplished your goal for the month. I have lots of kitted projects but probably only work on 5 to 6 each week. I have my own rotation but if something else pulls me then I stitch that. Harriet need Hannah are beautiful.

I to returned back cross stitching two years ago. Great floss tube. Happy stitching.

Loved your floss tube. Our stitching paths are parallel. I started cross stitch around ‘85 and then caught the quilting bug. Returned to cross stitch in 2021 ( still quilting ). I also quickly jumped to higher linen count and silk. The difference is that you are incredibly productive and organized whereas I stitch at a snail’s pace and my stuff is a hot mess 😂.

Karen ….. always enjoy your FT videos. Your soft spoken well versed explanations help those who are new to xstitch…I’ve been stitching 🧵 since 74.. gradually building my WIPS is always on Going :-)) I’m a Reproduction Museum Samplers… love them Ackworrh school samplers, Quakers have been my constant, in between other WIPs 😉 I also have the same frame you showed :/)) I don’t use it as I stitch in hand … BTW all those tomatoes 🍅 look yummmy Take care Karen

Enjoyed seeing your wips and hearing the stories that went with them.

Just found your channel and enjoying it very much. My ears perked up when you mentioned Frank's Nursery! I thought...she must live in MI (now I know you're in TN), but I grew up in Bay City, MI and I remember Frank's. My mother and I use to go there for craft supplies. Love your stitching WIP's (and your quilts...I'm a quilter, too) and just yesterday I got out my Houses of HRH chart and decided to kit it up to start. I've already done Village and it was an enjoyable stitch. I stitch mainly samplers but I'm interested (enabled) by many other patterns. Can't imagine stitching on 56 ct.!!

That was a lovely wip parade. I also have a quite old wip. Mine isn’t as old as yours, but it nearly is. It is an Elsa Williams carousel horse that I had almost finished when I put it away. That was in the really early 1990’s. I’m not sure it will ever get finished but I don’t think I’ll dispose of it. I put too much effort into it to throw it out. Thanks for sharing all your projects. I especially like the Live on Little pattern. Anything Paulette creates is beautiful to me. I just love her style.

So glad I found you! I loved your wip parade. We have a few things in common: cross stitch (of course!), I'm from Michigan too (now in Ohio by way of Kentucky), also was a librarian - of every kind (even gov docs) predominantly children's coordinator and outreach and academic reference. I went to library school at U of M Ann Arbor (you too?) I don't know how you can resist finishing your first wip from the 80's! The one on Aida. It's super sweet. I would finish it and frame it and hang it proudly next to all your others. Just me.

I enjoyed your wip parade. It was great to hear how you started cross stitching and put it aside and started again. You are brave to be doing 56 ct. I have 6 wips right now but I have some projects kitted that I’ve been itching to start.

I think you should finish your 1987 piece for fun. Beautiful projects. Thanks for sharing them

Hi Karen, Enjoyed your "Parade" 😊 I am fairly new to your flosstube. I have thought about purchasing the Carter House and Live on Little. I think I will take the plunge. I agree with you, about being inspired. I have two WIP's, but I also am a quilter. 😊

Karen our story has so many similarities though I am several years older than you and I never quite stopped doing cross stitch completely. However it took a back seat to other crafts and was basically limited to kits I bought from a catalogue here in Australia. But I was so amazes by the options now available when I stumbled across floss tube. Happy stitching

❤❤❤

Hi Karen, I stumbled upon your channel and enjoyed watching all your works in progress. Currently I am working on Elizabeth Westin 1828. I enjoyed learning what you have worked on.

Hello, Karen! I guess can't exactly call them WIPs if I haven't started them but I have seven projects left on my yearly to-do list. I've finished six. I'm still assembling the pieces for some of them. One is a wool applique, one's a garment, and the rest are embroidery. I must have been standing behind the door when the Lord passed out the "project bag" gene. I'm fine with sticking to good old ziploc storage bags or grocery bags if I need to take a project along to a doctor's waiting room. They make more sense for you gals who travel and want to have something pretty. It would be fun if you took us along for a trip to the historical house! I never get out any more! :)

Love your videos, great insight.

Lovely floss tube.

Love the WIP’s!

I loved Frank's! It was so sad when they closed their doors. Thanks for the memories, many that are older than yours (feel better?).

I enjoyed your WIP parade very much! I now have about 10 WIPS after going to a Teresa Kogut retreat 😱 And I am planning a celebratory start of a Long Dog Sampler when my Gus’ Floor stand arrives in a couple weeks. That should be my BD start too but…..I might have a couple more kitted up projects but I did recently finish Fruits of Plenty by MFE. I started back to CCS during Covid. I fell down the rabbit hole❣️

I loved your Wips. Especially, your oldest one. I think it is so beautiful! I wish I could find the kit to do.

Loved you wip parade! I have about 25 wips. Thank you, Lonnie in Texas Aka Cleocat

Thank you for another great flosstube. I found flosstube May of 2022. Like so many people I hadn’t stitched for years. Now I’m back into it. I have 6 wipes & 10 kitted. Thank you for sharing your projects. You are so inspiring & motivating!

Enjoyed watching your video and seeing your projects I have live on little already kitted up and ready to stitch but I have decided this year is a finish as many wips as I can year started with 30 and I’m down to 22 hopefully at 15 by end of year but Live on Little is really tempting to start yours looks beautiful

Only 3 wips. Enjoyed your flosstube!

Thank you! What an amazing WIP parade!! Wow! You went straight to 40, 46, & even 56 count!!! You have some amazing starts, they all are so beautiful!! Again thank you so much for your parade!!! 💖✨💫🌟💝

I have numerous hobbies so I probably have 200 or more wips

Thoroughly enjoyed your WIP parade. So inspiring as always. I probably have 5 WIPS but I always smile when I see you have a new flosstube out. Thank you. 😀

I am working on Stitchrovia. On the beach. I have two whips one at home and one at my trailer, so I guess I’m a monogamous teacher

Oh I love seeing everyone's WIPs! It does encourage me, but I will always be a monogamous stitcher🤗

Karen I absolutely love your videos! You are so talented! I think you are a great teacher also. I’m learning a lot from you. I enjoy seeing what you are doing. I’m self taught but I’m learning as I go along. Floss tube has helped me out a lot. I look forward to more classes. Thankyou. Sue Chavanne

Hi Karen. Thanks for the WIP parade. I have 15 WIPs at various stages, but really seem to like working monogamously. However, once I've finished Jenny Bean for the parlor, I may try some kind of rotation.

Thank you for this inspiring Flosstube. I love everything you do. You’re so generous with your thought processes for each project.

I’m so happy to have found you! You summarized my story as well and also watch while shopping. And yes, I keep wondering why we accumulate so much? I guess we see so much more now and oh my, have a little more time plus there are so many talented designers! I love all your WIPS and look forward to going back to watch your others. Very inspiring and educational too! The field trip to Carter House sounds fabulous!

I only started cross stitch in Feb. 2020 although I was an embroiderer and needlepointer. I started quilting in 2017. I’ve been sewing since I was 10. I went through my wips today and came up with 20 that I intend to pursue. Ideally, I would like to reduce them to a dozen. Would you consider making your oldest wip into a project bag or retreat tote just as it is? It would certainly be a conversation starter.

Love all your wips - you’ve advanced very quickly. I also came back to cross stitch just over a year ago - I’ve started 19 projects and finished 13 of those including Blackbirds Christmas Garden and Away we ride! So I have 6 wips at the moment and probably 15 more things kitted and ready to start!

I loved your video and your history of your projects. It was very inspiring. Keep them coming.!

I truly enjoy your Flosstube. It is well planned and well spoken. Carry on, I might have to leave in a short while to get my needed sleep …

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts regarding each piece. I have gotten some tips. This has been very inspiring to me. I also have 10 WIPs in progress, although I have joined WIPGO which has inspired me to get working on these older projects. Have a great week!

I love your interesting, informative videos--and your beautiful zinnias! I want to try stitching on linen, and I'd like to have your suggestion about a brand and count to try. I'm a new cross stitcher this year, and have only worked with 14 and 18 Aida. I purchased some Vikki Clayton Silks because I love that they are on little spools. Thank you very much for your suggestion.

Thank you for sharing your WIP parade your stitching is lovely. Flag Flock is one I've been wanting to start for a long time. Are you using 1 or two threads on 36? Thank you again

❤ I still wondering how much prolific we were as quilters and stitchers before year 2k!! I’m going to be 50 this year, and I have tons and tons of Ufo but also finished projects from ‘90. Before life getting hectics I was a busy bee stitcher and quilter too 😂 Love to see your parade. ❤

Love your video Karen! ❤ I have that Country Home ABC Sampler kit too. Just found it in the bottom of my closet. It was a resale shop/senior find. Will you be finishing it?

I think I have 15-20 wips