Monday, February 3, 2014

February 3 Interview Featuring Joysze

So my next interview is with Joysze and MANY of you know her already as the creator of IHSW.  She has stitched a TW pattern, so she is being interviewed!

No need to introduce our lovely, one and only Joysze but I shall anyway......

1) Please, introduce yourself and be as windy as you like

I've always loved needlework. I remember being eight and learning all the different stitches in craft class. When I was twelve, I decided I wanted to try my hand at cross-stitching and my mom took me to a craft store and bought me a cross stitch book. I then found a design I liked, and we went again to buy me floss. Of course, I had no earthly idea what I was doing, and I think I used all six strands of the DMC to stitch that design. LOL!! It was a gift for my aunt and she still has it. When I came to the US for college, I picked up cross stitching again and never looked back.

2) When did you first pick up a needle and what was your very first cross stitch project?

Joysze Peacock Tapestry
Oh... look at #1. ROFL!! Maybe I should have introduced myself a different way... naaaaaah. LOL!!!

3) How many Teresa Wentzler patterns have you stitched?

Just one. Peacock Tapestry.

4)What made you decide to take on the Peacock Tapestry?

I saw it in Hobby Lobby and had to have it. This was back in the days of hand-charting, and OMG was it a nightmare. I still remember hubby (then BF) and me at Kinko's in the middle of the night blowing up the chart. It was a true nightmare to stitch from, and to this day, no matter what I've stitched, I still consider this my most difficult stitch.

5) For you, what was the most difficult part of stitching the Peacock Tapestry?

Make sure you get a computer generated chart! LOL! TW's patterns come with a huge amount of blended thread. Since I'm a cross country stitcher, I usually finish a color as much as I can. When this wasn't an option, I'd keep the blended thread as is, so that it'd be easier to pull out again the next time it was needed.

6) Any advice for those stitching or planning to stitch this pattern?

Have fun!!! TW's are amazing pieces of art. On a more general scale, stitching as a whole is a pleasure. And most importantly, finishes are a good thing. ;) LOL!!!

Isn't she wonderful?  Of course she is! She has started a group SAL for Chatelaine patterns so if you find you love the patterns and want to do one, head on over to Random Ramblings and join up.  If nothing else, you will find some beautiful stitching going on.  I'm wondering if TW and Martina aren't twins on a parallel orbital plane OR maybe they are the same person existing in alternate universes and no matter which alternate universe they live in, they are COMPELLED to create beautiful patterns for us to stitch!!!

It's just a thought.......

Until tomorrow my lovely stitchers!

10 comments:

  1. Ok, I'm starting to wish I had that pattern, it's so gorgeous, love these interviews, I'm starting to check every hour to see if the new one is up yet.
    And so nice for it to be Joysze today since the World of Cross Stitch mag was featuring her on facebook as well

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    1. Right?? It's because her stuff is so beautiful and yes....Peacock Tapestry is in my mind quite a bit now too!

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  2. I'm with Nancy, loving these interviews. ^_^ Also...got all my threads for 'Stretch' and the Renaissance bookmark so I will be starting that soon. I just have to figure out how much fabric I need for all 3 patterns and go from there.

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    1. Wonderful! I just read your blog and agree that you would do better using an evenweave or a linen. that will help with all of the 1/4 stitches you will have to do. I'm using an Aida and the quarter stitches come out looking a little messy, but once the backstitch is done it will clean it up just a bit. :D

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  3. Agreed they are so fun to read :D

    It's interesting to see that Joysze's one is a lot brighter seeming than the others - but then the background fabric looks lighter too so perhaps that's it.

    I am impatient now for my pattern to arrive (yes I was the one who got it :D) so I can see which version it is. At least I have a scanner so don't have to battle with a photocopier to enlarge if needed ;)

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    1. It's also the picture quality as some people really aren't into taking clear pictures. I was reading about the fabric used for that pattern and that too is a factor, but for the most part it's the quality of the shot.

      I really hope you get the computer version, I have to admit they are soooo much nicer. I have Tea Scene and got lucky with that one since that pattern has been out there for awhile but it's a freshly minted computer generated pattern, unlike ECS which is te hand drawn...it isn't too bad but then it's not a seriously complicated pattern like PT :D

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  4. Another great interview, another beautiful Peacock - I can't help but feel motivated for my own bird ^_^

    Joysze really is amazing...we should all spam her with or TW updates, maybe she'll cheat on Chatelaine for a bit and join us ^.~

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    1. I tried trust me! She is VERY into her Chatelaine patterns and getting her to join us might be like yelling at a rock. She has me thinking long and hard about a Chatelaine later in the year though but only a small one :D

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    2. Well she has ME totally convinced to start a Chatelaine at some point; but with the prices for that stuff there's no chance to do that within the SFS budget, soooo I guess I will have to wait ^.~

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  5. I cannot get over how awesome and elegant that peacock is!!!but to a non stitcher like me it looks like it would cost the eyesight of an eagle to do,so much complicated colour work.
    lovely interview Carla, thank you, and also thank you Joysze and your fantasic work I love it.

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