Flosstube #1: Cross-stitching in my Copious Spare Time! Mira, ScandiSAL, Ink Circles

Welcome Crafty Beavers to my stitchy adventures. Learn a little about me and my recent dive into all things cross stitch. I share a WIP parade, stitching plans, and a bit of thrifty haul.
Current WIPS: Ink Circles Green Damsel, Mirabillia Tree of Hope for #Miramay, Ink Circles Elegant Squid, Great Wave of Godzilla, Ink Circles Sajou Spectacle, Love phone case, Coddiwomple, Angel of Crossstitch, and The Deadly Aquarium Sal.
#ScandiSAL Join me in celebrating Syttende Mai by starting something Scandinavian in theme for Norwegian Constitution day! I am doing Quakers in Scandinavia by Tempting Tangles and Gnomes in Springfield by Gera!
temptingtangle...
www.creativepo...
Is my Mystery Kit the Prairie Schooler Alphabet???? HELP!
My Mystery Chinese Bird Painting Kit: www.clevelanda...
Brick and Mortar Stores Mentioned:
Spry Whimsey Knitting, Spinning, and Fiber www.sprywhimsy...
Witchery Stitchery www.caron-net.c...
Tomorrow’s Heirlooms www.tomheir.com/
Just One More Stitch Roscoe, IL roscoenews.com...
Beeyoutiful Sip and Stitchery www.beeyoutifu...
Lynn’s of Madison www.lynnsofmad...
TLC Quilting www.tlcquiltin...
Online Stores/Patterns mentioned:
Fifth Avenue Belt Bag by Sallie Tomato
sallietomato.c...
www.etsy.com/s...
Artsy Housewife www.etsy.com/s...
Tiny Modernist www.etsy.com/s...
Brook's Books www.etsy.com/s...
Other:
www.stoughtonf...
Pole Lathe Fella www.greenwoods...
Flosstube Name Dropping/Videos Mentioned:
‪@camthestitcher‬
‪@HyggeStitcher‬
‪@FibersandFlossCanada‬
‪@CrossStitchtheGlobe‬
‪@HathawayStitchers‬ the #birdherd
Fancy Floss Tutorial • Real Housewives of Cro...
Stitch in Hand Tutorial • Stitching in Hand and ...

[@megastitches]

Welcome to Flosstube ❤🎉🎉🎉

[@AlyreneeCST]

Thank you

[@carollindstrom2525]

The owner’s name of Just One More Stitch in Roscoe is Mary. She’s the sweetest, kindest lady. The ffos hanging up everywhere were almost all done by her mother or herself. Love the shop!

[@AlyreneeCST]

Thanks for the info. Yeah those finishes were stunning!

[@ruthannadams6196]

Great 1st flosstube! Love your personality! ❤

[@AlyreneeCST]

Thank you so much!

[@gretarussell7016]

Great first video! ❤

[@AlyreneeCST]

Glad you liked it!!

[@Pischina]

I'm not new to cross stitch, but I am new to watching Flosstube, and you are a breath of fresh air. I subscribed within minutes of randomly coming across your channel and watching your first episode. Love and relate to your "chaos" - and cracked up when you announced you finally told your husband you had a YT channel. I just really appreciate your knowledge and experience and wanted to let you know.

[@AlyreneeCST]

Thank you so much!

[@Thesharratts]

Totally enjoyed your flosstube! Looking forward to following you!

[@AlyreneeCST]

Thanks!

[@suejameson1517]

Great to meet you and you also have a fabulous voice!

[@AlyreneeCST]

Thank you kindly!

[@314stitcher]

Welcome ❤ great job on your first floss tube!

[@AlyreneeCST]

Thank you! 😊

[@jylromain6439]

This was great fun. I'll be back.

[@AlyreneeCST]

Thanks so much!

[@teacherlovesbeauty]

Your jobby job sounds like fun! Glad I found your channel!

[@AlyreneeCST]

Welcome! Thanks for subscribing. My job is both a joy and sometimes the most stressful thing ever... But generally it is great and rarely the same old same old.

[@leswilliams4022]

Nice job!

[@AlyreneeCST]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ingridibBerland]

So funny you started talking of our syttendemai. May 17th,our selebration of country, king and freedom, and our constitusion from May 17th 1814. Yesterday we had the best weather in a long time in Bergen. It is not that funny if the rain is pouring down. And that is what Bergen is known for. I will follow you, and I hope you will show more than your crosstitching.

[@AlyreneeCST]

So many of the people here go to Bergen for the party. We also have a bunch of people from Norway that come here to Stoughton for our party though. Thanks for watching.

[@StitchinginDairyland]

I knew as soon as you said Spry Whimsy you have to be in Stoughton. I love that store and Lynn’s is awesome too. Haven’t been to Witchery Stitchery in years though, glad to know they are still open.

[@AlyreneeCST]

Yup. Still open.

[@monkiegirl7221]

Hi. Found you through Heidi on her flosstube -- The Potty Mouth Stitcher. So glad she gave you a shout out, because I'm really enjoying your flosstube.

[@AlyreneeCST]

Oh thank you so much!

[@jaxcreativeinspirations]

Omgosh someone else who’s in theater!! My first college degree is a BA in Speech Communications and Theater…. Then I went back to school and got my BSN in Nursing 😂😅😂 You are doing awesome work, and you are going to get SO MUCH help here!! Welcome to the gang!!

[@AlyreneeCST]

Oh wow! Hurrah for theatre nerds!

[@tamarabrown4570]

I take a sharpie and mark the top with a “T”. You can turn it upside down - and the pattern. Do not turn it sideways. For the stitches where you stitched the top leg wrong, just stitch over what you already did so the top leg is the same as the others.

[@AlyreneeCST]

Thanks for the tip!

[@danakuhlman5122]

Welcome to the deep hole of cross stitch! Now you’ve enabled me… I’d never seen the Brookes Books patterns before. I’m not crazy about stitching on perforated paper but they could be done on other fabric and made into stand ups. Also ever looked on posh mark for stitching supplies. Your job sounds really interesting. Love that you just move on w your mistakes. I say everything I make has my “ mark” on it!

[@AlyreneeCST]

Oh yes they would be cute as aida ornaments too!

[@Luella655]

Congrats on your 1st floss tube! I enjoyed listening to you about your cross stitching & other interests as I have some of the same such as knitting. You really sparked my interest also when you mentioned about Scandinavian stitching as I am Norwegian. I am working on my first long dog sampler, Pandemic, which I am enjoying doing very addicting. Yay on your great thrift finds. I just subscribed! Happy Stitching. 😊

[@AlyreneeCST]

Hurrah! I'll talk about my knitting in episodes coming up! Thanks for watching!

[@BelushiStitches]

Hello! Welcome to Flosstube! Great first video, I really enjoyed watching you and seeing your projects. As soon as you said you were stitching with some metallic, I literally said out loud I bet it's DMC Light Effects. That the WORST thread type I've ever come across. And I've only used it once. 😂 I would highly recommend switching to Kreinik or, even better, the Petite Treasure Braid by Rainbow Gallery. It's just not worth it to use that thread in life! 😂 (IMHO lol). Loved seeing the haul too. And I also do a bit of stitching before work as it's such a lovely start to the day. Looking forward to the next one! Jo (UK)

[@AlyreneeCST]

Yeah. I'll try krienik! The dmc metallic is not fun.

[@theresaclark762]

Oh you will get me so very excited , my whole family is into dragons. Let me know how much I can send you for them all

[@AlyreneeCST]

Totally. Send me a message on Instagram!

[@texadianstitcher]

I figure out my mandala orientation by a) taking progress photos where theres a clear direction b) putting a magnet/needle minder in 1 specific area c) putting some type of marking in the top of the fabric d) check the back for how my tails look (I generally tuck my tails in 1 direction).

[@AlyreneeCST]

Oh tucking the tails in a direction is an interesting idea!

[@klmp01041]

I loved your video, I for one would love to see all the crafts.

[@AlyreneeCST]

Great, thanks! Fear not you will see all the crafts soon enough.

[@StitchinginDairyland]

OMG! Are you in Stoughton? I live in Stoughton! Holy crap what a small world!

[@AlyreneeCST]

Oh we should have a stitchy meet up!

[@jeanettepaulson4525]

Yes, take your Aida long dog and mirror the bird…put it on a project bag since you “obviously” need to make lots of them. Lol, sure did enjoy your cross stitch journey. I have been stitching for decades but have always used a ‘Fanny’ hoop and stitch two handed. I’ve tried stitching in hand but just can’t hold it without cramping. I am a process stitcher because my walls are full and I think my friends don’t need another gift from me.

[@AlyreneeCST]

I will check out the Fanny hoop. I tried a q snap and did not enjoy it.

[@AlyreneeCST]

I look forward to full walls!

[@dianemiller7994]

Just in case you want to know, some of today’s Grandmas wore mini skirts, drove fast cars and danced the night away to some of the best rock and roll music ever written. We are not the stereotypical image of grandmas of old. I loved seeing how you dyed the fabric creating the darker edges and will be watching for your next flosstube - wearing my readers - with tie dyed frames and cross stitching along.

[@AlyreneeCST]

Totally... Especially the grandmas in the Madison area...lots of hippies and wonderful weirdos. I can only dream that I will be so cool.

[@barbaramaier7962]

Hi. Enjoyed your video. I love “all” my vinyl-fronted project bags. Of course, I keep them away from heat sources/sun, and am curious to know where you heard one shouldn’t use them and why? Thank you. Looking forward to watching more of your videos.

[@AlyreneeCST]

I guess patterns don't do so well against the vinyl... But I've not had a problem yet.

[@brendaehlers2617]

I live near Green Bay, as to your question on orientation of a project I make a T on it with floss so that I can take it out later. I crochet, quilt and embroider also.

[@AlyreneeCST]

That's a great idea!

[@MapleNutDesigns]

Oh my, you are like my long lost twin!! Right down to the “add to cart” for coupon code 😂 I LOVE to Do All Things too!! Big creative here, I blame it on being a Pisces! I started English Paper Piecing in February, which led to Quilting & Sewing, which led me to Cross Stitching last month lol. I was always a knitter but I’m in my stitching era at the moment. I was going to offer to buy all the dragons but someone beat me to it. Really enjoyed your first video and hope to see many more!

[@AlyreneeCST]

Oh I love English paper piecing too. I'm waiting for a Tula pink box to ship soon enough with a bunch of English paper piecing in it

[@rosesantiago9687]

Hope to see more. I enjoyed your channel

[@AlyreneeCST]

Thanks so much.

[@rhondadiercks]

It is always a good idea to label the top of your piece with a pin or disappearing marker cause its super easy to get turned around on some pieces. Enjoyed your video!!

[@AlyreneeCST]

Great tip!

[@amyp8237]

Lovely to "meet" you. I'm from Kenosha WI! I look forward to seeing more from you. Thank you for sharing your time and talents. ~ Amy

[@AlyreneeCST]

Hello! I recorded another one today so I just need to edit it! Thanks for watching!

[@jaimesantiago8273]

Welcome to floss tube. So nice to meet you. I too am originally from Chicago and now live in Wisconsin. I love to knit and cross stitch and do all the crafty things.

[@AlyreneeCST]

It is so crazy how little I thought about Wisconsin when I lived in Illinois... And now I love it so much.

[@loriclarke2931]

You had me at the Deadly Aquarium. And then you said Godzilla and I subscribed.

[@AlyreneeCST]

Ha! Yasssss like-minded weirdos band together!

[@BarbaraDahlstrom-fv9bs]

I’m SO jealous you’re in the Madison area! It’s my happy place. I graduated from the UW a long time ago and now am back in the Chicago suburbs where I grew up. Like you I am getting back into cross stitch and love your honesty about not knowing all the terminology (full coverage) - this is all new to me. Thanks for the cross stitch store recommendations. I would love to support local shops. Looking forward to more!

[@AlyreneeCST]

Go badgers! I adore Madison!

[@brendatucker4058]

Great 1st video. Amazed at all you manage to accomplish. Looking forward to next video. That you statred an Ink Circles and a Long Dog as a newbie is quite mind-blowing. Keep up the good work.

[@AlyreneeCST]

Yes...go big or go home!

[@michaeljones4380]

Alene’s! Greetings from Dallas! I really enjoyed your first flosstube! Great job! Hope you have time to follow this one up with another! Thanks so much!!

[@AlyreneeCST]

Thank you! Will do!

[@bobbibrunson5062]

Your first flosstube is fantastic. I enjoyed your sense of both humor & adventure! Nice projects!!

[@AlyreneeCST]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching!

[@JackieOnyon]

Welcome to Flosstube! Please teach me your ways! I have no thrift shops around me except the Good Will and they NEVER have cross stitch or quilting supplies. I have been searching for years in the hopes of coming across someone's de-stash of DMC (or similar) but never have been lucky enough. Hearing about your experiences as a costumer and how it influences your stitching and crafting was so enjoyable. Looking forward to your next installment.

[@AlyreneeCST]

Thanks for watching! Yeah I have also discovered that some stores and areas are better than others. The thrift stores that support hospitals and elder care missions have tended to have more craft supplies. Not sure why ..

[@agnesquigley2556]

I have a suggestion that might help you telling the top and the bottom. Try using a small safety pin on the top of the fabric

[@AlyreneeCST]

Safety pin is a great idea. I do that with knitting... Don't know why I didn't think of that!

[@TheStitchingOwl]

Welcome to flosstube, it is so lovely to watch you and your projects. I hope you enjoy making your videos as much as I do.

[@AlyreneeCST]

Thank you so much!

[@CrossStitchtheGlobe]

"shocking amounts of fabric that i've moved across state lines" dead. Also when you started talking I immediately thought "she sounds like Julie in Stitches 16" and of course - Wisconsin! If you don't watch her yet, you'll just love her. Congratulations on your first few videos! Can't wait to see more. -Stephanie

[@AlyreneeCST]

Ohhhh thanks for the recommendation! I'll check her out! And thanks for watching. I love your show!

[@jensfiberweb]

That Quakers in Scandinavia chart is amazing! How have I never seen that series before?? I have resisted purchasing it immediately, but I still have the tab open... 😜Great video, thanks for sharing!

[@AlyreneeCST]

It's so good!

[@the805stitcher]

Great job on your first flosstube video! I have that Tempting Tangles Scandinavian chart so maybe I’ll start along with you 😊

[@AlyreneeCST]

Ohhhh please do! It looks so fun. I pulled some floss from stash today so I'm ready to start next weekend.

[@the805stitcher]

I’m looking for it now and will figure out what I need 😊

[@Wiscstitcher]

Hello from Cambridge, WI Neighbor

[@AlyreneeCST]

Hello neighbor!

[@oceangirl7627]

Loved your video!! Refreshing to see a new twist on projects and topics presented! Eagerly looking forward to your next one!

[@AlyreneeCST]

Thank you!

[@juliewalcott4694]

I also am new again to this cross stitch thing, I am so impressed of how you dive into projects! You go girl! I'm originally from a small town in central WI (Athens), and I do miss all the craftiness. I do what I can here. This summer some of my elementary school students want to learn embroidery. I can't wait! Enjoy the challenge!

[@AlyreneeCST]

That is so great that the kids want to learn embroidery. How fun!

[@RosieKasmarek]

Enjoyed your first video and all your thrifty finds. I hope you find the time to keep making videos. Patti

[@AlyreneeCST]

I hope so too!

[@jojeffrie962]

Love your first video, can't wait for more. You seem so happy and are a pleasure to watch and listen to 😊 uk subscriber

[@AlyreneeCST]

Thank you so much!!

[@CoffeeandCrossStitchNicola]

I really enjoyed your first video - looking forward to seeing more!

[@AlyreneeCST]

Thank you so much!

[@EsmeraldaL]

I love your flostube and your bubbly personality

[@AlyreneeCST]

Thanks!

[@kyramcquary1879]

I turn 45 in June and during this past year I've suddenly decided that I love birds, and must stitch all the birds, and have a "bird wall" made up entirely of cross-stitched birds. LOL So I can relate!

[@AlyreneeCST]

See. It is a real thing. Welcome to birb craziness.

[@mandypat1707]

Loved your video, I have a few things I do that makes my life easier cross stitching. I always grid with either chalk pencils or pilot fusion pens but I always wash my projects when I am done. You can stitch the word top or use a odd color floss and stitch it at the top of your project so you can always have the right orientation. I also thrift and go to auctions to get a lot of my supplies like you. Looking forward to your next video.

[@AlyreneeCST]

Great tip. I remember using the water soluble pen to mark the middle when I was a kid. I will try to find one and try that!

[@abbyx4706]

I really enjoyed your first flosstube video! Can't wait to see your future videos :)

[@AlyreneeCST]

Thanks so much!

[@ParkhouseStitching]

Great energy and also some great finds. Very different patterns as well you have found. You mentioned a store in Charlotte which I didn’t catch. I am interested because I visit my son down there and I have not been able to find a store that sells cross stitch. I live in 🇨🇦 enjoy your stitching and this great community.

[@AlyreneeCST]

I misspoke about The store being in Charlotte...I meant Madison. There is Po's needlepoint and I think a store called World of Needlework in Charlotte. But I've not been to those stores... Left before I got back into cross stitching.

[@nikkimatthews6045]

#savethestitches. I love rescuing stitches from thrift stores

[@AlyreneeCST]

Hurrah for thrifty stitching!

[@Jasmine-ur1sl]

Great first video, and I am always happy to see a fellow former Chicagoan on KZbin. If you are ever taking I94 East down to Chicago, you may want to make a detour to The Black Cat Stitchery in Winthrop Harbor, IL. It's a wonderful cross-stitch shop. A tad smaller than Tomorrow's Heirlooms in Glen Ellyn, but definitely worth a stop, and you can take Sheridan Road all the way through the North Shore lakefront suburbs and gawk at all those stunning mansions. Looking forward to future content from your channel. Take care.

[@AlyreneeCST]

Ohhhh thanks for the recommendation! I love to find new places!

[@EmmaForsberg]

lol birds - i love my red-breasted nuthatches these days - welcome to flosstube - i look forward to your godzilla piece for sure - i haven't seen anyone stitch a big godzilla yet

[@AlyreneeCST]

Ohhhh others have stitched Godzilla? I must hunt those down! Thanks for watching! Nuthatches! So cool!

[@jaimerow5075]

Great flosstube #1, love your channel name!

[@AlyreneeCST]

Thanks!

[@jenshrock5490]

That Theresa Wentzler dragon with the castle on the mountain is worth some money.

[@jenshrock5490]

Also, this is the year of the dragon, so your offer for dragon pattern should be popular. I wouldn’t mind a dragon pattern to do for my son.

[@AlyreneeCST]

Ohhhh, I forgot about the year of the dragon thing!

[@AlyreneeCST]

Yup..I found a smaller dragon pattern I might do...in a book from the library by Joan Elliot.

[@HelenTNYC]

I add a needleminder (which you can make yourself with your resin and adding a magnet) to the top left corner and that is how i know that is the top of my stitching. If you stitch in hand, you might want to make a light needleminder. There are a lot of great sellers of needleminders on ETSY including mad for minders. I love your first video!

[@AlyreneeCST]

That is a GREAT idea. Thanks for that tip. And yes I was totally thinking about doing some resin needleminders.

[@maisabelbardales9122]

Querida es un gusto saludarte soy Mexicana y bordafora punto de cryz y te oigo decir que tiraste tus tejidos, tus bordados y trabajos. Ami me daría un infarto, tengo lo que empece desde los 6 años cuando era niña y como en México se borda tradisionalmente.., se guardan en México todo en México no hay hilos y kit de marca son escasos y carisimos, porque lo que ganamos en México es poco salario, bueno yo soy humilde jubilada era burocrata y estoy libre para bordar todo el tiempo si vas a tirar algo enviamelo no lo tires mejor regalamelo. Bueno eres una mujer encantadora te envío un fuerte abrazo desde México saludos

[@AlyreneeCST]

Hola. No lo tiro. Rescato crossstitch de tiendas de segunda mano. Lo siento, mi Espanol no es muy bueno. Pero, gracias por ver mi video.

[@maisabelbardales9122]

Como se llama el kit de las libélulas

[@AlyreneeCST]

The Castle by Teresa Wentzler. Pero, no es un kit. Es un solo patrón.

[@subystitches]

Pretty sure that is the Prairie Schooler Alphabet charts you found. Wow you are all in. I loved your energy and can tell you are artistic in your chart choices. Enjoy your copious stitching time.

[@AlyreneeCST]

Thank you! I'll try to hunt that pattern down! Thanks for watching!

[@RosieKasmarek]

I was thinking the same thing regarding the Prairie Schooler alphabet charts. There are typically three letters in each.