tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29959065595181940632024-03-13T12:50:17.761-05:00Snarky Stitchingbeefranckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379782805381261625noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995906559518194063.post-58404134649904496852010-11-04T20:47:00.006-05:002010-11-04T21:29:03.171-05:00Just, you know - doing my thing.So, I made a thing recently. I do that a lot. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/beefranck/5144865692/" title="Untitled by beefranck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/5144865692_46ef5830cb.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The text is a quote from <a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/1320531551/mobile-video" rel="nofollow">this post</a> by <a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/" rel="nofollow">Merlin Mann</a>. <br /><br />As I designed it, stitched it, and took pictures to share it with the world, I found myself feeling a little weird about it. I've stitched things Merlin Mann has said before. In fact, I've done it <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/beefranck/4697734978/">three</a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/beefranck/2932436931/">seperate</a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/beefranck/2897416138/">times</a>. I found myself wondering if that might seem a little creepy or weird. Would I get a cease and desist letter? Would my friends and family stage an intervention?<br /><br />So I was actually a little nervous to share it. It turns out that I did not have to worry, and that it was received <a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/1479814126/xo-bf">very favorably</a>.<br /><br />The experience has reminded me of something important, though, and that is that I should keep doing what I am doing because I enjoy doing it. End of story. <br /><br />In <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0304081/">Gigantic</a>, the documentary about <a href="http://www.theymightbegiants.com/">They Might Be Giants</a>, Ira Glass said that if <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Linnell">John Linnell</a> had never been in a band and was a guy with a 9-5 job, he would probably still spend all of his spare time writing songs because that's what he's supposed to do. I really love that idea, and I'd like to think that I'd still be making these odd little things even if I didn't have an internet community to share my work with. I am really glad that I don't have to find out, though. :)beefranckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379782805381261625noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995906559518194063.post-49418735592803918122010-06-24T08:00:00.003-05:002010-06-24T08:00:10.224-05:00Holy Crap! I'm in an art show!I know, right??? Can you believe it? I still can't. <br /><br />Here's the details, shamelessly plucked from Jamie's post about the show at <a href="http://www.mrxstitch.com/">Mr X Stitch</a>:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/TCLULX_qyiI/AAAAAAAAASE/w18czpX31Q4/s1600/From-the-Tongue.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 218px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/TCLULX_qyiI/AAAAAAAAASE/w18czpX31Q4/s320/From-the-Tongue.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486180587975395874" /></a><br /><br /><br />from the tongue...<br />an exhibition of works on paper and/or fiber exploring the use of text and language.<br />Curated by Joetta Maue<br />June 24-August 6 2010<br />Opening Reception Thursday, June 24, 8-10pm.<br />34 North Moore St/Lotus Gallery Space, Tribeca, NY, NY<p style="text-align: center;">-----</p><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Artists include:<br /><a href="http://www.allisonmanch.com/" target="_blank">Allison Manch</a>, <a href="http://connectivethread.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Audrey Manning</a>, <a href="http://www.brenahearn.com/brenahearn/home.html" target="_blank">Bren Ahearn</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/beefranck/sets/72157607955769730/">Bridget Franckowiak</a>, <a href="http://brookeholloway.com/home.html" target="_blank">Brooke Holloway</a>, <a href="http://drucillapettibone.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Drucilla Pettibone</a>, <a href="http://www.elanaadler.com/">Elana Adler</a>, <a href="http://www.schindermania.com/">Ellen Schinderman</a>, <a href="http://www.eloisedeh.com/">Eloise de Hauteclocque</a>, <a href="http://ejohanni.com/">Eric Johanni</a>, <a href="http://m.boiseweekly.com/gyrobase/lart-moderne/Content?oid=1033922">Grant Olsen</a>, <a href="http://wereisobesotted.blogspot.com/">Iviva Olenick</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrxstitch/sets/72157623051426898/">Jamie Chalmers</a>, <a href="http://www.jeehwang.com/">Jee Hwang</a>, <a href="http://www.jenniferhunold.com/">Jennifer Hunold</a>, <a href="http://www.jungeunpark.com/">Jung Eun Park</a>, <a href="http://connectivethread.blogspot.com/">Katrina Eaton</a>, <a href="http://elasticlimit.com/kirstenrae/">Kirsten Rae Simonsen</a>, <a href="http://www.kristenwulff.ca/">Kristen Wulff</a>, <a href="http://www.lathoriel.com/">Lathorial Badenhausen</a>, <a href="http://web.mac.com/leiladaw/iWeb/Site/Leila%20Daw.html">Leila Daw</a>, <a href="http://nicholsstudio.com/leslie/">Leslie Nichols</a>, <a href="http://marcychevali.com/home.html">Marcy Chevali</a>, <a href="http://www.marilynhenrion.com/">Marilyn Henrion</a>, <a href="http://www.witvisuals.com/">Mary Coss</a>, <a href="http://atelierscortada.com/index.html">Nathalia Cortada</a>, <a href="http://www.orlycogan.com/">Orly Cogan</a>, <a href="http://historically-inaccurate.blogspot.com/">Richard Saja</a>, <a href="http://www.rubistudios.com/">Rubi McGrory</a>, <a href="http://web.me.com/sarahbahr/sarahbahr.com/Home.html">Sarah Bahr</a>, <a href="http://connectivethread.blogspot.com/">Susan Moss</a>, <a href="http://www.susansharmanfineart.com/">Susan Sharman</a>, <a href="http://connectivethread.blogspot.com/">Tricia L. Johnson</a></p><br /><p style="text-align: center;">-----</p><br /><br />I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to have a piece in the show, and how amazed I am to know it will be sharing the same space with pieces by these incredible artists. I feel very blessed. <br /><br />If you're in New York City, be sure to stop by and check out the show - and if you happen to take a whole bunch of juicy pictures and share them, well, that would be awesome, too. :)beefranckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379782805381261625noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995906559518194063.post-21013281529446323442010-05-25T06:53:00.006-05:002010-05-25T07:13:16.653-05:00What's in Your Bindle?When I was a kid, I used to run away. Seriously. I'd actually pack a bindle like this one stitched by the talented <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/moesewco/">Adam Moe</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/S_u6VnjPIDI/AAAAAAAAAR0/DbagW5upVDw/s1600/bindle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/S_u6VnjPIDI/AAAAAAAAAR0/DbagW5upVDw/s320/bindle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475174652555763762" /></a><br /><br />I'd pack a <a href="http://www.coverbrowser.com/image/classic-childrens-books/28-1.jpg">book</a>, a <a href="http://timecheapskate.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/top10_cheap_foods_pbj.jpg">sandwich</a>, and my <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUCzMH0moSJJenVykZvpGEMEj9tBxYDxCdyVuad3PSlPR9c6Q47zQiqE6pY1O7HVk8SViWEUv4BP6ZJGFSKLZOffbhO2hdkqlFW54W3ssbGDzqt8O8NZan3DjuTrOVhLbvvKIgSJwOR2G/s320/P1000923.jpg">yo-yo</a>, and go hang out in the wooded area behind our neighborhood. Even when I was gone long after the sun went down, nobody ever missed me.<br /><br />The urge to run has come back. When I get to the office in the morning, or when I am on my way home at night, I find myself thinking: "What if I just kept driving?" <br /><br />But I don't have anywhere I could go. And there are some people who might actually notice. Besides, I don't even know what I'd put in my bindle.<br /><br />Being a grown-up sucks sometimes.beefranckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379782805381261625noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995906559518194063.post-10286335650683890432010-05-04T15:40:00.015-05:002010-05-04T17:34:43.989-05:00Blue PeriodHi everyone! How's every little thing?<br /><br />What? Why are you looking at me like that? Just because I haven't posted anything here for 10 months? <br /><br />Well, I've got a good reason for it. I've been going through a blue period. No, I'm not comparing myself to Picasso. It's just that a lot of the stuff that I made was monochrome, often blue, like this one:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/beefranck/4246909694/" title="Sween Stitch by beefranck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2771/4246909694_06f4ff2185.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Sween Stitch" /></a><br /><br />This one's green, but you get the idea:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/beefranck/4482793388/" title="Go ahead. by beefranck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4482793388_3493c87611.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Go ahead." /></a><br /><br />And the pattern for this one is for sale in the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/mrxstitch">Mr X Stitch etsy store</a> (WHAT I AM JUST SAYING WHAT.):<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/beefranck/4286017630/" title="Slap Chop stitch by beefranck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4286017630_99bf3a2995.jpg" width="500" height="322" alt="Slap Chop stitch" /></a><br /><br />Someday soon I hope to start stitching in color again. Or at least more than one color. :) <br /><br />Besides that, I've been doing all the normal stuff, like writing at <a href="http://www.mrxstitch.com/">Mr X Stitch</a>, hanging out at the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/phatquarter/">Phat Quarter</a> and the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/MrXStitch?ref=ts">Mr X Stitch page on Facebook</a>, and recording <a href="http://emergency-pants.net/">Emergency Pants</a>. <br /><br />I've also been putting together posts for the <a href="http://www.craftster.org/blog/?tag=beefranck">Craftster blog</a> and <a href="http://www.feelingstitchy.com/">Feeling Stitchy</a>, which is a huge honor, and I have to admit, a bit surreal. Craftster and Feeling Stitchy were huge inspirations for me when I first started cross stitching, and I never would have dreamed that I'd ever be contributing anything to either of them. :) <br /><br />The really, really big news, that I wanted to share with you, though, is that <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrxstitch/">Jamie</a> (<a href="http://www.mrxstitch.com/">Mr X Stitch</a>) and I have started a podcast - Stitching n Junk! My brother from a European mother and I chat about stitching, interview some of the coolest people in the stitchiverse, and goof off a bit. Check out the first episode <a href="http://mrxstitch.libsyn.com/">here</a> and you can hear our interview with Julie Jackson of <a href="http://www.subversivecrossstitch.com/">Subversive Cross Stitch</a> fame. Eeeeeeeeeee!!!!! :) We've really enjoyed putting it together, and we hope you'll like it, too. :) <br /><br />I just thought I'd take a moment to share some of those things here. Sometimes I feel as though I'm a little overexposed on the internet - flickr, twitter, tumblr, Facebook, Crafster, Feeling Stitchy, Mr X Stitch, Emergency Pants and now Stitching n Junk too? How much of me should I expect people to take, anyway? :)beefranckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379782805381261625noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995906559518194063.post-91487138918103659232009-08-27T06:52:00.015-05:002009-08-27T08:09:09.440-05:00Oh hai! Also, GIVEAWAYS!*tap tap*<br /><br />Is this thing on?<br /><br />So. Um. It's been awhile, huh? Sorry about that. <a href="http://www.mrxstitch.com/">MrXStitch</a> has been keeping me pretty busy. I'm just realizing today that I haven't posted my last few projects on <a href="http://www.craftster.org/">Craftster</a>! Scandalous! I will remedy this soon, however.<br /><br />Anyway, I've made a pile of stuff since the last post. Some of it you really have to read the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/beefranck/3656362139/in/set-72157607955769730/">flickr post</a> to understand. Here's a few others:<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/SpaErJQHWLI/AAAAAAAAAMA/1jAJt7kjMHk/s320/oh+hai.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374629082066016434" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 280px; " /></span><br /><br />This was for a swap with the amazing <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mimilove4ever/">Mimi</a>, who I love. She made me <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mimilove4ever/">this</a>. Yes, I cried when I received it. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/SpaFThVnFRI/AAAAAAAAAMI/P10MlBfZzQc/s1600-h/sick+fuck.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 273px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/SpaFThVnFRI/AAAAAAAAAMI/P10MlBfZzQc/s320/sick+fuck.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374629775726286098" /></a><br /><br />I made this pattern for <a href="http://www.theanticraft.com/index.htm">The AntiCraft</a> and sent the actual stitch to my craft kindred spirit, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crgw/">Valued Sony Customer</a>, because she is one. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3509/3785025733_1cb4c643f5_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 389px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3509/3785025733_1cb4c643f5_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />This was a big mother. I made this xstitch portrait of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrxstitch/">Jamie</a> when <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ruby42/">Ruby42</a> came up with the idea and pattern and asked me to stitch it because she thought it would make the most sense coming from me.<br /><br />I was more than happy to do it. He's an awesome guy and a great friend who is always good for a laugh. :) You can hear that for yourself if you listen to the episodes of <a href="http://emergency-pants.net/">Emergency Pants</a> podcasts he's made guest appearances on - check them out <a href="http://emergency-pants.net/tag/trousers/">here</a>.<br /><br />Speaking of <a href="http://www.mrxstitch.com/">MrXStitch</a> (see what I did there? Seamless segway!) it is the first birthday of the site today! Woo-hoo! To celebrate, we're giving stuff away EVERY DAMN DAY. Seriously! Look for the posts that are titled "Giveaway Time!" each day for the next week and be sure to comment on those posts and you could win! Here's a list of the stuff you could win:<br /><ul><li>A gift pack from the awesome <a href="http://www.subversivecrossstitch.com/">Subversive Cross Stitch</a>!</li><li>One of <a href="http://www.emilypeacock.com/">Emily Peacock</a>’s fabulous needlepoint kits!</li><li>A free sampler of your choice from <a href="http://www.misofunky.com/index.php">Miso Funky</a>!</li><li>A copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0740779656">Manga Cross Stitch</a>, courtesy of Ilex Books!</li><li>This <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/beefranck/2956019267/in/set-72157607955769730/">thing</a> I made!</li><li>This <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrxstitch/3412463693/">thing</a> Jamie made!</li></ul>It all starts today with <a href="http://www.mrxstitch.com/2009/08/27/the-cutting-stitching-edge-reflection/">this post</a>. Check it out!</div>beefranckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379782805381261625noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995906559518194063.post-114728997735297442009-05-17T21:09:00.007-05:002009-05-18T12:48:18.948-05:00Super SwapsHey everybody! I've been doing a lot of stitching lately thanks to some swaps I've been involved in. Here's a quick update about all the swappy goodness. <br /><br /><a href="http://donkeywolf.blogspot.com/">Penny Nickels</a> and I did a personal swap. I know, right? I can't believe how lucky I am! ^_^ It was pretty intimidating, to be honest, since I've been a fan of hers for awhile.<br /><br />This is what I ended up making and sending to Penny:<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/ShDEZZ-BK9I/AAAAAAAAALQ/O5YLaaY5nh0/s1600-h/Butter.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/ShDEZZ-BK9I/AAAAAAAAALQ/O5YLaaY5nh0/s320/Butter.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336981499180821458" /></a><br /><br />I was inspired by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=46175">Trixiedelicious</a> and her pretty and subversive china plates.<br /><br />And this is the amazing dirty pillow I got from her:<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/ShDGjMazkXI/AAAAAAAAALg/jZErcbZJmlk/s1600-h/pillow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 299px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/ShDGjMazkXI/AAAAAAAAALg/jZErcbZJmlk/s320/pillow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336983866365415794" /></a><br /><br />I absolutely love this. Sure, it made me turn a few shades of red, but that just means it's working! :)<br /><br />I'm also involved in a swap at the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/phatquarter/pool/">Phat Quarter</a>, the flickr group <a href="http://www.mrxstitch.com">Mr X Stitch</a> and I started. The theme of the swap was anatomy, and I was totally stumped when trying to think of a topic. Internet saved me. I was inspired by <a href="http://www.pornokrates.com/aretino.html">Pietro Aretino and his Sixteen Postures</a> as provided by <a href="http://www.pornokrates.com/index.html">the pornokrates website</a>, where a gentleman referred to his member as a "ruthless organ."<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/ShDEZhoQ2cI/AAAAAAAAALY/p0nPQ37c2s8/s1600-h/ruthless.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 176px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/ShDEZhoQ2cI/AAAAAAAAALY/p0nPQ37c2s8/s320/ruthless.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336981501237057986" /></a><br /><br />The stitch practically designed itself after that. :) The... um... well, let's just call them what they are... the penis flowers are an original design. I sent to <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37905042@N04/">Meagan Ileana</a>, who is an amazing artist. It isn't nerve-racking at ALL to send to someone like her. Nope. :)<br /><br />I'm going to be getting my swap piece from Julie Jackson of <a href"http://www.subversivecrossstitch.com">subversive cross stitch</a> fame - how exciting is that? ^_^<br /><br />Now I've got to work on my entry for <a href="http://www.theanticraft.com/">the AntiCraft</a>, and of course keep posting over at <a href="http://www.mrxstitch.com">Mr X Stitch</a>. You really need to check things out over there if you haven't already. It's pretty damn awesome.<br /><br />Thanks for looking! See you next time!beefranckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379782805381261625noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995906559518194063.post-18561349095568225642009-04-09T20:01:00.011-05:002009-04-09T20:43:54.151-05:00Dr. Horrible & stop stitching about touching yourselfHey folks! Thought I'd post over here for old time's sake. I've been posting over at <a href="http://www.mrxstitch.com">Mr X Stitch</a> and that along with <a href="http://www.emergency-pants.net">Emergency Pants</a> has been keeping me pretty busy. Not too busy to stitch, though!<br />I did a couple of <a href="http://www.drhorrible.com/">Dr. Horrible</a> stitches:<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/Sd6cuF1xLwI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/rN1t2rLi924/s1600-h/hammer.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 231px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322864125254119170" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/Sd6cuF1xLwI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/rN1t2rLi924/s320/hammer.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/Sd6ckxweAwI/AAAAAAAAAKI/IVUJMkA8eJs/s1600-h/birds.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 254px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322863965244359426" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/Sd6ckxweAwI/AAAAAAAAAKI/IVUJMkA8eJs/s320/birds.jpg" /></a><br />And this one - <a href="http://www.emergency-pants.net">Emergency Pants</a> listeners will know who sent me the <a href="http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/onanism">link</a> that inspired this stitch:<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/Sd6cBjRcXQI/AAAAAAAAAKA/ZAAY33S0VY4/s1600-h/onanism.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 224px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322863360060710146" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/Sd6cBjRcXQI/AAAAAAAAAKA/ZAAY33S0VY4/s320/onanism.jpg" /></a><br />Thanks for looking, and please be sure to make your way over to <a href="http://www.mrxstitch.com">Mr X Stitch</a> to see all kinds of great stuff. Mr X and I also started a flickr group, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1054737@N21/">Phat Quarter</a> - please join and post your stitchy stuff there!beefranckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379782805381261625noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995906559518194063.post-27500057226183359912009-03-01T07:22:00.015-06:002009-03-18T18:46:56.626-05:00Craftster Challenge, Tighten Up, and Working for the ManHey everybody! I know, it's been awhile. How've you been? You look <strong>awesome</strong>, by the way. Have you been working out?<br /><br />I just thought I'd drop a quick note about some of the stuff I'm been doing lately. I entered the <a href="http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?board=421.0">Craft-a-Song challenge</a> over at <a href="http://www.craftster.org/">Craftster</a>. Check out the post <a href="http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=294658.0">here</a>. The song I decided to craft is <a href="http://www.mtv.com/videos/squirrel-nut-zippers/10096/hell.jhtml">Hell</a> by the Squirrel Nut Zippers. Check it out:<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/Saw6WjJmLRI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/1oKPiUm8LOA/s1600-h/hellwip.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308682219829996818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 289px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/Saw6WjJmLRI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/1oKPiUm8LOA/s320/hellwip.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I also made a stitch for a co-worker who's been out ill for over a month. He's a super cool guy and I really miss him. You can see the explanation of this stitch on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/beefranck/3310748363/">my flickr post</a>, as well as Merlin Mann calling me sweet and the elusive <a href="http://youlooknicetoday.com/">You Look Nice Today</a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/beefranck/3310748363/favorites/">favorite trifecta</a>. Yes, I am a nerd. Anyway, I really hope he likes this stitch, and I hope he's back soon.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/Saw7KhFN_kI/AAAAAAAAAJY/ULul1cXimpY/s1600-h/tightenup.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308683112627961410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/Saw7KhFN_kI/AAAAAAAAAJY/ULul1cXimpY/s320/tightenup.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I'm also posting over at <a href="http://www.mrxstitch.com/">MrXStitch</a>, both the Craftster Pick of the Week on Sundays and whatever strikes me as awesome on Mondays. MrX is having a contest this week - if you comment on any of the posts you could win this recycled stitch he made:<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/Saw7yJ1oRsI/AAAAAAAAAJg/160Qn9graY0/s1600-h/disco.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308683793583326914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/Saw7yJ1oRsI/AAAAAAAAAJg/160Qn9graY0/s320/disco.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />You can see more about the piece <a href="http://www.mrxstitch.com/2009/02/22/mr-x-stitch-presents-recycled-cross-stitch-001/">here</a>. So if you haven't already, come on over and check out the site. I'm really enjoying being a part of it!<br /><br />See you next time - stay awesome!beefranckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379782805381261625noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995906559518194063.post-30243275922730013142009-02-09T20:05:00.012-06:002009-02-12T08:30:24.091-06:00Balls + Cross Stitch = RomanceIt happened by accident. Seriously. I mean, not the first one... but the second one, that was a surprise. But I guess it makes sense that ball-related stitches would come in pairs.<br /><br />The first one is pretty self-explanatory, I think. It just makes sense:<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/SZQA3fgOy9I/AAAAAAAAAJA/7fhtJVuEmDY/s1600-h/balls2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301863614671408082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 164px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/SZQA3fgOy9I/AAAAAAAAAJA/7fhtJVuEmDY/s320/balls2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p></p><p>Then I saw the youtube video for the new Flight of the Conchords song <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtbQaJzZh1k">SugaLumps</a> and I had to make something from it. When I heard the line "All the ladies, they hustle to ruffle my truffle" I knew I had a winner. Mostly because "Honies try all kinds of tomfoolery to steal a feel of my family jewelry" was WAY too long.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/SZQCeOoNwZI/AAAAAAAAAJI/OWIHjvRUhA0/s1600-h/truffle.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301865379668017554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 315px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/SZQCeOoNwZI/AAAAAAAAAJI/OWIHjvRUhA0/s320/truffle.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I didn't realize this before, but apparently balls are quite romantic. Some lucky lady is getting the first stitch for Valentine's Day. Other fun Valentine's sales from my etsy shop: the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/beefranck/3226573458/">masturbation blackwork</a> sold within an hour of being listed. The <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/beefranck/3269822400/">First of May sampler</a> sold as well. Sometimes I'm kind of sad to see them go, but if it means that I'm going to help someone express themselves to their partner, it's worth it. It's a public service. It's my way of helping people say, "Hey. You and I both know I'm really dorky, incredibly weird, and also perverted. Thanks for sleeping with me anyway."<br /><br />Happy Valentine's Day! Also, if you didn't already know it, you can catch me posting over at <a href="http://www.mrxstitch.com/">MrXStitch's site</a> now, too. Come and check it out, won't you? Thank you!</p>beefranckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379782805381261625noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995906559518194063.post-4787109134585365122009-01-25T19:11:00.010-06:002009-01-25T20:26:24.603-06:00You can almost smell the beerMy husband Jim and I have very different tastes when it comes to music. Jim loves Gackt, Muse, X-Japan and Malice Mizer. I love Richard Cheese, They Might Be Giants, Ben Folds and the Violent Femmes. One thing we agree on is <a href="http://www.patmccurdy.com/">Pat McCurdy</a>, a local guy who sings at bars and festivals in Illinois and Wisconsin. He's playing somewhere almost every night.<br /><br />I did a couple of stitches recently inspired by two of our favorite songs. The first one, <a href="http://www.patmccurdy.com/cgi-bin/lyrics/view.cgi?10#10">I Like You Best</a>, starts off sweet and then changes midstream. It goes from "Let's sit beneath a shady tree and read romantic poetry" to "I promise not to break your heart, I'll wheel you home in a shopping cart." I kind of made this one to even out a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/beefranck/3210422507/in/set-72157607955769730/">really mushy</a> stitch I made for Jim recently. Depending on his mood he can decide which one to display on his desk. :)<br /><br /><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/SX0XlRhEqqI/AAAAAAAAAIY/1lTNeS3jxqY/s1600-h/likeyoubest.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295414665982290594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/SX0XlRhEqqI/AAAAAAAAAIY/1lTNeS3jxqY/s320/likeyoubest.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The second one has been on my mind for awhile. I always thought it would make a great subversive stitch, but I wasn't sure how I wanted it to look. It's based on my absolute favorite song by Pat, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4kdRdCNYvs">I Like Everything</a>. I really wanted to try doing some more blackwork, so I thought this would be a good chance to do it.</p><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/SX0dWHu5_aI/AAAAAAAAAIg/5GxKtGi41Vw/s1600-h/likeeverything.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295421002727685538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 158px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/SX0dWHu5_aI/AAAAAAAAAIg/5GxKtGi41Vw/s320/likeeverything.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p>I'm happy with how it turned out, but my Catholic schoolgirl childhood has made this stitch the most embarrassing of all my creations. Well, next to <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/beefranck/2556384382/in/set-72157607955769730/">this one</a>.<br /></p>beefranckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379782805381261625noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995906559518194063.post-19993299436819396912009-01-05T19:55:00.018-06:002009-01-05T20:38:03.111-06:00Selfish Stitching - I thoughtI had two gigantic weeks off over Christmas and New Years, and it was awesome. I got my Omaha fix the week of Christmas, thank goodness, and then the next week there was absolutely NOTHING on our schedule. I've been working incredibly hard this year, and when the time came to relax...<br /><br />I decided I wanted to stitch my ass off.<br /><br />I would stitch whatever came into my head first without any concern about whether or not anyone else would find it amusing. I was thinking of it as Selfish Stitching - stuff only I would get a kick out of.<br /><br />I started with a quote from You Look Nice Today - not a surprise, it's my favorite podcast and obsession of the moment. Hubby Jim and I listened to several episodes while driving through Iowa, including <a href="http://http//youlooknicetoday.com/story/vsop-roundup">the episodes guest starring Jonathan Coulton and John Hodgman.</a><br /><br />*nerdgasm*<br /><br />Ahem.<br /><br /><div>Anyway, the quote comes from the end of each episode when Scott Simpson read a plug for Hodgman's new book, More Information Than You Require:</div><br /><br />"Go buy a copy. Ostentatiously read it in front of your friends and co-workers. "What's that?" they'll ask. "Nothing. Nothing _you'd_ be interested in," you'll say. Then show them the dog poop you have in your other hand. "This is probably something _you'd_ be interested in. You look more like a dog poop person to me."<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/SWLDKJyQ7II/AAAAAAAAAH4/NCquChOEwoc/s1600-h/dog+poop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 188px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/SWLDKJyQ7II/AAAAAAAAAH4/NCquChOEwoc/s320/dog+poop.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288003491679235202" /></a><br /><br />Then, I did a REALLY selfish stitch, this one from my own podcast - <a href="http://www.emergency-pants.net">Emergency Pants.</a> My co-host <a href="http://twitter.com/sblaufuss">Shane</a> asked this question:<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/SWLDf-eZ3OI/AAAAAAAAAIA/3WzJKIZ3dCY/s1600-h/horse.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 146px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/SWLDf-eZ3OI/AAAAAAAAAIA/3WzJKIZ3dCY/s320/horse.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288003866600266978" /></a><br /><br />There was a funny story after that, but this question is what I remember the most. <br /><br />Last but not least is a quote from the <a href="http://starsandtartan.blogspot.com/">Stars and Tartan</a> podcast. I only recently started listening to it, but I LOVE IT. It's no wonder, considering that in episode 4 Derek called a mean neighbor this name:<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/SWLDzX_z2eI/AAAAAAAAAII/8D4eGRWvGyA/s1600-h/lint.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/SWLDzX_z2eI/AAAAAAAAAII/8D4eGRWvGyA/s320/lint.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288004199868783074" /></a><br /><br />It was a fun week. And when it was all said and done, the stitching wasn't selfish after all - lots of people seemed to find some amusement in them. Maybe I should just stitch whatever comes into my head more often.beefranckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379782805381261625noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995906559518194063.post-12619161843636375442008-12-14T20:09:00.000-06:002008-12-14T20:51:51.459-06:00Big BoysOh yeah, my blog. Where I should post stuff 'n junk. ^_^<br /><br />I finished a couple of large projects, so what the heck - wanna see?<br /><br />The first one is old news, both the stitch and the subject. I'm not rubbing it in or anything, it's my Mom's Christmas present.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/SUXDFXJAXKI/AAAAAAAAAGo/fV9iccGq7N8/s1600-h/obama2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279840635040324770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/SUXDFXJAXKI/AAAAAAAAAGo/fV9iccGq7N8/s320/obama2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The pattern for this is available at <a href="http://www.subversivecrossstitch.com/obama.html">Subversive Cross Stitch</a> and I highly recommend it.<br /><br />I also put some recent ebay goodies to good use. I bought some sampler pattern books from the 70's and 80's, kept what I liked, tossed what I didn't, threw in a Jonathan Coulton song and this came out:<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/SUXEiO864WI/AAAAAAAAAGw/GsSy-iKU8OY/s1600-h/first+of+may.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279842230569984354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 257px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/SUXEiO864WI/AAAAAAAAAGw/GsSy-iKU8OY/s320/first+of+may.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />If you haven't heard the song First of May, check it out at <a href="http://www.jonathancoulton.com/songdetails/First%20of%20May">JoCo's site.</a> You can listen to it for free on his Downloads page.<br /><br />I think my fingers need some time to recover. Maybe I'll take a break... We'll see how long that lasts. :)beefranckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379782805381261625noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995906559518194063.post-7543320715046273292008-11-26T10:00:00.000-06:002008-11-26T10:35:27.780-06:00HomesickI have a confession to make. I really, really, REALLY miss Omaha, Nebraska. One would think that the Chicago area would provide enough distractions that I would forget about Omaha and move on with my life, but not living there has created a hole in my soul that I've never figured out how to patch up.<br /><br />I've been picking at the scab recently by joining <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/omaha_nebraska/pool/">this flickr group.</a> Pictures by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/waitingline/sets/72157594427552240/">waitingline</a> and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/duckfoot/sets/72157607832408354/">BoomerangThang</a> specifically have been particularly wonderful and heartwrenching. While you're there, check out BoomerangThang's super cool <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/duckfoot/sets/72157603929165304/">retro house</a> and photos from a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/duckfoot/sets/72157608394306844/">zombie walk</a> in Benson. I'll be at my desk, daydreaming about Homer's Records and Tapes and the Bemis Center for the Arts. Oh, and LaCasa's pizza. YUM.beefranckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379782805381261625noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995906559518194063.post-35612780273984415832008-11-22T10:56:00.000-06:002008-11-27T19:29:59.208-06:00Small StuffSince I've started making my own patterns, my projects have been getting a little too big for their britches. I love dramatic fonts, but that means hours and hours of stitching - so I decided to give myself a break and do a couple of cuties this week.<br /><br />Inspired by the show Firefly:<br /><br /><a title="I'll be in my bunk. by beefranck, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/beefranck/3029092692/"><img height="334" alt="I'll be in my bunk. " src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/3029092692_8dd48e4215_o.jpg" width="312" /></a><br /><br />and this is just an old chestnut that I heard most recently on You Look Nice Today, but they used to use this line on Mystery Science Theater 3000 A LOT. It never failed to make me laugh:<br /><br /><a title="This is awkward. by beefranck, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/beefranck/3049807251/"></a><a title="This is awkward. by beefranck, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/beefranck/3049807251/"></a><a title="This is awkward. by beefranck, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/beefranck/3049807251/"><img height="224" alt="This is awkward." src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3140/3049807251_a7edf3b618_o.jpg" width="357" /></a><br /><br />I'm about to start working on the Obama pattern from <a href="http://www.subversivecrossstitch.com/">Subversive Cross Stitch</a> for my Mom's Christmas present. Anyone who heard the story of the Obama sign in episode 16 of <a href="http://emergency-pants.net/2008/10/21/episode-16-is-all-up-inz/">Emergency Pants</a> knows she'll love it! I'm also still working on a portrait that <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=58240">beelisty</a> put together for me, and I have some plans for some modified samplers in my future. My fingers are gonna HURT.beefranckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379782805381261625noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995906559518194063.post-1214589876779802212008-11-09T08:57:00.000-06:002008-11-09T09:19:03.095-06:00Secure (to do my thing) Area<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/SRb_CF0nZrI/AAAAAAAAAFA/Y4mIxMSUMT4/s1600-h/secure2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266677225644058290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 153px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rucPBldQphQ/SRb_CF0nZrI/AAAAAAAAAFA/Y4mIxMSUMT4/s320/secure2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I work in a profession that asks for friendliness without actual friendship. You need to be personable without actually ever knowing anyone personally. Recruiting means one day you might be offering someone a job and three weeks later you might looking to replace them again, so a certain amount of professional distance is needed just to stay sane.<br /><br />Also, I'm pretty sure Human Resources is the only corporate profession whose trade magazines have articles on what to do when someone takes over your office with an automatic weapon.<br /><br />Due to these factors, I leave about 90% of my personality at home when I go to work - where I swipe my badge 3 times before I get to my desk. I feign interest in American Idol and local sports franchises. My freak flag is securely stowed throughout the day.<br /><br />So when I heard Josh Weinstein, while being manhandled by guards, say: "Ok, ok... the sign said "secure area" - I thought it meant secure to do my _thing._" in the Wasp Woman DVD from Cinematic Titanic, it really struck a chord with me.<br /><div><br />This may not make much sense, but then I rarely do. :) </div></div>beefranckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379782805381261625noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995906559518194063.post-75594650039923622272008-11-01T17:33:00.000-05:002008-11-01T18:07:22.556-05:00Etsy regret?Let me start by saying that I love etsy so much, I want to make out with it. I've found so many wonderful things there, like <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=9155679">this</a> from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5578464">therunnybunny</a>,<br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=11149433">this</a> from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=46175">trixiedelicious</a>, and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=11097684">this</a> from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=75271">mincingmockingbird</a>. Also, selling some of my stuff has kept me in vintage cross stitch leaflets, <a href="http://www.cinematictitanic.com/">Cinematic Titanic</a> dvds and, well, stuff I found on etsy... Hmmm. :)<br /><br />But last week I sold four of my favorite stitches, and the area where I store my completed stitches (and by that I mean a Ziploc bag in my closet) seems so... empty. I don't know what I would do with all the stuff that I make if I didn't sell it, but at the same time it makes me a little sad each time I sell something that was an original design like <a title="eat farts by beefranck, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/beefranck/2734538859/"><img height="180" alt="eat farts" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3271/2734538859_8d9e031400_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> this one.<br /><br />Does anyone else experience this?beefranckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14379782805381261625noreply@blogger.com11