Scarlet Quince News
May 2008

Someone recently asked where they could buy the floss sheets that we show in the tips section under floss storage. Mentally kicking ourselves for not providing the link, we set out to track them down and learned that they are apparently no longer available. However, a reader has suggested something as good and probably better!

She uses baseball card sheets! These are clear poly sheets with pockets that fit into 3-ring binders. They come with different numbers of pockets per page, and they're inexpensive and widely available. The 9-, 12-, and 15-pocket sizes all have possibilities. The 9-pocket size will hold a bobbin or two and all your extra skeins (unless your stash is truly out of control). The 15-pocket size will hold 2 bobbins or 2 skeins. The 12-pocket size may be optimal in terms of holding a reasonable amount and requiring fewer sheets. This system is probably best suited for permanent (i.e. not project) storage but it has possibilities even there.

Of course you need an organizational scheme. Try grouping your floss first by brand and then by number, and label your notebooks on the spine as to what they contain. You'll want the thickest binders you can find. Some tabbed dividers may help you get to the right place faster. You may not need to label the pockets if the contents are clearly labeled, but if you do, a swipe of white acrylic paint (available in craft stores) will make it easier to write on the plastic and easier to read what you've written. Or use sticky labels, but don't count on them to stick to plastic forever (eventually they may become stiff and un-sticky).

There are new pictures in our gallery! There's progress on Lady with Unicorn: Sense of Hearing and Columbian Hummingbird - John James Audubon.

A quick note about our new Saint Agatha: she is the patron saint of women with breast cancer, and we are donating a portion of the proceeds from this chart to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

New patterns! Clink any picture for a closer look.

A Magnolia on Red Velvet
Martin Johnson Heade

Autumn
Alphonse Mucha

Winged Figure
Abbott Handerson Thayer

Saint Agatha