Another treat to read. Your frustrations and discouragement with the tech challenge are so well described (& easily relatable); thanks to your perseverance, the resolution equally satisfying ... and inspiring. Iris' Paintbox - so promising! Lovely shout-out to a Canadian company, a welcome 'discovery' on my home turf. : )

Thank you so much, Krista, for once again taking the time to describe so vividly some of your stitching experiences in another busy Avlea week. Besides offering a peek at the promising new designs, (Tuscan Garden, poppies) you have included the predictably interesting, anecdotal 'behind the scenes' history. Such a delight to read. Thanks to your description of the time-consuming steps in design transfers, we can rejoice (and/or swoon!) with you that this 'frustration' has been resolved. Digital technology delivering embroidery joy. : ) Thank you for ALL the wonderful bits, the personal as well. Do take care. Warmest and best wishes for a speedy foot-healing. Madeline

I am not very 'tech-able' so I'm not sure if this copy & paste will work. I have appreciated Nicola Parkman's tutorial on using the pin stitch with linen; I hope you will find it helpful as well! : ) Floss tube #03 A Tutorial - Starting and ending your thread with a Pin Stitch,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ_btMHi5a8&t=10s

My Guild mentor taught me this approach using the above Stitchmodern resource. She also emphasized that consistently placing your first stitch next to the vertical thread is a good way of catching a counting mistake. ie. If your needle comes up beside the horizontal thread, you've either 'over or under counted' a thread. A nice control, which works! I remember Jacob de Graaf (in a Flosstube), mentioning his discovery of this vertical thread rule-of-thumb and his delight in its 'benefits'. P.S. I am enjoying this Forum (and Avlea) so much; sincere thanks to Krista West, a person of many talents and wonderful integrity. : )