"Telnes" wrote in message
...
Hello, My name is Theresa. I've been lurking for 6 weeks or so. Thought
I'd
drop a line and get some tips at the same time.

I'm new to cross stitching. Years ago, I did quite a little bit of
stamped
linen surface embroidery. I found a set of pillowcases that had been
hanging
around for a while and decided to finish them. That was the initial steps
to
what now seems almost like an obsession.

I'm trying to pace myself. I started with some bookmarks, on to finger
towels,
and now I'm right in the middle of Donna Kooler's "Celebrate" sampler. I
have
really high expectations and I've been collecting Paula Vaughan and Teresa
Wentzler!

My question is this - While you are working a piece what do you with
partial
strands. I've been using the single strand doubled and through the loop
to
start a color.. It has made a big difference in the neatness of the back.
But
right now, I have a wad of strands. i.e. 2 strands left on the length of
white, 4 strands left on the yellow, 1 strand of red,light gray, dark
gray,
light medium and dark blue, etc, I don't want to toss them because the
colors
are used again in another section of the sampler. There has to be a better
way.
Any tips?

I put mine on the paper cards. I think they are called bobbins? I wind the
whole spool on it and then unwind the length that I work with and cut the
number of strands that I need and then put the end of the whole thread in
the cut on one side and then wind up the partial thread and put it through
the other slot.
It works best for me. I hope you can understand what I am saying. I do
better when I can talk with my hands
Judy