Editorial
When I'm concentrating hard on something that I'm working on, the ringing of the telephone can be a real intrusion - but I'm one of those people who simply can't ignore a ringing phone; whether it's good news or bad news, I need to know. Today has been particularly hectic and both my landline and mobile have been ringing - and I have to end one call so that I can answer the next one. Don't get me wrong, I'm usually more than happy to chat and, as I work from home, the phone is vital to the running of the magazine, so it's not always a hardship.
One of my favourite uses for the phone is ringing some lucky STITCH reader to tell them that they've won a prize in one of our competitions. There's always that moment of disbelief - usually followed by shrieks, laughter and general euphoria; I just wish I had a pound for every time I've been told, ‘I've never won anything before!' No doubt, my single phone call results in another spate of calls as the lucky winner spreads the news to friends and family and, for me, it's great to know that I've really made someone's day.
You'll maybe need to pick up the phone and tell your friends about the great projects in this issue of STITCH. I'm definitely going to make some of Maggie Allinson's lovely handbags (page 18 of the magazine) - or I may even use the techniques and make a shopping bag. The beaded box tops (page 38) are tempting, too - but I might mount the beaded ‘mandala' onto a circle of card and make it into a brooch ... or even make several of them and use them to decorate a bag. Helen Howes' diaphanous panel, Sheer Delight (page 32) would look great suspended in front of a window, so that's on my list too, and I've got a collection of postcards and photographs just crying out to be turned into one of Anne Kinniment's vibrant landscapes.
Now, if only the phone would stop ringing, perhaps I'd be able to get on with all of these things.
Kathy Troup
Editor
STITCH with the Embroiderers' Guild, PO Box 42B (Editor), East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9BB, UK
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