Tiff from Tiffstitches

This week's blogger is someone I "met" about two years ago although she has been blogging almost as long as I have.  As well as her stitching posts she also takes part in the Top 5 Tuesday Questions which are always fun to read.  Please welcome Tiff from

Tiffstitches a blog

1. Please introduce yourself – name, where you are from, family, pets etc.

Hi, I’m Tiffstitch, born in a small town in Ontario, Canada near Michigan, USA. I have 3 siblings scattered throughout Canada and my parents and cousins, Grandma, aunts and uncles live in the same small town we all grew up in. Currently I’m in Vermont and live with DH and DD and a crazy cat named Max.

2. How long have you been stitching and how did you start?

My roommate from first year undergrad taught me how to cross stitch. I’ve been stitching off and on since then (1995) with mostly on the last 7 or 8 years. My first project I didn’t realize you had to split the threads and I stitched with all 6 strands! My kit ran out and I had to buy more DMC and that’s how it all started. My first project was a 3”x 3” little kit, my next one was 8 x11!

3. How long have you been blogging and what inspired you to start? Is there a story behind your blog title?

I started blogging in 2012 I believe and had a different URL. That one kept getting spammed though, so I switched to Blogger and have had this current blog since August 2013. I was doing some hobby photography and my nick on that forum was Tiffpix, so I picked Tiffstitch for my cross-stitching.

4. How would you describe your stitching style? Are you a serial starter, a rotator, a OAAT (one at a time), highly organised, random and eclectic, etc.?

I don’t think I’ve ever really been a OAAT stitcher. Even when I mostly worked on one larger project, I still pulled out smaller projects to work on. I enjoy starting the most of any aspect of a project, so the Ultimate Challenges in honour of SoCal Debbie were a lot of fun. However, this did lead to a ponderous amount of WIPs that I hope to complete over the next few years. I think my oldest WIP is from at least 10 years ago now.  (See photo below of oldest WIP).  I’m trying a new rotation this year to be better organized. The first week of every month is BAP week, then SAL week, then WIP week, and 4th week and on is anything goes. It’s working out well so far.

Unfinished Basset Hound

5. Do you have a favourite designer or style of design you are drawn to?

There are so many great designers out there that I can’t choose one favourite. I enjoy the lettering projects from Lizzie Kate, the cute smalls from Durene Jones, and anything that piques my interest: dragons, realistic tigers, wolves are a few key interests.

6. Which piece are you most proud of in your collection?

This is close between Homeward Trail for my Grandma, that had a few different techniques and tons of satin DMC, and it took years to finish, and Tribal Basset. I didn’t start this until after we lost our beloved Otto in 2014 and it helped with the grieving process since I managed to adapt the pattern to fit his particular characteristics a little more.

Homeward Trail from Cross Stitch & Needlework

Tribal Basset

7. What has been your worst stitching disaster?

Hmm. Coke got spilled on the unicorn and not knowing better I cleaned it with bleach, then washed it out after the framer looked at me a little funny and refused to frame it until I washed it out. ;) It turned out okay and has lasted over 20 years, so it was a fortunate result. I spelled the name of DH’s cousin's beloved golden retriever incorrectly and had to fix it after it was framed, that wasn’t fun, but I got it done.

Mouski the retriever

8. Which new technique would you like to try, either stitching, finishing or another craft?

I would like to try quilting. I think it would aid my fully finishing my cross stitch pieces, plus I have a lot of baby clothes I’d like to turn into quilts. I’ve heard it’s highly addictive with fabric stash, so I’m also a little afraid to get started as my cross stitch stash has far surpassed the SABLE levels. I live in hope that DD will like stitching too and will help me work through it :D

9. Do you have a box of finished-but-not-fully-finished pieces? Or is everything FFO'd? What's your favourite way to fully finish a project and what do you do with them?

I have a drawer full. I need to take more time to FF everything. I really enjoyed trying out the cube finishes from Jo’s easy tutorial.  I did that for 2 Xmas items this year and I think it went very well. There are a few others I have in mind for cube finishes too, and maybe that will happen this year.

Drawer of Shame

10. Which of your projects most represents "you"?

I think I’d have to say my Ink Circles Reflections of Canada. I’m stitching it on fabric from an LNS near my old hometown, it has lots of bits of Canadiana, including large hockey sticks(!), and it has a repeating pattern. I do much better when I have routine vs. change or spontaneity, so repeats are a good thing.

Ink Circles Reflections of Canada

11. Tell us a secret about yourself. Or a joke. About anything!

DD’s current favourite joke is “There were 2 muffins in the oven. One says ‘Wow, it’s getting hot in here.’ The other muffin says ‘Ah! A talking muffin!’

12. Anything you would like to add?

I love reading all your blogs and cheering on your stitching triumphs and commiserating with the inevitable frogging. It’s really nice being part of the community. Happy Stitching!