Best stitchy buy of 2016...my Stitch Smart stand!

So I definitely wasn't on a stash ban in 2016 but one of my favorite stitchy buys was my Stitch Smart stand and accessory pack!  I had been dreaming and thinking of getting a cross stitch stand for a little while.  It seemed that all of the "best" stands that could be used with scroll frames, hoops, and Q snaps were in the US $300 price range, which for me I'd rather spend that type of money buying a Chatelaine.  Also I was doing research on the cross stitch Facebook groups and someone had linked the Stitch Smart on Amazon.  I started reading about it and thought it would work really well for how I stitch (mostly using a hoop and q snaps but I have a scroll rod that I would like to try), I was about to buy it but it must have sold out and disappeared from Amazon.  On a whim I thought I would search for that same brand on JoAnn's Crafts website.  The crazy thing was that not only did they have it and the accessory pack in stock but they were also having a 50% off sale!  I thought the coincidence was too great and I purchased them both before the sale ended :).  I was lucky too because I have checked the website a few times since I bought mine and they don't offer it online anymore.

Here is how my new stand arrived in its boxes...

 

It was packaged well so nothing got broken during shipping.





The accessories that I purchased include a chart holder, light, and magnifier with a top that closes so there is less risk of a fire (after reading about some stitchers that had fires start in their homes due to their magnifiers I am paranoid so I also purchased another cover to go over it like a hood, and I haven't used it yet).

It was so easy to put together and I was able to try it out the same day I received it!  Here is a photo of it in action...



The main "arm" adjust for tension so you can clamp your stitching and lock it in place, and you can set the angle you would like to use, say if you would like it closer to horizontal or closer to vertical it's all adjustable!  And the best part of the Stitch Smart stand is that it easily flips over so that you have access to the back of your project for starting and ending threads!

Another feature I love is by adding the chart holder arm which is flexible and also completely adjustable I don't have to try to affix my chart to my piece with a needleminder (the one above is from Fiberlicious).  Instead my chart is right where I need it hanging above my stitching surface! You can see that better in the photo below.



I really like this stand and I feel it has helped me stitch a little faster because now I can stitch two-handed on everything!

Here is another photo of it in use with a Q Snap.  In the background I am watching one of The Stash Queen's Flosstubes.  She is one of my favorite Flosstubers and I discovered Flosstube when she linked hers from her blog and I instantly became hooked!

The only criticism I have of this stand is that when I use my 17" x 17" Q Snaps the angle doesn't stay where I would like it too as well.  It probably has to do with the weight and size.  I think there is another extender attachment you can use that might help with this issue.  Overall I am very happy with this purchase that was still half the price of the expensive stands I was first looking at, before I was able to find mine at 50% off of that price!  Do you use a stand to stitch with?  What type is your favorite?  Also do you make Flosstube videos?  I always love to find new stitchers to subscribe to.  Please let me know in the comments below.  Until then...Happy Stitching!

*Note this is NOT a sponsored post.  Although it would be pretty great if I could figure out how to get paid to try out cross stitch supplies or equipment*

Happy New Year 2017~!

Hello all you wonderful stitchers!  Happy New Year 2017!  Last year was a great year for me stitching wise.  I had quite a few finishes...11 to be exact, I participated in a lot of SAL's and I even did Stitch Maynia where I started a new design every day of the 31 days in May.  This year I also have big plans.  First I hope to cut down some more of my 24 WIPs.  I also hope to finally get caught up showing my stitching progress here on this blog (I still have the Summer Olympics SAL from August to show you plus so much more!), and to show you regular weekly progress updates like I did once upon a time near the beginning of starting this blog.  If you are still reading this know that I really appreciate the love and support you have shown me in this hobby and I plan to write more soon to really finish updating you on my stitching and I can't wait to get caught up on all of your blogs too! It is almost Lunar (Chinese) New Year here in Taiwan and it is the Year of the Rooster which just happens to be my zodiac sign...