As I mentioned before, I used to be a big cross stitcher. A few years ago, I attended a convention for cross stitching that was a lot of fun. I was able to attend classes on different types of stitching and then, best of all, there was an entire ballroom full of the latest products being demonstrated and sold. (BTW, if you ever attend one of these definitely plan to stay late the last day - that's when stuff is MARKED DOWN!!) I bought way too much but among the stuff I couldn't resist was my first set of Igolochkoy Russian Punch Needles. I still use them for smaller projects that need a finer, shorter loop but my hands are large and the needles are short so they tend to make my hands cramp after a long period of punching. I bought a longer needle off ebay that is made by a company called Emson that I really like for comfort in stitching and I use it most often now. (ebay is a terrific source for punch products if they are difficult to find locally) It's funny, I didn't even try punching for at least a year after buying my needles but after I began, I was hooked!!

I guess I'll go work on one of my projects for a while tonight while I listen to Clay Aiken's gorgeous voice.