Marking

Since I have an e-reader, a Kindle specifically, I don't need to mark my books. Kindle saves my place automatically.

I usually use the book flap or whatever PR material the agent or publisher send with review books. Then I bought one of the fun adventure boxes from The Stitchery and it contained a kit for bookmarks. I had to make them if only to bone up my rusty stitching skills.

The first bookmark took a bit of time -- and a bit of ripping out and redoing -- but I got the hang of things and the second one went very quickly, which was what I wanted -- fast and easy. Cats and books. It turned out pretty good.

Cats and books

I made a couple of changes because I do that with whatever project I'm working on to make it mine, and it has my signature year so I know when it was made. Not too bad for a fun adventure box piece.

I've also found that marking the pattern helps to keep my place, especially on B&W patterns, something I didn't have to do 20 years ago. I find it necessary these days with older eyes and bent synapses in the brain -- or whatever it is that causes me to lose my place.

I bought an erasable highlighting pen from 1-2-3 Stitch and that makes all the difference. It also makes the chart pretty with all the colors (yellow, green, pink, neon orange, and blue). I tried it out with the current project and erased some of what I had marked (hadn't done that part yet and got a bit ahead of myself) and it works. The color erases nearly completely so I can use the pattern again if I decide to do the project with my own floss. Talk about a handy tool. The Frixion pens from Pilot (always a solid name in the business, and pens I use all the time) are exactly what they are advertised to be -- highlighters that do erase.

 Buy one in each color and keep them on hand for projects. They are worth the price, $1.49 at 1-2-3 Stitch, and will come in handy as you get older or just want to make sure you're in the right place.

I seem to remember being much more competent and accurate 20 years ago. Who doesn't? It helps to know there are tools and products to help the slow decline of more than half a century of life -- and stitching -- to help old stitchers like me keep up with the times and keep our blood pressure and frustration levels down.

Keep stitching.