More Black Belt Stitching Wizard Stuff

Friday, July 20, 2007

Ort Jar

Well I forgot about a few inquiries I got about my ort jar when I mentioned it in the last SBQ I answered.

Louanne wondered "When you go looking through the jar, how do you know for sure the floss you pick is the right color?"
and...

Judy SC (sorry no link) came up with this fantastic image ""Ort jar diving" - I love the phrase and my mind's eye conjures up a tiny dragon swimming through a pile of orts lookin' for just the right one... "

Well, I have cats... that's one reason for having an ort jar... it keeps them out of the paws and mouths of little furry beasts. Also I used to pile them up on the back of the couch and they'd end up in interesting places... in my quilt... on the floor... on someone's behind. So I grabbed a large mason jar and I put all of my orts in there. Its neat to see throughout the year how the layers of floss develop. If you look at my ort jar right now there's a lovely layer of blues and blue-greens from the water and hull of Noah's Sub.

As for "ort jar diving" I don't actually do it very often and I really don't bother for DMC... I keep a full set plus extras on hand. It comes in handy for specialty fibres and they're often easier to pick out and I tell you I can't afford to keep extra of those on hand! I also don't dive too deep, if I need a little extra of something its often at the top.

I have a lovely little ritural on New Year's Eve... I empty out my jar and start out new.

14 comments:

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

What a wonderful idea....I throw mine on the floor and as you mentioned...well they end up everywhere!...LOL!, but I think that your idea is a spectacular one and I have just the right jar for it at home! Thanks for sharing!

Jennifer said...

What a neat idea! I pile mine neatly on the table I'm using to hold my chart. And, then they end up on the floor, in the mouth of the beast, on people's behinds etc... Ha ha ha!

Ranae said...

Interesting... I throw mine on the floor, hehe. And then every few days, I pick up the mess. Hey! It has to look like I have been stitching all day, if housework dont get done, lol.

Mary Ann said...

I use a glass jar very similar to yours. I have heard of people putting their orts into one of those clear ornaments each year and painting the date onto the ornament. They then have an ornament for their Christmas tree and a remembrance of their stitching.

WhizGidget said...

I love the imagery of ort jar diving.

And I'm one of those that has a clear ornament for all my orts - I just empty the baggie I keep them in at Christmas time and fill the ornament.

Someone in our local stitching group started that tradition with us by giving us the clear balls in...2000 I think.

Anonymous said...

That's a great idea. Some of those pieces of thread in your jar look very long - or it could be just lots of little bits.

I use one of the empty blocks in my project box.

Noah's sub is looking fantastic. I so love this project. I very nearly ordered the chart today whilst I was ordering some threads, but then thought better of it because it's just so big. I'll look at yours instead to take away my brooding lol.

Kathy A. said...

Nice ort jar Dani. Mine is a crystal candy dish and in Arizona it is an oversized crystal martini glass - both bought for cheap. Hey, just because they are orts doesn't mean they don't deserve the best.

Beatrice said...

I love the mason jar.. Mine is a Brandy sniffter. Who really drinks brandy? we got them as a wedding gift from my DH's old Aunt. They look pretty in there. I have 8 Should I fill them all? lol.

stitcherw said...

My jar isn't quite as large as yours, but I do the same thing. It really does help keep the little snippets from ending up everywhere. I haven't had to go back in it often, but once or twice I've needed just that little bit more and been thankful that I saved the pieces.
Sue

Karin said...

Your ort jar is very cool - and I love the way noah's sub is coming along.

Jennifer said...

Thanks so much for the tips! I learn so much from you all!!

Mary said...

That's a great indea Dani!
I should start something like that. I have a cat who loves string and that would be a safer way to keep them out of her reach.

Julie said...

Dani, this is a great idea. I've been using a coffee can with lid so that the cats keep out, but I may have to try a jar. I do enjoy looking in the can and seeing all the colors, but with a jar I could enjoy them all the time.

Unknown said...

Nice idea Dani. Did you see what I did with mine for an exchange for Christmas last year? The link is here if you'd like to take a look: http://heathersstitchinghaven.blogspot.com/2006/11/quick-stitching.html