Thursday, September 8, 2011

Saltwater Taffy




I started cross stitching when I was a Freshman in High School. I was hooked immediately. I had done all types of needlework but this was a true love for me. At that time most stitching was done on Aida with DMC and some were even still using J.P. Coats. I stitched pretty much all the time, kinda like I do with quilting. I was as addicted to collecting all the floss colors as I am to collecting fabric. It got where I knew exactly what a color looked like just by the number. I had all the colors and knew them by heart.

Then things started changing. More and more evenweave and linens were showing up. I loved these, they stitched up so nicely. You didn't see the little "holes" like you did on the aida. Also, something else to hoard! I pretty much use 28ct linen now for everything. Sometimes 32, but I prefer 28. Are you wondering what the point of this post is? Well, here it is. The other thing that changed in the cross stitch industry back then was I stumbled on this new floss. Weeks Dye Works - hand dyed floss. Oh, my, goodness. It was hand dyed.Gorgeous colors that variegated giving an aged look to my pieces. A whole new world opened up. Best of all, this floss had fantastic names for the colors. Who could resist a skein called "Scuppermong" or "Kudzu"?



Now this name thing might not mean as much to you as it did to me. You see one of my favorite things to do in Freshman Biology was to make little color charts. I would mix colors and blend them to create new shades. Then I would invent creative little names for the new colors. Ha! Now you see why I was so excited about this new floss. I thought "Oh fantastic, these Weeks folks are just like me!"

So anyway, in July, I got an email from the folks at Weeks Dye Works. They had a new color of floss that they were launching. They showed a picture of the floss. There was a contest with a prize for the person who came up with the winning name for the new color. I was in Heaven. Here is my chance to name a color for real! I looked at the floss and immediately thought Saltwater Taffy. It reminded me of the pink candy wrapped in the wax paper. Never one to doubt myself. (lol) I sent my email right off to the kind folks at Weeks and told them the name I chose and why. Guess what- I won. They chose to name their new color Saltwater Taffy. I won the first 5 skeins produced and $150.00 worth of floss.
So when you see the new floss remember to think of me and all that practice I got in Freshman Bio.
Happy Quilting, Dawn

21 comments:

  1. Congratulations! Isn't it funny the little things we enjoy and the quirky things we are good at. I don't know why but I remember authors. If I have read the book then I can tell you the author. The filing system in my mind just keeps them together. It isn't a very much sought after talent but I can boast of it nonetheless. I enjoyed your story.

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  2. How wonderful. I grew up with Saltwater Taffy (and Aida and everycolor of DMC floss). You hit the nail right on the head!

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  3. How exciting for you! Congratulations and I think it is a perfect name for the color. Enjoy your winnings!

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  4. How fun is that story! Congrats!

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  5. I owned a cross-stitch shop about 20 years ago..I was the same, I could look at anything and know the DMC color number. I am an old lady now, eyesight not too good. I love your name, and the color is exactly what saltwater taffy looks like..congrats!!

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  6. Congratulations! Saltwater Taffy is the perfect name for this lovely color.

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  7. Congratulations! That is so cool! And I love the name too. :-)

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  8. That's awesome - and it is a great name! I used the Aida and all of the DMC floss too - still have them, as a matter of fact!

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  9. Congratulations! What a great story and win. Love it!!!

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  10. How cool is that? Congrats! Their floss and wool are fabulous!

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  11. I, too, have recently discovered Weeks Dye Works...there thread is fabulous. That is so cool that you named one of their colors. Congratulations!

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  12. Woohoo! Congratulations!!
    I love the Weeks Dye Works floss too.

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  13. Love your story from high school. Nancy and I used to LOVE DMC 930! We didn't live close by. In our phone conversations, we would use DMC numbers to describe colors in fabrics, clothes, and quilts.

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  14. That thread is a dream to work with! Lucky you...your brilliant! Enjoy the day!!!

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  15. That is the best story. Love it. and Weeks floss.

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  16. wow! you go girl! how exciting. congrats!

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  17. Wow! I loved your story. And even more, congratulations on winning. Weeks Dye Floss is a terrific product and look how much you get to play with!

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  18. I have tried converting to Cosmo Floss, but I know the DMC numbers so well, that I'm having a hard time! I think in numbers, so its hard to just look at the colors!! I surely identified with your story and congratulations on naming the new color. I LOVE Weeks threads and use them all the time. Kudzu is actually one of my favorites!!

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  19. Congrats...yay for you winning all that floss...what a great story!

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  20. That is super COOL! I LOVE THE STORY!

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