Recently I received a question on Twitter from @crossedcat. She asked, "What is a SAL?"

A SAL is a term used by stitchers to mean "stitch-a-long." There are several types, the main one being when a group of stitchers work on the same pattern at the same time and share their progress with each other in person or online.

I have never participated in a SAL, have you? Tell us about it using the comments below. Let us know what type of SAL is was and how it worked out.

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This is my book. MY BOOK!

Stake your claim to your current read with this free My Book Bookmark Pattern. If you live in a house of readers like I do, this bookmark might be a necessity.

This bookmark will also make a great gift for a reader. It is a quick to stitch pattern and you may use any color you want. Use a scrap of fabric and make a great gift for a friend or family member. Add it to a book or give it with a gift card to his or her favorite bookstore. I know I'd love to get a gift like that!

More on Bookmarks:

• Free Bookmark Patterns
• Make Your Own Easy Aida Bookmark
• Free Bookmark Patterns from Various Sites

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If there's one thing most stitchers can't have too many of it is pincushions. Quilters need them to capture their pins and embroiderers need them to nab needles. Pincushions - 60 Cross Stitch Designs by Linda Gillum not only has patterns for pincushion motifs, it also has instructions for making up a variety of types.

Many patterns in the book will be suitable for other projects including gift tags, bookmarks, or towel borders making this book a good resource. Beginning stitchers will enjoy the easy-to-read charts and will find many whole cross stitch charts. Learn more...

If you like this you might also like:

• Kooler Design Studio Profile
• Sandy Orton's Hold That Thought Bookmarks
• Make a Simple Pincushion

Do you ever have "stitching slumps"? Sometimes I do. Life gets hectic, I feel guilty if I stitch while the house is a wreck, and so on. Recently my father-in-law, Mr. Pat, was in the hospital and I didn't take more than 20 stitches the entire week.

Since then, I haven't gotten back into the habit of stitching every day. I need to clean up and straighten up and get back into my routine.

Do you have stitching slumps? Vote in the poll and let us know. Use the comments section to tell us how you got out of your slump.