Possibly.  Other people have suggested that for grinding nut shells on the internet.

Just a simple melt and pour soap.  I used a clear suspension base, orange oil, and ground up pistachio shells (this was a recycling project).  At first I tried grinding them up in the food processor but it couldn't even touch them so I used my Vitamix, which survived but the shells did pit some of the surface of the plastic of the jug so be warned if you have a Vitamix and want to attempt grinding nut shells in it (really you're supposed to use the dry jug/blade but I didn't want to shell out another 125 bucks for a separate pitcher/blade).  The idea was to make a bar a soap that could really clean grime off your hands.  Haven't tried it yet but it was fun and simple to make.

They just don't make games like they used to!  I love the old point and click adventures- I think MI was my first big one, I was about 12 when I discovered it.  Though I remember some of the text-based ones on the commodore 64 (Wizard of Oz?) Nowadays I think people don't have the attention span for them so much... =(  So nobody really makes them anymore.  I loved KQVI, and of course all the LucasArts games.  That would be so awesome seeing more people do old skool computer game needleworks.

Finished her hands, chest, shoulder, and part of her robe:



Also, I'm going to start another project simultaneously because I just can't resist:



It's from the Secret of Monkey Island, original version of course ^_^  Imported into KXStitch.  Just waiting for my black aida cloth to come in the mail (nobody sells 18 count black aida around here....)

I've changed my email address and updated it in my profile- do I need to sign up for the newsletter again with the different email address or will I automatically get the newsletter sent to the new one since I updated my profile?

That's pretty sweet.  Is it crewel work?

Awesome, I think I'll use black cloth.  I always use at least two strands anyway.  I might use three for white and maybe for the colors that are really dark so they all either stand out or are totally solid.

So, if/when I ever finish my current BAP, I want to do a cross stitch of this image (imported into KXstitch, which works beautifully I might add):



I was thinking of going with a black or very dark blue colored aida cloth so I wouldn't have as much busywork but mostly I've only used light colors of cloth in the past.  How much would the background color of the cloth show through or tint lighter-colored stitches if I went this route?

I would like to join and add mine too.  It's Dimension's "Enchanting Geisha" from the Gold Collection.  I started working on her back in late 2008 in bits and pieces.  It's unlikely I'll finish her by 2011 since my first child is due in three weeks!  But I figure a 2011 thread will be started eventually.....

Here's what the finished one is supposed to look like:



And here's what I've got thus far:

I run Ubuntu on my laptop.....I will definitely have to try this software out as soon as I finish my current BAP....