It's Been a While!

It's been a while since I updated, but I have a good reason!!  *LOL*  My fridge went on the fritz last weekend and it was stress-central around here while I shopped for a new one and waited for it to come and got it installed and all.  All the while keeping my fingers crossed that the old one wouldn't crap out before I got the new one.  So I didn't stitch much and I didn't update the little that I did.

But I realised tonight that I do have progress to show after my visit from The Frog the other night.  So... here's where I'm at.   And I really should stop taking these pictures at night when the light is shitty.

Damned Frog!

Yes, look who's appeared tonight.  Damned thing.

I had to rip out that whole circled chunk.  I was one stitch lower than I should have been and I counted three times!  But, on the plus side, I will have enough fabric.  It's less than I'd like, but enough.  :)

Another Friday Another Update

I took a couple of days off this week.  I have no idea why, just didn't feel the urge to stitch, I guess, but I did manage to just finish another page of the chart.  That's the top 3 pages done and the middle-middle.  Zippy himself is pretty much all stitched - lucky boy now has two wings.  *LOL*   So I'm moving to the bottom-middle sheet and crossing my fingers that the design doesn't come too close to the edge.  I was okay on top so I'm hopeful!

Progress Update

It's the end of the month and I've finished page 3 (Yes, this time it IS 3 pages) of the chart, so while I'm moving the Q-snaps, I snapped a pic!  I'm really enjoying this one and have no great urge to alternate with my Rocking Horse project at the moment.  So... onwards, Zippy, onwards!!

Another Week, Another Update

And so here's where we are today.  I've finished 3 sheets of the chart - 3 of the 4 really full sheets - 2 of the mostly filled sheets of the chart - and I'm feeling rather chuffed.  :)  It's humid as hell today and I don't know about anyone else, but when it's humid like this, my hands get icky sticky and I'm washing them a kajillion times a day it seems.

Quickie Update

So the Zipster has a beak now.  He doesn't look so odd.  *LOL*  I didn't stitch yesterday or even today (yet) because my shoulder was beginning to ache.  Better now, so we'll see...  But he's coming along nicely, I think!

Progress, Progress!

I am having a very enjoyable time stitching Zippy.  I just wish the colours would come through better on the pictures because they're really lovely.  I'll try taking a picture in the sunshine at some point, maybe that'll help.  There's a bit of a funky yellow hue that's not there in real life.

Maybe I should mention that as this is a hummingbird, there are lots of blending filament threads that will be added afterwards to give him that hummingbird glisten.

Just a Quick Update

So, after 3 days of stitching, this is my progress.  I have to state that my piece of fabric is a wee bit short on the height side, but there should be plenty of stitching room and I can add on a piece of fabric when I'm done if I wish.

And I have to add that I love the colours of this, the blues and purples are lovely!

Did Someone Say "Rotation"?

I guess I did.  

I've decided that I need a periodic break from all those quarter-stitches in my TW, so... I've put together a new project.  It's "Zippy's Favorite Flavor" designed by Terrance Nolan.  I'm doing it on a piece of 32-count hand-dyed Jobelan, a light blend of pale blues and pale pinks called Sailor's Delight.  I got the fabric from Hand Dyed Fabrics by Stephanie.   I do find many of the hand-dyed colours to be far too busy, as I've said, but this is fairly subtle and I hope it will enhance the design instead of overwhelming it.  

Oh, to be noted, my son Michael picked this design out of a handful of bird designs that I showed him.

It's Been a Bit...

Where did the time go?

So, I've finished up my database.  Added a page for magazines and one for WIPs.  Yes I have a BUNCH of those.  *LOL*  Some I'm even pretty far along and should really finish, but you know how a stitcher's attention span can go.  Like a dog catching sight of squirrels on a regular basis.

I've done a lot of internetting around a bunch of cross stitch sites and even done a bit of stitching.  My shoulder was giving me some grief so I never stitched for long at any given time, but I have made some progress.

The damned picture is upside down and even if I try and rotate it and save it under a new name with my paint program it STILL uploads incorrectly.  Blogger is a pain in the ass at times.   Anyway, this is where I am as of this afternoon.  I plan on stitching that upper (or bottom as it looks in the pic) corner and then do the backstitching on it.  Doing all the backstitching at once on a Wentzler is just asking for a breakdown.  *LOL*

So I Have a Beef

I love Miribilia designs by Nora Corbett.  I think she designs the most beautiful ladies out there.  The colours are amazing (although maybe too much yellow and white for my liking at times.) and the faces are beautiful even when done over 2.  BUT... BUT.... These days she uses so many beads and specialty threads that A) I can't afford them and B) I don't like to bead that much!  I find it starts looking cheap.

This her latest design, just came out today.   The Raven Queen.  And she is TO DIE FOR!  I would love, love, LOVE to stitch her, but...  I'd need 10 packs of beads, 3 skeins of Caron Waterlilies, 2 rolls of Kreinik cable and 6 spools of Kreinik braid.  I cannot afford the at least $50 expenditure on TOP of the $20 for the chart and the $20 at least for the fabric.  And that's not counting the normal floss either!  I really wish she'd give normal floss alternatives for all the fussy stuff.  

My other beef concerns Miribilia too, but that's just because that's what came up today.  It can be any design, really.  See, one of the lastest things in stitching is marbled/dyed fabric. I have some.  When it's done right it can really be lovely, but it can also be overdone and I think, my opinion, is that one has to be careful what design they decide to put on a piece of this stuff.  So...  today this came up in one of the FB pages I follow.  I think  first off, the colour choice is wrong, but also, the design is lost on that busy busy background.

This is the design done on the original suggested fabric.  Honestly, doesn't the design pop more on this?  Isn't the main focus the design itself and not whatever's going on in the background?  I just don't get it when people go gaga over something like the above.  

I Have a Database!

Today I was wondering if I had a Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum chart and was pretty sure I didn't, but I went digging to check to make sure and lo and behold, I did have it after all.  So that's when I fired up Excel and decided it was time to create some type of database.  

I've made it through my first box of charts which includes my Wentzlers, my Miribilias, my MLIs.  I didn't list the charts in some of the bigger books, just the book title itself... like Cats Galore etc...   I have another box somewhere that has all my flower, castle, house etc charts.  I'll maybe try and hunt it down tomorrow.  

And I also managed to finish the cross-stitching on the part of the border and vines for the Fall Carousel Horse that I was working on, the bottom right-hand corner.  Tomorrow the backstitch!  

So it was an accomplished stitching day.  

Oh.... the chart that I was sure I didn't have but I did?  MLI's Celtic Spring.  

A Little BS

That's backstitching!

I took yesterday off because I was getting a sore wrist again.  I have to find the most comfortable way to position myself with the new chair, the stand and all.  Anyway, I've backstitched the bottom corner and I think I can move the q-snaps now.

2 Days Later - A Quick Update

So I snapped a picture tonight - after 2 days of working on those leaves and grapes.  I think tomorrow I might do some backstitching.  Which means I'll have to put the new ink cartridge in the printer.  Fun times!

Progress - Grapes!

So, while I haven't been stitching for long hours at a time, I've been doing a bit every day.  Things are starting to take shape.  I have grapes and a vine and some leaves and they are actually beginning to look like what they are.  I also bought an ink cartridge for the printer so I'll be able to print out sheets just for the backstitching which will be a great help.

And I just have to say, I have a craving to buy fabric.

Stash! Stash!

My charts came!!  A whole new book of Teresa Wentzler Christmas designs.  And two fairy designs from Lanarte.  The fairy designs are coloured, which is a bit of a pain.  But a quick trip to Bureau en Gros will supply me with a copy or two to mark up and fuss with.  AND, I got the TW book on sale for $10.99!! That's half the regular price, folks!  I got them from Cross Stitch World - ordered them online on the 25th and they arrived this AM, the 29th and that's coming to Canada from the US.  So yeah, I would totally recommend this shop!

Progress, Progress...

And things are moving apace.  I have finished the outside border and begun to work inwards.  I'm actually going to start doing some leaves!  YAY!  Greens instead of golds.  It will be a change, that's for sure.

Also, in other stitching news, I think I scored a deal on a TW book - the Christmas one - but I shall wait and see if they actually ship it.  

Progress Update

So, it's been a week since my last post and this is my progress as of this noontime.  I must have counted things a kajillion times - okay, maybe I exaggerate a little - but still...

My plan is to complete this outside border and do the appropriate backstitching.  It can be tedious, I guess, but only because I want to get to the horse!  It'll be a while yet though, I think.  Anyway, things are going somewhat smoothly, no more glaring screw ups, thank God.  *LOL*

I also purchased the re-done chart from Patterns Online so that I have a bit of a clearer reference for the backstitching and some of the wee quarter stitches.  It was only a few dollars, so what the hell, y'know.  :)

I am reminded, again, that Teresa Wentzler has a passion for golds.  DMC 422, 3045 and 3046.  I call them the TW Golds.

Progress Update

So I've been stitching on the new fabby for a few days now.  I haven't gone nuts because I'm still having some achy/stiffness in my wrist from overdoing things, so I haven't made a TON of progress, but I have just finished the top of the design border.

It looks small, but I think that's on account of it going from 25-count down to 32-count.  I'm not having as much trouble seeing things as I was afraid I would, which is a good bonus.  I did buy myself a pair of those magnifying reading glasses from the hobby shop though.  I find I need to use them when things get really finicky with quarter stitches.  

Seriously?!?!?!

So, I discovered last night and confirmed this morning that I was off count on that frame AGAIN!  BY ONE FREAKIN' STITCH!!!

I was not a happy camper, let me tell you.

So after many 4 letter words, I came to a decision.  I couldn't bear to look at the damned thing any longer.  Just the thought of unpicking all those stitches was enough to make me hurl.   So, I sat down with my box of fabric and picked out a piece to start afresh with.  The only piece I had that was large enough and of a decent colour for the design was a piece of 32-count ivory jobelan.  I LOVE JOBELAN, just sayin'...  :)

Yeah, I could have started on another design, but I really, really, really find myself wanting to do this one.  I can't tell you why, I just do and since this is my hobby, meant to bring me enjoyment and pleasure, that's what I'm gonna do.

I went by Michael's today, because I had coupons for sales and picked up a bunch of floss colours that I was either missing or running low on and at the same time, looked for fabric.  *LOL*   I know, forever hopeful me.  No fabric to be had.

So I started with the new fabby tonight and I've done the top row of the burgundy - counted a bunch of times but I'm going to set it aside for tonight and recount again tomorrow in the sunshine.

And The Beat Goes On

So I took a 2 day break because I had been overdoing it, what with all the frogging and re-stitching and frogging and re-stitching and my shoulder was aching.  Thinking that it might be easier on my old bones, I pulled out my stand and it was indeed easier on my shoulder and wrist... although it's making my corner rather crowded.  *LOL*

I took this pic this morning once I got the stand set up and I have since finished all the gold of the frame down that side.  All that's left for that bit is the top.

Happy Dance!!

Three times the charm!

I didn't screw up this time!  So, that portion of the border is done on one side and the bottom and I've started the other side. I think I've found the logic now.  There's always a logic to Teresa's borders.

Onward!!

Did You Hear The Scream?

Late this afternoon?

I re-stitched everything I ripped out yesterday, got to the same point where I found the error and guess what?

You got it....

SAME DAMNED MISTAKE!!!

I have no bloody idea how I did it, but did it, I did.  My son thought it quite hysterical.  I thought I was losing my mind.  

So... I ripped the damned stitches out one more time.  I've restitched the burgundy and I'm pretty sure I'm okay.  Pretty sure.  I'll count again tomorrow when I'm not so tired.  I swear.....   

But, on the bright side, may I just say that whoever invented this little gadget for winding my floss onto bobbins is a genius!  I know they've been around forever, but I marvel each time I use it.  It's so easy and fast and the bobbins look so neat and tidy when I'm done.  :)

ARRGGHHH!!!

Look who came to visit today....

I counted my top border stitches, 242 of them, at least 6 times.  AT LEAST!   Today, as I was working on the gold just inside the border, I realised that something was wrong.  45 minutes it took me... FORTY-FIVE MINUTES!  I counted everything over and over, certain that that first line of the border that I had done was correct - I'd counted it alt least 6 times.  Finally, I heaved a great sigh and counted that bottom row of burgundyish stitches.

I WAS ONE STITCH SHORT!

ONE STITCH!

Many four letter words left my mouth.

So, could I fudge it?  I studied my chart and decided that no... that wasn't going to cut it.  I had to frog all those stitches.  I had to RIPPIT.

It took me over an hour to rip out all those stitches.  I really could cry, but I've been stitching for over 20 years and I know this is how it rolls sometimes.  So the stitches have been ripped and I'm ready to start adding stitches once again.

Tomorrow.  :)

Here's the Project

I'm stitching my carousel horse on 25-count mushroom Lugana.  I would have liked to do it on something 28-count, but I didn't have anything suitable or the right size in my stash.  I have a piece of ivory coloured 32-count Jobelan, but I thought that for my first project back I should choose something a little easier on my old eyes.  *LOL*

I'm also using a size 26 mini needle to stitch.  I don't know if you can see it in this pic...  It's on the magnet near the bottom next to a regular length neede.  And this is my chart.  It's the hand drawn one - I may end up buying the online pattern when I get to doing more backstitching, but we'll see.  I don't usually have a problem with the hand drawing.

So this is my progress so far, after what... 4 days, I think?  I've done the two rows of full stitches of the outside of the border all the way around and am now working on the golds with the fractionals and the blends and all that good TW stuff.  :)  

Now, for some reason, I can't get this picture to upload in the proper direction.  *SIGH*   It's standing on one end.  In reality, it's wider than it is high.

One thing I discovered was that if I did the little quarter stitches that are blue and fairly regular around the border, they gave me something to 'navigate' with, because with all the quarter stitches and the so-close-in-shade gold of the inner border, things get awfully confusing sometimes.  All that gold?  That's 3 different symbols with 6 different gold/beige blends.  

So, that's the beginning of my project.  I'm going to try and post regularly in here.  *crossing fingers* 

And I need to find a name for the horse!

The Floss Box

So this is my floss box.  It's actually rather small by Teresa Wentzler - hereby known as TW - standards.  I made my blended floss cards out of regular index cards with holes punched in them.  I've found over time that this is the best way for me to organise the blended colours.  

I'm missing 2 skeins though, so I'll have to make a trip to Michael's soon.  

Well, Lookie Here

I've picked up my cross-stitch again.  I'm not sure what prompted it, but I started a new project over the weekend.  It's Teresa Wentzler's Fall Carousel Horse.  I love Teresa's designs, I always have.  I have most of them. They're complicated and use tons of blended floss, but the result is SO worth it!

I also thought that it might be fun to start a blog dedicated to just my stitching.  To keep track of my thoughts as I stitch along, to share with those that are interested, and to keep track of what I'm stitching!  

So, here we go!