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.  :)