Started something different.

My wife got me a carpet making kit for my birthday and I really like it. It was a really difficult technique to master, at one point I thought that it was impossible, but it's progressing really well. I like working with hessian and I've always liked high percentage wools. I'll post more as I do more. Happy New Year.

Work in Progress

Saw this pattern and decided to give it a go. The kids really like Totoro so he'll be appreciated around the house.

I'm looking for a new big project to take on. I know that I've got Link to finish and the Misfits one has sort of paused along with the big sampler. I might have a 'Get things funking finished' drive in the new year and get Link sorted.

Finished another one.

Another one

Finished this one. I like the colour but I think it will have to be darker in the future.

Mum's SIxtieth Birthday Present

Really enjoyed doing this - it was a fair piece of work and a few stitch techniques that I haven't tried before. I am pleased with how this looks in its frame. Even found time to sign this one!

Stumbling Blocks

I've had a couple of stumbling blocks recently that are preventing me from sewing. First was an error in what I think is an easy pattern and second was a problem with pushing the needle through an aida in a new design I am working on. I manged the first block by putting the pattern aside, I'll track the error down when I am less agitated. The second was an usual one. I changed the gauge of needle - it gave me a more positive pressure on the underside, letting me find the holes quicker and making the process go a bit quicker.

So what am I say? What is the take home from this? Don't sew angry.

Next time : Adventures in rag rugging.

Quandry

Just got started on a new pattern and I'm having a 'this looks like a mess' moment. Recently I retried doing the embroidery fish but quit on that after struggling for a bit with yarn length and the stiffness of the fabric. I'll keep plugging away at things but I'm having a real 'not feeling it' couple of days.

De DerDeDer Derrrrrr!

The first of many. Kits to follow

Annual Gift Exchange

I made this for the annual gift exchange run by a crafter and twitter friend. I'll dig out linking and other information later. I have a Ron and a Hermione pattern too, but I haven't had time to do those yet!

Birthday Present

This is for my mum. It's been a nightmare to do as I hate doing single thread backstitch and there is a load of it in this pattern. One more line of text, some repair work on the stitching and it's ready for framing.

A long pause

Been a long time since I've posted here. I am still stitching but I did take a small break from doing certain items. I'll post more when I get back of the things I am working on and the things that I have completed.

Bit of a break

I've had a bit of a blogging break -  I've been busy with a number of things and this was one of the things that I let slip. I've still been stitching, I'm working on a gift for my parents fortieth wedding anniversary which obviously I have to get done in time to get it framed. I've also found time to do a little pattern of the Tyne bridge, which is nearly complete. Pics to follow. I've picked up a couple of North East themed patterns recently, and I have some plans on the horizon for doing a website, but I have to do more of the patterns that I want to put on that site.

Recently, I've found that I have been making more that the usual number of mistakes. This is getting a bit discouraging; I have even abandoned a pattern that I really like. I'd un-stitched this one part about four times and just could not bring myself to start that bit again. I'll give it another go if I get the enthusiasm for it again. I'd gone so long without making a mistake, I'd lost my stitch ripper!

That said, I've done ok with the pattern for my Mum. There's only been one minor mistake that the rest of the design can live with.

Fishy!

Here is the tapestry fish that is causing much consternation. I like the design, but think that the colours are going to make this suffer. I'll crack on with it so that there is more to see. But I get the feeling that I'll be reworking this in Anchor wool at some point in the future.

Quandry

I am in a bit of a dilemma. I've started on my first tapestry; I like the design and the colours. I've bought Robertsons tapestry wool and it feels and looks 'cheap'. Maybe I'm justed used to using Anchor cotton which has a richness in both colour and texture but the Robertsons just feels wrong. I've finsihed the outline of the design and started the colours, but it's looking drab and I'm not happy with it. I'll post the picture of the outline of the design and the initial work on the colour so that you can see what I mean later. Do I start over with Anchor wool or not?

Finished One Thing...

... So I started something else. Two things actually. I've started the family tree kit that I got for christmas and I've been working through some alternate stitching techniques from that book I mentioned a few posts ago. I've put up a shot of that when I am happy with the result. It's looking a bit like a traditional sampler - when people were just doing rows of stitches in different styles to proactise their skills. I quite like the idea of stitching for the hell of it and not actually having a pattern to follow.

Been busy.

Now that that everything is getting back to normal after the holidays, I have a bit less time to do stitching. I have made a lot of progress with the sampler as can be seen - I'm hoping to get it finished this week as I have a couple of other projects that I'd like to get started on. I've been stitching now for about three years and have just discovered a book that teaches a massive amount of decorative stitching techniques - the majority of which I have never heard of before. I didn't realise that there was more to needlecraft than cross stitching, embroidery and sewing. I've had my eyes opened to a vast amount of new techniques that I can use in projects. Looking forward to showing a few of them off.