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!

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.

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.

More Progress

The Mario sampler is coming along well. I'm still dreading the border at the other side, but I think that I should just buckle down and get it done. It might even be worth starting it now and getting it out of the way. At least then I can stop moaning about it! My Mum got me a family tree stitch kit, which looks great and has the added bonus of being incredibly personal. This definately is heirloom marterial. My better half got me 'Adventures in Needlecraft' which contains some incredible tapestry patterns. I've not done tapestry before, but have ordered the materials and I'm looking forward to getting started on them too. There are three large patterns that I'd like to do. One is a wall hanging, another is a framed piece and the third is a cushion. I'm starting with the framed piece first, then the cushion. I might even have a go at making up the cushion!

Third Tree Done

Finished my third gift tree and I'm very happy with the result. I am also quite please with the fact that I don't have to do another one! I managed to put some more time into the Mario sampler and it is coming along nicely. It is starting to balance itself out a bit. I am not looking forward to the border at the other side though!

Borders...

Managed to get a bit more completed of the border, but there is still a ways to go with this one. I'll have to knuckle down if I want to get this finished. Also, looking at it, I think that the Boo is a little high. I might unpick and redo - but it might balance itself out when the rest of the pattern gets stitched.

Finished

I am pretty pleased with how this turned out. It will end up as a book mark for my Minecraft addited daughter - MinecraftMinx She is obsessed with all things Minecraft and even has her own YouTube channel with her own 'Let's Play' videos!

Death By Border

Carried on with the Games Sampler last night - definately regret my choice of border, but half of the outline is now done. Finally. I might leave the other side till very last!

I've also started work of a little something else, which will probably end up as a book mark for my youngest, Minecraft obsessed daughter. More on that later.

Birthday

Managed to get stuck in to this pattern again last night. I am begining to regret my choice in border, but it'll look awesome when its done! Also in the picture is the amazing pair of embroidery scissors that my mother in law bought me for my birthday today. Looking forward to using them in the years to come! Thanks, Jan!

Couldn't resist

Well, I did have all the materials in and it is a good pattern... It's a bit tricky though - I seem to be making plenty of mistakies with this one. There is about three hours worth there.

New Project

The traditional sampler is coming along in leaps and bounds at the minute. I've pretty much finished the bottom half of it and have made considerable headway into the upper portion of the chart. I'll do pictures later.

Recently, I have spent a bit of time doing a pattern for my next project. I'm looking forward to getting started with this one as I'm very pleased with the results! I've still got a bit of tinkering to do with it, but it's very nearly there.

 

Bit of a Break

I've was recently rushed into hospital to get my appendix removed - just in time. I've got a massive incision in my abdomen and it's pretty sore. This is why I haven't posted or stitched in a bit. I am now on the road to recovery and I'm stitching again. A couple of weeks of work and I should be right as rain and it will give me chance to get back on track with the stitching projects!

More plants and fruit

More Sampler Progress

Borders and filling out

I did a bunch of work on the borders and filled on of the fruit bowls. I'll add the top piece of fruit a bit later on. Probably when I start on the other bowl's contents. I started on some of the mixed thread colour on the flower on the right hand side too. I like how this is going, looking forward to getting on to the lettering - which I might change for something else.

Another Historical Creation

I was looking through my kit and I found this :

I'd forgotten that I had done this. I really need to get it framed and on a wall somewhere. I also found more works that I hadn't finished (some that I had hardly started) - I think that this blog will help me get some of these thing complete and on display. I have another classic samplers to do after the one I mentioned a few posts ago - I really like working on samplers as it gives you the chance to put the pattern down and sew from memory. Repeating borders may appear boring but so long as there aren't too many colour changes, you can just settle down and crack on with them.

I'd like to design my own contemporary sampler. I think that I'll look into that and get back to you with some preliminary ideas.