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.

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!