Blue No More

Sew Blue
Carol R. (iStitch)
Belfast linen

GAST Peacock

Here's my finish of Sew Blue. The color is a little off in the picture - it's really a more turquoise blue than it seems (the color in my photo two entries down is a better view). The replacement floss I got when I ran out wasn't quite the same dye lot - the threads weren't as dark in places, but overall I think it looks okay. Luckily the little bit of chocolate I managed to get on the design came out. Warning: do not dish out ice cream to your son and forget to wash your hands before you put in your last stitches! There is a small error in the lettering (Carol can you find it?) and I may yet re-do it - I enjoyed working on this so much and I wouldn't mind having a little bit more time to play with it.

I finished this watching the remake of The Prisoner, which was totally incomprehensible even if you are a fan of the original rather puzzling show (which I am). Having only one color to stitch at least helped me to follow what I could of it. My next project is Primitive Wizard of Oz by Midsummer Night Designs, and that has lots of different colors to juggle. I'll need something a bit more straightforward to watch for this one. Hmmm, maybe a re-watch of the Colin Firth version of Pride and Prejudice is in order. If I could keep my mind on my stitching instead of Mr. Darcy...

My First Flatfold

Blessed Be
Plum Pudding Needleart
Freebie found here

Here's my first flatfold, thanks to Vonna's tutorial, which made the whole process so clear and easy. It still needs cording around the edges but it's finished enough to display on my little fall table in the entryway. I spent most of Veteran's Day making this - it took awhile between stages because of waiting for the glue to dry, but I passed the time watching Aliens in the Attic with my son (can you tell I have a 9 year old boy?) I know it's not perfect - it's not exactly centered and the corners aren't the best, but that's okay. I tend to get anxious trying new techniques - I always want things to be exactly right, but I'm glad I didn't let that feeling stop me. I do have a question about putting on the cording - where is the best spot to start and end it so the join shows onlythe least? I bought some fray check which I have heard is good to use on the ends. This will be another first since in the past I have just hidden ends under a bow, but I just want plain cording for this piece.

Woodland Snowfall
Little House Needleworks
DMC and CC threads on Evenweave

I also finished my little squirrels and the tree - finally! I can't tell you how many times I messed up that darn tree. Doing the single stitches was challenging to get them to look okay and not too loose or tight. I saw someone else's version and they'd done the snow with beads, which looked very pretty. Maybe I'll try beads the next time I have to do something like this.

I did go to the LNS for the floss for Sew Blue and some linen for my next project, and have gotten to Sew Blue's border. Those are always so challenging - counting and recounting and recounting again to make sure the edges will meet. Anyone have any tips on how best to do this? This has become my "swimming lessons" project - it sure is an enjoyable diversion from smelling all the chlorine in the pool while I'm waiting!