Houses Round 3

This was really interesting and fun to do. I did find out that the Maiden's stitches are totally different in texture and tension so it was really hard to match into the area in which she worked..hers are poofy! The last two round robins didn't do that because the Owl's stand alone, and the Mermaid was done as the round after the Mother (which apparently stitches pretty much on the same tension as I do)..very interesting. I do love this piece. Unfortunately the colors are so much more vivid (you will see), and there is no guide for any backstitching on the original pattern. I went ahead and used the "Bramble Bush" for the backstitching. I also followed the lines of the stitches..looks kind of strange on the cats butt. We can redo this if we think we should. I really REALLY like this piece.

Pretty

I finished my first full page of the Heaven and Earth Design "Pretty" by Nene Thomas! Stitched on 25ct Lugana one strand DMC over one. There are 9 pages to the first row, I have completed page 8 and 9 (the last page being only 600 stitches), and even though it is all sky I was not as bored with the background as I thought I would be. The purples and pinks not evident in the design were a nice surprise (although a little unsettling at first, I kept thinking I was using the wrong color). The Maiden

Watery Mood

How can I resist a Halloween Sale? I found this HAED design by Rachel Anderson and inspired by all the rain I bought it this morning! I have been noticing that different artists stitch up better than others, and Anderson looks amazing. I have more Mermaids than I know what to do with, but who cares?

I have been reading about "Tent Stitching" and how it makes you twice as fast without sacrificing quality of image. Mother, Crone do you know what it is? I though I could try it on a piece I liked, but was not obsessed with (like this mermaid). She is roughly 25 pages, and the directions recommend tent stitching, must be fate! The Maiden

New obsession of the week

I am starting the garden series with summer as my first attempt. I am using a carnival 28 count which is in pinks and some purples from "Picture this plus". The first leaves you can not see on the fabric so I am kind of freaking out about that. Actually I decided to start the picture from the bottom because I thought I might miscount going from the top line to start of the tree. Who knows if that will make it any easier. Also, this makes me appreciate your Mirabilia (Mother) with the outline first, I think I have counted the 180 across the bottom about 6 times now. Love to you guys.

Round Robin Dos

2 new Owls join the pack! Is it me, or does the green one look a little afraid of the red one who is poking him in the eye? He,he. I have a total of 7 days into this rotation, and I must say it took longer than expected (I am the slowest backstitcher ever, but man what a difference it made!) I baked chocolate chip cookies after the last stitch was in to celebrate.

I also have a new self imposed bedtime, 10:00pm, to try to stave off the effects of sleep deprivation and I am not amused to what this is doing to my stitching! Oh well, in a few days I will start the mermaid piece and I am looking forward to all those silks! The Owls are on their way to you Mother! The Maiden

Just a note...

After looking over our blog here at 3:36 AM, I think I am missing Hawk Run Hallow. Will that end up in the rotation any time soon? My Potted Fancy has had a few stitches thrown in it in the last week (maybe 25)...but not enough. It can't compare to the 800 being done on the HAED of the Maiden, but boy is it stunning already! Miss you guys, the Crone.

Round Robin Part Deux

I finished this tonight. I too was worried that I would run out of time, but I got on a roll and knocked it out. My husband is complaining that I keep putting his projects on the back burner- I believe it is time I taught him how to cross stitch. I can't wait to see you on the 7th (wish Joy could be here too- I really want to see the HAED in progress). Miss and Love you! ~mother

Round Robin Round 2 Complete...

I am most happy to report that my second round robin piece is now complete. I have a few places where I went from a single thread to a double to see h0w much you would be able to tell the difference. I think we will have to stick with one thread all around the margins, and when we get to the mermaid we can make her two strands. I am very excited about this piece...one, because I get to keep it, and two, because the stitching goes pretty fast..and three (this is when you can hear Jason Stackhouse speaking-you might get that might not.) Anyway and three because after going back to school I have been worried if I could keep up my end of the bargain on my parts to get done..so far so good. I love you guys, The Crone