Umbrella Sky Page One!!!

 Here is the first 7,800 stitches of Umbrella Sky! I am really happy with the look of the tent stitches on 25ct with 3 strands and the coverage! The red is really vibrant in person!

 I tried to be impulsive last week and buy a system 4 (despite not having found a full time job yet), but my LNS was missing a piece so  I will have to wait. Sigh, hopefully it will help with my neck injury. I had an MRI this morning and it was terrifying!

 Laminated key with all the symbols on one page has made life so much easier!

Does anyone have any tips for how to secure the thread in confetti heavy areas where the symbol may only be used once? I cannot bury the thread like I would with full X's and the only solution I could think of was to knot it (which worries me, having a concentration of bulk thread on the back of the fabric only in certain areas). Any tips would be appreciated!

The Maiden

Year of Challenges

I have had a lot of time to think (and unfortunately after a car accident, no ability to stitch) and have decided that 2015 will be my "Year of Challenges." I am on the precipice of many changes, I accidentally quit my job (which may be the best thing that could have happened to me) and am pushing to move into my own condo or townhome in 2015 despite my strained financial situation! Since my art reflects my life, I will take on cross stitch projects this coming year that have previously been "too challenging" in the past. After much debate I have decided to pick up "Umbrella Sky" by Heaven and Earth Designs. 

This is my previous start, a "frankenstitch" from my tenting trials. When I pulled it out recently to show the Mother I realized how much I loved the coverage and overall smoothness of the stitches! I am going to proceed with this stitch, 25ct lugana (naturally) 3 strands of DMC tent stitch (half crosses). Look for progress in the New Year! The Maiden.