The "no frills, no gremlins (hopefully)" cross-stitch cafe

sweetcarer

Willow92 wrote: »

What's the story behind it sweetcarer?

Doing this from work so have no access to photos to show.

The story (will post pictures later).

My late husband bought me the material and threads after I seen it in the magazine (think it was birthday or christmas or even both). I started it and then in 2005 we moved house and it was put in the shed (got up to letter H), till we sorted the house out but 10 weeks after moving in he died. I lost my mojo for stitching totally even tho the magazines came in each month.

In 2008 we were cleaning out shed and I came across it and by chance I first came to the cafe. With the encouragement of the girls I gave it a good wash (biological powder and hand hot water plus a good rinse with cold) I got the dirt out but the rust marks remain (warning never leave needles or pins in fabric). So then I started doing it again - each time completing a square I would show off here - to lovely comments and encouragement.

Then I finished it in 2010. I decided then to dedicate it to my late husband - the bit at the bottom. It is my memorial to him as he was cremated and has no head stone and my "new" hubby said it was ok to have it up with the dedication.

So thats the story ...

Thank you for listening

sweetcarer

CoffeeandStitches

sweetcarer wrote: »

Doing this from work so have no access to photos to show.

The story (will post pictures later).

My late husband bought me the material and threads after I seen it in the magazine (think it was birthday or christmas or even both). I started it and then in 2005 we moved house and it was put in the shed (got up to letter H), till we sorted the house out but 10 weeks after moving in he died. I lost my mojo for stitching totally even tho the magazines came in each month.

In 2008 we were cleaning out shed and I came across it and by chance I first came to the cafe. With the encouragement of the girls I gave it a good wash (biological powder and hand hot water plus a good rinse with cold) I got the dirt out but the rust marks remain (warning never leave needles or pins in fabric). So then I started doing it again - each time completing a square I would show off here - to lovely comments and encouragement.

Then I finished it in 2010. I decided then to dedicate it to my late husband - the bit at the bottom. It is my memorial to him as he was cremated and has no head stone and my "new" hubby said it was ok to have it up with the dedication.

So thats the story ...

Thank you for listening

sweetcarer

**Delurks**

That's beautiful. You every bit deserve the medal. Thank you for sharing your touching story

emslovesmickey

That's a lovely story sweetcarer, and such a meaningful tribute too.

Willow92 - your stitching is better than you think. As for speed, it comes with practice.

mrs-moneypenny

a beautiful tribute that really deserved the medal you were awarded.

Mrs_ceejay

Hi,
Sweetcareer.

What a wonderful picture and a wonderful tribute to your husband,it certainly deserves its little medal.

nmm

Sorry not had a chance to read back everything as I've been upgrading my computer so fresh install I quickly read about sweetcarer's triumphs, well done and I love Scottish tablet :drool:

I have managed some stitching on BD, I completed page 8, which means i'm half way through :j

CoffeeandStitches

BD is a STUNNER!!!!

Evening all,

Thought I'd better do an update on Teddy McTed Face...


photo (13) by CoffeeandStitches, on Flickr

I'm bored of it truth be told. It's been slow progress, I'm considering putting it down. I've had trouble with it. It was only when I came to do the dark brown middle bits of the paws that I realised I'd been stitching with 2 strands, when I should have been stitching with one. But then on the parts of the 'paws' where there is only one strand, there's a ton of white showing. I don't like it.

I also discovered that all the (and forgive me, because I don't know the technical terms) 'top stitch layers' are all meant to face the same way. And mine don't.

And there's a mass of back stitch looming over me if I ever manage to finish the actual stitching. That's if I don't run out of thread because I've used too much!

I really don't like not finishing things, but I think I may have to put t down to 'practice' and move on. It's not a design I'm crazy about to be honest... and if you're not enjoying it.... right?

Thoughts are welcome.

xx

nmm

If you have something else you'd rather be stitching then I say do it, the whole point of your hobby is to enjoy it, don't let it become a chore Also with the X's in different directions, it doesn't look that bad in the photo, its only to give a neater finish, theres no right or wrong way to do it.

sweetcarer

Thank you once again for your kind comments. The judges didn't know the story - they just seen the stitch.

Anyway - home now and will post pictures of what it looked like before the wash.







So don't be afraid to wash - if its good material and good threads - it will wash ok. But never leave needles in - I will have to learn to live with the rust stains - though I covered them with a mount for the competition.

Keep well all esp Erics Mum - been thinking of you - I have been there (but with my late hubby) - stitching helped me in the wee hours when I couldn't sleep or he had a bad night - helped pass the lonely days - with only him to talk to. You know where we are if you need a ear.

Kind wishes,

sweetcarer

Mrs_ceejay

Hi,
nmm
I think your bd is going to be fantastic,it reminds me of my snow leopard(dimensions.snow leopard.)it took me so long but I absolutely love it! I done more complicated xstitch but. My snow leopard is one I love the best!
Hope you like yours as much.