Cross Stitch

Mags_cat

Happyroly wrote: »

Some brilliant pictures Magscat, I like the way you keep a record of the different stages of the projects. Love Max, the work in progress.
Is your circular landscape a John Clayton design? I’ve done one of his (village scene) and have one “in waiting” :rolleyes:

Thank you to everyone who's looked and commented

Yes, the circular one is a John Clayton - I've also done the summer "Dry harbour" one and have the Autumn leaves left to do.

Max and finishing off the Samurai come first though!

frugalswan

The frames sound a bargain, Harley. You know what? I've not got around to framing any of my finished projects so far. I have some waiting for frames, and DH2B keeps going on about putting some on the wall, but I doubt how good they are. Oddly, I have this self-doubt that people won't like them (even when I get positive feedback, the negativity can be hard to shake sometimes).

I took a step closer to finishing page three of nine yesterday - only a little bit more to do! My eyes kept closing of their own accord and just couldn't hack it. Now, if I could only learn to stitch while on the bus I can get an extra hour done a day while I'm travelling to work

x Frugalswan x

harley1

Frugalswan, you really should put them up. The only opinion that matters is yours, if other people don't like them that is not your problem and I doubt anyone would be rude enough to say so anyway. People always comment on mine. And even if you have made a huge mistake, no-one else will ever know because it can generally only be seen by you because you know where you went wrong. I bet they are all lovely and it seems such a shame for you to put all that work in and not be able to admire them.

Did a bit more of the girls last night but my eyes kept closing too. I had planned to watch all of The World is not Enough which was on from 9.30 until midnight with the news in between... I didn't even make the news. I did hardly anything yesterday but for some reason was completely exhausted.

I am now going to continue ignoring the ironing and do some more stitching whilst catching up with some of last weeks tv.

Hope you are having a lovely day stitching too

Harley x

Happyroly

Frugalswan - you really must get your pictures framed. If you like them that is all that matters. I am sure you are being unduly critical of yourself and that your pictures are lovely.

Got out my "West Wind" picture yesterday (thanks to this thread I gave myself a "slap on the wrist" reminder) and did some more of the back -stitching. When you think of the hours that have gone into the xstitch really should make the effort to finish it. Boring though it is the back-stitch does bring the picture to life.

harley1

Just finished ladies. Yippee!!!

Off to bed now as my eyes are crossing but I'm grinning from ear to ear that a years worth of work can now be put in the frames.

Harley x

frugalswan

Well done, Harley! I bet it looks fabulous! Thanks for the support - I really appreciate it. I managed to do a fair bit more today on the angels, but I've gone and left it in my drawer at work, doh! I was going to work on a present for my Mum for next Christmas, but the threads haven't arrived yet. I could work around it, but I know me and I know I'd lose my place! Well, here's to Harley finishing her masterpiece (((hugs)))

I might just have a look at getting a frame

x Frugalswan x

MissB_2

Hello!

Sorry I've been quiet I've been poorly
Still, got lots of sewing done, thanks to the encouragement of you guys!

Frugalswan those angels are going to look FANTASTIC! You'll be so proud once they're done!

Mags_Cat I'm loving Max, hes a gorgeous cat and he looks very happy!

YAY! Harley! Well done on compelting them - you must be so thrilled and I'm dead chuffed for you. There's nothing like framing something you've spent so long on - it makes it all worthwhile and somehow once it's in a frame you dont spot the bits you weren't as happy with, once it's framed it looks so great it doesnt matter!

FrugalSwan, I frame all my own. If you get a cross stitch mag, a lot of them have the instructions on how to tension your work - although some days I'm really lazy and instead of lacing it up I tape it in place...
If you frame it tightly enough it looks perfect. Ikea do some gorgeous and cheap frames for this.

If you cant find a mag with instructions on framing in it, I know I have some somewhere I can share with you.

Hugs to all the stitchers!
B
x x x

frugalswan

My threads came! I can finally make a start on my 2nd piece (one at home, one at work) *dances* I didn't get chance to do any more work today on the angels as I went into town (got a new skirt to go out in) and I was looking at wedding magazines to get ideas for my hair later this year. Lots of planning to do there, but i'll get back to the stitching tomorrow.

MissB, thanks for the offer - I have a feeling I'm going to need the instructions as I don't often buy the magazines. Only if there's a pattern that I really want, as I find there's a lot of adverts in them. I may well take you up on your offer.

x Frugalswan x

flissh

Hello Everyone

You have inspired me to search out an old unfinished piece of cross stich, a map of Kent. I put it away a few years ago during a house move and never seemed to find the time to get going again. I was amazed at how well it has survived, stuffed in a box under my dusty old bed!

We hope to be buying a house in Kent in the spring, so I want to get it done in time to hang in our new home. It has letters and spare graph paper to put places in, so I'm going to put our new village and tiny cottage on the map, but probably should save that bit 'till last, as incentive to keep going.

Great to look at all your pictures of finished work, harley1, the picture of the two little girls is beautiful, I would like to try something like that.

harley1

Hi all.

Thanks for your support. I am really pleased that they are finished. However they have not made it into the frames just yet. I tried to do it last night but as usual nothing is simple.

I had to put the wire and fixings on the back of the frames myself. They are mdf so I needed the drill which obviously wasn't charged up. Then when it finally was and I'd put all the fixings on I realised I didn't have enough picture wire for all 3, so off to Tesco for me tonight. Then I can iron them and get them on the wall.

Frugalswan, I'm so pleased that your threads have arrived. For future reference, mine came from Johnson crafts and they arrived the next day. As far as I could see, back in November, they were the cheapest available on the net. Apart from the ones that say they are from a giant roll and don't have the DMC labels on. Was a bit sceptical so decided to stick with the branded ones and the service was brilliant.

I agree with MissB, you really should try framing them. All your friends and family will be really impressed, I promise. It is quite easy to do yourself, but I must confess I use double sided tape on the bit that faces the wall then stretch the fabric over the edge and stick it down. Once the glass is in place it keeps everything flat even if the sticky stops sticking (although this hasn't happened yet). I use some tape that I got for £1 from The Works. Should probably stock up before they close down.

Thanks flissh, the girls were really easy and I can really recommend the vervaco kits. There is no backstitch or anything complicated, just plain cross-stitch, and only 8 colours but the shading is brilliant and really brings them to life. I got them from Sewandso.co.uk as they were fairly cheap at the time. Not sure what their prices are now but think it was around 20% off last year.

Good luck with your map, and your move, I'm sure your stitching will really put your mark on your new home.

Oops, looks like I've written War and Peace again, lol

Have a great day ladies

Harley x