I've Started So I'll Finish... Eventually

Dragons... finished...

2012-01-28T01:24:00.002Z

Okay it's not finished. Just another row but it's still very exciting. Only three more rows to go!!!
Doesn't add much from the last time you saw the design as his head is there and such, just filled the space in around. As I work on the next page you'll start to see the second dragon come into view better (the blue stuff on the left side is the beginning of that dragon).
I think that a bunch of the rest of this pattern is going to go much faster as the scales are no where near as elaborate as on the green dragon and there is sky over water which is much more solid.
I'm always excited to make progress on dragons. Here they be so far:

And from an angle:

I need to remember to put a coin or something next time I take a photo as it helps with the sizing. My MIL saw it in person for the first time a few weeks back and commented on how she really wasn't sure what it's sizing was or how tiny the stitches were from just seeing it on my blog. Noted to myself to do that next time.

2012-01-26T20:03:00.000Z

Hi all! I'm back working on one of my oldest UFOs, now an active WiP! I started this in 2001 for my DSIL down under in New Zealand. She bought the pattern and asked me to stitch it. I should say that this was a very large project for me at the time (pre-TW and pre-Chatelaine). I got it out early this month, and within a week I had finished the South Island! After years of "training" on other BAPs, now it seems much easier! All I had done in 2001 was the outline shown...(sorry about the picture quality-older camera!)

And here is my first week's progress.....

I have been working on the North Island and just have to finish the coat of arms (which is off shore to the west) and it will be done. I'm going to make it into a door banner because DSIL is coming for a visit this spring and that way it will be easier for her to take it home. Hope to have more pictures soon!

I'm Back!!!!

2012-01-02T18:30:00.000Z

After a year of not stitching on the Peacock Tapestry (Teresa Wentzler), I finally picked it on December 31st and added a few stitches to the left hand border. I am determined to finish this one in 2012.

This is where I was at after I stopped stitching on it.

This what the section looked like before I began stitching again.

This is what I managed to stitch on New Year's Eve.

Hopefully, I will be back soon with more updates.

Take care and happy stitching!!!!!!!!!!!

Loretta

Dragons... again (but he has a head)

2011-12-06T21:53:00.000Z

Okay forgive me I know I just updated about my dragons. But this is just an exciting milestone for me.
The first of the two dragons is complete! He has a whole head now!!
So I just had to share:

Again, sorry for a double post, but I was just too excited. lol.

Thanks so much for all your darling comments on my last update ladies. I really appreciate all the comments and support you've all given to this piece. It's come a long way from a green blob in the left hand corner. And now we're one dragon away (and some sky) from having a finished piece. (technically this is just past halfway in page count so there is still a lot to go)
*hugs* to all
Mel.

Dragons update: Past Halfway!

2011-11-16T22:54:00.000Z

It's been over 3 months since I had a page finish on Dragons. I know that means I'm a bit behind schedule. Maybe I'll be able to somehow, magically get the fourth page of the year done by Xmas... but i doubt it. Ah well in the long run of the years I've been working on this I suppose a few extra months here or there won't really matter.

So here Dragons be, with one page past halfway complete. I love that you can finally start to really see what it is and the one dragon, can't wait to see that second one up above show up!

Joan Elliott's Christmas Angel

2011-10-31T23:53:00.000Z

I have been pulling her out one week a month. I have gotten a lot done on her.

Joan Elliott's Christmas Angel

2011-10-05T21:10:00.000+01:00

I started this a few years ago and have been working on it for a couple of months now.

I See the Light

2011-09-26T08:55:00.004+01:00

Sorry, I haven't posted my progress pics for a long time, but here he is:

I finished the first page and started the second (which is now 1/4 done). I won't reach my goal for this year (which was the first page and 2/3 of the second), but I'm ok with that. Please excuse the wrinkles from the Q-snaps, and the picture's not the best one as my camera is an oldie.

Another UFO finish

2011-08-10T03:38:00.000+01:00

I am trying to get some things finished and so I pulled out another Crazy January Challenge. This is Stitchy Kitty St Paddy's Shamrock Paw.

UFO progress and a UFO finish

2011-08-09T02:10:00.000+01:00

First is a pic of a UFO that I started several years ago and pulled out to finish this year. It is Joan Elliott's Christmas Angel from an issue of The Cross Stitcher magazine.

Then today I pulled out Stitchy Kitty Easter Egg Paw. I started this in January as part of a Crazy January Challenge and I finished it.

Dragons page finish - Halfway!

2011-08-04T23:40:00.001+01:00

I know it's been awhile. Those that follow my personal stitching blog know I took a few months off as I was overwhelmed personally nevermind adding social media into the mix. Though I am slowly reentering the fray. And with that I have an exciting page finish to share. Dragons is now officially halfway!!! Here's the latest page finish:

And here is the whole piece to date:

I'm so very pleased with it!! :)
Hope everyone has been well and stitching away.
Mel
www.epicstitching.blogspot.com

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tuscan Gardens II is finished!

2011-07-26T17:55:00.000+01:00

Late on Thursday evening I put the final stitch into Tuscan Gardens.

Thanks to everyone on this blog who has given me encouragement with this one. At one stage it was my final UFO but in the last twelve months two projects that were stitched on regularly have sadly become UFOs. They both have a Christmas theme, which might be why. Anyway I have started stitching one of them again. Progress pics next time.

Nearly there!

2011-07-11T19:12:00.000+01:00

This weekend was spent stitching my Tuscan Gardens UFO. Here it is.

I might just go ahead and finish this now instead of waiting for another weekend away. I don't know.

At Long Last

2011-06-20T15:15:00.004+01:00

Jane Longstreth is finished! This sampler has been a work-in-progress since 2005 (or so) and was finished on 6-17-11. The sampler is a reproduction of one done by Jane Longstreth, a resident of Chester County, Pennsylvania, when she was 14 years old. The original is in the collection of the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center at Vassar College. It includes over-one stitching, stem stitches and satin stitches done on 36-count with AVAS threads.

Next UFO please step up

2011-06-12T16:27:00.003+01:00

I have been reviewing the UFOs I have, and I think this one is probably the best to tackle over summer...due to the black Aida.
The design is a Janlynn one, called Tropical Waterline.
I bought it I would guess more than 13 years ago, possibly 15..with the intention of completing it and presenting it to my ex...then husband, for a birthday/Xmas/anniversary. He has a thing about fish being a Pisces. Anyway, it got pushed to one side as our relationship grew worse. But, I think after being divorced for almost 10 years, and being on better terms with him than I was in the breakdown of our marriage...I can bear to finish it and give it to him, as I intended when I started it. I'm not going to say how long each day I will work on it, because I know I won't manage it, but I will try to work for around 2 hours/week on it. That isn't a big ask. I'll try to post progress every other Sunday, and fingers crossed it will be finished before the winter starts to creep up on us.

Giraffes!....Finished!!!!

2011-05-03T18:33:00.005+01:00

Well, here it is, Giraffes finished! In future any large projects will be done for family. Sorry the photo is sideways on, it just came off my camera like that.
Now....which UFO to tackle next?

The giraffe design is from Wild Babies by Mary Ellen Yanich and is printed/published by Jeanette Crew Designs Ltd, booklet number 1188. Other designs included are mare and foal, Kangaroo and Joey, Penguin and chick, Koala and babe, bay tiger, baby gorilla, seal cub, and baby orang untan

Heart Paw is finished

2011-04-30T13:19:00.000+01:00

This is Stitchy Kitty Heart Paw from the Valentine's Kitty Moon pattern.

Stitchy Kitty Heart Paw

28 cashel millenium blue

DMC & Kreinik

started 5/21/10

finished 4/28/11

You'll be missed, Friedie....

2011-04-30T03:47:00.000+01:00

My hubby's sister passed away VERY suddenly today. We had just spoken with her a couple of days ago and she sounded just fine. This is such a shock to our family. We're trying to be happy for her and realize that this is her "birthday into heaven", but it's still a little tough on those of us left "behind".
We truly never know when we or those will love will be "called home". Hug those family members and friends tight and let them know how much they're loved. We'll be heading north to the funeral next week. I'll up-date when we return.

I "cherish" the memories of "Fredrecia" - she'll always be Friedie to me...

*Sharon

Stitchy Kitty

2011-04-27T01:58:00.000+01:00

I haven't posted on here for a very long time. I pulled out a UFO tonight. Stitchy Kitty Heart Paw. I started this in May 2010 and haven't stitched on it since.

Giraffes

2011-04-24T17:55:00.004+01:00

I have got around to doing some more on Giraffes. Thought I'd share my progress with you. As you can probably tell, I have nearly finished. Just a few more cross stitches to put in, then the backstitch.

I See the Light - March update

2011-03-31T17:09:00.005+01:00

Not much progress in March, but fortunately every stitch counts ;)

UFO night progress

2011-03-22T19:39:00.000Z

Here's how much I got done last Sunday

Should have this finished soon!!

xX Fiona Xx

I told you i'd be back...

2011-03-14T21:12:00.000Z

remmeber that one project i was stithcing last time that was nearly finished? Well its still not done so i'm now classing it as a UFO. The project in question is Halloween Short Stack by Waxing Moon Designs.

this is how far i had gotten in December, i think it became a UFO because I was stitching christmas designs and now I'm stitching a lot of exchanges pieces and one very large design for myself, this just got sidelined. I plan to stitch on this ever Sunday on what I have nicknamed 'UFO Night'. Yesterday was my first UFO Night and this is how far I got:

Hoping to have this finished by mid April

xX Fiona Xx

A New Member

2011-03-14T12:21:00.005Z

Hi to you all, I've just joined the blog. My name is Nina and I live in Finland. I love to rotate different kind of WIPs, but I have one which has been sadly neglected. And here how she's going to look like (eventually):

Shinysun's Cross Stitching: I See the Light

And here's my progress so far:

The main reason, why I haven't stitched her since last October is the fabric. It is 18ct black aida, and stitching black and dark navy blue on black isn't funny. But because it is almost spring here, the daylight has increase and I can make some good progress on her (with your support, of course :).

I've started her back on May 2010. Now there're over 3000 stitches (from the pages 1 and 2) which is almost 10% of all. My goal for this year is to finish the first page and 2/3 of the second page.

Dragons Page Update

2011-03-08T22:05:00.000Z

I have another page done!!! Very excited about this.
And that I'm almost a month ahead of my schedule for this year on this project, maybe I'll get more than four pages done!
Here she be so far:

Celeste Update - February

2011-02-25T23:13:00.000Z

Just a quick update, I have one of the four corners mostly done. There is some couching and a little backstitching and the beads, that's what goes in the holes in the blue, gold beads. You can see the gold that I didn't rip out yet in the coil by the tail. It seems just a little too bright to me. I'm not much into gold anyway. Maybe that's part of the problem. Next month I'm on the road for two weeks and am taking two smaller projects so this will be put aside for a little while.

Jane Longstreth

2011-01-30T16:03:00.003Z

It's been awhile (over a year?) since I posted anything here. I finally got back to working on Jane Longstreth and you can see my progress here. The plan is to work on Jane for 15 days of every month until she is finished.

Celeste Update!

2011-01-14T23:51:00.000Z

I finished the dragon! Well almost, I still have to stitch the scales but the rest of the backstitching is done. Next I'll start on the border pattern. I tried doing some of the scales but apparently back when I bought the materials I grabbed the wrong gold blending filament and I don't like the one I have so I need to frog that and try it with the right color. But still I can't be happier with the progress I've made. Happy New Year!

Dragons Update - Two Rows Complete

2011-01-01T00:08:00.000Z

Two of Five rows complete.
It took me all year to get this second row done. But hey you can almost see some actual dragons in there now!
Here's the latest:

Halloween Fairy finished and so are all my UFO's :)

2010-12-23T02:10:00.000Z

well here is my final update on Halloween Fairy. This is also the end of my UFO journey for now as I have only one project on the go at the minute and I'm nearly finished with that one to. I couldn't have finished either water games or Halloween Fairy without the support of the followers and stitchers on this blog and I thank all of you for enouraging me to finish my UFO's xx

I'm sure I will probably be back with either a UFO or a long term project sometime in 2011 as I have a fair few large designs I want to stitch now :) Till next time, Happy Christmas & Happy Stitching xx

Celeste Update

2010-12-05T01:07:00.000Z

Just a quick update on Celeste. I did get the rest of the area filled in. I have decided to switch to something else for a while so this will go back on the pile. But hopefully for just a few weeks rather than 8 months this time. Just one loop and the tail left and then off to the border. I might get this finished yet!

Celeste update, finally!

2010-11-29T22:42:00.001Z

I was embarrassed to go and find out how long it had been since I posted, 8 months! But since this blog is about finishing 'eventually' I'll try not to be too hard on myself and it is very nice to have a place to share my accomplishments when I do get something stitched and I have been working on three other projects. But I digress. So I had a wonderful holiday stitching weekend. Thanksgiving here in the States gave me lots of American football to listen to, can't take my eyes off the pattern or the fabric, and time off from work and even some sunny days which are a big plus when it comes to a TW design and rare in the winter in Oregon. How was that for a run on sentence! So here it is, March to November or more accurately November to March. I am going to stick with it a little longer and finish this section. I might go back and do some back stitching but may be ready to switch to another project. You'll know when I do!

The Beginning of the End ...

2010-10-13T21:30:00.001+01:00

Hi! My blogging name is Spanish Princess and I am a chronic starter! When it come to craft projects that is ... cross stitch, sewing, quilting or scrapbooking ... I am totally out of control. They are my kryptonite ... the Mr. Hyde to my Dr. Jekyl. I see something that catches my eye and it consumes me until I start it. I am axious to see it through, imagining how and where it will be desplayed, but then some other "shiny object" catches my attention and I am like a kitten with a ball of yarn.

I have decided that I need to consolidate all my "starts" and turn them into "finishes". So I decided to head here and join other "starters" hoping for a little encouragement and inspiration along my journey.

My current piece is not so much a WIP in the sense that its been sitting tucked away for a while. I actually started in March, just after I had my first baby. It is his Christmas stocking, but trying to stitch on 28-ct over 2 while tending to a newborn on minimal amounts of sleep did not end as triumphant as I'd hoped. When I moved from page 1 to page two of the pattern I indavertently moved over more than 12 stitches and didn't realize it for another month. Discouraged I set it down, for a few months, but in August realized I need to get started if I wanted our "Lil Monkey" to have it for his first Christmas ... and be imortalized in photos for years to come.

So determined I picked up my needle (and other supplies) and started all over and have made progress in the past 6 weeks. The stocking I chose was Opening His Pack by Nancy Rossin, from the book, The Stockings Were Hung.

This is the stocking as of Sunday morning ...

If you'd like to see the previous weeks' progress or are curious about the final product, feel free to visit my crafting and collecting blog, The Teacup Collector's Cottage. Come join me for a cup of tea ... or whatever you're guilty pleasure is.

Happy stitching,

Halloween Update

2010-10-03T00:18:00.003+01:00

not much to show I'm afraid, still a little is better than none right? LOL hopefully I will work on this more this week.added some of the beads but they may have to come out again if the hoop doesn't fit round them....opps.

Dragons Page Complete!

2010-09-22T22:05:00.000+01:00

I finished this last week, and somehow it slipped my mind to post it here. It's been busy.
But here it is... the next page finish in Dragons!!!

I have one more page to complete that row and want to get it done by the end of the year. I have averaged about one page per 4 months this year so should be right on track.

Thanks for all your comments and support on this one! :)

New UFO: Halloween Fairy

2010-09-21T09:26:00.003+01:00

My new UFO to work on is Halloween Fairy by Mirabillia.

I started stitching this in 2008 and i think it became a UFO because I need to get the chart enlarged as it is too small for me to stitch from. This will be happening on Friday and then work shall commence! I have already frogged out her arm because I think the shading of the variegated thread looked weird so I'm going to give it another go. Plus my fractionals are much neater now!

I will be working on this design as well as Halloween Short Stack by Waxing Moon Designs as I've started this one to keep me stitching until Friday when I can access a photocopier!!

quick note...

2010-09-12T14:29:00.001+01:00

um...my name's not Lisa, it's Fiona and water games is my finish!! Mod's might wanna amend the completed list on the side :)

Finally, a Dragons update

2010-09-09T18:38:00.000+01:00

I know it's been awhile. But that means I have some good progress.
I have been really concentrating on Dragons in the last few weeks. And a stitching retreat on the weekend really helped me get there.
I plan to have this page done by the end of the month.
Here is the piece to date:

Water Games is ....

2010-09-09T00:54:00.002+01:00

FINISHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not been framed properly yet but its my mum's birthday soon and I won't have time to frame it properly before then so its just been put in quickly so she can unwrap it :)

I BELIEVE. (Honestly) all done

2010-09-03T20:11:00.005+01:00

Well how about this for a quicker than my usual finish? I finished this while at my sister's on a short visit. I can tell you all that there are stacks and stacks of French Knots in this and when I first started to do them I was pretty rubbish at them and took them all out. Guess what!!! I've really improved. When you see him for real he sparkles A LOT. Yippee

I now have to go back and start looking for my next unfinished surprise. Not sure yet what it'll be.
Thanks again for your support.

A New Project

2010-09-03T16:29:00.001+01:00

Greetings to all! I'm Bekca from The Stitching Lion and this is my very first post on the I've Started So I'll Finish SAL. I'm trying to complete a design by Enchanting Lair called "Always" Here is my very small progress so far . . .

I started this project in September last year and it hasn't been out much at all. I think probably because it has lots of different thread blends and similar colours that I struggle to work with it. It is also quite a large design, the largest I have attempted. This is what the finished design will look like . . .

I am planning to stitch on this at the weekends when I have more time to settle down to it, but really need the encouragement to get me to pull it out in the first place! I hope to post some progress every fortnight or so, but there's no real deadline for the piece. I just want to get it finished!
Happy stitching to everyone,
Bekca

Hiatus over on Peacock Tapestry

2010-08-30T01:09:00.002+01:00

I haven`t stitch much on the Peacock since my last last post until my holidays started at the end of July. I am currently working on the trees on the bottom left-hand side of the design.

Hopefully I will be able to post progress pics more regularly from now on.

Loretta

Decided.Yippee!

2010-08-29T20:16:00.004+01:00

After a little head scratching I decided that this would be my next UFO. I started it last year about November time (I think). I put it away because I thought that I had used all the wrong red beads and was completely demoralised. They weren't wrong at all it had been the way that the display one had caught the light in the shop. Now I know that this isn't going to take my usual months to finish but it will reduce my UFO pile. Hope you like it.

Happy stitching to you all.

From Start to Finish

2010-08-23T10:29:00.005+01:00

Here we are this is how' Break Time' was picked up again, after approximately 18 years, in April 2010.

I enjoyed doing the three 'H's , that is head, hair and hat, as the colours were really cheerful, not the hat obviously but it makes a great foil for the other bright colours.

With a degree of mumbling about the chart (hand done), the colours getting boring on the trousers, the vast amount of backstitching... Here he is today. I've put a measure on the photo so that you can see he really is long, it is almost the width of our two seater settee.

I've now got to decide what my next UFO is going to be. I think I'll pick one that hasn't actually been in the gloom cupboard for as long as my other ones and also that probably hasn't as much to finish on it. I'm leaning to a Mill Hill Christmas one.....final decision in a few days.!!

Thanks for your support in my mammoth UFO without you it might never have seen the light of day again.
Till next time....Keep going with your own UFO's and good luck.

Water Games update

2010-08-08T23:37:00.003+01:00

Here is my progress on Water Games this week. Not as much as I would have liked to have done but I am pleased to have got some stitching in this week! Hope to have more progress to show next sunday :)

Happy stitching

x Fiona x

Looks as if he's winking!!!

2010-08-07T14:04:00.004+01:00

Wearing my fingers out trying to get this finished. I've finally found myself enjoying it. Is this always the same I wonder. I think I'm going to make it into a wall hanging for my 'guest' bedroom. (It's where the older grandchildren sleep if they come on their own.). In the back of my mind I'm trying to decide what will be my next find from my pile of UFO's. Decisions decisions. I think it'll have to be a smaller unfinished as I think I might need a confidence booster to feel that I can actually get something finished quickly!!!
My clown has actually moved on a little since my DH took this photo but that's for my next post .....just to keep you guessing!!!!
Any how until next time thanks for taking time to look and happy stitching to you all.

Dragons Update

2010-08-04T18:41:00.000+01:00

Well I am cruising along with dragons on this page. There is way less confetti stitching so that really helps. In just five weeks I have gotten 1/3 of the next page done! That is pretty good for me.

Here is the part I am working on:

And the full piece to date so far:

Thanks for reading!
Mel from Epic Stitching.

Water Games update (sorry its a day late :S)

2010-08-02T07:32:00.003+01:00

Sorry its a day later than promised, I got caught up with my stitching and it was gone midnight before I realised!! Here is how far I have got woth Water Games this week.

Finally past the halfway mark after 3 years of on/off stitching, hopefully if I don't get distracted by other siney new kits I will get this finished this year!!! See you on Sunday for another update!

hello again!

2010-07-26T01:09:00.002+01:00

well after a few months of neglect due to more pressing projects I'm back working on Water Games. Hoping to finish this before September 9th which will be the 3 year anniversary of my starting this project! Won't be stitching anything else until this is done now :)

will post photo updates on sundays

My 7 year old UFO is done!

2010-07-18T23:47:00.003+01:00

This was started in 2002, and last year I pulled it out, vowing to finish it! May I present the Dragon Feathers Afghan by Fanta Cat Designs! It is stitched on black Anne cloth, 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide, hemmed and fringed as well.

Another section done. Yippee!!

2010-07-18T21:28:00.005+01:00

Here we go to keep you UFO followers up to date. Break Time is coming along nicely and soon he'll be smiling (I hope). You can see from the dates on the photos the progress made between the pics being taken. I have kept to my original plan and stitch it most evenings and when I go to my son's house. It still seems to be taking some considerable time but must admit I'm doing better than I thought.
Happy stitching to you out there or perhaps in the good weather you're enjoying a pleasant evening in your garden
Whatever your choice ENJOY

Page Finish on Dragons

2010-07-01T15:01:00.000+01:00

I know many of you saw this a few days ago on my stitching blog but here it is again for those who did not.
I finished another page of Dragons! That makes 6/20 done (I think). :)
Here it is in it's entirety do far:

Shame about the shoes!!

2010-06-20T16:44:00.003+01:00

Once again my progress on 'Breaktime'. Nearly time for the big roll up. I must remember to take a photo of it unrolled first. So that you will be able to see it all so far. The weather's been beautiful so expect lots of you are out in gardens and things. Enjoy while the sun shines.

Happy stitching to all of you.

Murky Manor

2010-06-20T16:06:00.003+01:00

From looking at the blog fellow Ufoers seem to have been suffering from "I don't want to do that at the moment" I know I have. I take my hat off to Jen and Justflo who have made real progress. As you can see from the photo I have made very little progress. I have just filled in the window area. I managed to use the wrong colour on that so reverse stitching was the order of the day. I am not finding it too easy to stitch on the fabric without a good light and magnifying glass because another error I made was miscounting the threads. I don't know when I will do some more because I want to finish The Wool Gatherer and the July teapot. Happy stitching everyone.

Tuscan Gardens

2010-06-13T17:54:00.003+01:00

Here is my latest progress picture of Tuscan Gardens. I've not really done much work on this since about Easter. I did, in the end, decide to frog most of the pale blue hill as it was stitched with thread that seemed to be of a different dye lot. I think that this is about a third complete now. The aim is to get it finished by the end of the year.

Nearly Half Way There.

2010-05-31T20:51:00.005+01:00

Hi there UFO followers. Here's my update on Breaktime. There have been one or two frog visits but they have all deserted for the time being. The pictures show the last few weeks, frogging and redoing and then finally progress. I'll soon be changing my out look and going for the head and shoulder part. Now that will be interesting. Next time I'll take a photo unrolled again. Keep watching.

Also at long last is the framed Carousel Horse. I am very pleased with the finished result and all the grumbles and moans while I was sewing it are forgotten. Many thanks to Chris at Nimble Thimble for such great framing.

Looking forward to seeing some more of your progress, to all of you out there Enjoy your stitching and Happy stitching to you.

Dragons Update - May

2010-05-08T23:47:00.000+01:00

Sorry I haven't been around much lately. Those who read my personal stitching blog know that work has been crazy and I'm still quite sick from my surgery.
However that said, I've been trying to stitch.

Here is my dragons update to date:

Sail Away . . .

2010-05-02T05:54:00.005+01:00

This is a close up of the

bottom of my

Sail Away!

I put a glow in the dark

blending filament in the

lighthouse

and

upstairs window

as though someone was waiting

for their loved one to return

from the sea.

Happy Dance, Happy Dance and Happy Dance!!!

I got this one framed finally

and it is one of my favorite pieces.

I put two suede mats on it and

floated them away from each other by

about 1/4 inch.

It gives the piece depth.

I used the kit but added some silk

I got from a company called

Down Under.

They are variegated and very soft.

I used them

in the Quaker motifs and for the water.

I didn't put in the big flowers, added some

extra sheep and changed

the alphabet to my favorite.

It is truly one of my own and I love it.

Thanks for looking your comments mean the

world to me.

God Bless your stitching fingers.

Lenna

Tuscan Garden's progress

2010-04-26T17:17:00.003+01:00

Here is my progress pic for this month. When I started this I decided to use up the left over floss from the other Tuscan Garden piece I have stitched. I think that the pale blue floss I used up from the first kit is of a different dye lot to the one given in the kit I'm stitching now, so there might need to be some frogging here at some stage. You can just about make out the difference in the photo.

Santas finished

2010-04-24T18:15:00.004+01:00

I have to confess that I have not done any of my Murky Manor UFO but have done some work on the UFO I have been stitching for Yoyo's Christmas SAL. The first photograph shows where it was at the beginning and the second the final four santas which I finished yesterday. I have still to make them into ornaments but that can wait for a while. It looks from the blog as though most people are like me and found it difficult to work on UFOs perhaps it is the coming of Spring which makes us want to start new things. I must knuckle down to Murky Manor next month. Happy stitching everyone.

Break Time Rolled up.!!

2010-04-19T21:25:00.003+01:00

Break time has finally been rolled up. I'm doing his legs first. There is such a huge amount of brown that I thought it'd be best to try and make in-roads into that part. Wish me luck. I have done back stitching on it before I rolled it up as I really didn't fancy having all that to do at the end. I also spent a full evening sorting out the threads that had fallen of the card they were on. They looked like a huge pile of spaghetti.

Until next time. Looking forward to seeing some more UFO's.

Happy stitching to you all.

Breaktime Update.

2010-04-02T08:48:00.004+01:00

Quick update on Break Time I'm slowly getting to like this. I have met someone who has seen this completed and apparently when finished it looks really good. We shall see. I think it's going to be quite some time though. Still onwards and upwards. Happy stitching to all you UFO-ers out there.

I've finished Buttermilk Tabbies!!!!

2010-03-29T16:01:00.004+01:00

It's finished!!! I'm so proud of myself!!! It took 85 hours to complete and was sent around on UFO RR in 2009. I've worked steadily on it since January and added about 45 hours to the work already done by the other stitchers (there was about 10 hours worth of stitching when it left for the RR). I'm really proud of myself! So here it is:

Title: Buttermilk Tabbies
Designer: Julia Lucas
Magazine: Just Cross-Stitch (June 2004)
Fabric: Antique White Lugana (28 counts)
Threads: DMC and 1 blue Anchor
Size: 122H x 122W
Time to complete: 85 hours

Thank you for looking!

Catherine Michelle

Murky Manor my next UFO

2010-03-29T14:49:00.003+01:00

This is a design by Glendon Place. It is stitched on 28ct Dawn Cashel Linen by Picture This Plus. I am using DMC floss with a few Anchor, beads, JABC buttons, Kreinik metallics and Caron Wildflowers. It became a UFO last October when I put it away to do some Christmas stitching and when that was finished I worked non-stop on the Peacock Tapestry. Progress will be slow on this because I will be doing it occasionally for a change from the two big projects I am starting. I was a little disappointed with the fabric, when it came it seemed to have areas covered in a linty substance which had to be pulled away. I do not do a lot of stitching on hand dyed fabrics so this may be normal. Happy Easter fellow UFOers.

Peacock Tapestry Finale

2010-03-29T14:26:00.002+01:00

At last it is finished. What a relief that is. I must confess I got a surprise when I took it off the rollers and saw how big it is. I cannot say I have enjoyed doing it but I have to admit I like the end result. I have three more TW kits and loads of charts which I will not be starting for some time! I must thank everyone who has given me such encouragement to get it finished, without that I think it would have gone back in the cupboard. Now to sort out my next UFO.

Dragons Update - A Page Finish

2010-03-25T23:41:00.000Z

I am so sorry to have been so absent lately. Many of you follow my personal stitching blog and know I have been in and out of the hospital through February and beginning of March. So forgive me.
I have been trying to catch up and see all the lovely progress you have all been making.
Sometime last week I finished up my most recent dragons page and wanted to share it with you.

Here is a pic of the page I finished:

and here is the whole piece to date (camera skewed it a bit again sorry, it is straight in real life I swear):

Quick update

2010-03-21T18:14:00.003Z

Here is my progress on Tuscan Gardens.

This time I'm doing the backstitch as I go along.

It's getting better!

2010-03-17T07:46:00.002Z

Hi there quick update on my Breaktime. I've spent a little more time on this one. It's still not exactly romping ahead but 'it's getting better'. Hope for a better progress report next time.

Peacock Tapestry Update

2010-03-15T17:34:00.002Z

I will be winding the peacock down for the last time. I am hoping to have it finished by Easter which is better than all my imaginings when I started this again. I am truly grateful to this blog because with this particular project you seem to sew for so long and see no difference and it is only on looking at previous photos you see how much you have done. I have another UFO lined up but the next one will be done at a more leisurely pace. Happy sewing everyone.

An unexpected find and finish!

2010-03-07T17:06:00.005Z

Whilst rooting about in the stash room today I came across another UFO! And I thought that Michael Powell's Tuscan Gardens II was the last one!

When I found this only some of the head had been done. Stitched one over one this ginger cat was a cover kit with Cross Stitch Collection in Jan/Feb 1996. I still have the magazine and all the bits. Here it is.

It actually makes the insert to a keyring, which I also had.

If only all UFOs could be finished in a couple of hours! By the way, I don't think I started stitching this in 1996 but who knows. It's now back to stitching Tuscan Gardens. Heaven only knows what other forgotten UFOs are lurking in the stash room. Maybe I should not go in there for a bit!

Peacock Tapestry Another Update.

2010-03-04T17:39:00.002Z

As you can see from the photo I have made some progress this week. This is mainly because the peacock is mostly done in whole stitches and some colours are not blends. I found that backstitching the wing was quite difficult even with the use of the backstitch chart which Emily so kindly sent me. Progress will slow now because I am back on the branches and leaves. I am on the top third now so I really want to get it finished as quickly as possible because I have some lovely things to stitch in my stash. Because I am hoping that my next wind down will be the last I will start the beading and I must remember to put in the french knots in some of the peaches. Happy stitching everyone looking forward to seeing how you are all getting on.

Celestial Dragon Quick Update

2010-03-04T02:47:00.000Z

The head looked so unfinished that I couldn't leave it alone so went ahead and did the backstitching. Whew! Now I can change to the SAL Castles in the Air from Papillion Creations. I'm only a few parts behind on that!

Dragon Riders Update

2010-03-02T21:04:00.005Z

Not a great deal has been achieved on Dragon Riders in the last month. I have it on rotation but the week I was due to stitch it I ended up stitching something else as well. I've taken this off of my NeedleNeeds wooden frame & reverted to one of my Q-snaps with it & I must admit that some quicker stitching took place over the weekend. I've posted a before & after photo so that you can see that I really did do something... honest :-)

Happy Stitching :-)

Lisa's Stitching Life

Tuscan Gardens ll

2010-03-02T18:36:00.004Z

This weekend I unearthed my latest UFO. Micheal Powell's Tuscan Gardens ll. This is what it looked like before I started stitching it again.

And this is how it looked after an interrupted days stitching on Sunday. You can find out more about this at my main blog here.

This became a UFO about 18 months ago. I started stitching it after I finished Reflections and the got side tracked by other stitching projects. I now intend to stitch this on Sundays.

Celestial Dragon Update

2010-03-02T04:34:00.000Z

Here is my update as promised. I thought I might get a few more stitches in today but no such luck. It did go smoother than I had feared but of course this is only layer one of the backstitching, who knows how I will feel after layer two! And there is couching in another part of it! Oh the horrors! No wonder this became a UFO, must persevere! Backstitching does bring characters to life though I must admit. Here is a before and an after. (Sort of, I missed taking a full picture apparently before starting the dreaded backstiching. ;-) )

my next project...

2010-03-02T00:56:00.004Z

is the GGM Sampler by Kelly Searles of Suthern Stitching. This became a UFO in October when I misplaced it in the house! So I'll be stitching on it every day at lunch in order to get caught up with the rest of the German Marquoir Group!

GGM, a project being distributed by the German Marquoir Group with the permission of the designer

I'm stitching this on 40 count linen, which I dyed myself with coffee, and I'm using DMC floss, 1 over 2. What you see stitched is the bottom left-hand side of the sampler.

Peacock TapestryUpdate

2010-02-28T18:54:00.005Z

I have managed to stick to my target and completed the backstitching and leaves on the middle sheets apart from a bit of backstitching at the very top on the left. Those who know the design will see that I have actually started on the top left hand sheet. The Wool Gatherer is getting closer. Because I have been giving most of my time to this I have only been sewing for Yoyo's Christmas SAL. There are two photographs the first showing the work before a rollup and the second following the second rollup. There are hours of stitching between the two and so little to show for it. My next target is to finish the lower left hand branch and do some of the peacock's body. Wish me luck. Happy stitching to fellow UFOers.

Zentangle is finished!

2010-02-28T09:12:00.003Z

Zentangle is finished! I put the last few stitches into it last night, and now it's ready for framing.

As you can see, I decided to turn the design on the side (East-West). It didn't look balanced in the North-South orientation. Must be a mis-count somewhere in there!

The frame is just resting on top of the finished stitching. I've got to get some mat board and get it laced this week so that I can hang it!

There have been some requests to post the link for the German Marquoir Group. Here it is: http://de.groups.yahoo.com/group/Marquoir/

So what will the next UFO be? I don't know yet, but I have all day to pick one! I'll post a before photo as soon as I pick it.

Slowly, Slowly.

2010-02-23T14:04:00.002Z

Here's my update. At least there is some progress. Nothing spectacular though. Must be very honest I am not enjoying this. Perhaps it'll get better in a while. I have had my grandchildren to stay so I could say that's why progress is slow but really it's because I'm frustrated with the thread. It's dreadful. The kit says it comes with DMC or ALTERNATIVE. I think I've got the latter as it keeps shedding and looking dull. Still chin up and keep on regardless.

Happy stitching to all you UFO'ers sure your progress will be better than mine.

Newbie with a Christmas Sampler.

2010-02-19T08:53:00.003Z

This is my UFO. A recent UFO really... as I only started it August 2009, but it's my first real big project and I am finding it hard going, just because of it's size, even though it should be quite easy because of all the little pictures in it. Plus I have far too many other hobbies... papercraft cardmaking, scrapbooking, crochet... but this one has been on my "To Do" list ever since I bought the book a few years ago.

The design is from a book by Donna Kooler, 555 Christmas Cross Stitch Designs.

So... I'm intending to get one of the little pictures completed each month, or at least half of one.
This is how far I've got at the moment.

Thanks for accepting me on the blog x

Roz.

Peacock Tapestry another update.

2010-02-17T10:03:00.002Z

I have been working steadily on the tapestry and at last seem to be seeing some progress. I still keep making occasional errors by miss-counting from a quarter stitch. Yesterday I even frogged something which was right. Oh dear!
As I said in my blog my next target is to complete the leaves beneath the branch to the left of the peacock. I also need to start on the peacock's wing but it is too much of a stretch at the moment so I have to wait until I wind the fabric down. My new side clamp arrived from Lowery Workstations this morning so after a visit to the shop I will take my original corner clamp off and try the new one. I have had my workstation so long it was only made with a corner clamp originally.
Buying the Wool Gatherer has certainly given me the incentive to get this finished. I hope other UFOers are continuing to make progress with theirs. Happy stitching everyone.

St. George and Dragon 1/31

2010-02-06T21:24:00.003Z

St. George is still alive and well. I got caught up in Christmas stitching but I think I'm back on track again. I just spent some time going back over your posts. My goodness your progress is wonderful. Some of you just stitch so fast. And of course, they are so beautiful. I especially enjoyed the 'finishes', Congratulations to each of you, you worked hard and you deserve a big hand.

BEFORE September 15, 2009

AFTER January 31, 2010

St. George & the Dragon (started July 1996 - UFO)
Donna Vermillion Giampa
28 ct beige unknown evenweave, suggested fibers

I have finished the lower wing and am on the way to the last leg/claw and a bit of the neck that's still missing. I just noticed this picture isn't actually the most recent. I have actually turned the corner on the left hand border which doesn't show in this photo, grrrrr. Anyway, the leg, then just a quick run across the bottom border. The end is close now, yipee!! Thanks for looking.

One stitch at a time,

My blog Dragon My Needle, home of the Totally Useless SAL, come on over and join the fun.

My photo albums

.

HAED Update

2010-02-03T11:13:00.000Z

Morning all..........Right, it's been a good month since I posted. I had decided to work on a Dimensions UFO called Who's Watching Whom but I had no enthusiasm for it at all. I managed about 3 stitches before I just shelved it. I know the idea is to complete those kinds of UFO's but it just wasn't doing it for me & thats just a waste of good stitching time!

I decided to go back to my HAED Dragon Riders. This was started in July 2007 I love it, I have a space on my wall all picked out for it. It became a UFO as apart from working full time in my shop I was stitching it on 25ct over one & progress was very slow, maybe I'm just getting old but it was too much & I like to design too much for it to just get forgotten about. DH bought me some new fabric for it, a much more suitable 18ct aida :-)

The first picture is how far I managed to get stitched back in 2007 (I know.. not much at all!) & the second picture is what I've done over the last couple of weeks. I'd hoped to be posting a picture if a finished page one but not quite. I intend stitching on it for at least a week each month, if not more.

Happy Stitching :-)

Zentangle

2010-02-01T22:27:00.004Z

Here's the UFO I decided to pull out of the pile to start working on: Zentangle. This was a project I started this fall with the German Marquoir Yahoo group. I made great progress--stitching 9 of the 11 installments, and then the holidays came, the project got tucked into a drawer, and you know the rest...

I'll be stitching on this during my lunchtime every weekday, and I hope to have it finished by the end of February.

Zentangle
distributed by the German Marquoir Yahoo Group
with the permission of the designer
35 count linen
HDF silk floss, 2 over 2

Break time on the move.

2010-02-01T15:01:00.004Z

I have been reasonably busy with this one and managed to do more of it than I thought I would be able too. I'm trying to make it more interesting for myself by doing different colour areas to break it up.
I'm hoping to get the first section of it finished soon and then I'll feel as if I'd made some headway.
Still haven't got a clue what to do with it.
Perhaps it's wishful thinking but I already have an idea what my next UFO will be.

Peacock Tapestry Update

2010-01-31T17:41:00.003Z

The Wool Gatherer is certainly a much needed spur because I achieved my target and a little bit more this week so I am quite pleased. I have virtually finished all the leaves to the right of the trunk on the page I am working from. I have still to complete the backstitching of the leaves and the branch. My target for next week is to do as many of the leaves as I can to the left of the trunk on the same page. I have decided it is better to set an achievable target and do more than set something which is bound to lead to failure. My target is flexible this week because I have to work on my other UFO the Christmas decorations. Happy stitching to all.

Giraffes

2010-01-25T18:33:00.004Z

Sorry the picture is a bit fuzzy..camera was playing up.
At first glance it doesn't look like I have done much, but the start of the baby giraffe's face is being one. Once I get back onto Mum's body, it should progress rapidly, as it is large areas of single colour.

Mansfield Park finished!

2010-01-25T10:34:00.002Z

I put the final stitches into Mansfield Park last night while I was watching the New Orleans Saints win the NFC Championship. I'm sure she would still be a UFO sitting in my closet if not for this group. Thank you so much for the inspiration to finish her!

Now, what should be the next UFO to come out of the closet? Stay tuned to find out!

Mansfield Park
The Sampler Girl
35 count linen, 2x2, DMC floss
started: 2008

First 2010 finish

2010-01-25T05:46:00.001Z

Here is my first finish for 2010 that was started 6/2008

Home of a Needleworker by LHN 32ct Water lily Jobelan, Threads DMC as charted

Rachel

Another Peacock Tapestry Update

2010-01-24T19:24:00.003Z

I have been working on my Peacock Tapestry steadily the past 2 weeks (inbetween a few other projects of course.) I have finished all the Eyelet Diamonds and am now concentrating on filling in the bottom section of the border.

Happy stitching!!!!

Peacock Tapestry Update

2010-01-24T15:25:00.003Z

Well the tail is finished at last and I have done some work on the border. The frogs were out in force when I realised I had stitched part of the border with a blend when in fact it was one of the rare occasions in this piece where a single colour is used. What a stupid mistake!
My husband is becoming quite used to me saying "Well that's going to have to come out".
I have bought "Wool Gatherer" by Shepherd's Bush and decided that I am not going to start it before the peacock is finished. Will I start it in 2010? I wonder. I have set myself a target for this week, I want to finish the branch to the right of the peacock and the leaves beneath it(not the leaves above it I am a realist).
I couldn't just sew this UFO and for my other sewing, perhaps I should say light relief, you can see if you click here

Here's best wishes for another sewing week.

New participant stitching "Buttermilk Tabbies"

2010-01-22T15:45:00.004Z

Hello!

I'm new on this wonderful blog. I'm following everyone's progresses since last Summer and you have all inspired me. Since I've finished all my obligation stitching, I put now all my energies on finishing my WIPs. So, my name is Catherine Michelle and I'm from Quebec, Canada. I've 9 not too large WIPs to complete, but most of them are barely started.

I'm working now on my most advanced one: "Buttermilk Tabbies" by Julia Lucas. It's been published in Just Cross-Stitch in 2004. This project when around the world last Summer on a UFO RR. My intention is now to finish it. Hopefully by the end of January but more reasonably, by the end of February.

Title: Buttermilk Tabbies

Designer: Julia Lucas
Magazine: Just Cross-Stitch (June 2004)
Fabric: Antique White Monaco (28 cnts)
Size: 122W x 122H
WIP Time: ~ 35 hours

It has been a UFO since the Winter of 2005. It felt in the UFO basket because I've started participating in exchanges and RRs at that time. As I don't have much time to stitch, these obligation stitching activities, if very fun, kept me from my own projects. So, I decided that in 2010, I would stitch for me. As I don't rotate my projects, I'll stitch on the Tabbies until it is finished. Usually, I stitch between 20 and 30 hours per month. I estimate that the Tabbies are about halfway done.

Celestial Dragon update

2010-01-21T03:04:00.003Z

Just a quick update. I got 5 afternoons in instead of 3 so I have a whole leg and more spine. I've been thinking about everyone's comments the other day regarding back stitching and now am wondering if I should do some as I go along on this project because there is a lot! And I fall in the category that while I love what it does I'm not much a fan of executing it. Something to mull over while I switch to another project for the rest of this week.

2010-01-20T17:04:00.000Z

Here is dragons to date. I'm not super happy with these pics. they look kinda distorted on the edges. Not sure if that is my camera or just the angle that I am shooting at. But they work I suppose.

Here is the section I have been working on:

And here is the whole piece to date.

I am showing my uncle (who this piece is for) and his girl this weekend the progress. I hope my uncle still likes it and that his new girl will like it.

Breaktime update

2010-01-19T18:42:00.005Z

I have made a little headway with my clown. I'm mainly stitching it when I go looking after my grandchildren in the middle of each week. Because it is colour blocks it is relatively easy to do as they do not have the best lighting for cross stitching at their house.
I am considering stitching the 'white parts' as the pattern says it's just use the aida but I'm not to happy with it so I'll be looking for some white from other kits that I've done and use the thread up that way. Really hope this isn't going to take months and months!!
Anyhow Happy stitching to you all and may all your progress be great.

Another update!

2010-01-19T01:02:00.004Z

Well, I'm getting closer to finishing Mansfield Park! Not as much accomplished this past week--I spent the weekend running around with my husband, watching him play tennis. But I'm happy with the progress that I did make!

This will be a slow stitching week for me--I've got to spend my evenings working on two RRs that I need to get mailed out, so the only time I'll have to devote to Mansfield Park will be about 30 minutes each day at lunch. But hey! I'm still so much closer to finished than I was on January 1!

Here's a closeup of the work I did this week:

And a look at the entire sampler as it is right now:

I hope everyone is having a very good stitching week!

Travel Sampler

2010-01-18T16:47:00.005Z

I haven't posted lately, but I have stitched on my mother's Travel Sampler. It's really a nice stitch.

Carolyn NC

Giraffes

2010-01-17T22:34:00.002Z

Am going to pick this up again, as soon, I won't feel the same way about the person it is meant for, plus...it's about time I finished it, after all...there's not much left to do. [I haven't put a stitch in it since I last posted though.] I will post progress next Sunday

Water Games update

2010-01-17T21:05:00.003Z

After realising that I can't finish my birth sampler until my boss's wife has her baby I decided to devote my stitching time to Water Games instead of starting something new. Have almost finished this half of the chart, hopefully the other half won't take as long as I am actually enjoying it this time round, also backstitching each quarter as I stitch it as I dispise backstitch and this way I know that as soon as the last page is done I won't have to go back over anything. See you all next sunday!

Peacock Tapestry Update.

2010-01-17T19:06:00.005Z

I promised myself I would do some of the peacock this week and I worked on it for some hours yesterday and today. Once I got into it again it wasn't too bad but I am not looking forward to doing the leaves on the pear tree. The end of the tail is in sight and I cannot roll the fabric up until I have done more of those leaves. This is going to be a test of stamina and concentration. Wish me luck.