Henry VIII and all that.

Another one finished another to start. I began this some time ago but really did not like the black dagger which just looked out of place. I unpicked it and was going to fill the gap with the colour of the skirt but someone of Henry's status would have carried a weapon. I have to decide if I stick to authenticity how to stitch the dagger because I did not like the one in the design it just looked wrong. I am going to continue with the rest of the stitching and hope inspiration comes. Perhaps some of you fellow UFOers have some suggestions. I am planning stitching this on Sundays so progress will be slow.

Mystery X or Secret Garden

At last it is finished. I am quite pleased with it. I am not convinced about the use of the crystals. Yes it is very sparkly but the delicacy of the stitched jessicas is lost and they seem a bit clunky in the tracery of the windows. I had ordered them so felt I had to use them. I still have some Chatelaines to start and I will really look hard as to whether to purchase the crystals. The delica beads are lovely and add to the work. I am sure some Chatelaine addicts will disagree with me but we are all entitled to our opinions. Many thanks to everyone who gives such encouragement on this blog and helped me to get it finished.

Secret garden Chatelaine Mystery X

It has been some time since I posted because I keep forgetting to take photographs. I have made reasonable progress on the last side. The final building is nearly complete but there is still a lot of work to do in the corners and border.I am hoping to have it finished by the end of August, which will not be easy bexause I am on holiday for a time. I hope other members who have forgotten to post like me will do so because it really is a spur to see other people's work.

Secret Garden or Mystery X

I forgot to say in my last post that I had to spend 4 hours frogging on the border because I had used the wrong colour. I don't stitch the gates in one go . I stitch two lengths of ordinary floss and then one of metallic. In this piece all the gates are stitched with metallic threads. I also do one thread border and two for the centre.I find I make reasonable progress this way. I hadn't done any of this for over a year and I had forgotten that to save money I had blended two DMC threads together. I hadn't made a note of which threads I had used together which was a bit silly, fortunately I had kept the colours together in a floss away bag so all was not lost. I know that I will not have much opportunity for sewing this after tomorrow because of other commitments so I have tried to do quite a bit yesterday and today. I have rolled the fabric up so that I can work across in one go. The blurry stuff at the top and bottom is bubble wrap which I use to protect the beads which I add as I sew. The crystals I leave to the end. Best wishes to all of you UFOers out there.

Secret garden or mystery X

It is some time since I posted but I have been stitching away. I have now completed this end of the piece. I am now beginning work on the bushes at the other side of the two buildings. This is the part I thought I had done. I have decided to work the border as I go along because it is very repetitive if left to the end. I am enjoying doing this again. Thank you all for your lovely comments last time. seeing other members' progress really does keep you motivated. I am hoping to get quite a bit done this weekend because the weather is pretty poor. Have a good stitching weekend everyone.

Secret Garden or Mystery X

This is a Chatelaine design which I put to one side over a year ago. I got quite a shock when I unwrapped it because I thought I had done more of it than this. I put it away because I wanted to start another design by Martina Weber(Chatelaine). I think her designs are lovely but they are expensive if you use the silks rather than DMC. They are also large. One end is practically finished and one of the reasons I stopped was because I began to think the borders were a bit OTT. I am sure that with all your support I will finish it. At the momect I am planning on spending a couple of afternoons a week on this probably not starting till June.

Beach hut

You have all inspired me to finish this project. It is complete and ready to go to the framer. Then it will hang in the bathroom. Thank you all for your support. I'll need even more with the next one.

Beach Hut Progress

I am going on holiday so knew that would stop progress on this. I have spent more time than usual on it. Must confess that now I have started it again I really want to get it finished and framed. It is the back stitching which really makes these designs come alive. Looking forward to seeing everyone else's progress when I return from holiday.

Grannyanne Beach Hut

Well I've done some, not as much as I hoped because feeding two hungry boys took away some sewing time. The tap is now dripping and the beach ball is complete perhaps I should finish the swimsuit next. I will do a bit more at the weekend. I am so impressed by the designs which other members are doing. Mine is easy by comparison. I do have other UFO's which are more complicated but I thought start small and work up. You could have quite a discussion on whether something qualifies as a UFO or not. For example I opened up a kit some years ago, Father Christmas with a wish list, started to sort the threads saw just how many bundles there were and put it away. The kit has been opened so is it a UFO or just another item in the stash? Happy stitching everyone and thank you Jen for providing the opportunity for us all to encourage each other with our unfinished projects.

UFO 1

I started this on a Rhine cruise in September 2007. I had really enjoyed doing other cut-through designs by Bothy Threads but I have found this one a bit of a strain. I think this is because I do not find it as humorous as the others. Perhaps this blog will spur me on. My next post should show some progress because I plan on doing some next week. Does a project that you have not even started count as a UFO when you have had the kit for years?