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Sunday, February 24, 2019

Swan Stitch-a-Long, part 8

Hi everyone! This is probably the first time that the three weeks between check-ins has felt like more than three weeks. Here's where I was last time:


I had hoped to finish outlining the leaves, figure out a stitch for the cattail heads, and maybe do some of the background. And, thanks to the snowy weather keeping me close to home more often than expected... I got a LOT done! Here's where I am today:


I got the all the leaves outlined and stitched:


And I stitched the cattail heads. In the end I just went with regular tent stitch, but studded them with French knots in addition to the French knots called for next to to the stems. 


I also stitched a lot of the outer background, and I decided on stitches for the side border stripes:


When I originally plotted out this project, I assumed I'd be stitching in my usual way -- the animals first, then the leaves, then the background, and then the borders. I even split up the project into "things" in my 101 Things in 1001 Days project, with the wings being part 1, the necks and heads part 2, the bodies part 3, the leaves part 4, and the background part 5. Okay, I didn't really think it through, but that was the plan. 

So because I have completed the leaves, I'm going to list this as a task completed ... even if it's the 4th out of 5...

For the next three week stretch I plan to stitch the rest of the upper background, the side border on the right side, and then -- start stitching the swans! Looking forward to reporting more progress on Sunday, March 17.

My fellow stitchers have undoubtedly been busy, too; visit their blogs and check out all of their amazing work:

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, LucyAnn, Kate, Jess, Sue, Constanze, Debbierose, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Helen, Steph, LindaHeidi, Jackie, Hayley, Megan, CatherineDeborah, Connie, and Clare... and welcome back Mary MargaretRenee, Jenny, Carmela, Jocelyn, and a big welcome to our newest member, Sharon.

25 comments:

  1. Wow, that is a lot of progress. Love the little French knots.

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    1. Thanks Deborah! One really nice thing about our snowy weather meant I spent a lot more time on the couch. I was dreading doing the French knots, but it spurred me to do more of the background!

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  2. Wow, you are really flying through this Sunny! I love the stitch variety you have chosen.

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    1. Thanks Kathy! I have another project I am getting way behind on, so maybe there won't be as much progress next time... but this is the project I really want to be working on!

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  3. This is growing so quickly. I love all the different stitches you're using.

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    1. Thanks Avis! It's been so fun to work on I've been ignoring my other projects!

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  4. Hi!You have had good progress!! Very beautiful!

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    1. Thanks Carmela! I am really enjoying this project.

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  5. Ah yes, I remember these beautiful swans. And you've made such wonderful progress too. I am interested in reading about the different stitches you are applying.

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    1. Thanks Jocelyn! Maybe next time I'll actually name what I'm doing. I *think* I know names of the other stitches!

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  6. Wow Sunny, that is great progress, and it's looking beautiful. I think the french knots are really effective on the cat tails. Jenny x

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    1. Thanks Jenny! I'm happy to have the French knots behind me, frankly. There's a lot of filling in now, and then I will have to design a top and bottom border, but I feel like I'm in the second half of the project now.

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  7. ooooh don't those bullrushes look 3-dimensional now!

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  8. Wow! You have made so much progress. Absolutely stunning work.

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  9. Great progress and the embroidery is coming along nicely!!!!!

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  10. Wow you did do well this time. A bit more snow and you will soon be Happy Dancing.

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  11. Thanks Helen -- though I'm pretty happy to have snow-free streets, even if it does mean less stitching!

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  12. Those cattails looks great. As does the background areas you've stitched. I used to do those fancier stitches on my canvas work; now I'm content to just basketweave the continental stitch!

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  13. Fantastic work! This is such a masterpiece and is really coming along well.

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  14. Looks great. Great progress!

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