Sunday, February 28, 2021

New Project(s) Stitch-a-Long, part 1

When we last checked in, three weeks ago, I was trying to decide what project to work on next because I finished stitching Mister Tiger! Would it be the small but for me stressful freeform embroidery of "Starry Night"? Or the big full-coverage cross-stitch of a classic Hokusai print? Or the small and in the end functional sashiko bag? 

Well, first things first -- I ordered trim and fabric off the internet, crossed my fingers, and made up the Tiger needlepoint into a cushion. The trim isn't perfect -- even if I had been able to shop in person it is always a challenge for trims, isn't it? -- but all in all I like how it turned out. 



Of course, now it's clear I have a PROBLEM and probably am not allowed to make any more needlepoint cushions. 

Kiki says "there is no room for me on the couch"

But back to the next project. I liked what a few people suggested -- balancing the freeform embroidery with the tidy, ordered world of sashiko. I have been trying to focus more on the Starry Night piece -- it' the one I find more difficult, so I am trying to work on it first. Not so much force myself -- hey, this is supposed to be fun, right? -- as flex myself. And though I think the colors aren't all that true to the original painting, I'm happy with what I have done so far. 



Most of the piece is done in long and short stitch, with a bit of satin stitch and some backstitching on the "village". I'm now using reverse chain stitch to fill in the trees and give them a little different texture. 




I plan on finishing this up over this nice long weekend; it's my husband's birthday and we're heading off to a cozy cabin in a state park a couple of hours north of here. Heating, electricity, a full bathroom, but no television or internet, and only limited phone service. Bliss!

I also plan on finishing the stitching on this cute sashiko bag. I've gotten a little over half of one side done, so finishing the stitching on that is next up. 



No bonus points for guessing what project will follow these two! I made copies of the big charts and am going to try to approach it like a lot of my fellow stitchers in this stitch-a-long do; by stitching one section at a time. As someone who usually stitches by color in bunches, I'm not sure how that will go!


But I'm getting way ahead of myself. I'll report back in three weeks. In the meantime, please visit the blogs of the other stitchers in this stitch-a-long -- you're sure to be inspired by all the amazing things they do!

Avis, Claire, Gun, CaroleConstanze, Christina, KathyMargaret, Cindy, Heidi, JackieMegan, Deborah, Mary Margaret, Renee, CarmelaSharon, DaisyAnne, Connie, AJ, JennyLaura, Cathie, Linda, and Helen.

Also, a fond farewell to Sue who is leaving our stitch-a-long. I'll miss checking in with her every three weeks!

22 comments:

  1. Beautiful collection of pillows !! So many beautiful projects ... the frame embroidery is spectacular !!
    Hugs, Carmela

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    1. Thank you Carmela! I love needlepoint and I love making something "useful" as well as beautiful -- but no more cushions as there's no more room!

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  2. Congrats on the finish of 'another' gorgeous pillow. I think the trim goes nicely! Starry Nights is looking great - I just ordered a Starry Nights ceramic tile :) Your cabin get a way sounds wonderful. Are you heading up to Mt Baker? Enjoy!

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    1. Thanks Sharon! I had been tempted by Starry Night projects before, but the orderliness of cross stitch or needlepoint didn't seen to capture the painting. I'm happy with how it has come together, now I just need to figure out what to do when it's finished as I am trying very hard not to have stitch finishes just rolled up in a box in the basement!

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  3. Starry Night is looking so pretty. I am so glad that you persevered with it. I do like the Sashiko bag also. These will be great projects for the cabin. Enjoy your weekend.

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    1. Thanks Cathie! Our getaway was perfect, with some trail runs and some hikes and even some stitching. I finished stitching Starry Night and made some progress on the sashiko bag; now I just need to figure out what to "do" with it!

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  4. Mr Tiger is fabulous on his own but with the rest of the cushions WOW! They're fit for a Scottish Castle :-) I think you're very brave to tackle Starry Night. Looking good so far. it's nice to see some sashiko again. My friend bought me a book and some supplies to get me strarted for my birthday. I love anything geometric. I'm sure you'll find working in sections very easy if you put the rest of the chart out f the way. I usually make a big copy of the whole chart, cut it into sections and keep the rest away from my sewing area.

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    1. Thanks Avis! You probably recognize a lot of the pillow designs -- many of them were completed thanks to this stitch-a-long! When I do turn to the big cross stitch piece, I'll be brave and cut up the big copies I made of the chart and just go for it. :)

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  5. I love your Tiger cushion! LOL, Love the couch full of your beautiful stitching too!! You've got some great wips and I'm looking forward to your cross stitch start :)

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    1. Thank you Christina! It's been a long time since I worked on a large cross stitch project, so I am feeling a little anxious about it. So dividing it up I think is the way to go.

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  6. oh Sunny, you cushion collection is amazing!!! I think my favourite is the fox, or maybe the raven, or maybe the hare lol . . . they're all so gorgeously stitched and finished off.

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    1. Thanks Claire! Raven is probably my favorite -- I love ravens -- but I'm so pleased and proud of all the stitching on Swans that it's a close runner up.

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  7. What a gorgeous collection of pillows you have made, it is wonderful to see them all together, and Mr. Tiger is the icing on the cake! I love how Starry Night is looking!

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    1. Thanks Kathy! I haven't grouped them all together like that before; it's fun to see them all. I do wonder what to do with Starry Night because, well, THERE WILL BE NO MORE CUSHIONS. :)

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  8. Wow lots to look at with you this update. Love it all. I even remember some of the cushions which means we have been stitching buddies for a while lol!

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    1. Isn't it funny! I would have sworn that I hadn't been in this SAL for all that long, but I joined three years ago this week, and my first project was the Fox needlepoint! (Plus Swans, Acanthus, and of course Mr. Tiger!)

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  9. You have made some beautiful pillows!

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  10. Your collection of cushions are impressive! The cat can sleep somewhere else :).(that´s me talking, my cat has his own chair, LOL) I think you are doing a great work on all your projects!

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    1. Thank you! The stitching has been over a lot of years, but this SAL has really helped me move through a lot of big projects like these.

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  11. If you run out of space for your cushions I can always give them a holiday here for a while hehehe! I think Tiger is perfect and love the extra fluffy time. Good idea about enlarging the project and cutting into "do-able" sections. xx

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    1. Thanks Helen! Cutting the project into sections is an Avis trick; I've just never been disciplined enough not to peek after the first section! But I think it's a great idea so I can also make sure and make time for other projects.

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