Sunday, February 7, 2021

Tiger Stitch-a-Long : It's happy dance time!!!

Hi everyone! Hope you are all safe and healthy. I'm wishing we lived in the UK; my in-laws received letters notifying them of when and there they had appointments for their COVID vaccination jabs, whereas I am checking 43 different links twice a day to try and get an appointment for my 86-year-old mother. But people are getting vaccinated, which is the good news -- we just haven't won the lottery yet, and I'm sure it's even worse in a lot of places. 

In happier news, I finished the stitching on Mister Tiger!

Apologies for the wavy picture -- it's actually pretty squared up in real life, so won't need much blocking. I'm going to attempt to order backing fabric and trim online ... always a little iffy to get the colors right. 

Now I know what you're thinking -- what's next? Frankly, I'd like your help. I have a few options here. 

One is an embroidery project, which might be perfect, given that February is "National Embroidery Month". It's a weird little kit I bought a while back, thinking I might enjoy it. And, well, to be honest it stresses me out a little! Or maybe I should say it stretches my skills because it's a little free-form, so should I say "impressionistic"?  


For me, deciding how much of each color to stitch is hard -- though the stitching itself is easy. I love this painting and want to do this "right". So it might be a good choice to work on because maybe I'll relax and let this idea that there is one correct solution go. 

Next option is based on another of my favorite works of art, Under the Wave, Off Kanugawa (aka "The Great Wave") by Hokusai. 


It's pretty straightforward; very nicely charted (no squinting at tiny charts!). And it's small compared to some of the projects my fellow stitchers work on -- though it is 10"x14", so it will be a nice long project. 

Finally, potential project number three is a very cute sashiko kit to make up into a bag. Longtime readers may remember an earlier sashiko bag from this same company that was a joy to stitch and worked up pretty quickly. This one has the added bonus of featuring a bunny!


I can't really decide -- so I'd love to hear what you think, and why. (What's clear is that I've moved from my "green period" into a "blue period"!) When we check in next time in three weeks I'll show off the progress made. In the meantime, 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, Carole, SueConstanze, Christina, KathyMargaret, Cindy, Heidi, JackieMegan, Deborah, Mary Margaret, Renee, CarmelaSharon, DaisyAnne, Connie, AJ, JennyLaura, Cathie, Linda, and Helen.

19 comments:

  1. Wow! Mr Tiger is fabulous! You stitched it really fast. I like Van Gogh's Starry Night but it would stress me out to stitch freeform. The wave is lovely too. I remember your last sashiko project which turned out beautifully so my vote would be for number 3. Whatever you make will be lovely. Enjoy your well earned Happy Dance :-)

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    1. Thanks Avis! It's nice to know that I'm not the only person who finds the freeform stitching stressful.

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  2. Your tiger is beautiful. Good luck with the fabric matching. I really like the embroidered project. There is no "right" way. I would just go for it. You could also quickly stitch that sashiko bag and then move on to the embroidery. I have been lucky enough to schedule appointments in March for my 93 year old mother and 87 year old MIL. I wish you luck in getting a vaccine appointment for your mom.

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    1. Thanks Cathie! Backing fabric and trim both arrived today; I want to wait until daylight to see how they really look together. Fingers crossed they'll work together. Glad to hear you've been able to schedule the appointments; still no luck here but I'm staying hopeful.

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  3. 💕 Mr. Tiger! I would go for Starry Night, with frequent breaks (for perspective and rest) where you do a bit of sashiko. I think they would balance each other nicely and reduce the stress!

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    1. Thanks Kathy! I think that's a very good idea -- they do seem like a good counterpoint. One very full, very freeform piece contrasting with one very sparse, very directed piece!

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  4. so well done on finishing tiger! and you seem to be having a very Japan inspired line-up for new projects!

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    1. Thanks Claire! One of the things I have been doing to keep myself sane is plan my next trip to Japan. Not sure when we'll actually be able to go, but I do love planning and walking through the itinerary in my mind when I can't sleep. So it's no wonder that my craft journeys are pointed that direction, too. :)

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  5. Congratulations on finishing Mr. Tiger! He is gorgeous. I wish you so much luck in picking matching fabric.

    I like all three projects. Starry Night would stress me out, but I've been doing that lately with my embroider and it's been kind of nice to stretch a bit. The wave is so pretty and completely different.

    I have a soft spot for all things Sashiko. That looks like a quick stitch and might be fun to work on in between one of the others.

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    1. Thanks Connie! Hopefully the trim that arrived in the mail today is a good match. And, yes, I think the fine line between stretching and stressing with the Starry Night embroidery may be worth walking. I think balancing that with the sashiko kit as Kathy suggested is the way forward!

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  6. Happy Dance on Mr. Tiger - looks wonderful. I vote Starry Nights but the Great Wave is great too :)

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    1. Thanks Sharon! I'm going to be brave and keep stitching on the Starry Nights, I think.

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  7. Congratulations, Mr Tiger looks brilliant. I love the wave, but sometimes it is good to challenge ourselves - we may stress at the beginning but you discover a lot along the way.

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    1. Thanks Deborah! I think I'll try to let go of my control freak nature and work on the freeform embroidery. :)

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  8. Congratulations on a beautiful finish! I'd have to start the bag with the bunny. It is just too cute!

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    1. Thanks Laura! The last thing in the world I needed was another smallish bag, but when I saw the "bunny bag" kit I couldn't resist.

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  9. Happy dance for your finished project! I´d choose the waves, love it!

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    1. Thank you! I think Wave is in my future, but maybe not yet.

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  10. Mmm what a dilemma - I like the bag best but as someone suggested the other two pieces could be worked in tandem, then the bag would be a reward lol . Whatever you decide I am sure we will enjoy watching it develop xx

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