The Peacock's Feather

Backtracking!

So much for progress.  I thought I was finally finished with the outside border on my Toccata, when I discovered the motifs weren't going to match up.  I was a thread off, and it took me forever to figure out what happened and where!  As it turns out the satin stitches on the left side have one extra stitch, which messed up the last few motifs.  Luckily I only have to pick out two motifs and then fix the satin stitches.  I have got most of them picked out, but now it will likely have to wait until the weekend to restitch what I had to pick out.  If the error was in the other side, I had decided to just leave it, as I can't imagine re-doing those Queen Stitches!!  I was happy it was something that could be fixed.  I want to make this as exact as I can, since it is going to be framed and displayed!  I will get to those middle motifs soon!

I have been thinking that since I need some stitching inspiration, I really should start working on a new project.  Any excuse to start something new, eh?  Isn't Vero's Sampler stunning?  I need to look through my stash and see what I have, as a sampler sounds like fun (and I really enjoyed working on the John Foster sampler I finished last year).  I want to work on something fairly traditional.  I know the last thing I need to do is start something new, but I want something that I really feel like stitching (and right now that is a sampler, and of course my Toccata as well!).  Any favorites?  Not that I need to buy anything new...

It's in the mail!

So here it is!  This is the project that took me weeks and weeks and weeks to stitch and finally finish!  It is now in the mail.  I think I am safe sharing a photo now as I don't think anyone from the Yahoo group I belong to here comes here to my blog.  It is an M Designs needleroll called "Rose Mosaic Needle Roll".  I used Kreinik Silk Mori , Weeks Overdyed Floss and Mill Hill beads and treasures to stitch it.  I have stitched a few needlerolls before, but I am still not overy confident with the finishing.  I decided to follow that instructions for finishing as they seemed rather detailed.  Unfortunately it was a bit of a mistake.  I counted threads carefully, but for a novice finisher like me, they did not allow enough room for the hemstitching.  The bottom of the needleroll is how it turned out following their instructions (I was quite disappointed in this--but as I had already cut away the fabric, there was nothing for it, but to leave it as it was).  The top shows what I thought would be a more reasonable amount of space (I was much more pleased--but now the two ends don't match).  I do like, however, that the stitching goes all the way around the needle roll and meets up on the back.  I guess as long as you don't look too closely and leave the bad end on the bottom, maybe it won't be so noticeable!  Still I was pleased that it turned out okay for the most part, and of course am very happy to have gotten it in the mail.  The next birthday is not until the end of July.  I think I will stitching something other than a needleroll!!  LOL.  I should at least give it a little thought, but I am ready to work on a project of my own for a bit now.  I even pulled out Toccata last night and added a few stitches!  Hopefully my stitching will return to normal now! 

It's Finished

I thought the day would never arrive.  But I am finished with the gift I have been stitching for what feels like forever!  I took a photo last night and will have to upload it (my computer and digital camera are having issues, so I always dread it) this weekend when I have a little spare time.  I had some problems with finishing, but I hope they are not glaringly noticeable!  I need to wrap the gifts still, but everything will go into the mail tomorrow after work!  YAY.  And I have even gotten back to work on a small Prairie Schooler project (it has felt nice to stitch the past two days, even if it was only for about a half hour each time!).  Now I just have to find a suitable box--why are they so hard to find when you need one?  I'll have to see what the post office has to offer as there were no good ones at my work!  Photos to follow soon!

Still Here!

I'm still here!  Sorry I have not been posting lately at all.  I am finally finished stitching the gift I mentioned in my last post a couple of weeks ago, and am finally working on doing the finishing.  I hope it get it in the mail in the next few days.  It will feel good to get it out of the way.  You know how you might enjoy a project, but you get sort of tired of it, and you just want to finish it?  Well, that's exactly how I feel.  I am so ready to work on something different--I can't even tell you!  I need to work on getting back to stitching every day--even if it is only for fifteen minutes at a time.  In the last few weeks the only stitching time I have had is on Saturday nights and for only a couple of hours each time.  I have my blogroll set up to read through Bloglines, and every day I check it and drool over everyone else's work, their finishes, and new stash!!  I'm sorry I have not been commenting on other people's blogs, but I have indeed been reading!!  And thanks for all the nice comments on my last post--I am ready to get my mojo back big time! :) 

A Peek

I feel terrible that I have not been updating my blog very regularly these days.  I read the blogs that are on my sidebar through bloglines, and I always drool over all the lovely finishes that everyone else seems to be accomplishing these days--or even progress on projects.  Unfortunately just thinking about stitching, which is what I feel like I am only doing these days, does not make very exciting blog posts!  I thought I would give you a tiny peek of the gift I am stitching, however.  I don't believe the recipient stops by here, so I should be safe--and I am not going to show the whole design.  I am actually stitching a bit each day or every other day, though it is not as much as I would like to.  I will be quite happy when I finally finish this and can work on some of my own WIPs!  Even though it is going slow, I am making progress though. 

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to everyone who celebrates the holiday! However you celebrate!  I finally was able to work a bit on my birthday exchange gift last night.  I plan on taking it with me this afternoon to my sister's house where my family will be celebrating Easter.  I'm not sure how many stitches I will get in as Sunday afternoons always fly by--especially when you are with family!  Enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone!   

AWOL

Sorry.  I have not been around here much at all lately.  Things have been hectic at work, and that rushed feeling has been spilling over into my home life lately.  I have not picked up my needle since last weekend, and I am feeling terribly behind!  I need to try and finish my project for the birthday exchange.  Once again it looks as though I am going to be tardy mailing it out.  I think my exchange days may be coming to a close after I complete the last two gifts for this exchange.  I hate always being late, but life is just too crazy at the moment.  I keep looking longingly at my Toccata, but not picking it up.  I would feel too guilty when I know I am not done with this gift!!  Needless to say I will have to squeeze in some stitching time at some point this weekend!  At least the goodies I ordered to include in the gift arrived yesterday, so I won't be waiting for those.  If only there were more hours in the day...

Have a nice weekend everyone!  Happy stitching!

More Toccata

Not a lot more, but a little progress at least.  I have started to make my way down the left hand side now.  If I could devote a few serious hours of stitching time to this (and not be distracted by a movie!), I could probably finish up the border and start working on the middle motifs!  Still a little progress is better than no progress!

I have mostly been working on the next birthday gift for my birthday exchange.  I need to try and finish it soon, as her birthday is mid-month!  It is taking me longer than I expected, but I think it will be worth all the work!  Then I can breath a small sigh of relief. There will only be two more birthdays left and the next one won't be until July!  As much as I love exchanges, it is always nice to get them finished and in the mail!