CavyMom's 2016 projects Updated 12/1

[CavyMom]

Wow Photobucket really doesn't want to cooperate lately! I just thought I'd share my current WIP before I put it away for a couple of months to work on holiday projects. You can't see it too well in this picture, but it's sort of skewing or tilting toward the upper left corner. I seem to have this problem a lot when doing lots of half cross stitches and don't know what's causing it. This is my first big project where I'm doing the backstitching as I go, and so far I like it.


And here's what it should look like when it's done:


*edited to fix broken links

[Squirrel]

WOW That is an amazing design, looks so real and you have made a great start on it too. I look forward to the next update on it.

Doing half stitch can sometimes seem as though the work is going skew wiff are you using a hoop or frame? If not that may be the problem. I know many years ago when I stitched 'in hand' the fabric got out of shape but once washed and pinned out it would straighten ok.

[vanessanjf]

Such beautiful work

[cristaltipps]

I was told by an experienced stitcher when i took a piece in to be framed that it will distort the fabric if you do a lot of half crosses, and to do the continental tent stitch instead where not working full crosses.

http://needlepoint.about.com/od/tentsti ... .htm#step2" target="_blank

Hope this helps as if it skews too much it will be a devil of a job to stretch it straight for framing.

[Mabel Figworthy]

What a gorgeous design, and you've made a good start!

[rcperryls]

Lovely start! On big projects like that one, I usually did as much of the the backstitch as I could as I was stitching. I liked being able to see the details emerge. Looking forward to watching this one progress when you get back to it.

Carole

[CavyMom]

Thanks for the nice comments! I'm really enjoying stitching this one.

Sally, I stitch with a hoop, but I recently found a tutorial online by Mary Corbet and discovered I wasn't properly taught how to set up the fabric in my hoop I haven't been adjusting the fabric or tightening the screw enough. Hopefully being mindful of that will help.

Cristaltipps, thank you for the link to the continental tent stitch--it has very clear instructions! I'll have to remember that for future projects. Since this one is a kit, I'm afraid I could run out of thread because it looks like you'd be using more thread along the back. The skew isn't too bad yet--but I do have a completed one that will probably never be stretched straight.

Carole, I used to really dread the backstitch when I left it to the end. When there are a lot of similar colors, it's hard for me to figure out where to put the backstitch. Someone on this message board posted about doing it as they went along, and I just had to try it. Yay for having a place to get great ideas from fellow stitchers!

[BizzieLizzie]

I love the clouds and the waves - I can almost hear them crashing on the rocks. Great project!

[xstitchalanna]

Looks beautiful!

[kingfisher68]

A very good start, will be brilliant when done. Good idea to backstitch as you go along. Look forward to seeing it again once you've done holidays makes.

[Mad Max]

Hi CavyMom,

Great work. I love the colors of the clouds!

[Lisa]

Beautiful great start. Can't wait for it to come out of retirement

[Lulu22]

That's a lovely design and you've made a great start it looks fantastic

[phoebefreckle]

Looks great! I backstitch as I go along. Just prefer not having to go back and stitch it all at the end.

[CavyMom]

Thanks everyone! This project is really special to me. My grandmother who really loved lighthouses passed away late last year. Working on this project makes me feel close to her

Hoping to post a picture of the progress on one of my holiday projects soon!

[CavyMom]

It's been a crazy couple of weeks, but I thought I would post a quick picture of one of my holiday projects. The bolder primary colors are a nice change from all the pastels in the lighthouse project


*edited to fix broken link

[fccs]

Oh, I like the Christmas design - and happy colors.

[Mabel Figworthy]

What a lovely bright project!

[rcperryls]

Bright, cheery and so festive!!

Carole

[Squirrel]

WOW that is looking gorgeous and such lovely bright colours. A pretty update