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Re: Luis Royo: Luz. Update 23 Feb 2017
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 1:34 pm
by wendywombat
This design may not be something I would do, the pale colours....and so many shades of them..... would drive me Nuts!
But I have to say, Richard that this is really going splendidly!
![applesauce :applesauce:](./images/smilies/eusa_clap.gif)
Re: Luis Royo: Luz. Update 23 Feb 2017
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 2:33 pm
by rcperryls
![applesauce :applesauce:](./images/smilies/eusa_clap.gif)
Lovely progress! Backgrounds are important in so many projects, but can get a bit tedious when stitching. They do provide some relief though from areas filled (or overfilled?) with confetti!
Carole
![Dance :dance:](./images/smilies/eusa_dance.gif)
Re: Luis Royo: Luz. Update 23 Feb 2017
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 2:50 pm
by kingfisher68
Re: Luis Royo: Luz. Update 23 Feb 2017
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 3:28 pm
by richardandtracy
Thanks for your kind comments. I suppose I am around 300 stitches away from the page finish, which will make 29097 stitches from 110730 stitches, or 26.3% through. If I can keep this rate up, I may finish in June 2020.
As for being patient. No, I don't think so. Just stubborn. Very stubborn!
There is a certain amount of variety in the background, as it's almost all confetti just as much as the figure herself. There are few places with more than 3 stitches in a row of the same blend. So, have to concentrate & put all concerns to one side, usually to the sound track of purring coming from the feline infestation on my lap.
Regards,
Richard
Re: Luis Royo: Luz. Update 23 Feb 2017
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 7:42 pm
by RosemaryD
It's great to see the detail emerging in this.
I see you're using tent stitch here, which I've been thinking about for future projects but am worried that in very confetti-heavy areas with lots of single stitches I would have problems anchoring thread tails on the back. With full crosses even if I make a single stitch I get a vertical on the back to anchor that tail and tails of previous threads which wouldn't happen with single half crosses. Does it work ok for you?
Re: Luis Royo: Luz. Update 23 Feb 2017
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 8:40 am
by richardandtracy
Yes, it does work.
I'm getting a pad up to 2mm thick on the back of the fabric made up of tails and cross country movement thread. No problem at all to anchor threads. In places the pad is getting so dense it's a problem to get the needle through, instead. On 28 ct I'm happy to move to the next stitch of the same colour if it's up to 30 stitches away - as that's only an inch in actual distances. You don't need many of these long reach stitches to make enough threads to anchor to even if there are not too many stitches on the front face of the fabric.
In areas where the back is almost uncovered & I'm coming to the end of a thread, I tend to deliberately create a number of stitches with long threads on the back. Imagine a tent stitch being bottom left to top right, then move to the stitch to the left of the first one, and again do that one bottom left to top right. Three or four of these stitches & you have enough slack thread on the back to anchor a tail, and several more threads can be anchored there too, making the start of a small pad which can then be used for yet more...
Regards,
Richard
Re: Luis Royo: Luz. Update 23 Feb 2017
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 10:47 am
by RosemaryD
Thanks, good to know. I suspect I would need to use longer tails and carry threads further than I currently do (max 15 on 32ct and rarely more than 10 on 28ct). I will experiment.
Re: Luis Royo: Luz. Update 23 Feb 2017
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 9:35 pm
by fccs
As usual, Richard, this is a stunning update. I love seeing your progress - on this and on Gryff.
Re: Luis Royo: Luz. Update 23 Feb 2017
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2017 2:14 am
by AlwaysGoofy
Your work is always so amazing. I love that the book and the hilt have started to become visible. I always look forward to your updates. I am reminded of how detailed your pieces are and what patient person you must be.
Re: Luis Royo: Luz. Update 1 Mar 2017
Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2017 1:48 pm
by richardandtracy
Well, I managed to get the page finish on 28 Feb, so Luz has now been put away. This is the state she was in when packed away:
![Image](http://www.crossstitchforum.com/gallery/pic.php?mode=large&pic_id=8254)
So, 29097 stitches, and 26.3% and 5 pages complete. The last few hundred stitches had 40 or 50 different blends in them, with very few colours having more than 5 stitches. Some skeins had to be used for the first time, and I can now pack them away as they are done with for these two projects I'm working on. Expensive little stitches!
Be glad to get back on to Gryff, but I am pleased with the way the hilt looks on Luz' sword.
Regards,
Richard
Re: Luis Royo: Luz. Update 1 Mar 2017
Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2017 3:27 pm
by rcperryls
Re: Luis Royo: Luz. Update 1 Mar 2017
Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2017 4:44 pm
by AlwaysGoofy
I can see the hilt details have definitely come into view here. This piece is really coming together. I'm sorry you're putting it away but glad to see Gryff coming out again.
Re: Luis Royo: Luz. Update 1 Mar 2017
Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2017 5:33 pm
by vanessanjf
Re: Luis Royo: Luz. Update 1 Mar 2017
Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2017 9:21 pm
by wendywombat
Well done, Richard. Great progress there.
Looking forward to Gryff again.
![Dance :dance:](./images/smilies/eusa_dance.gif)
Re: Luis Royo: Luz. Update 5 May 2017
Posted: Fri May 05, 2017 9:18 am
by richardandtracy
I have been erratically having a go at 'Luz' since 12th April. The fact I'm only working on background at the moment has done wonders to reduce motivation, but nonetheless I have had the odd spurt doing it. I'm working on page 12 of the chart, starting at the top and generally working my way down.
The progress is as below:
So, that's the top right quarter of the chart complete. And a little bit extra. I hope to get slightly more motivated soon.
Regards,
Richard
Re: Luis Royo: Luz. Update 5 May 2017
Posted: Fri May 05, 2017 10:33 am
by CarrieGF
wow Richard, it is amazing!
at leaset you have most of the background completed now so the extra detail may increase motivation for you.
excellent work.
Re: Luis Royo: Luz. Update 5 May 2017
Posted: Fri May 05, 2017 5:03 pm
by rcperryls
Re: Luis Royo: Luz. Update 5 May 2017
Posted: Fri May 05, 2017 6:42 pm
by tiffstitch
That is amazing! It is unfortunate that the background stitching can be so monotonous, but it does make the main character stand out really well. Sometimes I'll do a little background, then some of the main character to give myself motivation.
Re: Luis Royo: Luz. Update 5 May 2017
Posted: Fri May 05, 2017 10:26 pm
by AlwaysGoofy
Your patience (or is it maybe a lack thereof) will pay off in the end with working through this background. The picture is so very stunning and detailed. Your charting expertise is right up there with your stitching expertise. I look forward to each and every update you do.
Re: Luis Royo: Luz. Update 5 May 2017
Posted: Sat May 06, 2017 2:06 am
by fccs
It's beautiful! I can see how the background had get old after awhile, but your perseverance will be worth it. Gorgeous stitching.