Serindë's 2023 Stitching Adventure 19 December

[Serinde]

Mabel, those 7 x 3 inches represent a small area of the whole. I'm glad I got back to it over lockdown, because I didn't need to think or make decisions. It's a very meditative stitch, actually. But basically, it's too big to fail, if you see what I mean. So don't ever visit... you'll be required to stitch at least one flower or do a row of "frame"!

[rcperryls]

Good point Mabel and Wendy. I have WIPS, UFOs and what I prefer to call "On Hold" It's been really obvious to me which are which. I've been looking at the charts of the pieces that I will get back to as soon as I can after my eye surgery. They know they are first in line since they aren't crying but are cheering me on. Some whimper a little bit and I am pretty sure a few are asleep, hibernating or (I hate to say this)in a coma. If you are determined to work on the tapestry would it help if you limited the time you let yourself work on it, maybe one day a week or so many hours a week? I found when I realized I could work on more than one project at a time (thank you CSF for reminding me there are no laws in
CrossStitching ) that I didn't want to stop what I was working on when I tried a rigid schedule. That only lasted for a short while.

Carole

[Mabel Figworthy]

basically, it's too big to fail

Hmm, so this tapestry is like a national bank, is it ? Seriously though, I'm not sure in embroidery I would call anything too big to fail. I do know what you mean about stitching without the need to think or make decisions - that's basically what my dragon was, and it's actually helped me get my bug back. If you do still find it meditative, well and good. And yes, sometimes you work on a project because you feel you have to rather than because you want to, but I truly believe that if there is only "must", the piece has lost its main purpose of giving you pleasure. My Canvaswork, for example, at times is a "must", but the whole undertaking of the Certificate still gives me immense pleasure; if that venture as a whole became something I only did because I had invested so much in it already, I sincerely hope I'd stop.

OK, sermon over - in the end, the only person who can decide whether this piece is worth stitching is you!

[Steam.Jo]

You are so close to finishing Serinde

I have a similar medieval piece in my collection that was given to me on a rather nice sewing frame. Its title is 'La dame and La Licorne "La Vie" ' which is a mere 20" by 26", it came with no threads. I hope to find someone to give it to..


Jo

[fccs]

I agree with Mabel. If "must" is the only reason for working on a WIP, it's time to let it go. It took me many years to accept this reality, but in the end stitching is supposed to bring us joy and shouldn't have to be forced.

[Serinde]

Last year (ahem), I purchased Corinne Lapierre's 12 Days of Christmas kit when it was on sale. I thought to myself, thought I, that if I did one set a month, then it would be finished without fuss by the following December. The best laid plans and all that. You'll notice that this is the partridge... and it was August on holiday... and that it is double-sided. But I have since stitched the pear, a turtledove and am now finishing the French hen. They need to be stuffed, of course, and closed up, but that's ok...

[rcperryls]

So what if it takes a bit longer? I love that partridge! I guess it needs to be stuffed? It looks perfectly perfect to me!

Carole

[Mabel Figworthy]

Stuffed partridge sounds good *yum*

Serinde, there is a Christmas every year, so they won't be wasted however long they take!

[Serinde]

Yes, that's certainly true. I'm still trying for 2023, however!

[Serinde]

Here's a quick and dirty (metaphorically speaking) make, needed at no notice, with a young ability level and no special supplies required for our local village magazine. Felt, backed onto an old Christmas card for colour. We don't usually have space in this winter issue, but in truth there were fewer obituaries I'm delighted to report. So here's a Stashmas Tree! (Should also have taken a pic of my work space when I'd finished...

[Mabel Figworthy]

A brilliant festive project for young crafters

[Serinde]

Thanks, Mabel. I was very conscious that many households are struggling (even in a quiet way in my village, which is quite well-heeled). Stuff lying around, the ubiquitous button box, etc, could all be raided. But making something fun but not expensive is often a shot in the arm in these troubled times. Writing up the "instructions" was the most time-consuming thing! (As you'll know.) The template for this tree, plus a number of other fun ones -- all free -- are found at https://www.paper-and-string.net -- but beware! There are some wonderful things on that site...

[fccs]

Oh, there are some fun designs there! And your tree is adorable!

[Serinde]

Days 4, 5 and 7 . Quite a snooty swan, you'll agree. And the gold ring does look like a very blingy life preserver.

[Mabel Figworthy]

The swan is very aware of its dignity - and if you do need a life preserver, why not a blingy one!

[rcperryls]

The swan is very aware of its dignity - and if you do need a life preserver, why not a blingy one!

I agree completely

Carole

[fccs]

The swan is very aware of its dignity - and if you do need a life preserver, why not a blingy one!

I agree completely

Carole

i, too, agree. We all need some extra bling in our life, even on a life preserver.

[Serinde]

Here's a question: when a stitch designer calls for mount board to finish a project, can anyone give me an idea what this means? How thick, for example? I can get scraps from a local framer, but he deals in all manner of thicknesses, so 2mm? 3mm?

[Mabel Figworthy]

The mount board I've used so far is between 1.5 and 2mm thick (although for Certificate mounting you have to stick two together). It depends on the size of the piece, I would think.

[wendywombat]

Fancy That!! I never knew that mount board comes in different thicknesses!
Well, each day we learn something new!