Tuesday 12 August 2014

WIP Updates!


So, here I am showing progress pictures of my latest WIPs. To be honest, it feels a little strange to not be posting pictures of some tigers!
Also, there's that this-doesn't-look-like-anything stage at the beginning of any new project that just makes progress pictures a bit of a bore, in my opinion.

But, then again, it's really nice to be able to look back and see what things used to look like, which is why I do this.

The above picture is the top left corner of So Lonely from Tilton Crafts. As soon as I saw it I knew I had to stitch it. I love bears and I'd never seen a decent Polar Bear cross stitch design until this one. This (along with Indy and Mother's Love) is the first small-count, complicated design I've ever tackled. So far I'm really enjoying it.
You can buy this amazing design HERE

Here's a distance shot so you can see how big it's going to be:

There's actually another 4 inches or so at the bottom too. So, I've got a reaaaaallly long way to go! :-)

You may be wondering why I haven't posted any more progress pics for Mother's Love from my own company.
Well, to be honest, I've abandoned it until I get some new fabric (which is in the post! (or mail to my US friends)). I really couldn't get on with the 25 count I was using, or the 27 count I bought to replace it (I've now started that design twice!).
So, given that the 28 count I'm using for So Lonely is a joy to work with I've ordered more of the same.

For anyone who wants to know the fabric is from DMC, their Charles Craft Range and it's 20x24" 28 count Monaco in white. It's 100% cotton and it has a thicker, more rigid feel.

I've also not done any further work on my Indy picture...but that may change this week!

Finally, I have my easy WIP.
The latest design from my own company, I designed this one for someone on Facebook who wanted something she could stitch for her gay granddaughter. I wanted something that wasn't gender specific, and this is what I came up with.
That stands for 'Too Cute to be Straight' in case you can't figure it out.

I've used the colours of the Rainbow Flag too, which I really like and I think makes for an interesting design.
I've already started stitching this too and here's where I'm up to:

It's a nice easy stitch. Designed in 14 count and using only 9 colours with gold Kreinik thread for the backstitch - just to give it some bling!
I'm doing this on a 16count evenweave band. Not quite sure what I'll do with it when it's finished, but I'm sure Nigel or I will think of something.

At the request of a Facebook friend, I also have the same design with a different layout - so that it's adaptable for cushions or standard frame sizes.
Here's Version 2:
 I also have a companion piece in the works which I think will appeal to people as well. At least I hope so!

In other news....I'm still hunting for new artists and hope to have new designs for my company soon.

HAPPY STITCHING!

4 comments:

  1. Hi Neil,

    Love your new WIP- enjoy! Are you using 28 count 1 over 1?

    Am curious as to why you didn't like the other fabrics. I absolutely love 18 count Aida, but have recently had to venture out to higher counts like you.

    Advice I received was to use Lugana. I tried 25 count for at least multiple weeks and absolutely hated it & tossed it out. Evenweave didn't make me happy either and I ended up buying (expensive) linen which is okay to work with. But I don't like it as much as my 'standard 18 count Aida', which has been my go to fabric for many years.

    What do you like better about the Monaco? Have never tried it.

    I have recently purchased a sampler pattern - my first - and 'the word on the street' is to always use linen as Aida looks ugly.

    Have never made a sampler & can understand Aida won't work if there are stitches over 1 and over 2.

    But am curious to know if it's indeed ugly when Aida fabric shows - it doesn't in my 'normal' projects because they're all full coverage.

    Is it worth spending the extra money for linen?

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    1. Hi Bianca

      I also love 18 count aida - and my Indy picture is being stitched on that. Personally, I've never found aida to be 'ugly' - but it does have a modern look to it. Linen and evenweave give a softer, almost antique feel to the finish. Have a look on my facebook photos for the album of designs I've done. There are a couple of Mirabilia designs that are done on linen (Mermaid of the Pearls, Adia the Garden Fairy and Rose of Sharon).

      Monaco evenweave has a dense feel. It actually feels thick between the fingers. It's also quite rigid - much more like aida. So, the needle feels supported as it goes through and the stitches don't seem to slip or become misshapen as they do on linen (in my experience).

      If your design calls for over 2 AND over 1 then I would definitely go with linen or evenweave.

      Most of my designs are on aida and I've never had a problem with them. Also, no one has ever called them ugly...which is probably a good thing for them! LOL!

      Feel free to message me on Facebook if you need answers to things as well. I'm on most mornings and will ALWAYS answer you! :-)

      Hope that helps Bianca and I wish you all the luck!

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  2. Nice progress! I think when you're working on high count fabric regular pictures are a must or you just don't see how far you've come.

    Like your new designs.

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    1. Thanks Bea! I agree about the photos. :-)

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