Drawn Thread – MOTM Update

Hi friends!

I’m sure you’re wondering what progress there’s been with my 25th anniversary stitching of DT Marriage of the Minds. I must admit that things have been slow – I’ve been ‘distracted’ by other little projects, I think, mainly because I’m not 100% happy with the results. I’ll tell you why after you’ve seen the photo updates below…

Marriage of the Minds

Marriage of the Minds close up

The truth of the matter is that I’m not happy with it because there’s insufficient coverage with the one strand thread and I can see too much fabric behind it

Bottom line: it’s a toss between 1) unpicking what I’ve stitched and starting again with DMC threads on the same 32 count fabric OR 2) getting 36 count linen fabric and starting afresh using the NPI/Gloriana threads. My decision? Option 2. Means a bit more of a delay until I get in the 36 count fabby – but that doesn’t worry me too much. Instead of frogging, I’ll finish what I’ve already stitched into a little commemorative pillow with our initials on it. I’ll be happy with that! Problem solved

Talking about Drawn Thread, if you fans out there haven’t already seen the new releases, pop over to Cynthia’s blog and check them out!  She’s also designed a new freebie for us to stitch – thank you, Cynthia.

Happy Stitching
Pokua

Thank You, Girls!

I’d like to say a huge thank you and {{hugs}} to KarenV, CindyF, Patti, Barbara and AnneS for their advice and encouragement, which has given me a new stitching experience with 1 silk thread over 2with Drawn Thread’s Marriage of the Minds. Here’s what I was able to stitch on Sunday afternoon. Sorry about the poor pictures – this was the best I could do in artificial light.

Anne, you’re right – the Gloriana is slightly thinner than the NPI silks.
So far, I’m very happy with the way it’s going

Thanks, girls
Pokua

Help Please! – DT Marriage of the Minds

If anyone is stitching or has completed  Marriage of the Minds, I’d really appreciate some help. I’ve just started stitching it with the presecribed NPI silks. The design says to use 1 silk thread over 2 fabric threads. I tried that, but wasn’t happy with the coverage on the fabric, so stitched a little of the pattern with 2/2. The fabric is Zweigart 32 count Clay.Here’s what it looks like:

I’m a beginner with silk threads and they handle very differently to cotton. I’ve noticed that using 2/2 the threads tend to twist more.
Question: Should I follow the original instructions and stitch 1/2? I’m worried about not getting the result I want I’ve invested $$ in the silks, so want it to finish well and it’s my 25th wedding anniversary sampler. My feeling is to continue with the 2/2

I really need your advice, please!

Pokua

Giveaway No. 4

First of all, a huge apology to you all – I wasn’t able to post this giveaway  as promised yesterday due to problems with WordPress. Nothing I did would geti it to  upload the photos  

Anyway… here it is. This one is Drawn Thread’s All You Need is Love  finished as a  hanging ornament.

ornament front

 

tassel detail

ornament backing fabric

This ornament is given as a tribute to the love of stitching that brings us all together in friendship.

The draw closes on Sunday 15th February. Good luck

Pokua

Happy New Year!

Wishing all cyberstitchers a fantastic New Year in 2009

At this time of year I often make a mental note of things I’d like to do or changes I’d like to make in my life, but I never really get down to making any formal resolutions.  I’ve  admired those who make monthly stitching goals and review them regularly, so for 2009 I’d like to try that out in hopes that it will help me to achieve more completions.  Alas, Santa did not deliver the turbo needles I so wished for  

 

Stitching goals for January

1. WIP reduction – complete 4 houses of Sampler Game Board
2. Start a new pattern from my stash
3. Stitch 1 small Christmas ornament

I’m keeping it very simple. Let’s see how I go with this. Wish me luck

On the stitching front, I’ve been busy doing a bit of finishing. Here  are some  for your viewing pleasure:

All You Need is Love – Drawn Thread

Hanging ornament

Celtic Motif  from Dunmani Designs bookmark finished into a scissors fob

Scissors fob

Scissors fob front

Scissors fob back

  

Summer Scene – Drawn Thread

pin cushion

 

Watch out! More of these finishes coming soon.

Happy Stitching,

Pokua

Love, Hope & Charity

Hi all

It’s been a while since I did some serious stitching and I thought I’d share with you a few small  pieces I’ve finished recently  and my completed Carriage House Sampling’s Virtue Series.

CHS Love, Faith, Hope & Charity 
- I’ve stitched these 4 patterns on the one fabric so I can frame them together. Used the DMC threads and really love the combination of colours and how they’ve turned out.

 

Here are some closeups

 

Drawn Thread -Love
- this beautiful freebie  which I’ve seen completed on some of your blogs. Stitched with DMC threads.

 

Elizabeth Designs – Peace
- another cute freebie, stitched on 32 count lugana which I tea-dyed. Absolutely adorable sheep!

 AMAP Quaker a 6 Mains
- a small motif from that lovely sampler so generously shared by AMAP, stitched with DMC 4030 variegated thread

That’s all for now - I’m off to finish the smalls into ornaments which will be given away as gifts. Shhhh… this is going to be a surprise so I’m not giving away any more information!

My stitching is going so slowly and I have so many patterns to stitch. If any of you know where I can lay my hands on some turbo needles, please give me a hoy!

Happy stitching

Pokua