Excuse all the creases in the fabric, this is what becomes of having so much extra material to work around, I'm finding it rather tricky actually, it's being folded and rolled but I can't seem to position it in a way which makes it easy to stitch. In fact, I'm beginning to think that I've bitten off more than I can chew. This is only my second cross stitch project and I've gone for something quite challenging for me. One saving grace is that it's worked in twelve smaller sections so it's not quite so overwhelming. I shall proceed as I usually do with any large project and work on it in my own time and take it at my own speed, that way I don't start feeling bogged down on what should be an enjoyable activity.
I haven't got very far but I haven't had very much time for crafting this past month or so. I'm trying to find a little extra time as it gives me a lot of pleasure when I do work on it. With two or three large projects on the go at the moment, I've decided that I shall work on some smaller things in between. I've seen the You Are So Loved cross stitch design on quite a few blogs and I think it's delightful. It's another free design from The Snowflower Diaries. I've printed off the chart and bought the threads I need so I'm good to go.
Talking of threads, the storage box which Mick bought me for Christmas is filling up nicely, I've bought all the threads I'll need to complete the first three months of Joyful World and You Are So Loved.
I'm going to have to search out a local or localish craft shop which stocks cross stitch supplies. There's a local shop which is great for DMC thread as it's only 50p, compared to Hobbycraft which sells it at 90p, it's very cheap. I haven't found anywhere yet which stocks a good range of fabric, I know it can be bought online but I do like to see before I buy, one of the downsides to shopping on the internet.
I've got a little bit of spare time this afternoon so I think a stitchy hour or two is in order, I just need to decide whether to plough on with Joyful World or make a start on You Are So Loved, decisions decisions.
Good Afternoon Jo, I love what you have done so far and as with all new things, it does take a while to get to grips with new techniques.
ReplyDeleteI only wish I could heed my own advice, as I am terrible, I always want to be able to do whatever I learn, perfectly, the first time I do it.... I have no idea why.
I love how you have arranged your threads. Do you buy the embroidery threads in skanes and then wrap them around these little cards? Great storage idea.
Enjoy your day.
Best Wishes
Daphne
That's true, I'm just going to enjoy the process without worrying how long it's taking me or getting too stressed about how creased the fabric's getting, I just hope it will all iron out. Yes, the thread is bought in skeins and then I have a little manual winder which wraps them on to the bobbins, it's a good way to store them.
DeleteEnjoy a couple of hours crafting, it is so therapeutic I always get so much more done when I have had a couple of hours to myself. I am not a fan of ordering off the internet either, I like to feel the quality.
ReplyDeleteIt is therapeutic. I do order some things online but I much prefer shopping in person, I think I'm a bit old fashioned that way. I've never done a grocery shop online.
DeleteFor fabric I hear Fabworks in Dewsbury is good ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for that. I was actually referring to cross stitch fabric, I don't think I made that very clear in my post, but it's good to know of a good dressmaking fabric shop anyway.
DeleteSounds as if your Wednesday is a bit like mine - but in reverse!
ReplyDeleteI had a quiet morning and really enjoyed 'doing nothing' my mind was definitely in meandering mode.
But your afternoon is going to be enjoyed with some stitching, and you will enjoy seeing the results, a stitch at a time!
I do like the 'You are so loved' piece, I can see why it's popular.
Have a good Wednesday afternoon and enjoy the rest of your week too.
All the best Jan
I do like a bit of time to myself, I'm very happy with my own company, but it's quite rare that I find myself with spare time at the moment. The You Are So Loved design is really lovely, isn't it. I'd like to get it done so that I can give it to Eleanor with her 18th birthday gifts in July.
DeleteJo, that's a lovely idea Eleanor would love it. Hope you get it finished in time - I'm sure you will.
DeleteAll the best Jan
Me too, I haven't started it yet though so we'll see.
DeleteGreat start on the January piece Jo. I'm sure you will get the hang of holding that much fabric, i use a clip frame because i need to use a magnifier now, but some nights depending on my mood i find even that difficult to hold.
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely to have some time to yourself, i too am quite happy in my own company and relish a little time on my own, i will have plenty this weekend as hubby has to work a two week stretch away, of course i will tell him how much i miss him while secretly wallowing in all that time alone to stitch to my hearts content :-)
I too need a magnifier and I think most of the creases in the fabric come from that. It's so awkward having that much fabric spare that I can't get the clip frame positioned right so I'm ending up having to clip the magnifier on to the fabric itself. It's all a learning curve at this stage I suppose, perhaps it will get easier as I go on. Mick's never away for such long periods, two or three days at once is as far as it goes but I still have Eleanor at home with me at the moment though I suppose that will change later on in the year when she goes off to uni, things will be very different then.
DeleteBoth projects are beautiful and I hope you'll enjoy the second one as much as the first. As you've said, just work on it at your own speed and make it enjoyable. I'm doing a bit of stitching too and it's very relaxing, especially on sunny afternoons like we're having this week. X
ReplyDeleteI think the second project will be much easier than the first, purely because I won't have so much spare fabric to take care of whilst I'm stitching. I think the lighter days make it much easier to stitch, my eyesight isn't what it was so I need some natural light to see what I'm doing.
DeleteI hope that cross stitch becomes easier, do you have a frame that allows you to work on it? I recall seeing such items in my youth when my mum cross stitched, the frame kept the piece taut, maybe yours is too large.I do like all the colourful threads in your storage box, hope you find a local supplier soon, I like to see things before I buy too.xxx
ReplyDeleteI do have a frame but you're right, there's too much fabric to get it settled in to it properly. It's quite cumbersome, perhaps it will become less so as I get used to it. I'm so pleased I've got this storage box, it keeps all the threads neat and tidy, they can easily become a tangled mess.
DeleteI'm sure you'll get used to working round the extra fabric as you go along, it's looking lova y. Can't beat a good box for organising threads :-)
ReplyDeleteI hope so. It's bad enough when I'm working near to the edge so I dread to think what it's going to be like once I'm working in the centre of the fabric. I'm really pleased with my thread box, it's keeping it all neat and tidy.
DeleteThat is looking good so far and I'll admit to only ever attempting small cross stitch projects, so am not much help on the 'large' front. BTW, you made me think about one I did many years ago and I found where I'd put it and am going to have it framed, so thanks for talking cross stitch. Look forward to seeing the updates. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI think I should have probably stuck to small projects until I got more confident but this design just called to me. Looking forward to seeing your cross stitch once you have it framed.
DeleteGlad you are doing well Jo! Keep going and you will soon get the gist of it all. It is just like crochet, when you get it, you get it and it just works, you just have to practice and bear with it in the meantime! Your work so far looks really good!!! xx
ReplyDeleteI think the only way to learn is to jump right in and have a go so hopefully it will all click in the end. I'm just hoping that all the creases iron out, it looks terrible at the moment.
DeleteBeautiful projects
ReplyDeleteI think both the designs are really lovely. It makes working on something much more enjoyable if you really love it.
DeleteIt looks good, Jo. I have to use a hoop when I stitch, it's too difficult for me to find my place if I don't. I really like your fox, he's looking great. Your storage boxes are nice and neat. I didn't wind my floss before I started my current project, so I'll have to do it after I finish, I think. I think my collection is pretty good now, I might be able to do the next project without needing to buy anything but aida cloth!
ReplyDeleteI think it would probably be easier with a hoop or a frame but there's just too much excess fabric to work comfortably with one. It's surprising how quickly the thread mounts up, I'm really pleased I got this storage box at the start of taking up this hobby before I got in to a mess with everything.
DeleteYour cross-stitch project is coming along nicely, Jo. I wouldn't worry too much about the creases - you should be able to press them out when you've finished it. I hope you enjoyed your peacful afternoon! :o)
ReplyDeleteI do hope the creases press out once I'm done, they look dreadful at the moment. I had a lovely afternoon, it made such a change just sitting and stitching.
DeleteI think the complete set of DMC threads fills 5 boxes, and I have them in number order which is great fun when you drop all the boxes on the floor and they all fall out!!
ReplyDeleteHmmmm, how do you know that, I wonder. I can well believe they fill that many boxes, the display of them in the shop I use is huge.
DeleteWhen wrapping your thread on cards, tuck the band with the number on next to card, then wrap the thread, you won't need to add the numbers, and once you use the colour up, tuck the band with the number on in your purse, to ensure any replacements you might want to replace. It works great for me. Enjoy your stitching, it should be fun.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that tip, it makes perfect sense. I love how everyone in the blogging community helps each other wherever they can.
DeleteOh Jo it's so hard isn't it!! I've managed to do a corner. My blanket is nearly finished so I think it will become a Sunday & Monday morning project as I really need proper daylight to see what I'm doing xx
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I'm not the only one who's struggling, I'm sure we'll both find it easier the more we do. I'm just the same, I can't stitch at night even though I've got a magnifier with a light on it as I need proper daylight. I'm thinking of looking in to getting one of those daylight lamps.
DeleteThe Joyful World cross stitch project is coming along well. It's satisfying to work on a craft for a few hours. Taking your time over it is good since it's meant to be an enjoyable and relaxing interest.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have more time to spend on my hobbies but I'm sure that will come in time, at the moment I have other obligations but I do enjoy working on crafts as and when I can.
DeleteThanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment.
ReplyDeleteI always use a snap frame when stitching, it does hold the fabric taught and you can then use a hair clip to keep the excess fabric attached to the side of the frame out of the way (just roll up the excess and clip to the side of the frame, its easier on the hands are you are not tense trying to hold the fabric out of the way - hope this makes sense, if not email me and i'll take a pic and send it to you.
Most of all enjoy when you stitch and go at your own pace.
Happy Stitching!
I have a snap frame but I'm all fingers and thumbs trying to use it with so much spare fabric, I've tried clipping it to the frame but I'm having difficulty with it, I'm sure I'm figure it out as I go along and find a way which is comfortable for me. Thank you for your advice, everyone is so helpful.
DeleteIt's looking great, it will look lovely when it is finished how ever long it takes. My local fabric shop has lots of cross stitch stuff too so I wouldn't be surprised if one local to you does too.
ReplyDeleteI haven't really looked out cross stitch supplies before so I shall have to do a reccie of the local craft shops to see which ones have a good range, I do hope I find one.
DeleteWhat a good price for the DMC thread! I am sure that as you continue to stitch you will find a comfortable way of holding the fabric.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't believe I'd found it so cheap, especially after seeing it for much more in Hobbycraft. I suppose it's just a case of getting used to holiday the fabric in a way where it doesn't get in the way, I just wish I could find out how to do it.
DeleteI usually have a few projects on the go as well - one or two large ones that I do over a few months and then some smaller ones that give me a bit of the "instant gratification" factor. Love the storage box. All those colours neatly organized...a thing of beauty!
ReplyDeleteI used to work on one thing at once but I've started having a few things on the go, it's nice for a change and keeps you interested if you take a break. I'm really pleased with the storage box, though it's filling up quickly, perhaps I'll need a second one soon.
DeleteI'd thought about doing the same cross stitch but should finish other things that I have started. It is always great to have threads sorted - I ordered my boxes from the UK and even with postage they were still less than half price!
ReplyDeleteThe problem is that there's so many wonderful crafts and projects out there, there's so many things I want to have a go at but not enough time in the day. I get so much inspiration from blogs, see things other people are working on and want to have a go at them myself. It's certainly worth shopping around for things, as you say, even things from overseas can be cheaper than buying locally.
DeleteWe used to have a great craft shop in town, but being down a side street they didn't get too many visitors. They moved to a more prominent shop only to find the rent too high to manage. Next up they had a market stall, but our market hall closed for renevation and I've not seen the stall since it re-opened. So no locla craft shop for me any more.
ReplyDeleteI feel really sorry for small businesses as rents are so high these days that they just can't afford them. It's bad for customers too as we don't have as many independent shops. That's one of the reasons why online shops seem to be taking over, they don't have the overheads and can afford to undercut actual shops. It's such a shame.
DeleteDon't worry about the creases, Jo. Once it's finished(!) they should iron out ok. My finished pieces I have all washed gently by hand, then ironed on the back and not pressed too hard. It's scary to think of washing it but with lukewarm water and your DMC threads it will be fine. Enjoy your stitching time!
ReplyDeleteThat's reassuring to know. I'm really enjoying working on it and I shall worry about the creases when the time comes, I'm sure it will work out fine.
DeleteI miss doing this. I think I was in high school when I last tried. :)
ReplyDeleteGood job.
I'm really enjoying this new hobby, it's going to be something I definitely continue with.
DeleteA little bit at a time sounds like a good method for completely these projects. I haven't seen the You Are So Loved chart before, isn't it beautiful. Will it be a gift?
ReplyDeleteLisa x
I really like the You Are So Loved design, I'd love to have it finished to give to Eleanor on her 18th birthday but I haven't even started it yet so we'll see.
DeleteYour stitching looks wonderful, I can't believe that is only your second project.
ReplyDeleteGood luck,
Meredith
I think I've taken on a bit more than I should for my second project but it's all a learning curve and I'm really enjoying it.
Delete