Part 1 is finished! This is really so much nicer in person. I decided to use a gold bead and a green bead. Now, if you notice - the gold one is very small (the regular size Mill Hill Magnifica) - but the larger one is the 6mm. So far, I'm happy with the larger size. I thought it added a bit more depth to the vine. We'll see if I change my decision when the new parts are released.
you don't have to twist my arm too much, do you? Here's my Castles in the Sky WIP. The fabric is 28 count Baby Lotion Pink with a few touches of rose and turquoise just around the center.
There is more turquoise to the left which I did not manage to get into the picture. Just little blotches, but when the stitching is on top of them, I like the way it looks. :)
Well, the butterflies will be flying south! I thought even as I was attaching them that they were too large. I did buy the smallest ones available at the store. Thanks for all the advice...:)
I'm sure I will find a very nice home for them soon. After all, with all the WIP's I have, I'm sure they will look great somewhere! ;))
In fact, I just started (oh no! another one!) Castles in the Sky Mystery by Papillon Creations. The very center portion is the formal garden...I could have one or two fluttering around in there! I started the first portion yesterday and have about half of it done....maybe a picture tomorrow.
...and a little teaser...I started it on a fabric that I painted myself! So far, I really like how it looks! I have the mandatory threads as well as the ones that I chose for my flowers. Think...jewel tones....;)
Here's my update on Mini Mandala Mystery IV by Chatelaine Designs. Those four crystal butterflies in the corners, too big? Martina had originally called for the usual crystal cubes that she uses in every design. I saw these little butterflies when I was in A. C. Moore the other day and bought them. I like the idea that there is still the crystal, as Martina had intended. But-- I also like the idea of something different. Oh, and yes, the middle square was supposed to be another large crystal cube. Margit, Anne Marieke and I have shared charms for the previous three mandalas (a ladybug, a bee and a dragonfly). I think the hummingbird is perfect for this one.
After working on my Mirabilias for months and months....well, I started to feel a bit guilty about neglecting all my Chatelaines. So Oriental Harem Garden came out to play for a while. I always forget how vibrant and gorgeous the colors are in this design....take a peek. I really like the little triangle and border, so far.
Last night - I watched cartoons...on the Turner Movie Classic channel. My old time favorites - Merrie Melodies....Sniffles the mouse, the old style Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Marvin the Martian and my all time favorite - Michigan J. Frog (the singing frog)....Of course, there was stitching, too, but nothing that required a lot of concentration, since I was enjoying reliving my childhood....But look what got finished! It's Blackbird Designs Quaker Fragments stocking from the March of the Daffodils booklet:
I did not have the required threads for this on hand, so decided to try something a little different from the medium green and light green used in the model. Now I have a stocking for each month!
I know I have not said how much I appreciate everyone's wonderful comments for a while. I really enjoy that each of you come to visit me and are kind enough to leave a comment. It truly brightens my day. Thank you!
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....yet again! After seeing Margit's wonderful progress on MMM04, I pulled my little mini mandala back out from hiding again. I actually made some decent progress on this one.
Since I was working with all the same colors anyway, I decided to give my Sleigh a little bit of attention yesterday.
It's coming along nicely. I realized that all I have been stitching for the last couple of days is ribbons! Ribbons, ribbons and more ribbons! They are pretty, once finished, just a lot of color changes. :))
More red and then some....
For a "white" Santa, there is really very little white at this point (except for his beard). When I decided to stitch Santa along with all my reindeer, I really did not take into account how big he actually is! The saying "eight tiny reindeer" will be quite appropriate by the time he is finished. :)
and look what you get:
I have worked on this little fairy, J for Jordan, just little bits of time here and there, when I would put my larger projects down. She offered just the right amount of diversion. All she needs now is her sparkle! Onto the beading.....
Some more of those red ribbons...you can just barely make out the tiny top of the tree...you can sort of see the beginning of the outline shape of the tree within his ribbon.
working on my Winter White Santa:
(only a small portion added - his sleeve and the red ribbon to the right of his shoulder)
I am working on this:
Lizzie Kate's ABC Lessons.
I am almost halfway with this one.
American Idol, that is! I finished Santa's bag while watching the two hour show. Since I really listened more than watched, I managed to get quite a bit done last night.:)
You guessed it....more Santa! I finished filling in the large portion of Santa's beard. What is it about working with white? You really have to watch how your stitches lay, since it seems that every little fault shows with the white thread. He still has some beard, but that is below his sleeve. I didn't realize how long and flowing it was! I also started on his second sleeve. This picture shows the beginning of a checkered area....one of my favorite parts of this design.
A little beard, another mitten and some of his bag....he's coming along slowly, but I am still happy with working on him at this point. :))
...and for Gabi...on the Little House Needleworks Traveling Stitcher bag...the instructions for the finishing are not very good at all. It basically says to attach a piece of iron on interfacing and turn under the edges. I have attached mine, but am not very happy with it, right now. I am thinking of adding some twisted cord around the perimeter to make it appear "neater."
I put the last stitches in on my Little House Needleworks Traveling Stitcher. Yeah!!! Now to just assemble the needlebook and case. :))
A little dove in my Santa's mittened hand. Also, a little of that turquoise bag he's carrying over his shoulder.
Yeah!! My Santa has a face!! I always like to stitch the heads on my Mirabilia's. I know a lot of people don't like to have the face until the end. Not me! I always enjoy doing Nora's faces. There is still some white Wisper thread to be filled in on his hat. I usually tend to stitch my Wisper thread later. I'm still deciding whether or not to replace it with DMC.
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