Finished

Here it is done

I'm really pleased with my final corner, I'm glad I added the diagonal section, it does represent a designer I have used many times, it did get harder to choose designs as the plain space became smaller, but it is how I thought it should be, even if I had not decided beforehand on the finished piece. 

Just a short video if you wanted a closer look. 

These are all the silks (floss), I always keep them in a project bag and try and use colours more than once, I feel it helps hold the work together, now I will pop them back in their drawers until they are required again. 

These are a few of the designs I have used in this project, each one I have stitched in full before, 2,  I still have and will be made into cushions to go on our bed with this bigger project, the others have been gifted, I don't keep many of my completed work, the joy is always in the stitching. 

Now I need to make 3 cushions, 2 normal size and this one larger, they will sit on our bed, I always air the bed each morning and about 10ish I make it and add cushions and a throw. I do have materials in my stash and hope I can find enough to make the cushions without having to purchase anything, I will have a layer of white cotton behind my stitching to hold it tight. 

I have really enjoyed this project, it was timed right, allowing me to have a purpose throughout the long hours of lockdown. I just can't sit and do nothing, and I rarely have daytime TV on.

I had a plan for a small project with limited colours, I have searched for an image, but sadly I've not found one, so I'm thinking time to knit a pair of socks. 

Fill the gap

I have been filling gaps on the left hand side, I wanted to sort this side before moving on, I am pleased enough to say the left hand side is finished, as is the top half of the right hand side. 

I added just one more small design to the oblong box, the same as the others, less white to see here.  I also added the pink design above the Spanish sampler, it fills the gap and does look pretty, the design did not have the box sections, I added them for a bit more colour. 

All the bits have been filled in the Spanish sampler, I am also working on finishing the center of the square, I also added the purple lace tumbling down, it matches one at the top. 

This corner box is now finished. 

I had a nightmare with the purple boxes at the bottom, the last full design I stitched, I unpicked one section 3 times, I just could not count, I got rather concerned as the canvas was getting very fluffy, where the threads have been pulled through so often, but with careful stitching I have completed the section. There are a few errors on my work, years ago I would have pulled them all out in seeking perfection, but I read on a blog, a lady who created patchwork quilts, placing fabric into beautiful designs, she makes an error on every quilt she makes and 'only God does perfection', the quote has stayed with me. 

With less than a quarter to do, the finish line is in sight, my plan was to use just the lace designs, but I have made a few designs from one lady and decided there should be something on here, so I have chosen a diagonal design from Carrie Rose, still with the lace tumbling around it. I will decide as I am stitching if I repeat any designs or find ones unused from the original design. 

Stitching and more

The Spanish sampler section is nearly done, just a few places to finish, I really enjoyed stitching this again, I did it first in 2009, it's now a small cushion on my spare bed, Will loves it. There is a white sunbeam on the top right of my work, I did not notice it when I took the photo. 

The colours are very different, I have not changed any of them, there should be more outer panels, I just choose the ones I love to fill this space, it very different to the rest of this project, it was always planned to be part of this project. I have also done the partial red boxes under the design, filling the space with colour.  

I am back down to having just one pattern page, it is tricky when I have more than 1 pattern, but it's handy to have them for checking I'm not making mistakes. These frames make holding the pattern pages close to your work so easy. 

I now believe I have finished 75% of my project and I have just the final quarter to do, I will do a lace panel above the Spanish sampler, probably using a shade of pink from the bottom section,  I'm still undecided if I will add to the middle box on left hand side. The bottom right is going to have loads of lace designs, I always wanted the lace design to be from top to bottom, I have no final design planned, it's going to be a case of stitch and see. I do have a small patchwork design I can add, but I'm not sure if it will look good, so I'm keeping an open mind on it.

I am spending more time outside, the lovely weather helps, it is cooler this week, but there is plenty to do in my warm greenhouse, and I have another book to read, so less stitching time. I did spend a morning pulling out all the extra stuff which has found it's way to our spare bedroom, loads of toys ect, they are all now back where they should be, I have found a new nook for all the boys toys, our spare bedroom is now tidy and uncluttered, ready for my brothers visit, which will be as soon as the rules permit. 

No rain last night, clear blue skies here, I'm almost out of rainwater, I am using a hose on most of my garden, April showers? not this year. 

Another addition

I am still finding stitching time, not as much as a few weeks ago, but this is growing. I have filled in a few spaces around the design, places where there was too much white showing. 

The boxes on the left side is done, but I'm not sure if I will add to the middle box, it does look a bit bare.

My 7th design is being added, Spanish sampler, I have not changed any colours here, I won't be using all the panels, so I am picking the ones I love, there will be 1 more panel along the top. I am working out the finish point in each section to ensure it is finished neatly. You can see a dirty spot, where I had to unpick, yes just 1 stitch out, but it showed as the design did not meet up. 

 I am working on 3 panels to ensure I get their placement correct, this is how my work often looks, here I have 3 different sheets clipped to the top and side of my frame. 

As well as sewing and my garden I enjoyed this book, it's from the selection our library picked for me, they are now open, so I will stop this system and pre-book books of my own choice and pop in to pick books. It's not a book I would have chosen, but it was a good story, book 17 this year. 

I have had my 2nd jab yesterday and I have a sore arm, same as last time, I did not sleep well, I kept waking up, I had the jab in my left arm. it's the arm I have huge issues with after an operation back in 2012, I sleep on my left side. I never have injections in my right arm, I had one once and found myself with both arms sore, so I feel it's better to have my left arm with issues, and my right arm OK. 

Not much planned today, hope I can add to my sampler above today, if not I will read, it's another sunny morning here. 

Bottom line

My work as a whole photo, I've mainly stitched the left side, ensuring the top designs tumble into the lower ones, I feel it works for me. The whole design is clear in my mind, the only issue is if it fits as well as I think, I have room for change as so many of these designs tumble into each other.

I love these red squares from my cushion, I hope to have a line of  designs along the bottom, I'm not sure if I will sew all 10, I do also want some more lace falling to the bottom, one to be in front of the squares and another falling behind.

I have been counting, recounting and working where to place the next design, should the edges butt up nice to my existing work, or tuck behind, I am worried I could miss count and have silly gaps. The design is not a simple one, lots of fine lace panels and not easy to stitch from outside in, it's a case of which keeps me happy and not concerned as I am stitching. I'm off to count again.

Counted cross stitch is my love, these charts fill me with joy, even ones with so many tiny different shapes and colours, as the design forms I am always happy. 

I still have loads of designs to finish off, but I am focusing on ensuring the bottom and sides look good and not just where the stitching stops. 

Thank you for your kind comments I have received as I am stitching this, I am not sure if this will be my last fine work, my eyes are not as good as they were, I love the smaller work using just 1 strand, it sits smoothly, using 2 strands  can often lead to them twisting and the finished work not looking as smooth. You all know me by now, in everything I am a neat tidy freak, I like control, but also freedom when it comes to my craft. I always struggle with random, I'm not good at just adding anything, I have to know the whole design, each design on this work is thought about, shape and then colour, the balance has to be there, even any mad contrast is always thought about, it's who I am.  

With all the cold weather back, it has given me loads of stitching time, most afternoons and evenings I stitch, having such a huge design helps eat up so much time, stops me thinking about life and everything. This again is growing, I would like to bulk of it done in the next few weeks, once the warmer weather is here the garden will call and often win my time. I've again not read much, this project has taken over and is timed to perfection keeps me feeling calm and busy and not bored at all. 

I was home alone most of Sunday, listen to the radio, lots of reference to Prince Philip who passed away on Friday, our thoughts are with our Queen, anyone who has lost a partner will understand her loss, it also focus our minds on all those passed away in the last 12 months, far too many. 

Corner to corner

Progress is still good, I have so much going on in my head, thinking and rethinking this, I'm surprised I ever get to sleep at night. Some would say I am over thinking, but I don't want to do any part of this and then regret as a better solution comes to light, unpicking anything other than a tiny spot is out of the question. 

This design is a fully stitched patchwork, I was a bit scared to pop it next to the lace, in my mind it should work and luckily on the canvas it does. These also add different shades of colour again, I have tried to use some of the shades already stitched on here, I think this middle section is now linking to the lower section. 

I have been thinking about the bottom, once I popped this on the bigger frames I realised I did not have as much room in the lower section, so I carefully measured, stitched and double checked the lower levels. This is another new to here design, it is one of my own designs from 2010, I will be using both of these designs in some form. These red squares are stitching up bigger than expected, the original was stitched on 32 cwt, this is on 28cwt. The smaller cushion design I want to use some of it in this area, if I can get it to fit. 

I had always planned another patchwork square in this corner, with more lace sections above, I'm not sure if I can add a 4th square, it's a case of stitch and see. I have added another of these flowers, which I am dotting around the design, all in bright colours. 

Everything is as I want, I do need to finish the left hand side, but I need to stich designs on the lower level to see how much of the 3rd box I will have showing. I have loads of unfinished sections, I find doing the outlines of many of the pieces helps me feel the balance of the design. 

I do have another design to fit in, but it's a small patchwork, so I am hoping to have bits dotted around, but if they don't fit, then I am happy to leave them out, I need to stitch more of the bigger sections, before deciding. 

Next bit

I am now using my frame on it biggest size, the Q snaps work so well now I have stopped the sides slipping (thanks again Maggie)

I adore these hearts and I'm so pleased I stitched them here. 

Again this centre design is my favourite,

 I love each lacy design, each a work of art. 

My ORT jar (old raggy threads), I have been using this large Yankie candle jar for years, these threads make soft stuffing for small items, I joined many years ago with another blogger's monthly show and tell with our ORT jars, I'm not a part of it anymore, but the habit stayed with me.

My thought's are now with the lower section, I have another 4 designs to mash together, two I had already used together on a project, in my mind I thought I had more room at the bottom, so I am rethinking the 'design'. I call this my 6 pattern design, but I will have 8 designs on here, I think it's going to be a stitch and see, but that's how I have got so far already. 

I am having less stitching time as I start to do more, I love my stitching, but I can't hide behind my threads and work. Already we have a plan for a friend and her husband to come over for coffee and cake outside, it will be his birthday, a big one he has just retired. I will meet with my neighbour across the road in her garden, keeping our distance, it will be great to catch up together. It feels so good to be making plans again. 

Almost half way

I am still fully in love with this stitching, 

I decided to add another box on this side, I did not want the side designs to finish at the same level, the box I am stitching was full of design, but I want these to be less cluttered, so I am winging it.

The design on this side uses paler colours, but I decided to have fun, using colours for the 2nd time, again I have left off detail as I don't want it too cluttered, the hearts are finished. 

My next focus is filling this central area, I do love to stitch these lacy designs, each one is a work of art. 

 I have a Spanish sampler to stitch next, I stitched it in 2009, it should sit well as the next design, I will stitch it in the design colours in full, I think a complete design will work. 

Soon I will pop this onto my bigger stitching frame, I don't want to wind my work back around the frame, I will only have the lower half to stitch so it should work. 

Stitching update.

 My stitching is growing at a fast pace, due mainly to having very little else to do, and my huge enjoyment from this growing design. I have now stitched a quarter of this, I am working on the middle section, lace designs tumbling down, I am not placing these as in the design, I am dotting them where I like, in hope I don't muck it all up.

I added the Rovaris heart designs, 1st stitched in 2014, I am only adding the 4 smaller hearts, in the red to help balance the colours, these are just so pretty, I have made other Rovaris designs.

I am using this motif around my design, Sewing it in many different colours, just a bit of extra fun and hope it ties the whole project together. 

Most of the time my world is full of craft, I love making items, and because I stitch so quickly, I make bigger designs, I have given loads of the finished items away, my joy is the stitching, I don't have a need to see my work once finished. For a few years I stitched for a designer, her new designs, the patterns were sent for free, I chose all my own materials and colours and once finished I sent her photo's for her web site, 3 of her designs can be seen here. I stopped as her designs were all similar and it was no longer fun to stitch. 

I love sewing, knitting and crochet, they are all very creative crafts, I often change colours on designs, and have been know to mix patterns to get the look I like. I do keep a small stash of yarn, fabric and cross stitch silks, so I can start when the desire takes me, I did a post here about my different crafts, I also have a page just showing my finished items, it's good to have a reminder of what I have made. 

I am enjoying building the design of this project, it's a case of placing the designs together to ensure I get the best out of every design. I have done this once before, in 2011 we had our 25th wedding anniversary, and I wanted to have something to mark the date, so I decided to make my own design, I am not clever enough to create everything myself, so I decided to use designs which represented us, our family and our lives. Family sampler was another big project, you can find more details here, it was framed and is still on our sitting room wall, I love looking at all the induvial items which make up our history. My only worry is once it's all done it looks a mess rather than the patchwork I see in my head. 

Stitchy catch up

I finished this design back in 2014, it's under the heading of 12 square sampler, I did enjoy stitching it and I still love these designs, I am only planning to have 3 boxes here. I don't have the original, I gave it away to another blogger. I have left out a few tiny bits in these 2 boxes, I wanted the design to be crisp and not busy. 

Another design stitched in 2014 (a busy year for me), this is under the header of European cushion, again the colour drew me to this design, I still have the finished work and intend to make a cushion to go along with this on our bed. When I pulled the threads, I always choose colours by eye, I found the pale brown is the exact shade I am using on the design above. 

This centre section, is my all time favourite design,  I stitched it in 2012, it under the header of cross stitch patchwork sampler. I gave this finished work to a dear Spanish friends daughter, I intend to have to across the whole of this design, overlapping the other designs. I always knew I would re-stitch this beautiful design. 

This is my work so far, I am pleased with how it's growing, the side panels are the easiest, as I am following the design, the centre panel is the most enjoyable part of this design. The top line is level, my photo skills are not as good as my stitching. 

I am really enjoying this project, it's huge, but these uneventful days are long, so I fill my time stitching and watching the birds in our garden. Everything I am using is from my stash, I am keeping to the colours from the original designs, but choose them by eye from my drawers, in hope to use some of the huge amount of silks (floss). The only area I am being free on choice is with the middle sampler, these colours have to match the design and not clash with the design next it them. The designs were never made to be stitched in this way, parts of it are being decided as I stitch, I am enjoying the freedom of the central band. I need to add more red in this top section as there is loads of pinks and reds in a design I am using lower down. 

I am really enjoying using my Q snap frame again, it's lovely to see the whole of my work, my big wooden hoop is great for smaller projects, but it does crush the fabric and I would not ever want to have any stitched area in the holding section of the hoop. 

Nothing much is happening here, we are walking locally most days, we do get to see daughter, Will and George once a week, which for us is such a boost to our well being, we are also beginning to see more of our neighbours as we all get out a bit more, thankfully our weather has up to now helped. 

I'm not planning any jobs inside or outside, mainly because we have done all we want to, talking to our lovely neighbour who shares our drive, hubby is looking at huge wooden gates to be put across the drive just past our side door (main entrance), just to help make things private and ensure Pauline feels safe as she lives on her own. 

Stitching going forward

I picked up my work on Sunday, it's growing so quickly, but.....

I wanted to finish the big green design on the right of my work, but as I started to stitch, I noticed some of my work was one stitch out of line, so before I could do any more stitches, I had to unpick the line of the design. So far I have twice had to unpick and both times on this green section, 

I have done the top pattern line of my 3rd design, this is now the width of my work, 34cms, I want to make this a square, this work works better on my bigger Q snaps. Happily I have finished the green section without any more unpicking, now I have to blend these designs together so it looks good without too many straight lines. 

For years I had a tall lamp for use when stitching, after we purchased our new ceiling lights, which is controlled by our Alexa, and can be set at different levels and colours, I decided I did not need my lamp, hubby was overjoyed as he has want to be rid of it for ages. But I have struggled with stitching in the evenings, and regret giving away my lamp, so hubby got me this little lamp, it sits on my workbox, it's works well, and matches our main lights. I do love the base as I can keep a small wooden bowl for the threads I am using, fits perfectly.

I would like to thank everyone with their helpful tips for sorting the issue of my work slipping on my Q snaps, firstly I read to pop them in the dishwasher as it shrinks them, it did work but not enough, then Maggie suggested I use the non slip mats used in cupboards, wrap them around the lower frame, Maggie you are a star it works, and I had a spare mat here. Bloggers as always you come through.

I have not done anything else other than stitch, I have not started the pair of orange and grey socks for hubby, I have not read a book in over a week, I am enjoying stitching again, as I said when I started this project, I have enjoyed stitching these designs before, so putting them all together in this bigger design is just pure joy. Most of the decisions are done as I am stitching, the four corners designs are just part of the main design, I am picking the bits I like the most and the centre patchwork is being stitched by eye, I am placing the designs where I feel they look good, so far it's working.

I have been shopping online for succulents, I now just have to wait and see what arrives, I am a little bit excited to have more unusual plants, I also purchased a 2nd hand reading book. This morning is dull and cloudy, we are at the point on the map, where, it could burn off and become a sunny day or it could rain on and off for most of the day, it's a case of wait and see.

Big ideas

At the top of my blog I have pages, one marked Finished items showing all my work over the years, to start with they were mainly cross stitch, but sewing, crochet and now knitting are shown there. In this photo are a mixture of some of the bigger cross stitch designs I have made, I still have some, but most have been gifted. In my 1st ever blog post I explained the title of this blog, it shows my love of poppies and patchwork, but not sewn fabric patchwork, I loved to make big stitched patchwork, I loved stitching each of the 6 different designs shown here. 

I do have a very good stash of silks (Floss), in my cabinet, which I have collected over the years, they store really well in these drawers, and have sat waiting for me to start stitching  again. 

So with the white 28 cwt evenweave from my stash, purchased back in 2017, I have an idea forming, to mash all these designs together and make on huge design, I will keep it for myself to use. I will stitch with 1 strand, making another fine stitched project, I love the tiny stitches. 

For the start of this project I can use my big hoop, later I will need to move to my Q snaps, they do not hold my work as tight as they did when new, if anyone has any suggestions on how to make them tight again, please let me know. This is a satisfying start to a big project, which already I know I have loved stitching the elements before. 

I do get to use this lovely bag I made years ago as a project bag, it's fully lined so nothing can get caught, I have a huge file in there with all the designs in and the start of the collection of threads I use. I often on big project reuse shades around the design to bring it all together, some of the designs have the shades I love, which drew me towards them in the 1st instance.  The patchwork on the front of the bag was an early attempt for me, there is another panel on the back. 

I did say after making a new design and finishing my Christmas tree last year I would finish some more WIP's, but they are not working for me, to finish them would be just to say they are done. None are any I would keep and use, the only item I am keeping close by for me to revisit is my Winter Watergarden, which was purchased back in 2011, it's stitched on 32 cwt linen, and stitched 1 over 2, I do love the threads in this work and would love to get it done, but stitching 1 over 2 I have found difficult, I found myself unpicking loads of bits, I have thought of getting a new canvas and restarting, but there are loads of hand dyed silks which I have already used and hard to replace, one day I promise myself. 

So here I am starting a huge project, I don't think we are going to be set free anytime soon, and I don't want to knit another jumper or crochet another blanket, and I need to fill my days. It also helps as I want to do things outside in the garden and there is very little to do, with so many long days ahead, I hope to have my lockdown design finished, I'm not sure if I will frame it or make a huge cushion, that decision will be made nearer to the finish line. I mainly stitch in the day time, I have another pair of socks to start for hubby and there will always be reading time.