Mabel's designs 2023

[Mabel Figworthy]

My 2022 thread was probably the shortest one for many a year - here's hoping this one will run to more pages.

I've done a little bit to finish the small autumnal Hannah Dunnett tree, some of it was unpicking as I wanted vermicelli couching for the filling around the solid swirls but it doesn't work on this particular tree, so I've gone for scattered French knots:



And some work on the slightly larger Do-Pea on wool fabric:

[rcperryls]

I am sooo happy to see your designs and beautiful stitching of those designs again! They have been missed. Here’s hoping that this tread goes on for pages and pages and pages. I can’t wait to see what you do next!

Carole

[Garnet]

What a beautiful colourful tree!

I think the French Knots are perfect in the spaces around the swirls.

How lovely to see Do-Pea having another outing Hello again Do-Pea.

With your talents Mabel I'm sure the number of pages will grow and grow and grow.

[Serinde]

Your tree is grand -- the french knots are just the thing.

As for Do-pea... I love the way that you have turned the laid and couched stitches at 90 degrees. Gives texture. Are you going to go full-Tanya and add embroidery over the top?

[Mabel Figworthy]

The credit for the direction of the laid work goes entirely to the original Bayeux stitcher who came up with this curious creature No, I won't do any "overstitching", I'm keeping him simple; he isn't dopey for nothing...

[Roland]

Your work is exquisite.

[Mabel Figworthy]

I've got a finish but I'm not allowed to show it yet - but I'm so pleased to have made it by the deadline that I just wanted to mention it

[fccs]

Getting something by the deadline is worth sharing. I love seeing your work - the colors are always so happy and the stitching is lovely.

[Serinde]

Another design for Stitch, perhaps...? We shall just have to possess ourselves in patience (tho it's hard). Glad you made the deadline, and hope that's a sign you are really along the road to Covid recovery.

[rcperryls]

Another design for Stitch, perhaps...? We shall just have to possess ourselves in patience (tho it's hard). Glad you made the deadline, and hope that's a sign you are really along the road to Covid recovery.

My thoughts exactly! Also wondering (I'm nosey) if and when you will be returning your special stitching classes. I loved watching the progress you made through the different stitching skills/modes/styles. I know that is way down the road and probably too early to think about, but if it was me I'd probably be thinking about it once I picked up the needle again.

Carole

[Mabel Figworthy]

As I'm not showing the actual project I can say that, yes, it is for Stitch, and will appear in the May edition. I still need to "finish" the stitching in a form they can photograph, and send it off to them, as well as edit the second half of the progress pictures and insert them into the instructions in the right place, but the stitching is completed and that was what I found particularly challenging.

Carole, yes it is a bit early yet to re-start the classes, my stitching is still very intermittent and mostly non-challenging, and besides the long Covid there are a few other health issues that don't exactly help; still it's progress!

What I really want to do is try out some samples for a new project I've got in mind - and I know I shouldn't because a) I have so many things in progress already, b) I really need to get back into writing FoFs, c) there are kits that need work doing to them and d) I have to put together a very complicated order of goldwork materials. But I might just start to get the materials ready for when I do have time....

[Garnet]

Another design for Stitch, perhaps...? We shall just have to possess ourselves in patience (tho it's hard). Glad you made the deadline, and hope that's a sign you are really along the road to Covid recovery.

What is this patience of which you speak? I shall be waiting very impatiently for May, or at least for when you able to show us the photos.

I'm glad to read you are slowly getting better, just remember nothing is ever linear, you may have setbacks and that's OK, another squishy comfy chair will be waiting for you in St. Crossstitchers and Dr.Tiny Cat will be on the prowl to make sure you don't over do it.

[Steam.Jo]

Well done for getting another magazine article We wait with bated breath to see it

Jo

[wendywombat]

Bit late catching up with this

I love both of these, Do-pea makes me smile every time I see him and just that tree.

Good to see your fantastic designs again. Try not to overdo it after all your issues.

[Mabel Figworthy]

*Gulp*

Have taken the plunge and booked four classes in the period up to the summer break. First one 11th February. I didn't really want to start that soon but my favourite tutor teaches a limited number of classes this term, and two of them had only one place left so I thought I'd better bag those.

I'll have to get my doodle cloths framed up again and do a bit of sampling to remind myself what I'm doing !

[fccs]

Oh, good. That means we’re going to see more of your doodles.

[rcperryls]

Oh, good. That means we’re going to see more of your doodles.

Yes!

Carole

[Mabel Figworthy]

Hoping to get all the RSN stuff in order tomorrow. Over the past months my stitching has mostly been at embroidery group, so not a lot but I have managed a bit more on Do-Pea-on-wool, and two of the little trees (I got bored with the stem stitch trunk so I tried some experimenting on the cypress-like tree )

[rcperryls]

Do-Pea-on-wool is so much fun to watch progress. Looking forward to seeing what else you do with the great start on the trees.

Carole

[Serinde]

Agree. Anyway, why shouldn't trees have different stitched trunks to reflect their actual natures? Quite apart from the fact that it's fun, of course.