Mabel's WIPs -- thread now retired

[ali-cat]

Goodness!! That looks and sounds so difficult to use ... but the result looks amazing!!

[Mabel Figworthy]

The first (and most boring) step of the Time for God bookmarks is complete !

I've finished the lines of backstitch on all six pieces of fabric, and the writing on the three backs. Because I'm working over one, my usual backstitch alphabet turned out to be far too cramped using two strands, and I also had to space the letters more widely. So I frogged the first bit, an after completing the first one also made a few changes to the letters to make them more legible on the other two.

And here is the work so far -- now for the interesting stitching!

[Mabel Figworthy]

Ali, it's not too difficult really -- the thread catches on it more easily because it's so stiff, and it feels different to hold, but bcause it's so firm, the half crosses stay in place very well and don't slide under the fabric as they might on evenweave or linen.

[Rose]

Very nice work!!!!! Of course it is!!!!!!!!

The black looks good but I would ne worried about BS showing through. Good thing this pattern does not have any.

[Mabel Figworthy]

You're right Rose, I definitely wouldn't do anything with backstitch on this, or a pattern with too many "travelling threads" between bits. Fortunately for this sort of monochrome design it seems to work and it allows me to stitch it on a higher count than aida without having to worry about thread slippage.

[Nachstenliebe]

Great start on the bookmarks!
Faith

[pamelam]

The colors look so brilliant against the black cloth

[Cecilia]

It will be interesting to see the overall effect on the congress cloth design.

Great start on the bookmarks - the interesting bits will be worth the wait, I'm sure.

[maggs]

Mabel love the tulip backed in black.

Sampler looks great

Your book marks are looking good so far

[Lisa]

wonderful works!!!

[Mabel Figworthy]

Haven't stitched as much as I'd hoped over the weekend as tummy and back conspired against me and I slept most of Sunday afternoon but I did quite a bit of work on two further "mother-and-child" projects and I did some stitching on my handbag project -- I was told to bring a book or something to occupy me on Thursday, because there's be a lot of waiting around between prepping and the actual test; perfect for my handbag project, but I won't want to do too much counting, so I stitched the black outline of the tulip and then at the hospital I can fill in the colour blocks without having to look at the chart!



When I've finished these two Madonnas I'll have four on four different counts, 18, 20, 22 and 24 -- I mean to photograph them together to compare the effect.

[Nachstenliebe]

Great idea, Mabel! I always miscount when I'm at the doctor's office
Faith

[pamelam]

Good idea to keep the stitching simpler to do!

[Mabel Figworthy]

Managed to do most of my work this morning, so after lunch DH insisted I sit down with some stitching, and I finished the third Madonna. This one is on 24ct black Congress Cloth using Vikki Clayton stranded silk (variegated red/mauve) and Madeira blending filament (4024 gold):



I found the Congress Clothreally easy to work on, the needle went through so nice and smoothly and the half cross stitch was therefore equally easy whichever way the row went. You know how it can be more difficult if you're doing a row where you need to bring the needle up in a hole that already has a stitch in it? Here you could hardly tell the difference. Even so with a bit of black vilene behind it the larger holes don't show up in the finished piece, so I'm very pleased with it!

[kell]

Wow! Looks stunning.

[koko]

Wow, that looks just stunning on the black fabric! Really makes the design pop out!

[pamelam]

It's very beautiful!

[karen4bells]

Lovely!! Very nice

[agi]

All of these are stunning, Mabel, but I must admit I fell in love with the folk sampler.


And the tulip looks great, too, I hope it will take your mind off things on Thursday.

[Rose]

The black, red and gold make a beautiful combination.