Carolyn's new baseball SAL

[carolyn61]

You all were right. So, I'm taking a short break from the stitching and will take another look. Sorry I was so nutty about it. To keep me away from picking it up I've moved into the kitchen and am making my dad's favorite cookies. Tomorrow I'll do some much needed house cleaning. *yuk*

[Rose]

Oh Carolyn NOOOOOOOOO do not go that overboard we said a break not extreme!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jilly]

I agree with everyone, they look so different close up, I think my K-fisher looks appalling, I railroad to try to make it better but it still looks 'yuk' to me, then I thnk to myself who the heck is going to notice when it's done, most people that come into the house just think they are prints anyway
I think going over it may drive you more into the kitchen

[carolyn61]

Oh Carolyn NOOOOOOOOO do not go that overboard we said a break not extreme!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Silly Rose, I just meant I was taking a break for the evening. I couldn't stand to not finish a project, besides, I'm liking this one . I played around with the stitches again last night and found that using 2 threads would just be too much. I'm sure the coverage would be much better but I think it is best to just keep on the path I'm on. I've got some cleaning that MUST be done, and some cookies to finish for my dad and then I'm straight back to work. If I come again to this intersection of madness and self-pity while working this project, I will dutifully keep my fingers still and reread this thread over and over until I regain my senses. So no more outbursts. I will not give into the desire throw a tantrum (or throw the whole thing against the wall), I will not stare at the picture continually until I see every last imperfection, and thirdly I will not entertain the destructive thoughts of re-stitching, re-starting, or retreating. Thanks for the calm, cool words of wisdom ya'll.

[agi]

Carolyn,

I have no experience in this, but I would say keep up the good work, do not givve up because to me it looks wonderful! Such fine details! And the different colours blend together so nicely! I love what you have accomplished!

[nicgoss]

I think we will all have panic moments on our big SAL's! Mine was about a month ago and considered starting all over again, but SO glad I didn't!

The girls here assured me that my panic was unnecessary and can now see that they were right!

No doubt I'll have another panic next month or something!

From the picture you've showed us, I think the coverage is absolutely fine! Better than fine actually because its looking fab!

Don't lose confidence - keep going as you are and I want to see another update soon! OKAY??? This is one that I can't wait to see and you can't let us all down

[carolyn61]

Mini update--- well, not an update actually, just a new stash investment. I got a nifty magnifier that clamps right on the edge of the Q-Snap frame. So cool. It makes it much nicer to work with (and no glasses driving me buggy!). Yea for stash!
No update 'cause I haven't worked on it for a few days just to have a bit of a break. The owner of the store also suggested that I try to stitch a bit more loosely. The floss will cover better. I sure hope so. But I really like the magnifier.

[Rose]

Good for you Carolyn it is great when we get a new thingy that makes our stitching easier.

[SusanF]

Carolyn could you post a link to the magnifier - it sounds like something I need

BTW I like the new avatar

[coffee_freak]

id like to know about the magnifier also..i need something because I see when i stitch at night...my contacts have already been taken out due to being in all day and my eyes are itchy and tired....and I don't have glasses..just contact lenses. this would help me when i stitch at night.

and I've stitched something that i thought looked horrible up close but at arms length looked great! the flower pot "Summer colors" thing I did just recently.
i'd keep going..i'm sure it will be fine!

[carolyn61]

Carolyn could you post a link to the magnifier - it sounds like something I need

BTW I like the new avatar

This is the lens but I bought it at my LNS.
http://art-craft-us.daylightcompany.com ... ini-clip-2" target="_blank" target="_blank

The clip does fit on the Q-Snap frames. Unlike the magnifiers that hang around your neck, I like the fact that you can bend it to your desired focal length. It was so much better than the little reading glasses I bought. I noticed a huge difference right away. I am thrilled the owner showed it to me. I had actually gone into the store to buy fabric and start my project all over . She looked at my work, gave me some much needed direction and perspective. Sometimes you just need someone else to look at it and assure you that it is fine. I love all the feedback I get from you all, but with this I desperately needed someone who could look at it in person (besides DH ). She had the perfect solution. It was $25, but a good investment as I am sure I'll be using it again and again.

Oh, and thank you, the new avatar is my grandson. Isn't he adorable?

[mags]

Oh Carolyn please don't change tension in the middle of a project

[SusanF]

What did she say about your project? I think getting an expert to look at it in the flesh was a good idea - sounds so sensible I'm surprised we didn't think to suggest that to you before

[carolyn61]

I'm pretty sure at least one of the wise ladies here has suggested it to me before on another project.

The owner just assured me that I was being hyper-critical of my own work (no big surprise there) and that from a distance you really couldn't see the little white dots that I was seeing. She also told me most kindly, that she thought I was crazy for doing a project of this size at this count. She also looked at the back of my fabric and thought it was very nice. It was quite a surprise to have her be willing to take the time to talk with me and show me what she thought may help. She showed me different fabrics and let me feel the difference between the textures of linens and evenweaves and see and compare side by side the difference in thread counts. She showed me some hardanger (which I'd never seen, other than online). All in all, it was a pleasant and very informative visit.

[SusanF]

Sounds like a very pleasant visit. I can't find any needlecraft shops anywhere near to me and would so much love to find somewhere to just go and browse and feel the fabrics, see the latest kits etc. The nearest seems to be about a 40 minute drive away, so someday soon I'm going to have to try to find it. To look of course - I wouldn't dream of buying more stash, now would I ??

[mags]

Susan, are you actually in Bedford - we visit some friends and I have been to the Singer shop and they had some kits and bits and pieces. Not a lot but nice to look at.

[Slinky]

Hi Carolyn

I've only just discovered this thread and have very much enjoyed reading all your comments.

Let me say firstly that I think the project is lovely, and your reason behind doing it, even better: I hope your gift is appreciated for all the effort you have expended on it.
You have been very ambitious in your fabric choice and 'over one' stitching, BUT you are clearly up to the job and IT WILL look amazing when finished.

As some of the ladies have already commented it is too easy to get too close to a project - familiarity breeding contempt and all that. I have rushed to complete things for birthday deadlines only to end up hating it and believing it's awful. Ofter I see it months later hanging in a friend's room and am surprised that it's really rather nice and am left wondering why on earth I thought so badly of it.

I am delighted to have found this thread and very much looking forward to seeing your progress.

Good for you!!

Slinky

[SusanF]

Susan, are you actually in Bedford - we visit some friends and I have been to the Singer shop and they had some kits and bits and pieces. Not a lot but nice to look at.

Mags, yes I've been in the Singer shop. They don't have very much and it's really expensive. There's a "real" needlework shop in Woburn I think, near Milton Keynes, so next time I'm out that way I'll need to make a detour and see what it's like.

Maybe it's just as well I don't have one closer to home - it would be far too tempting

[mags]

Maybe it's just as well I don't have one closer to home - it would be far too tempting

[Mabel Figworthy]

Carolyn, your visit to the shop sounds lovely, what a very helpful and sensible lady; just what a LNS should be! *sobs quietly over the loss of her own LNS*

Mags, I can see why you'd advise against changing the tension mid-project, but perhaps just a little looser would aid coverage without showing too much?