HAED Mushroom Inn by Randal Spangler (Updated January 12th)

[SteveM]

I've just completed page 1 of Mushroom Inn. The fabric is 25 count Lugana which I initial started stitching 2 over 1 full crosses but after nearly completing this page I consulted with the members of this forum and made the choice to start over with 1 over 1 full cross. What took me 5 months to do the first time only took 2 months the second time and was far more enjoyable to stitch.



12 April 2016

16 December 2016

12 January 2018

[agent_clone]

Its looking good!

[richardandtracy]

This project, I must admit, came as a surprise. Given that you are working towards 'The Ionian Mission' (which is far from a fantasy theme), I really didn't expect this. However I do like it - always wanted to build an unusual house, and the rather impractical house in this Rodney Matthews image sparked my imagination long ago:

Had I seen this 'Mushroom Inn' before the Rodney Matthews picture, it may well have been 'the' house instead.

Your picture is looking rather good with the smaller stitches, and the coverage is good - somewhat better than 2 over 1 tent on the 25ct I think. Tight, even stitching.. I wish I could do as well. So, what more can I say other than 'Looking Good. Keep it Up'?

Regards,

Richard.

[Squirrel]

What an interesting and unusual design you have chosen Steve and you certainly have made a great start. Love seeing a bit of colour in the bottom left corner and lovely neat and even stitching. A great start on this.

[rcperryls]

Congratulations on finishing page 1!! Looking really good! I am glad that you didn't wait as long as I did to restart your project. I agree with Richard that 1 over 1 on 25 ct provides better coverage than tent stitching. At least for me. Once I got my Mag Light and could grid on 28 ct, I switched to tent stitches. And I have found that I like the variety of stitching full vs tent stitches. I don't remember this one of Spangler's, but I absolutely love it and am hoping that you will post lots of updates for us to see and cheer you on!

Carole

[Allyn]

I guess I'm the odd man out as I get better coverage 2-over-1 tenting on 25-count. It's probably the laying tool that does it for me. Your progress looks awesome. I really like Spangler's art. Someone showed this picture here a while back and I was hoping whoever it was would start it. I guess that was you.

[karen4bells]

Looking fantastic!! Congrats on finishing page 1

[SteveM]

Thank you all for your kinds words (even if I don't reply directly to your comments). This isn't the typical Spangler pattern so I'll understand if some lament not seeing a green dragon, but if you look close there is one.

Richard - I wanted to do a HAED and after looking over something like 10,000 patterns I couldn't find any naked faeries so I had to settle for this. There is something about whimsical houses in a foreign or fantasy setting that sparks the imagination, yours would make a good pattern some day.

Squirrel - Yes, it was very nice to have something other than sky on the page and it gave me an early glimpse at what the confetti areas would be like to stitch.

Allyn - I've not mentioned before what I was working on except for the faint text in my signature. You must have seen this post by Wen which is the only other mention of this pattern on the forum. If I do another Spangler I'd like to (with his permission) chart it myself, but I can imagine that may not be possible due to existing licensed patterns with HAED.

[richardandtracy]

Hmm. I've been deeply saddened by the improbability of finding naked fairies in the wild too..
There are a couple by Marta Dahlig (http://heavenandearthdesigns.com/index. ... ts_id=6513 and http://heavenandearthdesigns.com/index. ... ts_id=8160) but, to be honest, neither really appeal.

Must admit the image on the Haed website that appeals most to me is not even available as a chart, it's the artist avatar for Bec Winnel. There's a much better image of it on her website http://www.becwinnel.com/2012/82p7yh0cm ... 3dj1bbo4q0. I have a horrible feeling I may have found my preferred project for 2020...

Regards,

Richard.

[fccs]

Great start on a very pretty, fun design. And your stitching is beautiful!! I can't wait to see more of this one.

[lavenderbee]

What a great project this is. You have done lovely neat stitching. Looking forward to next update/

[SteveM]

I have just completed the second page today. Instead of working across the top row I decided to drop down to pick up some additional detail and interest. While the confetti level jumped up a bit, I got something other than a page of blue sky and I am pleased to sit back and see the image taking shape.

This took just over 5 months to do as I started just before my daughter was born and have done little stitching when not on vacation. I thought a toddler was a handful, but brother and sister together are quite a handful!

[Squirrel]

it very much and those gorgeous colours showing through too, how delicate they look. WELL DONE Steve

[vanessanjf]

What a fantastic design you are making excellent progress and your stitching is beautiful

[Allyn]

It is coming along nicely.

[rcperryls]

Great progress! Sometimes you need to stitch in a different direction so you can see the detail of the design emerging. I am always fascinated (and often surprised) when the detail looks like it is supposed to, especially without fractional or back stitching. Another reason that cross stitch is a great hobby: no rules (or laws) to keep you from doing it the way that you want to!

Carole

[fccs]

You're making great progress - especially with the extra (but wonderful) distractions in your life. This is beautifully stitched - looking forward to more.

[karen4bells]

it very much and those gorgeous colours showing through too, how delicate they look. WELL DONE Steve

I agree!! Great update, it looks very nice!!

[SteveM]

Thank you all for your kind comments. At this pace maybe I'll finish up before my daughter goes to university.

BizzieLizzie asked me about the waste knots and if having them in a line created bulk on the back and issues with subsequent stitches. What I've been doing on this WIP is stitching columns 20 stitches wide and doing cross country in a 100x200 stitch area before moving down to the next area. While working on a column I start and end with waste knots that are 25-30 stitches to the right. This leaves enough room for the next column of 20 stitches to secure them and not have my knots in the way of my work.

The photo below shows the back. On the left side you can see the horizontal tails leading to my waste knots. This last column wasn't too bad, but there have been times where waste knots where pretty thick in one area so I started to spread them out vertically to reduce the mat of floss tails that needed stitched over. This amount of tails doesn't present any problems stitching over.

Photo of the back:

[BizzieLizzie]

Thanks very much for clarifying that, Steve. You've given me an idea for a way to tweak how I end my tails so they (hopefully!) don't get in my way so much.