Joanna's current works - Update 21 march 18

[Mabel Figworthy]

Beautiful, congratualtions ! (love the strands of hair)

[poppy]

Absolutely gorgeous, Joanna! You stitched it so beautifully.

Guess what! DH bought me this kit for Christmas !!!!
What does couching mean, please?

[JoannaG]

Poppy.

You will enjoy this image. I thought it was full coverage but there are some empty stitches put into the design in the background. Still looks like a full coverage piece.

Couching. Never done it before and accidently backstitched the one colour instead. Couldn't correct as I was visiting family and had only taken the necessary threads with me.

Couching is leaving a thread (or 2 in this case) laying on top of the image and then using a third thread to tack it into place using the same hole for both up and down It's described in the instructions. It really does make a difference and really easy to learn and do. Don't worry. It's only 2 colours - rest is backstitch!

The yellow hair strands on the left hand ballerina are couched while the hair strands on the right hand ballerina are backstitched.

[Squirrel]

Absolutely adorable and so beautifully finished. The back stitching sure makes it pop our of the frame. VERY WELL DONE

[Ajay]

That is so well done and so pretty!

[Podolyanka]

Absolutely beautiful. Very well done.

[Lulu22]

What a stunning finish Congratulations Joanna

[poppy]

Thank you JoannaG, for the explanation of couching. I look forward to learning this new technique.

You stitched your picture so beautifully. I am looking forward to stitching this too.

[Cecilia]

Stunning design beautifully stitched. Congratulations

[rcperryls]

Beautiful detail, beautiful stitching!!!

Congratulations on a fantastic finish!

Carole

[karen4bells]

Fantastic finish!!! Congrats, it's an amazing project and so detailed too!!!

[richardandtracy]

Congratulations, well done.

Regards

Richard

[JoannaG]

Happy New Year Everyone!

Thanks for all the lovely comments about my Dancers.

Have had withdrawal symptoms over the christmas and new year period after a near month and half of stitching for hours everyday. Only had some backstitching to satate me and even that was finished over a week ago!

Got home from my family holiday down in Cornwall and up in Scotland early Wednesday morning. I should have been getting ready for work tomorrow but once the laundry was done I couldn't wait any longer.

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Set up always takes longer than I remember, so have only had about 4-5 hours actual stitching time.

New kit threads weren't numbered/symbolled on the little bit of card they came on. I realised that they were in order of the key on the pattern. Shew!

Trying out a new DIY way of storing the Kit Threads. Using some thick folded cardboard that you sometimes get when buying new bed sheets and duvet covers etc. Punched some holes along the outer edges and placed my threads with number, symbol and name on the cardboard.

Version 1.0 seems to be working. I still have to tweak it to get the best out of it but really happy with how the threads are out of the way but loose enough to quickly grap one. This way they can also be flipped through quickly and even moved and put away without much hassle at all. I can also return threads I'm no longer actively using.

If you have any tips on how I can improve this type of thread organiser, please do send me your thoughts!



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NEW WIP DETAILS:

Design works Kit
FROG PILE
Roughly 150 by 210 stitches (not full coverage)
22 count white Hardangar (came with 14 count white Aida)

Using my 11 × 11 q snaps (I've already noticed that hardinger is very sensitive to being pulled in the wrong direction, might dig around for some felt material to protect the hardangar).

Here is my progress so far.
Already had a visit from my french pal!

[Squirrel]

I like how you have set up your threads and it reminded me I have a thread holder down stairs in my craft cubpoboard mess somewhere. Must dig it out for when I do small kits. Sorry I can't remember where I got it from, it is just a long plastic hair- comb shape with holes to put threads in.

Love the start of your new project and look forward to more updates.

[wendywombat]

Joanna I think your home-made organiser ids great!

I like how you have set up your threads and it reminded me I have a thread holder down stairs in my craft cubpoboard mess somewhere. Must dig it out for when I do small kits. Sorry I can't remember where I got it from, it is just a long plastic hair- comb shape with holes to put threads in.

Love the start of your new project and look forward to more updates.

Sally: I have one of those...I think it's very useful for those little cover kits where you have bundle of threads which become tangled and confused!! I think it's made by 'Fabric Flair' and had a thread cutter at one end end a needle holder slot at the other.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Already had a visit from my french pal!

Well, if you WILL do a design called Frog Pile.....

[rcperryls]

Already had a visit from my french pal!

Well, if you WILL do a design called Frog Pile.....

looking forward to seeing your updates!

Carole

[poppy]

That frog is definitively not French!

You certainly got yourself organized and made a good start. Looking forward to your next update.
I do the same, regarding punching holes in cards but I also find the Pako Organizer , really helpful too. This is a picture of my set up with it. Sorry, it looks a bit messy

[JoannaG]

Progress on the frogpile after the weekend.

The gallery kept turning my pictures sideways and tonight's attempt arrived upside down. Finally figured out what angle my phone has to be to take a picture that shows up correctly in the Gallery.



Finding the 22count easy to work with. Not so sure I'm a fan of the hardanger. It feels very, um, easy to tear?

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Also ordered some 28 count Jobelan material for my next mega ass BAP. I went all out, and I must be crazy, but I'm going to be attempting SSMC Treasure Hunt Bookshelf by Aimee Stewart (HAED) . I just couldn't loose all the tiny details that didnt seem to be making it into the regular, beginner or mini images. Have started some enquiries for DMC threads at ~£0.45 each off Etsy. Hopefully the person will be able to supply the entire project. Have to kit from scratch!

Obviously this project is going to take years to complete. I might have to rotate in some small projects every now and then to keep the Finishing Momentum/Motivation going

Oh, and I will need bigger scroll rods

[Squirrel]

My goodness that is growing well and lots of lovely colours coming into it as well. Looking forward to the next update