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Very good progress!

Going very well!! I've never done the grid lines before but after seeing your first picture I gridded the rest of my Ladies Who Lunch and sure agree that it's easier! Thanks.

Looks great!! I cant wait to see the first balloon!

Looking good! Keep up the great work. Can't wait for the next pic!

I thought I was making progress until I had to unscroll the fabric to lay it on the scanner and I saw how much there was to be stitched at the top. My progress is so slow. I've done 2 rows of 10 (198 stitches across) plus that bit on the third row and up. the square indent is where one balloon basket is going to go. At this point I just might work on the balloon because I'm tired of looking at blue thread.

It would be a good idea to do a balloon next to give yourself a break from the blue or you could be in danger of putting the project down. What colours are in the balloon?

Rosemary

a good idea - bring some variety into the process

Yeah, that will be a good idea to have a break on the monotonous background....would eagerly wait for the 1st balloon to pop up!

You've done loads from last time! And I agree, that little first ballon is dying to be stitched! Knowing me, I would of counted how many squares were blue and do an equal amount of blue, then work on a balloon. But then thats me being OTT organised >.> heh

That is a beautiful design with wonderful colors! I am sure your mom will love it. You are making a lot of progress! I agree that stitching a balloon now would be a good idea.

Raven

Definitely time for a break from the blue! *calculates how many stitches there are in 2 rows of 10 at 198 stitches across* *works out it comes to nearly 4000 and faints*

Great progress though, and the shading is lovely!

You have made lots of progress, don't let the size get you down it is a fabulous piece of work. Go for the basket and balloon. The colors will do you good.

Great progress
Stitching is like standing on a ledge Don't Look Down! roll it up and pretend you are nearly there

The reason that I started to work up instead of continuing over was because I thought I'd work the blue over to the balloon and then work on the balloon. Once I do the balloon I can't show this to my mother. I've taken it over to show her as I've been working on it but she doesn't know that the final picture will look like. I told her once I get to a certain point she won't be able to see it any more. I think the whole idea of not knowing and then not being able to see is killing her. I just hope she lives long enough for me to finish it.

Bad girl, tormenting your mother like that

Yeah, well, she's working on a secret xmas gift for everyone and she won't tell us what it is or even what type of craft it is. That's just how my family works.

A couple of months ago before I started these balloons I took some of my easy project stash over to her and asked her to pick out one she'd want to do. She's alwasy said she wanted to xstitch but didn't know how. She finally stared it on Monday. She called me all in a panic because the fabric that came in the kit had a salvage edge to it and she didn't know if she should measure that when she was looking for the center of the fabric. I had to laugh at the panic sound in her voice. She's such a perfectionist.

I agree, you should start a different colour on a balloon. The sheer scale of the background can be really off putting. It would be a shame to put this project down because you are tired of the blue.

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