Chinese Garden Mandala FRAMED!

[rcperryls]

Beautiful. You are really making amazing progress. And it sounds like you are really enjoying stitching this one. And it shows.

Carole

[Nachstenliebe]

Lovely work!

[karen4bells]

Oh my WOW!!!! Stunning!! Very pretty and the stitches are awesome!!!

[XandraS]

It looks so beautiful Amanda, great work

[Mabel Figworthy]

The different textures in the wall are lovely!

I asked about "tucking in" because as I looked at various websites describing the stitch, some did (taking the last few stitches underneath the first so you can't tell where the stitch begins or ends) and some didn't (like the eyes on Mrs MBK's owl) -- I suppose it all depends on what look you want!

[koko]

Gorgeous!! You are going through this so quickly, I'm amazed!!!!

[noctifyre]

I love watching each part as it get finished, even if I tend to be more of a lurker than a poster. Can't wait to see the other parts as you finish!

[vanessanjf]

Beautiful work You are doing so well with this one

[crafterglen]

Just amazing, I cannot believe how much of this you have done already? Is this your first mandala? If so how do you find all the new stitches? Hard, easy, stitch on a spare piece of fabric before you stitch the mandala? I am so tempted by these but wonder if I am up for the 'new stitches'?
Happy Stitching
Glen x

[Ryukai]

This is just looking better and better!!

[mechie]

Just stunning! I can't believe how incredibly detailed this piece is. You're doing an amazing job.

mechie

[LadyS]

This is simply stunning!

[Raine]

Gorgeous!

[Mrs Milkybar Kid]

Just amazing, I cannot believe how much of this you have done already? Is this your first mandala? If so how do you find all the new stitches? Hard, easy, stitch on a spare piece of fabric before you stitch the mandala? I am so tempted by these but wonder if I am up for the 'new stitches'?
Happy Stitching
Glen x

Glen, this is my first mandala - I plan on stitching many more as I adore stitching this piece (can you tell !?) and there are a few others that I must stitch! They are the perfect pieces for me personally as they combine working with different threads and different stitches making them challenging but not difficult - IYKWIM. The only new stitch I have come across is the Jessica, which I was dreading (they are a bit like french knots I suppose and have a love/hate relationship with stitchers!) but after stitching one on a bit of scrap fabric first just to make sure, I was fine. Doing 60 of them in part 2 also helped perfect my technique ! Other stitches used so far have been: Rice, Rhodes, Algerian and Diamond eyelets and Smyrna - with modified versions of Jessica and Rice. Each stitch is accompanied by a diagram in the instructions for that section so even if you are unsure you have that for reference. I don't know if you have downloaded any of Martina's free designs, I stitched a few of these so I could get a feel for Martina's patterns and how she charts. In short - I would definitely go for stitching one of these!!!! If you have anymore questions feel free to PM me - the designs may seem daunting at first (I can't tell you how long I spent on the internet looking at anything and everything Chatelaine related so that I knew what I was getting into!) but they are such a pleasure to stitch!

[crafterglen]

Thanks for the reply Amanda, maybe I will ask for one for Christmas? I don't know what is stopping me as every time I look I love them. Do I think you are enjoying stitching this one? Only a little bit!!!!!
Happy Stitching
Glen x

[meerkat]

I plan on stitching many more as I adore stitching this piece (can you tell !?)

I'm so glad to hear it
I follow Martina's blog and often go to look at the beautiful designs on there.Her Chinese, Japanese etc mandalas are all gorgeous. Now I can look forward to seeing them being stitched here

[Lizzieh]

This is stunning stitching and i love the way you are showing it to us as you go along. We feel we can 'live' the [iece through you if that makes sense.

[Mrs Milkybar Kid]

Part 4 complete:

Same as the last gate but this time with a view of the Great Wall. Part 9 came out today with the first of the over 1 phoenixes above the border - can't wait to get to that part! This one has come off the frame now and I will be back to QS Dragonfly until I complete a page on that one........

[Lessa54]

Beautiful Now I'm really hoping I get one of the Chatelaine designs for Christmas

[rcperryls]

Beautiful. I am surprised that you aren't going to do all the parts you have so far since you have been making such amazing progress on it. Looking forward to seeing your Dragonfly updates though.

Carole