Castle Dreams

[nettie]

[img][img]http://www.crossstitchforum.com/gallery/pic.php?mode=small&pic_id=329[/img][/img]
I am hoping this works. I thought I would start this with the castle I am stitching as that is the project I have picked up. It is a John Clayton Internationals. It is quite fiddly around the castle but that section is almost finished. I am at the stage where I do get a bit stuck as it is nearly finished but I want it done now!

[Jilly]

That looks amazing Nettie, fantastic design

[coffee_freak]

very nice!

[Rose]

This looks like a very interesting pattern let us know when you have more to show. It looks very close to a finish.

[agi]

Well done, what a great work!

[~threadbear~]

That looks like a lovely design. Well done!

[nettie]

Thank you for all the encouragement I have the day off work tomorrow so I can stitch to my hearts content hopefully I can move it along quite a bit.

[sammy_v]

Looks like a great design and such progress to, well done.

[nettie]

Thanks for all the encouragement. Apart from getting the munchies I feel really inspired and to carry on and finish this project. I have almost finished the castle so just have a large sky area to finish but it is mostly blocks of colour so should take shape fairly quickly now. Will see how I do tomorrow and maybe put up another (hopefully better) picture.

[~threadbear~]

Oh yes you must and knowing we are all waiting for your lovely progress picture will inspire you on with it I'm sure.

Here's some to help with the munchies!

[SusanF]

Well done Nettie, it looks like you haven't got too much more to do. Are there a lot of "squashed" stitches in this design? I'm working on a John Clayton too and finding really tricky at times.

[nettie]

There are a lot of squashed stitches especially in castle. I work on evenweave for John Clayton so that makes it easier. I am considering abandoning aida for all my new stitch projects that have fractionals as beside backstitch they are the bane of my life. Just popped in for five minutes and then i will start stitching!

[Mabel Figworthy]

I've not done a John Clayton yet, but I love squashed stitches! Together with fractionals (or fractionals slightly modified) they make it possible to create a nice smooth sloping line -- I used them in my ATC kitties when I needed a 1-in-4 gradient. However, I'd hesitate to do them on aida. Mind you, I've just put a left-over bit of sky-blue aida aside to do the ginger one on, so I suppose I'll be able to tell you how much of a hassle it is

[nettie]

No picture as yet but am pleased to report apart from two dozen stitches the final tower on the castle itself is finished. I am going to concentrate on the mountains next and then just the sky to go. I really feel like it is coming along nicely. I never used to like evenweave as I preferred the stiffness to aida but working the John Clayton designs has changed my mind. It does make fractionals a lot easier and it is better to do smaller details as well.

I have 5 lavender and lace designs to do one day (not soon don't have enough courage) and I think I wil do theses on evenweave too.

[nettie]

Well here is another picture of the latest progress. I have a quiet weekend ahead so should be able to get lots more done and post another picture then.

[~threadbear~]

That is really great Nettie! Well done!!!

[Rose]

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo that is really looking good.

[Mabel Figworthy]

That is just so beautiful -- you must be very proud of your progress!

[Jilly]

Keep at it Nettie, you are getting on great with it

[agi]

Very good, Nettie. Keep up the good work.