On Wednesday and Thursday, I decided to baste my fabric to my scroll rods so I could start my Shepherd's Bush stocking. I didn't want to do qsnaps since I can't really hold one larger than 8" for long because my neck and shoulder will lock up. And it took me two days because I've been so busy!
So on Thursday night, I finally attach the sidebars and clamped it into my Stitchmate and wouldn't you believe it...my scroll frame fell right out of the clamp and onto the floor! Since I don't use rods often, this was the first time I tried to use scroll rods with my Stitchmate since I got it and I didn't realize I needed to use Stitchmate rods/bars or have some ADP adapter. The only size Stitchmate rods I had were 16" and I needed 19" rods for the fabric. Ugh! Oh yea, and as I was doing all this, the band that keeps my q-snap adapter in place snapped so I couldn't even pull the fabric onto bigger snaps since the adapter wouldn't stay in place.
It put a complete halt to my plans! So I switched gears and just pulled out Shepherd's Bush Merry Be and got a few stitches in. I think I prefer the look of two threads instead of the called for one thread over 2 on 30 count. I am debating whether to continue with two or switch back to 1 thread for the daintier look. I always have this dilemna with their kits! Here is my small start.
But I didn't stitch on it long because my friend Mary came to my rescue! She said I could borrow whatever rods/bars I needed to help me stay on track with my projects. I passed by her house, got what I needed and of course, in my excitement put the rods into the sidebar backwards but whatever. It works, the frame stayed in the clamp and I was stitching. Here is my small start on Sadie's Stocking which will soon become Valerie's Stocking!
Since so much time was wasted, I didn't make much progress on my starts. I don't know how you serial starters do it. I can't stand everything you need to do to start a new project. Once it's started, I'm fine but I'm a spazz case before that.
Oh and here is my Hallow Eden finish. I love it!
I did run into a little issue when I took the qsnaps off. I was lazy and never took them off or put felt between the clamps so I have qsnap marks and the fabric got grimy where I was holding it. Since it's Lakeside Linen and Crescent Colors, I am worried about getting the fabric wet. So I'm debating what to do and how to get it finished. Snug frame...or cube finish. I guess no matter what, the scuzzy section will be hidden or cut off since it's not the stitching itself that is dirty. Any suggestions??Well, that's it for today. I haven't had much stitching time so far this week but once Monday comes along, I plan to have a few "stitch ass" sessions since I will be off until January 3rd! Happy dance....happy dance! Woo!! I plan to relax, do things I don't get to do on the weekend and stitch my heart out!
Until next time...
23 comments:
love the finish...I always wrap my fabric the other way...my hands never are on the right side of the fabric. It works for me. Maybe you can gently blot the soil spots? But it does look nice.....
Merry Christmas Valerie!
I love your Halloweden finish. I am glad you got the scroll bar situation straightened out.
Merry Christmas.
Oh goodie! Vacation is a good thing! Nice starts on everything. And nice Hallow Eden finish too. Such pains to go through with your floor stand. Ugh.
I agree with you on the serial starting. The whole getting things ready for starting drives me nuts so I'm not good at starting new projects. On the other hand, I stitch in hand, so at least I don't have to go through all that floor stand and rods problem. :D
The best laid plans...sometimes things just get in the way. Love your HallowEden finish. I hope you enjoyed stitching it as much as I did!
I'm off until January 3rd too. I just need to get through tomorrow. I'm SO looking forward to it!
Congratulations on the finish, Valerie! Hallow Eden looks great. Nice start on the stocking, too! I need to get at least two, if not four, stockings done--I keep saying that every year, I just hate using the 18 ct.
Have a great Christmas!
Oh, what a nice long break you have, Valerie--I expect to be seeing lots of beautiful stitching from your time off :)
Your Hallow Eden finish is wonderful--congratulations on a great finish.
That must have been so frustrating to not have the correct size rod, but at least you had a friend nearby to help out. Your little start looks very nice...
I know I owe you a long email...hmm, maybe after Christmas? I hope you have a joyous one!!
Lovely starts on Merry Be and Sadie's Stocking. That one is my favourite of all the stockings so looking forward to seeing your progress. I started Merry Be at craft club on Tuesday but forgot to take a photo of it!
Congratulations on your finish!
I'm extremely OCD about my stitching. I'm always worried that the oils on my hands will come off on my stitching, so I always wash my hands and dry them with a paper towel before I start stitching and also several times while I stitch (especially if I'm having a marathon session). Of course, because I'm so OCD,this means that I don't wash my pieces when I'm done. Lots of people do, but I don't.
Personally I wouldn't wash your piece. Those hand dyed fibers tend to run and I wouldn't want to take the chance on all the hard work. When you frame/finish, you will probably lose most of the grimy areas anyway. On the whole, people won't notice it, but you probably will becuase you know it was already there. Just consider it part of the character of your piece.
Whew! Glad you were finally able to get that stocking started!! Your little SB start will be so pretty too - personally I prefer two threads on that count fabric. Your Hallow Eden is gorgeous. I am really bad about taking my fabric out of q-snaps, and I never seem to put anything in between, so I have a feeling I'm going to run into the same problem you did. But, I really like things framed in rather close to the design, so you could easily do that. I would NOT run the risk of trying to clean your fabric unless you absolutely have to.
Congrats on the finish, Valerie!!!! How about matting it up. That way you can still have it framed, but the mat will be the part that's snugged up against the piece.
Great WIPs all. Glad you got some scroll rods for your stocking.... it's looking so cute. :D
Yeah... I can't stand starts either.
Vacation till next year... WHOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!! Enjoy, enjoy. :D
Congrats on your finish darlin'!!! Too bad about the grimy bits...I get that too and now I put felt in between my stitching and q snap frames. I'm in agreement with Joyce. I think a mat will cover it up and no one will know the difference. Ick about all the frame problems :( Good thing you have a friend nearby who could help you out. You seem to have extremely good and generous friends!
Merry Christmas!!!
I'm definitely in the 'Don't wash it' camp! I once spent hours and hours stitching a Hummel design for my aunt, washed it and the red thread bled. Never again!
I'm so envious that you've started a SB stocking. I have 2 in my stash (Sadie & Peter I think) and I'd love to stitch them but I think I'm a bit scared/overwhelmed! What fabric are you using? Did you 'splash out' on the SB charms?
What a lovely long holiday. Must be a great feeling to think 'I don't have to go back to work until next year!'
Have a fab Christmas Valerie. Looking forward to reading more of your posts in 2012! X
I always stitch with two strands as I find that one strand makes the design look "scratchy". If you wonder what I mean, I have a saying about certain writing etc that implies that it looks like a hen scratching and that's where I take the term from.
Does that make sense?
I love your HallowEden finish. That is so cute!
Your Christmas Tree is looking spectacular (previous post)! Merry Christmas, Valerie!
Wonderful finish on Hallow Eden! Sorry I can't help you with the rods, etc. I always stitch in hand.
Enjoy your time off and have a Merry Christmas!
Hallow Eden looks great. Congrats on such a lovely finish. I'm not as worried about the fabric as I am about the Crescent Colors bleeding. I'm with Joyce on this one. How about framing it with mats? Cute WiPs :)
Hugs,
Veronica.
The best laid plans eh? But Hallow Eden looks fab, I agree with Veronica and Joyce, maybe some mats? (says the world's scummiest stitcher, I never wash anything)
Enjoying your stitch ass sessions and have a very merry christmas.
Hannah x
PS love the tree :)
Love your Hallow Eden finish Valerie. Enjoy your time off work and hope you get lots of 'stitch ass' sessions!! Have a lovely Christmas!
Lovely finish!!!!!
Personally, I wouldn't even think about washing it. I did that once with hand dyed thread/linen and, um, it didn't go so well. (It went in the trash because it couldn't be saved at that point.) I just tried straight up washing it though - theoretically if you did it in a vinegar bath it would help set the dye. But then your piece would smell like vinegar so......lol
What a great finish on Halloweden. I have this kitted and ready to go.
I have 2 kidas and 2 big dogs, so I tend to have grimy pieces. I am in the wash category. I never have had an issue with the LL Linen running or spotting. Not sure about the CC. I would take any leftover threads, wrap them in a scrap of white linen and soak in a cold water Orvis or gentle soap bath. Take them out and see if there is any bleeding. If there isn't then, I think you are safe to wash or maybe only wash the portion that is dirty.
I use hand dyed silks from Vikki Clayton and they never run and are very affordable if you are interested in any other options for other projects. Just MHO.
Congrats on your finish! Looks lovely :)
Gorgeous finish!
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