Dragon Day
After I got that cross-stitch project out, I decided that I needed to finish it. There's something to be said about an unfinished work, but in this case it would never make me happy given how much work I had already done on it. It's strange, I hardly even remember doing all that work. But there's definitely a lot more time in the piece than I've ever put into any sweater. How do I know this?
Well, I decided that I would work for an hour every day (including weekends) on this project. I didn't start right away after I posted it, but I didn't wait too long either -- I think the Saturday before Mother's Day. Since deciding to do that I've finished the hind leg and claw, and most of the long part of the tail. That probably represents 7-8 hours of work. And there wasn't a lot of color changing in the part I just worked. The castle and rocks have a lot of color changing involving two strands of two different colored floss. So it will be a bit slower going from here on out.
I'm finding this cross stitch project very engaging for me in small doses. I actually look forward to coming home from work and listening to The World and spending some time with my dragon. It's definitely a reminder that I enjoy needle work that doesn't involve yarn. I wish these Q-snap frames had been around a long time ago when I started this project. They make the experience a lot nicer than tensioned rings or wooden hoops and they are much more portable than a stand. (If you do cross stitch and don't have one of these frames, you should really do yourself a favor and treat yourself to one -- they're not that expensive and they come in a variety of sizes).
I think I'm going to have a weekly "Dragon Day" until this project is finished to help keep me motivated. I really want to see this project through to the end now and give it a special place in my home to remind me that it is never too late to finish something.
And now I'm off to browse through my Barbara Walker books in search of a pattern that might work well with my washed and set silk singles.
DUUUUUDE! ::bounces up and down in excitement!:: Teresa Wentzler's The Castle!! Or is that one of the Petites? I just parted with a goodly portion of my collection of her patterns, but it was lovely to come by here and see someone making one of her projects. Her blends make my head hurt, but oh, they're so amazing once they're completed.
I agree that the Q-snaps make life so very much easier. Wow. A goodly portion of my xstitch stuff is in storage, but I bet I have a Mirabilia or two around here someplace....
Your Castle is looking marvelous. I can't wait to see it finished!
OMGI! I check your blog every few days and couldn't understand why you hadn't posted for so long. My favourites bar had been stuck on April 21st! I though crochet circles had tipped you over the edge. I have so much catching up to do.
xxx
I have done a lot of cross stitch (pre-knitting and sock bag days) and I so understand what you mean by such a little bit of square inchage requiring so much time. Very nice job there, KB.
AH, you are helping me start getting the cross stitch urge back! I'm thinking summer stitching...
You are going to stir up a bunch of latent cross stitchers I suspect by dragging this chart out of moth balls. I have this same chart, and have had for twenty years. Very cool to see it actually stitched up.
Now I am going to get out some of my unfinished projects.
I'm happy that I can aid and abet all you latent cross-stitchers. When summer rolls around, my knitting projects tend to get simple because it's so warm out and a lap full of wool doesn't really appeal. But the cross stitch stitch projects are usually pretty light weight.
Also, I'm not much of a multi-color knitter, so I think the cross stitch satisfies my desire to work in many colors on some kind of fabric!
Wow, I have a few UFO's like that............gorgeous! Perhaps you will be my inspiration to find them, and take them to completion.........
I admire your committment!
Such an inspiration! I mean, when you think about it you could do almost anything for just one hour a day. And what a great way to get stuff accomplished. Ok, so I might start a little slower with my cross-stitch, but I'm definitely going to be picking it up today. Yours looks beautiful! Soooo, where'd ya get the pattern?
Thanks for the suggestion about the frames - I'm still using old cheap wooden hoops. I'll keep an eye out for a frame. And then maybe I'll finish the wedding sampler for my sister-in-law. They'll have been married 2 years this summer.
I have that same UFO languishing in the "neglected pile". You are tempting me!!!! I have always loved this pattern but I've always regretted starting it on the aida that it called for. I SO wish I would have used linen. I'm just not happy with how the aida looks. I'm not as far as you (check out my blog for a picture of both mine AND yours) but I'm far enough that I refuse to start over. SIGH Someday I'm going to bite the bullet and finish it. Seeing yours really brings back the mojo.
I think your dragon looks awesome. I have a project like that sitting around, too. It had a perfect space in our old house. I vowed I'd finish it but not so far. One of the reasons I haven't been stitching much is that I think on big projects you need to devote at least one hour chunks of time at one time to feel like you're making any sort of progress so I think your approac of one hour a day is the perfect idea for finishing this lovely project. I can't wait to see it finished.
way cool. maybe there is some hope for some of my ufo's as well. it will be nice to see the progress to completion.
Great minds think alike...Funny but I've been finishing up some needlework that has been languishing for a decade as well...only it's tapestry not X-stitch. It definitely feels good to get something that put that much work into finished...a weight off my shoulder...now if I could do the same for my writing...
Beautiful Dragon!! Aah!! Okay, I'll get out the unfinished cross stitch, needlepoint and the two quilts, ( Kaffe Fassett fabric) that keep calling my name! Ugh! You have inspired me. I think I'll listen to Shakira and get to work. Nice blog, from a non-blog owner. Keep up the beautiful work.