Project Completed!

[bk_forever]

I've been working on this for a couple of weeks, charting the design before stitching it, and I'm rather pleased with the result. The coffee cup motif is from Cross Stitcher Issue 262 and the main alphabet is from Issue 265. I designed the border myself. I plan to stitch it again, but with a wider border to fit in a frame I bought.

Here's the completed stitching...






Reverse View - I'm pleased with how tidy it is.






And here's the finished product. I was going to fringe the edges, but that just didn't seem right for Ianto. He's always so precise and neat, so I left it.

It was supposed to be stitched on 18 count, but I think I ended up using 16 count by accident, lol!

Comments

[dieastra.livejournal.com]

Very nice! It's been a long time since I stitched anything. In fact, I still have an unfinished product because in the meantime I seriously fell out with the actor on the picture...

What exactly does 16 count / 18 count mean? Is it now smaller or bigger because of this?

[bk_forever]

The count is the number of holes per inch so 18 count has 18 holes per inch and 16 count has 16 holes per inch, so the project is a bit bigger than I originally intended. Also, I was only using one strand of thread because I stitch faster that way, so the fabric shows through more than it would have using 18 count. Still, I'm pleased, I think the design turned out quite well.

Thank you. I hope you get inspired to stitch again at some point, it's a very enjoyable hobby.

[lexxiescott]

Oh, that turned out so awesome!!! I love it. *grins* Very much in Ianto's style. I'll keep my eyes open in November and snap a picture if I can find it.

Beautiful. :)

[bk_forever]

Thank you! I just finished it this afternoon and was so pleased I just had to get the pictures posted right away. Now I want to design a wider border and stitch it again. I bought a very nice frame for it.

Tomorrow I must get back to writing, if I can get my brain in gear.

[iantojjackh.livejournal.com]

That is so pretty. Is that what you are sending to Ianto's Shrine?

[iolo1234.livejournal.com]

This is beautifaully done.
K
xx

[red-day-dawning.livejournal.com]

How lovely. I definitely think Ianto would prefer neat edges. It's so pretty!

[katwillow.livejournal.com]

I am very impressed with your tidiness.

That in itself is an achievement (and the whole thing is just adorable)

[lexxiescott]

It'll turn out wonderful for you. :) I love the coffee cups. I think I forgot to say that last time.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for writing for you. I'm going to tackle some WIPs today. See what trouble I can get into.

[bk_forever]

They look great, don't they? It's a lovely little design. I simplified it slightly, because the heart was supposed to be in two shades of the same colour but I just used one. The rest exactly follows the chart.

I'm so tired I'm yawning my head off, I've had another rough day and really want to crawl into bed so I think I'll turn in early. I need my brain in good working order for writing tomorrow.

Hope your writing goes well!

[bk_forever]

That's the plan, if you and timelordshines don't mind taking it. I'd really appreciate it as I know I'll never get there myself.

Thank you. I'm very pleased with the result!

[bk_forever]

Thank you, I had fun doing it. I designed one border but it was too fussy so I threw it out and created something simpler and more classy. I think it works well.

[tardisjournal.livejournal.com]

That is lovely, just lovely. You did a fantastic job. It's homey, neat and tidy--I know Ianto would approve.

I see from the other comments its for the shrine--that's awesome! One thing I noticed when I was there was it's pretty open to the elements--there's not much ledge overhanging the wall that people affix things to. Have you considered putting it in some sort of plastic cover to protect it? It will last a lot longer that way. :)

[bk_forever]

Thank you. Yes, I think the neat edges are just more Ianto-ish, fraying them would have spoiled the effect.

[bk_forever]

It's a lot easier to be tidy when working with one thread - I tend to get a bit messy with two! I wanted the back as neat as I could get it so that it would lay flat and threads wouldn't show through too much. It took a little extra care and time, but I think it was worth it.

Thank you. It took a while to find a coffee cup design that would work, I needed something small, but this one was just perfect. I'm so pleased with the result, it's turned out even better than I'd hoped.

[bk_forever]

Got that all covered - literally - I bought a plastic cover for it last week, before the stitching was anywhere near finished, all I have to do is seal it in, but I photographed it first because of flash reflection. The cover's a little bigger than the finished piece, but I don't think that matters. It'll proect it for a while anyway, it's a strong one. Just need to use some waterproof tape to seal the open end.

Thank you, I'm glad you think so. Ianto's approval is important!

I'm happy with the result and I'll enjoy stitching it again for myself =)

[kul-breez.livejournal.com]

This is really great!

[totally4ryo.livejournal.com]

That's gorgeous! I take it that you designed the pattern?

This is inspiring me to do something like this.
It also reminds me that I have so many cross stitch projects I need to finally finish, including one of the TARDIS.

It also reminds me that I really need to finally finish something for the Shrine.

[iantojjackh.livejournal.com]

Yup we don't mind. She's the one who said you were knitting something for the shrine and just took a guess that this was it since its three weeks to the trip. Can't wait to see it person.

[blossomlegs.livejournal.com]

Beautiful! Much time and talent!

[too-beauty.livejournal.com]

OMG! that is awesome and as neat as our Ianto!!!!

[lexxiescott]

I think it looks beautiful, and I love the colors. *grins*

Have a good night.

Thanks, it went okay.

[owensheart.livejournal.com]

This is beautiful you are very talented.

[bk_forever]

Thanks in advance!

Hopefully I'll be posting it off to her on Thursday. Trouble is, I don't know how things are attatched to the shrine, I think I'll contact tardisjournal and see if she happened to notice when she was there. It's not exactly clear from photos of the shrine.

[bk_forever]

Thank you! I had fun charting it and I was really pleased with the way the border looks.