Bee Cross Stitch - and a WiP

[bk_forever]

I finished another set of small designs for cards, this time some bees and honey. The two small ones were stitched on 14 count and and the four larger ones on 16 count, because that was all I had that was easily accessible. Most of my fabric is stored in a big old chest that currently has a lot of stuff piled on top it and I didn't feel like moving it all to get at my stash of 14 count.








This last one I plan to post pics of as it progresses. On the left you can see the design as it should look when it's done, and on the right... Well, I've started it, the first part of the cross stitch border is done!

This is tougher than the other designs I've been stitching lately. It's bigger for a start, but as I want it for a card (possibly), I'm making it smaller by stitching on 20 count fabric - that is, 20 squares per inch - with one strand of thread. I cut and prepared the fabric for this and another large design years ago but never got around to stitching them. The design is 96 stitches each way, and will measure 12 x 12 cm when it's done. I'll be stitching other things while I work on this because I need good daylight to see the holes... o_O

Wish me luck!

Comments

[lexxiescott]

Sounds like you’re doing wonderfully with everything in spite of the stress and other crap you’ve been dealing with. Keep it up!!

Are you still doing easy projects or have you moved to a new fiddly one?

I’m so relieved the computer is okay. I’ve left my door shut today so no one gets in there when I’m not around. Mum I don’t mind, but I can’t risk the computer again.

They really do. Humans could learn a lot from them.

[bk_forever]

I finished on 38 to my friend's 35, so this time was my turn to win =) Over 31k words too! I've only been aiming for a minimum 35k per month!

Got one more of the easy ones to do, then I'll start something that'll take a bit longer. Can't start Collin's card until I can get at my fabric. I'm still doing the rose as well, I've done a bit of the first leaf and that's it. Also got another set I'm doing the borders for during auctions.

Yes, animals and computers don't really mix.

My neighbours just got a new puppy! She's a Maltese Terrier/poodle cross, adorably fluffy =)

I'm watching Cookie the Springer Spaniel have hydrotherapy. She was born deformed and has just had two hip replacements and replaced hind feet and she's scampering around like crazy!

[lexxiescott]

*tosses confetti* Congrats! That’s awesome! That’s pretty close to what you were hoping to do, right?

Flowers can be a pain to manage. The big piece I did as a teen had flowers in the ribbon border, and I didn’t do them. >.< Fortunately you can’t tell they’re missing. Sounds like you’ve got a nice mix going on there.

Speaking of the auction, I’m a bit put out with Vanessa, or whoever put the shipments together a few weekends ago. My four crystals were just put into the envelope loose and the orange phantom calcite is in pieces. I know shipping is risky, but still. It’s not up to her usual standard. My other three, including the geode, are damaged from lack of any packaging.

Awwwww, she sounds adorable. Fluffy puppies are too precious.

Another success. I bet little Cookie will have a great life thanks to the vet. :-)

[bk_forever]

Thank you! It's more than I expected to manage, but number of fills was close to what I generally do (low forties), ad wordcount was higher than most months due to me writing longer fills for the most part.

Flowers are one of my favorite things to stitch, especially big ones. I've done other, bigger flower designs in the past.

You should send Vanessa a message about that, it really is careless. There's no excuse for not wrapping things in bubblewrap. Carole never would have done that. She always took great car with the wrapping.

Fluffy pups are the best. I bet she'll be just as cute when fullgrown.

Cookie will definitely have a great life now.

[lexxiescott]

I’m glad you were able to get close to your normal count. :-) It’s even more impressive because I know how much stress you’ve been under.

Flowers can be fun, but when they’re tiny and fiddly, even with my hoop in place, I couldn’t manage mine *grins* Have I ever showed you that piece. It’s a cat, ribbon, and text piece Mum got me when I showed interest in embroidery.

I’ve never seen such carelessness with crystals before. It depressed me. I’ll shoot her a note. I hope that it’s a one time thing. The palmstones from Julie came today. Well wrapped and protected. The Jasper I got for you is stunning. I can’t wait for you to see it. :-) My raspberry adventurine looks like one of my lighter leipidolites. It’s pretty awesome.

[bk_forever]

It gave me something to focus on, which was a blessing.

Yes, like with my last set, lol! So fiddly! I don't use a hoop. I use a frame for bigger pieces, but the small ones I don't use anything, I roll the fabric if it's too unwieldy.

No, you've never shown me that piece but I'd love to see it.

I had that with one of mine when Vanessa was just starting, and told her about it, so she said she'd be more careful in future. I know she's been away at a family wedding recently, in the middle of nowhere, so it's possible someone else did the packing this time...

Aventurines have that twinkle in them the same as lepidolites have, though I think it's mica in lepidolite and pyrite in aventurine. I love aventurines of all colours.

I shall look forward to it! *bounces*

[lexxiescott]

It’s always good to have something that will take your mind off things, especially stress.

I’ve never used a frame and have only done one loose. The cloth available for projects I’ve done has been too floppy to not have something for support.

That’s what I was thinking happened, if only because she’s never done that for anything international before. I’m just bummed about the orange phantom calcite.

I’ll have to take a picture of them next to each other. I started giggling when I saw it.

[bk_forever]

Distractions do help.

Floppy fabric doesn't bother me. I could never get the hang of a hoop. It's all about what you're comfortable with.

It's sad because that was a lovely one. You shouldn't have to pay for something that arrives broken.

I'd love to see it. They've each found a new friend =)

[lexxiescott]

Distraction is usually a good thing for stress. I’ve started putting on an anime in Japanese to listen to without captions to see how much I can understand. Right now it’s Hetalia.

I couldn’t get the stitches the same length. I haven’t done any type of stitching in a year or two. Time just runs away from me.

I almost cut myself on the broken bits. I have to remember calcite is super sharp when broken. My little spirit quartz came today and had almost ripped through the envelope. *sighs* At least it’s in one piece.

[bk_forever]

How's that going? can you follow the storyline?


I don't seem to have that problem, but then cross stitch fabric has ready made holes. If I tried to do the other kind of embroidery I know I'd pull stitched too tight.Yes, Calcite can be razor sharp, you really have to be careful with it.

Note to Vanessa - Must do better, especially when posting overseas. Bubblewrap isn't hard to get. *iz annoyed*

[lexxiescott]

I can, for the most part. I like to watch things in Japanese to try and follow along. I think I understand more than I speak.

I’ve done both and like the kind with holes better. But I am fond of the one I did as a teen. I’ll try to take a picture this weekend to share.

The calcite tried, but I won that round. I was worried some of the pieces might have dropped on the floor that could hurt the animals, but so far so good.

Especially for multiple crystals. I think the geode was already damaged before it shipped because there were no fragments that color mixed in. I think I’m lucky it didn’t collapse and break.

[bk_forever]

I can't understand other languages, so kudos!

Cross stitch is the only kind of sewing I really like. Mum could do anything.

It's just such a shame they're damaged, that's not what you paid for. Careless packaging. =(

[lexxiescott]

I’m to the part where France and England are fighting over America. Their fights are pretty epic in this anime. *grins* They even have their own fighting island. I doubt I’ll ever be able to really read Japanese, but speaking and understanding are more important for me. Of course, using anime as a learning tool has its hiccups. One thing I’ve learned to say is “I’m holding pasta in my left hand and a white flag in my left hand”. Not really practical.

My mum is really good too. Maybe it’s something from their generation. I have to be in the right mood for sewing or any type of craft. But I do enjoy them.

Yeah, you’re right. Common sense is becoming less and less common. *sighs*.

[bk_forever]

LOL! Yeah, not man practical applications for some phrases!

I 'learned' needlework and to use a sewing machine at school, but it did me no good because the machines broke down every time I touched one and I ended up way behind. Mum used to make clothes for us. I still have some western style shirts she made for me =)

Common sense will be extinct once our generations have passed, I think.

[lexxiescott]

When my parents were learning Russian for my dad’s job, the only full sentence Mum knew was “the big blue dog is on the ceiling” and I have no idea how she learned that one.

Sewing machines are temperamental at the best of times. There has to be some trick or magic touch that can’t be taught >.< That’s awesome you have the shirts. I outgrew everything Mum made me because she quit sewing when I was ten or twelve.

I think you’re right. Actually, working around an Emergency Room, I know you’re right.

[bk_forever]

That's a fascinating sentence - sounds like a job for Torchwood!

Sewing machines don't seem to like me, or at least the ones at school didn't.

I am very lucky. I have a couple of nighties too, though one needs repairing.

I can imagine. People do such stupid things *eyeroll*

[lexxiescott]

*grins* It really does. Fortunately my dad picked up enough Russian to be able to travel and work with geologists in the USSR for nine weeks.

I wonder if they can sense our feelings towards them and react appropriately. It would certainly explain a lot.

[bk_forever]

I've always thought mechanical things aren't as inanimate as some people believe. There's a book called 'The Nature of Things: the Secret Life of Inanimate Objects' by Lyall Watson. Fascinating, but often quite creepy.

Your dad did good =D That must have been an interesting trip for him.

[lexxiescott]

I’d agree with that. I know some computers that have bad attitudes. Plus, look at Kryton. He firmly believes in silicon heaven. That’s an episode with some epic lines and good points.

I think it was. I still have the nesting doll he bought home as a present, plus some pins. He never really talked about the trip where we kids could have heard. Then again, we were pretty young. I really just know where he went and how much travel was involved for him.

[bk_forever]

It's a shame you didn't get to talk to him more about it when you got older. Nice that you have some keepsakes from then though =)

You can't create machines with such complexity without them gaining some sort of machine life.