Box of Shame Finishes - My Treasure and Playful Puss 1 and 2

Hello all!

Thank you for all of your lovely comments regarding my finishing and framing of Polar Bears. It's nice to know I've done a good job! Now, how about these.....

I have a confession to make - whilst I was visiting the ezeframe.co.uk website the other day to purchase a frame for Polar Bears, I just happened to design two more frames which "accidentally slipped" into my basket. Well, it wasn't worth just ordering one frame was it?

First up was My Treasure, a free chart from Dragon Dreams Inc which was my 27th February Challenge piece. Although only small (3.75" x 3.75") I wanted him out and framed, not scrap-stitched. I had green mounts and a gold frame in mind and found exactly what I was looking for. So my dragon now looks like this:

The frame is 15mm Gold Foil with mounts of Damascus Green (top) and Mid-Green (bottom).


Second up were the first two Playful Puss designs by Lucie Heaton, stitched as the 12th and 30th January Challenge pieces. I knew these were going to be more difficult to frame as I wanted fun mounts to match the fun designs. I dabbled with green, lilac, pink and yellow mounts until satisfied with this combination. As long as you like pink I think this really works:

The frame is 13mm Dark Grey Stain with mounts of Pink and Bright Green.

The other two spaces will remain empty as a reminder that I need to stitch numbers 3 and 4 in the set. Soon.


That's it for framing. Only 18 more pieces in my Box of Shame (at the moment) to frame, scrap-stitch or make into ornaments!

Talking of my "Box of Shame" Tina is adamant that it should be renamed and I sort of agree. I need a phrase that reflects I am shameful I have not "finished" the finishes but also proud that I loving stitched each piece. I've thought of the obvious "Treasure Chest" or "Treasure Trove" but they're not quite right. Any other suggestions would be gratefully received.

Happy stitching everyone!
Rachel x

Challenge Finish 10

Hello Friends!

I apologise for being absent from blogger for a while. Yet again I'm behind on reading and commenting on blogs but I'm hoping to catch up this week.

In the meantime I have another totally unplanned Challenge finish for you.

This is My Treasure from 27th February. I was actually looking for a different WIP when this one caught my eye. I only had the non-green colours and backstitching left to do so thought I might as well try to complete it. Here it is with all the boring details:

My Treasure

Designed by Jennifer Aikman-Smith as a free design from Dragon Dreams Inc, 

Stitched on 16ct Gold Lurex Aida by DMC 2 over 1

Stitch count 60 wide by 60 high
Started - 27th February 2015
Finished - 18th May 2015

Total stitching time - 20 hours 40 minutes

I have to admit I did not really enjoy stitching the Kreinik, although the result does look good. I think Kreinik, like most metallics, is one of those threads you either love or hate. In my case, hate!

Behind the scenes I'm still plodding on with other Challenge pieces. Very slowly my two DSDUCJFC progress bars are being filled in. Time-wise I'm almost 1/4 of the way through January's projects and just over 1/8 through February's. I don't know whether to cheer at the amount done or figuratively cry at the amount remaining!! The former I think as speed was never the most important consideration in this Challenge.

10/59 Challenge pieces down, 49 to go!

TTFN
Rachel x

March Progress on DSDUCJFC 2015 Pieces

Good morning everybody!

Although I'm posting my Challenge finishes as they happen, I thought I would also do an end-of-month posting about progress made on other Challenge pieces just to show (1) what I am working on and (2) that they are not being neglected.

So on top of finishing 6 Challenge pieces in March I also made the following progress:

Daisy Hugs from 6th January

continued down and backstitched the petals
and the mouse on the right has a tail!

Dreaming of Dolphins from 7th January

finished the first dolphin
absolutely adore this piece!

 Lickle Ted April Showers from 8th January

finished the umbrella hood

Cookie and Cream from 16th January
stitched some of Cream and backstitched the window
can't say I've ever seen a cat quite that yellow!

Lickle Ted Flower Power from 18th January

finished the flower (mostly) and started Lickle Ted's head

Winter Owl from 3rd February

finished the owl's head as far down as his scarf

My Treasure from 27th February

finished stitching the dragon

My original plan for the Challenge pieces was to work on one at a time until completed. This sort of worked for the first few as they were small and I was desperate to finish them.

Then I changed my plan to work on one focus piece but stitch on others as my mood took me. That way I would definitely be heading towards one finish whilst working on others.

But now I've decided to just stitch what I want when I want! If that means continuing with a piece until it's finished that's fine. If it means stitching for a bit then moving on that's fine too. I want to enjoy stitching these pieces, not feel bogged down or in a rush to complete them.

With so many Challenge pieces to choose from, goodness knows which ones will make an appearance in April. Will they be the same ones? Will they be different? Or will there be a mixture of both? Watch this space to find out!

Love and hugs
Rachel x

DSDUCJFC 2015 - Day 58

Hello dear things!

I have been waiting to stitch this chart for so long, deliberately leaving it to nearly last as an incentive to keep going. I usually substitute the recommended Kreinik for standard DMC thread but am going to use the gold and silver this time for the blingy treasure. It should go well with the fabric.

My Treasure

Free design from Dragon Dreams Inc here

Stitched on 16ct Cream aida with Gold Lurex by DMC 2 over 1

Last new start tomorrow. :(

Happy stitching
Crazy Rachel x