Shereen at Waiting for Him hosts Sew Crafty Friday.
After the hours spent on last week’s costumes, I have no newly completed projects to share, so I thought I’d show you what I am currently working on. I have to admit, I began this project so many years ago I don’t remember when I started it. I can tell you this though, it was before I had found software for designing cross-stitch patterns. This design was done the old fashioned way with graph paper and colored pencils. If you click on the picture, I made a PDF of my design to share. It is a bit crude with my pencil scratchings all over it but it can be followed. When this is completed it will be a simple clock face with a sun in the center having its rays at the hours, trees from the four seasons at 12, 3, 6, and 9, and the Scripture “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.”
Here is how much I have finished so far. It is slow going because my eyesight is not what it used to be. (One of the many reminders that I’m not as young as I think I am. LOL)
A close up of the finished summer tree. Sorry it’s a bit fuzzy.
When working on cross-stitch, I wear a thin cotton glove on the hand holding the hoop so I don’t get the Aida cloth dirty. I use a metal board to hold my pattern with magnets and another magnet to mark my place. The almost empty container holds the flosses that I am using on current projects.
As you can see, my sorting compulsion spreads through out my life. All my DMC flosses are sorted by number, thus explaining the spaces in the containers. If you think that’s bad, you ought to see my seed beads.
That is just amazing. You are so talented, and the clock is going to be a real heirloom when you finish it!
(Mom2fur from Sortafrugal.blogspot.com here!)
I have been working on the same crosstitch sampler since I was pregnant with Annaleigh. I am finally working on the backstitching! It's not my own pattern, but it's just extremely detailed.
Wow, you are designing on pdf now? Why am I surprised by that! =)
You organize and do cross stitch precisely as I do except for the glove (great idea but drives me nuts) and leaving the spaces in the boxes, LOL! When I would pull my colors for my empty box for my new project my MIL would be so sad because she thought I was throwing those pretty colors away! Everyone always loved those colorful boxes!
Have you tried a really good light for your eyes? I used to cross stitch on the road back when I lived in dark and dismal base housing and it was amazing how much better I could see in sunlight! They sell great Ott lights I think they are sold at places like Jo Ann (be sure to use a coupon) to help with lighting. It even shows a truer light for better color of the fabric. They say that aging eyes need more light…and it won't get better…we'll just need more light!
Of course I'll show pictures of us all dressed up! LOL Thanks for asking though because it makes me more excited! Our Medieval Feast is Nov 17! Look for pictures shortly therafter! =) I'm going to try to announce that when I post next Friday's Sew Crafty when I show my dress. Same as my dd's, different color and size…but the big story will be in where the fabric came from! =)
Blessings,
Laurie
You are so talented to be able to design! My husband has that talent, too. One year he designed a fishing lure cross-stitch for his dad. He designed by looking at a lure and drawing it on graph paper, and I stitched. I should take a picture of it when we go there for Thanksgiving!
You design is lovely. Have you ever been published?
Momma
That's going to be beautiful when you get it all finished. I used to do tons of cross-stitch. The last thing I did was a baby sample for Gracie, that still hasn't found it's way to the frame shop! I couldn't afford all the frames, so I quit!
Thanks for sharing,
Heidi
Do you buy the DMC cards that way, or do you restring the floss? I'm obviously not a cross-sticher, but I'd love the learn and teach my girls!!!
Did you design the clock with the four seasons on it?? If so, it is GORGEOUS! I have no real creativity, but I can follow directions really well. And I LOVE to cross stitch also. Someday, when this house is done or we move to a larger one, I will be able to locate all my stored crafts and begin to work on them again. LOTS of cross stitching to do. And you think your floss looks organized? You should see my mothers. Puts mine to shame. I hope you continue to work on your clock and complete it. What an heirloom to pass on!
Denise aka The Domestic Angel
Thanks for coming by and leaving a comment. I love cross stitch and need to get back into it. I do have shoulder and arm problems that sort of prevent me from doing it though…carpal tunnel, it's very very painful…I even hesitate in commenting back because it's been very painful the last three days. I'm praying it's better before Thanksgiving, though, I'll cook whether it is or not…Hey! I'm from SC, Beaufort…are you near there? I moved to KY in 87 to be close to my family.
Nancy
Do you have a cross stitch pattern for the Train up a Child Proverb? Thanks!