Friday, July 24, 2015

Don't you hate it when...

...you run out of thread for a project?! That sinking feeling you get as you stitch along, and start to think that the remaining thread just doesn't look like it's going to be enough... Well, it happened to me with the model I'm working on. Hopefully, more thread will be in my mailbox today and I can finally finish this piece.

However, one good thing that came of the shortage was that I was able to spend yesterday working on The Raven Queen with no guilt! I'm using a brighter color of Waterlilies silk in her dress, and so far I'm pleased with the results:


I do have one small finish to share, which I had completed a few weeks ago. It was a free SAL on By The Bay Needleart's blog, which came in four parts; the first three parts were regular cross stitching, then the final part added embellishing stitches. I had the first three parts done about a year ago, but never got around to the final touches, so I finally pulled it out and added some spider-web stitch flowers, lazy daisy leaves and French knot flowers. Here it is before:


And after:


There is also a kitty on the porch, because any home I'm in will always have a kitty in it!

Last week I offered to send needle minders to some of my readers, and I heard back from seven of them. It was so neat that a fairly wide range of countries was represented in such a small group; three in the US and one each in Canada, Italy, Sweden and the UK. All of them were mailed out this past Monday; a couple in the US have been received already, and hopefully everyone will have them soon.

Hope everyone has a great stitchy weekend!

20 comments:

  1. Great progress congrats on the finish! My needle minder is working great!

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  2. Both pieces look great! I look forward to seeing more of Raven Queen!!

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  3. I love the Raven Queen's crown. Are you stitching her skin over 1 or 2?

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  4. Ooh, I hate when that happens! Hopefully your new thread will arrive soon. Great progress on The Raven Queen; she's so beautiful. Congrats on the lovely finish! Have a wonderful weekend :-)

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  5. Congrats on the great finish Melanie. Raven Queen looks awesome. I can't remember if I wrote you, but I have received my needle minder and thank you very much. I love it.

    Linda

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    1. Thanks for letting me know that it arrived; glad you like it!

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  6. Hi
    I adore your progress
    Raven queen is magic you did a great work.
    Welcome Sal is absolutely wonderful flowers are magnificent. Big hugs.

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  7. Hi
    I adore your progress
    Raven queen is magic you did a great work.
    Welcome Sal is absolutely wonderful flowers are magnificent. Big hugs.

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  8. Hi
    I adore your progress
    Raven queen is magic you did a great work.
    Welcome Sal is absolutely wonderful flowers are magnificent. Big hugs.

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  9. It sure is wonderful how we can all come together in our love for cross stitching, regardless of where we live! I'm waiting by the mailbox to receive my little pressie:) I love your finish - the embellisment are stunning but sounds tricky:) And I share your sentiment about always having pets around; as you know I cannot live without dogs!

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  10. beautiful stitching, cute finish

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  11. The By The Bay piece turned out nice.
    Raven Queen is looking fantastic.
    The dress color choice is nice.
    Thanks again for the Stitchy Bug, the magnet is really strong!
    Have a great weekend!
    Marilyn

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  12. Raven Queen looks fantastic! If you stitch more quickly then you won't run out of thread. At least, that is what I always try to do!
    Thank you again for the lovely needleminder, now I will always know where my stitchy bug is!

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    1. That's funny, because I always start to stitch slower as I run out, like that will stretch it out longer! Glad you like your "bug"!

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  13. I adore that finished piece with all of those nice flowers and awesome kitty touch.

    Great work on Raven Queen!

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  14. Dear Melanie,
    I have just received the adorable little stitching bug! He is soo cute and I wish there was chart of him so I could stitch him; he really made me smile!
    Thank you sooo much for taking the time and making the effort to send him to me - it is VERY MUCH appreciated!!
    Hugs,
    Annie

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  15. Raven Queen looks beautiful and nice finish!

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  16. I have run out of thread before - lots of times - and I don't like it either. I hate it.....

    Your WIP's are looking great - Wow...I love your Mirabilia one...she is just gorgeous and I dearly love the material that you are doing her on as well.

    Happy Stitching
    Linda K

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