As I mentioned in my last post, I needed to get started on my pre-stitching for my Hare Pyns class. I decided to pull out everything on Saturday when I had a fresh mind and read through all of my instructions. She suggested cutting out fabric down to size for the wallet, but as I stood there with my rotary cutter in hand I just couldn’t do it. For one thing, my fabric wasn’t squared up when it was originally cut, so I was afraid of mis-cutting. So, instead I decided I would baste my pieces first and then cut. That way I made sure to have enough for the pocket and the smalls. Eric had a student at the house, so I went into the dining room where I could spread out and started my basting.
I tell you what – I can stitch on 40ct with no problem in the worst of light. I can stitch over one on 32ct with no problem. But trying to count and do my basting on this 30ct fabric? My eyes were having a hard time with it. After awhile I ended up with the worst headache, probably from eye strain, which is so weird because I had a ton of light in that room, both from the overhead light and from the six windows letting in bright afternoon sunlight. But, whatever the reason, once I got that pocket basted, I had to take some Advil and call it a day.
After dinner and a much-needed break from basting, I did settle in to do some actual stitching on the piece that night. I didn’t make a ton of progress because I kept second-guessing the instructions. But at least my eyes didn’t bother me at all, even working over one on that 30ct fabric. So, I’m going to focus on getting that pocket stitched first and then I’ll work on the smalls.
Before launching into working on Hare Pyns over the weekend, I did pull out an old WIP last week (Dorothy has gone back into the closet). This is Chatelaine’s Mystery 9. Seems I’ve been working on this forever (well since January of 2006 – that was the year I got married and moved though, so stitching fell to the wayside). The last time I worked on this piece was August of 2009. Sad, isn’t it? Well, what’s even sadder is that all that stitching I did on it last time, all the swirly stuff in the corner, I completely miscounted. So what you see here is after I ripped out both sides of the swirlies, then restitched the bottom one and am in the process of restitching the left one. It all had to come out. Sad sad sad.
No wonder I haven’t worked on it in almost two years. This is what happens to me. I make a mistake, get disgusted, set the piece aside, and then years go by. But I really want to get this piece finished up. I’m working on part 9 (of 12). And after having seen Missy’s Chatelaines in person, I’m desperate to get mine finished. I currently have four in progress (this story just keeps getting worse, doesn’t it?): Mystery 9, Mermaid Treasure Box, Midi Mystery 2, and Pearl Lights. So, I plan to get back to this as soon as possible (although I’ve got Hare Pyns to work on). I want to get that corner restitched and then get to working on the other three corners. Once those corner swirlies are stitched they have a ton of beads and crystals too, which will be stunning. I can’t wait! And although this photo is a bit washed out, it’s the first time ever I think you’ve been able to kind of see that this is stitched on lavender linen. It’s really pale, but the silks look so good on it.
And of course, Sunday was for ATS. I always stitch into the evening hours on Sundays, so here’s a photo of what it looked like before yesterday’s stitching session. As you can see, I’m stitching leaves for that center tree.
Last night I finished the leaves and started on the tree branches. There is a lot of stitching in that tree, but it’s coming along. I got about half of the tree branches stitched before I had to stop last night. And I’m still so in love with that cluster of grapes on the right – that purple is just so fun!
So this week will be more Hare Pyns, ATS on Sunday and possibly something else thrown in for fun.
I am grateful for inspiration from Missy.
Weird about the basting bothering you so much! Hope things go better now that you’re just stitching. (Don’t you hate when fabric is cut crooked? Ugh!) Love your ATS! Love that Chatelaine too! I know what you mean about mistakes stopping you from stitching a piece. Sad but true.
Weird about the basting bothering you so much! Hope things go better now that you’re just stitching. (Don’t you hate when fabric is cut crooked? Ugh!) Love your ATS! Love that Chatelaine too! I know what you mean about mistakes stopping you from stitching a piece. Sad but true.
Love your Chatelaine. I do the same thing all the time. Make a mistake and put it away for years. Love yoru ATS. The colours are so pretty. x
Love your Chatelaine. I do the same thing all the time. Make a mistake and put it away for years. Love yoru ATS. The colours are so pretty. x
Strange about the basting. You’ve been very busy since I was last able to get over here. Congratulations on finishing the Stacy Nash and your other wips are looking good
Strange about the basting. You’ve been very busy since I was last able to get over here. Congratulations on finishing the Stacy Nash and your other wips are looking good
You are a much better project prepper than I am – no basting for me until later LOL – that is because I am la-zy!! I’ll baste when the front of the pocket is done – that way I don’t have to count ( at least not too much). The colors on HP are looking so very nice! I am loving it.
Good job getting all those leaves stitched up – that was a lot of work – you seem to be making short work of that tree – it took me forever to stitch my way trough it.
You are a much better project prepper than I am – no basting for me until later LOL – that is because I am la-zy!! I’ll baste when the front of the pocket is done – that way I don’t have to count ( at least not too much). The colors on HP are looking so very nice! I am loving it.
Good job getting all those leaves stitched up – that was a lot of work – you seem to be making short work of that tree – it took me forever to stitch my way trough it.
Oh, forgot about your Chatelaine – it really is a beautiful piece. I will be totally envious when you are done.
Oh, forgot about your Chatelaine – it really is a beautiful piece. I will be totally envious when you are done.
The stitching looks great…but I have to say…I’m VERY impressed with your photography! I can tell that you’ve been working on your skills and it shows! Congrats!
The stitching looks great…but I have to say…I’m VERY impressed with your photography! I can tell that you’ve been working on your skills and it shows! Congrats!
It all looks good. ATS is And They Sinned, right? I love the grapes too. They’re cute!! And I love your Chat. I have one in progress and am planning on getting four more this summer.
It all looks good. ATS is And They Sinned, right? I love the grapes too. They’re cute!! And I love your Chat. I have one in progress and am planning on getting four more this summer.
I love both the Chatelaine and the ATS pieces. You have a few Chatelaine pieces in the works. It reminded me of all the Ellen Chester pieces I’ve started and have only finished one.
I love both the Chatelaine and the ATS pieces. You have a few Chatelaine pieces in the works. It reminded me of all the Ellen Chester pieces I’ve started and have only finished one.
Oh, I have a stomach ache just reading about your Chatelaine. Someone once told me to rip out a mistake before putting the piece down otherwise you probably won’t pick it up again for a long time. So I always make sure I frog if needed and it’s helped tremendously from putting a project aside for years. I LOVE your ATS.
Oh, I have a stomach ache just reading about your Chatelaine. Someone once told me to rip out a mistake before putting the piece down otherwise you probably won’t pick it up again for a long time. So I always make sure I frog if needed and it’s helped tremendously from putting a project aside for years. I LOVE your ATS.
Oh, don’t you hate it when you’re having fabric where you can’t see where the stitches should go? I have that with some hard fabrics and hate it. Washing sometimes helps.
Reading about you having had to rip so much on your Chatelaine made me feel so sorry for you. That must have been horrible. No wonder it was buried for so long.
Your sampler looks fantastic too.
Looking forward to see more of Hare Pyns 🙂
Oh, don’t you hate it when you’re having fabric where you can’t see where the stitches should go? I have that with some hard fabrics and hate it. Washing sometimes helps.
Reading about you having had to rip so much on your Chatelaine made me feel so sorry for you. That must have been horrible. No wonder it was buried for so long.
Your sampler looks fantastic too.
Looking forward to see more of Hare Pyns 🙂
Michelle, you will love Hare Pyns when it is finished. There is so much stitching, so be prepared to work on it deligently. I am unfortunately still stitching mine was not finished for class that we had last year at this time. As a matter of fact, taking Lounging Hare from Sherry this coming weekend.
Always amazed at how much you get done. Looking forward to seeing your progress on Hare Pyns.
Michelle, you will love Hare Pyns when it is finished. There is so much stitching, so be prepared to work on it deligently. I am unfortunately still stitching mine was not finished for class that we had last year at this time. As a matter of fact, taking Lounging Hare from Sherry this coming weekend.
Always amazed at how much you get done. Looking forward to seeing your progress on Hare Pyns.
Michelle, sounds like you are having fun with your WIPs. I love them all, but my favorite of all is ATS. Every time I see your pictures I want to start mine!!
I so dislike basting… I never baste my pieces. LOL!!
Michelle, sounds like you are having fun with your WIPs. I love them all, but my favorite of all is ATS. Every time I see your pictures I want to start mine!!
I so dislike basting… I never baste my pieces. LOL!!
I hope Hair Pyns stops giving you problems so you can enjoy it. Mystery 9 and ATS are both beautiful! Funny how some projects get stitched right away and others take us a few years!
I hope Hair Pyns stops giving you problems so you can enjoy it. Mystery 9 and ATS are both beautiful! Funny how some projects get stitched right away and others take us a few years!
I wonder if the color of thread you were basting with had anything to do with it?
Your ATS and Chatelaine pieces are both so, so pretty.
I wonder if the color of thread you were basting with had anything to do with it?
Your ATS and Chatelaine pieces are both so, so pretty.
I don’t think that you’re the only person that’s set something aside because of a mistake, but I’m so happy to hear that you’ve pulled it out, ripped out the bad stitches and are now working on it again (don’t remind me about my Chatelaines, okay? LOL).
I wonder why that basting was giving you such a hard time. Perhaps the fabric and the thread you used for basting? Sorry about the headache, but at least it’s done now.
And ATS is looking so good. It’s fun to have to many fun things to work on isn’t it?
I don’t think that you’re the only person that’s set something aside because of a mistake, but I’m so happy to hear that you’ve pulled it out, ripped out the bad stitches and are now working on it again (don’t remind me about my Chatelaines, okay? LOL).
I wonder why that basting was giving you such a hard time. Perhaps the fabric and the thread you used for basting? Sorry about the headache, but at least it’s done now.
And ATS is looking so good. It’s fun to have to many fun things to work on isn’t it?
wow beautiful work! I hate when I make mistakes as well. There have been a couple of designs which are never finished, it really put me off unpicking so many stitches.
wow beautiful work! I hate when I make mistakes as well. There have been a couple of designs which are never finished, it really put me off unpicking so many stitches.
I hate basting – boy Michelle – you sure have set some stringent goals for yourself – I hope you enjoy stitching Hare Pyns – I have turned the class down twice because of the pre-stitching – I am just terrible with deadlines – I face that daily in my job – why do I want to face it in my stitching – I just can’t ! I just want to stitch and have fun doing it – I am notorious for putting something down if I mess it up and it may be years and may be ‘never’ that I pick it up again. I am never guilty about what I do or don’t do. ATS is looking fabulous! enjoy your journey kiddo ! Melody
I hate basting – boy Michelle – you sure have set some stringent goals for yourself – I hope you enjoy stitching Hare Pyns – I have turned the class down twice because of the pre-stitching – I am just terrible with deadlines – I face that daily in my job – why do I want to face it in my stitching – I just can’t ! I just want to stitch and have fun doing it – I am notorious for putting something down if I mess it up and it may be years and may be ‘never’ that I pick it up again. I am never guilty about what I do or don’t do. ATS is looking fabulous! enjoy your journey kiddo ! Melody
Crooked-cut fabric drives me nuts. Don’t tell anyone, but I take my glasses off so I can get very close to the linen threads and snip that straight line!
That is so weird that you can stitch on that little fabric but had trouble with the larger count! lol! Wish that were MY problem.
Your Chatelaine is fantastic.
Crooked-cut fabric drives me nuts. Don’t tell anyone, but I take my glasses off so I can get very close to the linen threads and snip that straight line!
That is so weird that you can stitch on that little fabric but had trouble with the larger count! lol! Wish that were MY problem.
Your Chatelaine is fantastic.
Beautiful stitching! Especially the Châtelaine – what a lovely texture.
Beautiful stitching! Especially the Châtelaine – what a lovely texture.
Keep up the good work! I did mystery 9 and loved it, hope to see more progress on yours.x
Keep up the good work! I did mystery 9 and loved it, hope to see more progress on yours.x