
Finally! It only took me oh, two years to finish this part! Sad. But, that’s the way it is. This part is finished now. And I only have four parts left. I am so excited to be making progress on this. Martina’s designs are so intricate, and involve a lot of shading, color changes and intricate work. But, when it all comes together, it is magnificent. I took this piece with me on Thursday to Barnes & Noble to meet up with some of my stitching friends (I had such a blast, ladies!). I do have to say that it made me feel really good to have people stop and tell me how pretty it is. And, of course, I am a sucker for sparklies, so beading this piece as I go makes it a lot of fun. I finished up the beading on my last artichoke bed this afternoon. And don’t those stitches for the flowers just make them? I love how three-dimensional they are.
Here’s the whole thing so far.

Keep in mind that I haven’t added the bigger Swarovski crystals yet, nor have I added the bugle beads on those triangular beds. And I was asked about the center. Yes, there is a center designed for it, which is part of Part 12. Martina offered two options, a beaded center or a stitched center. I am actually going to be doing a combination of the two. I have the pearls and crystal embellishment Martina offered, but I will be stitching around them. And Part 9 is all about the sparklies, so it should be a beautiful effect that I’ll be seeing next.
And, my trusty mail carrier arrived this afternoon with some goodies for me. One package contained The Primitive Needle’s Sampler Sisters of the Thread. This design is so beautiful, and I will definitely be starting it pronto. I also received my gorgeous hand-turned pincushion base for the BBD Loose Feathers “extra”. This piece is so well-made and I highly recommend that you all call your LNS and order one immediately. (Mr. Milady will probably be cursing my name soon). But really, this is so pretty. I can’t wait to make my pincusion. Although, I am holding off on the sewing accessories for now because I want all of mine to match, so I’m thinking about color schemes. I do really like the color chosen for the pincushion though, so I may just carry that through.

And, have you seen this?

The new Mirabilia mermaid. Love it – she is a real beauty!
That’s all for me today. I am going to be ironing my fabric this weekend to start on the new Loose Feathers (The Simple Things), and also probably making a start on Part 9 of Mystery IX. I’m so happy to be able to say that!!
I am grateful for Eric’s surprise – I can’t wait for the 4th!
A work of art indeed Michelle! I could say gorgeous and stunning, but I don’t think even those words describe this piece. Every stitch is just perfect. Won’t this be fun to see framed when you’re finished?
Nice new stashy things, and yes, I think the mermaid is lovely!
A work of art indeed Michelle! I could say gorgeous and stunning, but I don’t think even those words describe this piece. Every stitch is just perfect. Won’t this be fun to see framed when you’re finished?
Nice new stashy things, and yes, I think the mermaid is lovely!
Wow, thanks for the close-up on the Chatelaine piece! None of the designs have really called to me but it’s lovely to see how detailed the work is. Great progress and have fun with your new projects!
Wow, thanks for the close-up on the Chatelaine piece! None of the designs have really called to me but it’s lovely to see how detailed the work is. Great progress and have fun with your new projects!
It’s sooooo gorgeous, Michelle! Wow! I love seeing Martina’s designs stitched — just can’t see stitching them myself. 😀 I wonder when my wooden base will come. 🙁
It’s sooooo gorgeous, Michelle! Wow! I love seeing Martina’s designs stitched — just can’t see stitching them myself. 😀 I wonder when my wooden base will come. 🙁
Wow! Congrats! That is such an amazing piece! And fun new goodies you got too!
Wow! Congrats! That is such an amazing piece! And fun new goodies you got too!
Beautiful stitching, i don’t think i would be able to do the detail stitching, my eyes wouldn’t manage lol.
Beautiful stitching, i don’t think i would be able to do the detail stitching, my eyes wouldn’t manage lol.
Michelle, that WIP is extraordinary–just beautiful! I’m in awe of all the beautiful stitching too. And great new stash-fun PN piece! And YES, I have to have that mermaid too-she’s gorgeous.
Michelle, that WIP is extraordinary–just beautiful! I’m in awe of all the beautiful stitching too. And great new stash-fun PN piece! And YES, I have to have that mermaid too-she’s gorgeous.
Mystery 9 is really really beautiful. I love stitching in public, you get so many people stopping and admiring. I always tell them – you can do this too!
That pincushion base is to die for. I can hardly wait to see what it looks like with the cushion.
Oh that mermaid? lol She hit my wishlist when ABC only had a crappy picture.
Mystery 9 is really really beautiful. I love stitching in public, you get so many people stopping and admiring. I always tell them – you can do this too!
That pincushion base is to die for. I can hardly wait to see what it looks like with the cushion.
Oh that mermaid? lol She hit my wishlist when ABC only had a crappy picture.
Michelle – Your Chatelaine is looking gorgeous. I know exactly what you’re talking about when talk about the intricacy of these designs. I’ve done one and have two others in the fire and sometimes you just have to stop and walk away because they are so involved. I received my chart from Lisa too this week and can’t wait to start it (don’t know when though). And yes, I do like that Mermaid too. So many things to stitch and so little time. Cheering you on with your Chatelaine piece.
Michelle – Your Chatelaine is looking gorgeous. I know exactly what you’re talking about when talk about the intricacy of these designs. I’ve done one and have two others in the fire and sometimes you just have to stop and walk away because they are so involved. I received my chart from Lisa too this week and can’t wait to start it (don’t know when though). And yes, I do like that Mermaid too. So many things to stitch and so little time. Cheering you on with your Chatelaine piece.
Your Chatelaine is so very beautiful. It looks to be so complicated and so gorgeous done.
Your Chatelaine is so very beautiful. It looks to be so complicated and so gorgeous done.
Beautiful stitching on the Chatelaine piece! I haven’t tried a Chatelaine design yet but love all the detail of her designs. Thanks for the close-up on the stitch detail, your stitching is fantastic!
I stitched the pincushion (2X), it’s really easy to stitch and put together, you’ll love it!
Beautiful stitching on the Chatelaine piece! I haven’t tried a Chatelaine design yet but love all the detail of her designs. Thanks for the close-up on the stitch detail, your stitching is fantastic!
I stitched the pincushion (2X), it’s really easy to stitch and put together, you’ll love it!
OUTSTANDING Michelle!! What an accomplishment on completing part 8!! I love the sparkles too!! Keep it up!! Thanks for the stash update, hadnt seen that one….LOVE it!! Cant wait to get my base for my pincushion too- I chose the dark as well. Cant wait to see your BBD start next week!!! Have a great weekend.
OUTSTANDING Michelle!! What an accomplishment on completing part 8!! I love the sparkles too!! Keep it up!! Thanks for the stash update, hadnt seen that one….LOVE it!! Cant wait to get my base for my pincushion too- I chose the dark as well. Cant wait to see your BBD start next week!!! Have a great weekend.
Utterly stunning, Michelle. WOWIE. I’m in awe of people who stitch Martina’s designs.
Utterly stunning, Michelle. WOWIE. I’m in awe of people who stitch Martina’s designs.
It’s really beautiful!
It’s really beautiful!
Michelle, your Martina piece is SOOOOO pretty. I loved the close up picture–it really shows off the color changes and the different stitches. Lovely!
Great new stash, especially Sampler Sisters of the Thread! 🙂
Michelle, your Martina piece is SOOOOO pretty. I loved the close up picture–it really shows off the color changes and the different stitches. Lovely!
Great new stash, especially Sampler Sisters of the Thread! 🙂
Your stitching on Mystery IX is exquisite, and the colors are gorgeous! I had not seen the “Sisters of the Thread” sampler until now. Thanks for the heads up!
Your stitching on Mystery IX is exquisite, and the colors are gorgeous! I had not seen the “Sisters of the Thread” sampler until now. Thanks for the heads up!
It looks fabulous Michelle!
It looks fabulous Michelle!
It’s looking gorgeous, congratulations on finishing part 8
It’s looking gorgeous, congratulations on finishing part 8
Absolutely gorgeous!
Absolutely gorgeous!
Oh my that is REALLY pretty. And oh yeah….I’ve seen that mermaid. What IS it with these designers lately? They are killing me! lol
Oh my that is REALLY pretty. And oh yeah….I’ve seen that mermaid. What IS it with these designers lately? They are killing me! lol
Michelle, that is absolutely stunning. Your work is impeccable.
Michelle, that is absolutely stunning. Your work is impeccable.
the stitching is so clean,so perfect, amazing work.
the stitching is so clean,so perfect, amazing work.
It’s awesome! Your pictures are so good too, they really show the texture – great going so far!
It’s awesome! Your pictures are so good too, they really show the texture – great going so far!
OMG I cannot believe how stunning the Chatelaine piece is…. It is gorgeous. I cannot wait to see it finished.
OMG I cannot believe how stunning the Chatelaine piece is…. It is gorgeous. I cannot wait to see it finished.
I have to say again how beautiful that is. It’s not my style, but I love it anyway. Fabulous work, Michelle.
I have to say again how beautiful that is. It’s not my style, but I love it anyway. Fabulous work, Michelle.
Woo hoo! It’s beautiful! So detailed and colorful!
Woo hoo! It’s beautiful! So detailed and colorful!